, Chapter 01: Overview of Gerontologic Nursing
Meiner: Gerontologic Nursing, 7th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. In 2010, the revised Standards and Scope of Gerontological Nursing Practice was published. The nurse
would use these standards to:
a. promote the practice of gerontologic nursing within the acute care setting.
b. define the concepts and dimensions of gerontologic nursing practice.
c. elevate the practice of gerontologic nursing.
d. incorporate suggested interventions from others who practice gerontologic nursing.
SELECTED ANSWER: D
The current publishing of the Standards and Scope of Gerontological Nursing Practice in 2010
incorporates the input of gerontologic nurses from across the United States. It was not intended
to promote gerontologic nursing practice within acute care settings, define concepts or
dimensions of gerontologic nursing practice, or elevate the practice of gerontologic nursing.
DIF: Remembering (Knowledge) REF: Page 2 OBJ: 1-1
TOP: N/A MSC: Safe and Effective Care Environment
2. When attempting to minimize the effect of ageism on the practice of nursing older adults, a
nurse needs to first:
a. recognize that nurses must act as advocates for aging patients.
b. accept that this population represents a substantial portion of those requiring nursing
care.
c. self-reflect and formulate one’s personal view of aging and the older patient.
d. recognize ageism as a form of bigotry shared by many Americans.
SELECTED ANSWER: C
Ageism is an ever-increasing prejudicial view of the effects of the aging process and of the older
population as a whole. With nurses being members of a society holding such views, it is critical
that the individual nurse self-reflect on personal feelings and determine whether such feelings
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,will affect the nursing care that he or she provides to the aging patient. Acting as an advocate is
an important nursing role in all settings. Simply accepting a fact does not help end ageism, nor
does recognizing ageism as a form of bigotry.
DIF: Applying (Application) REF: N/A OBJ: 1-9
TOP: Teaching-Learning MSC: Safe and Effective Care Environment
3. When discussing factors that have helped to increase the number of healthy, independent
older Americans, the nurse includes the importance of:
a. increased availability of in-home care services.
b. government support of retired citizens.
c. effective antibiotic therapies.
d. the development of life-extending therapies.
SELECTED ANSWER: C
The health and ultimate autonomy of older Americans has been positively impacted by the
development of antibiotics, better sanitation, and vaccines. These public health measures have
been more instrumental in increasing the numbers of healthy, independent older Americans
than have in-home care services, government programs, or life-extending therapies.
DIF: Remembering (Knowledge) REF: Page 2 OBJ: 3-3
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
4. Based on current data, when presenting an older adult’s discharge teaching plan, the nurse
includes the patient’s: a. nonrelated caretaker.
b. paid caregiver.
c. family member.
d. intuitional representative.
SELECTED ANSWER: C
Less than 4% of older adults live in a formal health care environment. The majority of the
geriatric population lives at home or with family members.
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,DIF: Applying (Application) REF: N/A OBJ: 3-3
TOP: Nursing Process: Planning MSC: Safe and Effective Care Environment
5. The nurse planning care for an older adult who has recently been diagnosed with rheumatoid
arthritis views the priority criterion for continued independence to be the patient’s:
a. age.
b. financial status.
c. gender.
d. functional status.
SELECTED ANSWER: D
Maintaining the functional status of older adults may avert the onset of physical frailty and
cognitive impairment, two conditions that increase the likelihood of institutionalization.
DIF: Remembering (Knowledge) REF: Page 8 OBJ: 1-6
TOP: Nursing Process: Planning MSC: Physiologic Integrity
6. A nurse working with the older adult population is most likely to assess a need for a financial
social service’s referral for a(n):
a. white male.
b. black female.
c. Hispanic male.
d. Asian American female.
SELECTED ANSWER: B
The poverty rate among older black women is substantially higher than that seen among males
or females of other ethnic groups. White males had the least poverty. DIF: Applying (Application)
REF: N/A OBJ: 1-4
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: Safe and Effective Care Environment
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,7. Which of the following statements made by a nurse preparing to complete a health
assessment and history on an older patient reflects an understanding of the general health
status of this population?
a. “I’ll need to document well regarding the medications the patient is currently
prescribed.”
b. “I would like to understand how supportive the patient’s family members are.”
c. “Most older patients are being treated for a variety of chronic health care issues.”
d. “It will be interesting to see whether this patient sees herself as being healthy.”
SELECTED ANSWER: D
It is a misconception that old age is synonymous with disease and illness. The nurse should
always determine the patient’s sense of wellness and independence when conducting a health
and history assessment. An assessment of medication use and family support is important for
any patient. Many older adults do have chronic health conditions, but their perception is more
important than a single number.
DIF: Applying (Application) REF: N/A OBJ: 1-4
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: Health Promotion
8. The nurse is caring for an older adult who has been admitted to an acute care hospital for
treatment of a fractured femur. The family expresses concern about the patient’s pending
transfer to a subacute care facility. What response by the nurse is best?
a. “Acute care facilities lack the long-term physical therapy support your dad requires.”
b. “Your dad will be much happier in a more serene, private environment.”
c. “The subacute facility will focus on helping your dad maintain his independence.”
d. “Insurance, including Medicare, will cover only a limited amount of time here.”
SELECTED ANSWER: C
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,The transfer of the patient to a subacute facility is based on the need to maintain the patient’s
level of function and independence, a task the acute care facility is not prepared to address once
the patient is physiologically stable. The patient may or may not be happier in the new setting;
the nurse should not make this judgment. It is true that insurance only pays for a limited amount
of time in an acute care facility, but this is not the best reason for the patient to transfer.
DIF: Applying (Application) REF: N/A OBJ: 1-6
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
9. To best assure both the quality of care and the safety of the older adult patient who requires
in-home unlicensed assistive personal (UAP) assistance, the geriatric nurse:
a. evaluates the competency of the UAP staff.
b. assumes the roles of case manager and patient advocate.
c. arranges for the needed UAP provided services.
d. assesses the patient for functional limitations.
SELECTED ANSWER: A
As more care traditionally provided by professional nurses is being transferred to UAP, the nurse
must assume more responsibility for educating, training, and evaluating the competency of UAP
staff to provide safe, effective care for the older adult patient.
DIF: Applying (Application) REF: N/A OBJ: 1-2
TOP: Communication and Documentation
MSC: Safe and Effective Care Environment
10. The nurse working with older adults understands what information about certification in
gerontologic nursing?
a. It is mandatory for those in long-term care settings.
b. It is voluntary and shows clinical expertise in an area.
c. It allows nurses to be paid by third-party payers.
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,d. It allows nurses to advance their careers in a job.
SELECTED ANSWER: B
Certification is voluntary and shows that a nurse has additional knowledge and expertise in a
certain area of practice. It is not mandatory in specific care settings. It does not allow for third-
party reimbursement. It may be part of a career ladder program, but that is not true of all work
settings.
DIF: Remembering (Knowledge) REF: Page 2 OBJ: 1-2
TOP: Teaching-Learning MSC: Safe Effective Care Environment
11. A nurse works in a gerontologic clinic. What action by the nurse takes highest priority?
a. Serving as a patient advocate
b. Educating patients about diseases
c. Helping patients remain independent
d. Referring patients to home health care
SELECTED ANSWER: C
One of the challenges and priorities of the gerontologic nurse is helping patients maintain their
independence.
DIF: Remembering (Knowledge) REF: Page 10 OBJ: 1-2
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: Health Promotion
12. A nurse is caring for an older patient in the emergency department. What information about
the patient will be most helpful in creating a plan of care?
a. Baseline physical and cognitive functioning
b. Living conditions and family support
c. Medications and current medical problems
d. Results of the Mini Mental State examination
SELECTED ANSWER: A
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,The nurse is encouraged to view older patients as individuals and consider their baseline
physical and cognitive functional status as a standard by which to compare the patient’s current
status. The other information is also important, but the basis of individualized care begins with
the patient’s strengths and weaknesses.
DIF: Applying (Application) REF: N/A OBJ: 1-6
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: Health Promotion
13. The faculty member explains to students that many older Americans continue to work past
the “retirement age.” What best explains this trend?
a. Feeling healthier longer
b. Changing financial outlook
c. Becoming bored in retirement
d. A desire to give back
SELECTED ANSWER: B
As financial situations may have declined as a result of many economic factors, more older
adults work past their “retirement age.” The other options may be reasons for some to continue
working, but financial necessity is the reason the majority continue to do so.
DIF: Remembering (Knowledge) REF: Page 7 OBJ: 1-3
TOP: Teaching-Learning MSC: Health Promotion
14. What information does the faculty member teach students about Medicare?
a. Covers anyone with end stage renal disease
b. Part A covers some prescription costs
c. Part B covers inpatient hospital costs
d. Part D eliminates the drug “donut hole”
SELECTED ANSWER: A
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,Although Medicare is primarily for those over the age of 65, it does cover people of any age
with end-stage kidney disease. Part A covers hospital costs. Part B is medical insurance. The
“donut hole“ was fixed by the Affordable Care Act.
DIF: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: Page 9 OBJ: 1-3
TOP: Teaching-Learning MSC: Health Promotion
15. A nursing manager notes that many older patients are admitted to the nursing unit for acute
problems. What action can the manager take to most benefit this population?
a. Provide mandatory education on the needs of the older patient.
b. Provide restorative therapy programs designed for this group.
c. Ensure staffing numbers are adequate for dependent patients.
d. Encourage all nurses to obtain gerontologic certification.
SELECTED ANSWER: B
Many older adults need acute care for sudden illness and injury but live in a state of functional
decline, which could possibly be prevented by establishing a restorative therapy program. The
other actions will help the older patients cared for in the unit, but only to limited degrees.
DIF: Applying (Application) REF: N/A OBJ: 1-4
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: Physiologic Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential
16. The dean of a new nursing program wishes to ensure graduates are prepared to care for
older patients. What document should guide the dean in designing the curriculum?
a. The Nurse Practice Act for that state
b. The American Nurses Association (ANA) code of ethics for nurses
c. Healthy People 2020
d. The Recommended Baccalaureate Competencies and Curricular Guidelines
SELECTED ANSWER: D
The Recommended Baccalaureate Competencies and Curricular Guidelines for the Nursing Care
of Older Adults is an updated version of The Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for
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, Professional Nursing Practice. This document was first published by the American Association of
Colleges of Nursing (AACN) in 2008 and was updated in 2010. The other three documents do
not have information about curricular requirements to prepare students to care for the older
population. DIF: Applying (Application) REF: N/A OBJ: 1-2
TOP: Teaching-Learning MSC: Health Promotion
17. A nurse wants to plan a community event at a retirement center. What topic would most
likely be best received? a. Heart healthy living
b. Financial planning
c. Avoiding scams
d. Ethnic cooking classes
SELECTED ANSWER: A
Older adults are demanding more programs and services aimed at health maintenance and
promotion and disease and disability prevention. Based on this information, the heart healthy
living presentation would be best received.
DIF: Applying (Application) REF: N/A OBJ: 1-3
TOP: Teaching-Learning MSC: Health Promotion
18. What does the bedside nurse understand about his or her role in nursing research?
a. Research is only done by doctorally prepared nurses.
b. All nurses have a role in delivering research-based care.
c. A bedside nurse can be part of a hospital research team.
d. The bedside nurse can collect data if the nurse has been properly trained.
SELECTED ANSWER: B
All nurses are charged to deliver patient-centered care based on evidence-based practice,
research, quality improvement, and informatics. The bedside nurse is part of an interdisciplinary
team that is responsible for redesigning the health care structure of the future.
DIF: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: Page 13 TOP: Teaching-Learning
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