GERO EXAM 1 QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS
A client with heel pain is diagnosed with plantar fasciitis. What treatment should the
nurse expect to be prescribed for this client? - Answer-Orthotics
-For plantar fasciitis, the most effective means of relieving pain and preventing
inflammation is to have the foot realigned through the use of custom-made orthotics.
Splints, surgery, and antibiotics are not indicated in the treatment of plantar fasciitis.
A nurse is teaching health interventions to an older adult with osteoarthritis. Which
statement indicates that the individual needs additional teaching? - Answer-"I will try to
limit my use of walkers and assistive devices."
-Walkers and other assistive devices help relieve stress on weight-bearing joints and
improve balance. Individuals with osteoarthritis need to participate in supervised, low-
impact exercises and avoid high-impact activities. Vitamin D is essential for absorption
of calcium. The individual needs to lose weight if appropriate.
A 99-year-old resident has fallen. Which functional consequence of this fall most
strongly affects the plan of care? - Answer-A 99-year-old is at much higher risk of a
fracture from a fall than a younger adult.
-The functional consequence of the fall is risk for future falls, which may include a risk
for fractures. Osteoporotic fractures occur with little or no trauma to the older adult, and
risk of fractures increases in direct relation to age. While a 99-year-old may have
slowed performance of ADLs and decreased muscle mass, the high risk for falls is the
most important factor (also note these are not consequences of the fall). Fear of falling
is a major concern that affects many residents of long-term care facilities.
A nurse was recently assisting an older adult resident with a biweekly bath. While the
nurse was helping the resident transfer out of the bathtub, the resident grabbed on to
the nurse forcefully, became rigid, and exclaimed, "Help me quick." For which reaction
should the nurse prepare to intervene? - Answer-The resident may have a fear of
falling.
-The fear of falling, which is the most common reported fear among older adults, has
been identified as a public health problem that is of equal importance to falls. This fear
goes beyond prudent safety measures and is not a normal, age-related change. The
resident's actions do not necessarily indicate a cognitive deficit.
The older adult client who went rock climbing last week and snowboarding this week is
at risk for broken bones. Which functional consequence of aging most strongly
increases this risk? - Answer-The reduced osteoblastic production of bone matrix.
, -A strong musculoskeletal system helps to protect bone. Weight-bearing activities
decrease the risk of injury by strengthening the bone. Blood flow does not change.
There is impaired bone formation secondary to reduced osteoblastic production of bone
matrix, which increases the risk.
Which hospitalized older adult will the nurse identify as at highest risk for hip fracture
from a fall? - Answer-A client with a history of hip fractures from a fall
- Prior fracture almost doubles the risk for another fracture. The older the client, the
higher the risk. Medications with adverse reactions do increase the risk, and dementia,
especially moderate to severe, increases risk.
An 80-year-old female must undergo surgery for a hip fracture repair. The surgeon asks
the unit secretary to get the client's daughter on the phone so he can obtain telephone
consent from the daughter. The nurse informs the surgeon that the client is competent
and can sign her own consent form. Which ethical principle is the nurse applying in this
situation? - Answer-Autonomy
The nurse correctly demonstrates understanding of the difference between
guardianship and durable power of attorney when making which statement? - Answer-
Guardians are usually court-appointed to make decisions for a client.
An older client has been diagnosed with aggressive pancreatic cancer and has been
told he may only have a few months to live. The client is married and would need to sell
all of the couple's assets in order to afford an unproven new treatment. How should the
nurse best address this ethical dilemma? - Answer-Talk to the client's wife about her
feelings on selling their assets.
A client provides a document identifying an adult child as being the guardian of person
for the client. What type of decision should the guardian be expected to make? -
Answer-consent for a lumbar puncture
Which assessment should the nurse prioritize when determining care for a client with
onychomycosis? - Answer-Inspecting the client's toenail beds
-- Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the toenails. It is not synonymous with tinea
pedis, which is athlete's foot.
The nurse notes that an older client uses the arm rests when moving from a seated to a
standing position. When visiting with family in the lounge, which piece of furniture
should the nurse recommend that the client use? - Answer-love seat
- The love seat will provide at least one arm rest to help the client with a position
change. The sofa might be difficult if the client is sitting in the middle. The stool and
folding chair most likely will not have arm rests for the client to use.
The nurse provides diet teaching to an older adult client with gout. Which client
statement indicates that additional instruction is required? - Answer-"I can eat bacon
with my eggs for breakfast."
CORRECT ANSWERS
A client with heel pain is diagnosed with plantar fasciitis. What treatment should the
nurse expect to be prescribed for this client? - Answer-Orthotics
-For plantar fasciitis, the most effective means of relieving pain and preventing
inflammation is to have the foot realigned through the use of custom-made orthotics.
Splints, surgery, and antibiotics are not indicated in the treatment of plantar fasciitis.
A nurse is teaching health interventions to an older adult with osteoarthritis. Which
statement indicates that the individual needs additional teaching? - Answer-"I will try to
limit my use of walkers and assistive devices."
-Walkers and other assistive devices help relieve stress on weight-bearing joints and
improve balance. Individuals with osteoarthritis need to participate in supervised, low-
impact exercises and avoid high-impact activities. Vitamin D is essential for absorption
of calcium. The individual needs to lose weight if appropriate.
A 99-year-old resident has fallen. Which functional consequence of this fall most
strongly affects the plan of care? - Answer-A 99-year-old is at much higher risk of a
fracture from a fall than a younger adult.
-The functional consequence of the fall is risk for future falls, which may include a risk
for fractures. Osteoporotic fractures occur with little or no trauma to the older adult, and
risk of fractures increases in direct relation to age. While a 99-year-old may have
slowed performance of ADLs and decreased muscle mass, the high risk for falls is the
most important factor (also note these are not consequences of the fall). Fear of falling
is a major concern that affects many residents of long-term care facilities.
A nurse was recently assisting an older adult resident with a biweekly bath. While the
nurse was helping the resident transfer out of the bathtub, the resident grabbed on to
the nurse forcefully, became rigid, and exclaimed, "Help me quick." For which reaction
should the nurse prepare to intervene? - Answer-The resident may have a fear of
falling.
-The fear of falling, which is the most common reported fear among older adults, has
been identified as a public health problem that is of equal importance to falls. This fear
goes beyond prudent safety measures and is not a normal, age-related change. The
resident's actions do not necessarily indicate a cognitive deficit.
The older adult client who went rock climbing last week and snowboarding this week is
at risk for broken bones. Which functional consequence of aging most strongly
increases this risk? - Answer-The reduced osteoblastic production of bone matrix.
, -A strong musculoskeletal system helps to protect bone. Weight-bearing activities
decrease the risk of injury by strengthening the bone. Blood flow does not change.
There is impaired bone formation secondary to reduced osteoblastic production of bone
matrix, which increases the risk.
Which hospitalized older adult will the nurse identify as at highest risk for hip fracture
from a fall? - Answer-A client with a history of hip fractures from a fall
- Prior fracture almost doubles the risk for another fracture. The older the client, the
higher the risk. Medications with adverse reactions do increase the risk, and dementia,
especially moderate to severe, increases risk.
An 80-year-old female must undergo surgery for a hip fracture repair. The surgeon asks
the unit secretary to get the client's daughter on the phone so he can obtain telephone
consent from the daughter. The nurse informs the surgeon that the client is competent
and can sign her own consent form. Which ethical principle is the nurse applying in this
situation? - Answer-Autonomy
The nurse correctly demonstrates understanding of the difference between
guardianship and durable power of attorney when making which statement? - Answer-
Guardians are usually court-appointed to make decisions for a client.
An older client has been diagnosed with aggressive pancreatic cancer and has been
told he may only have a few months to live. The client is married and would need to sell
all of the couple's assets in order to afford an unproven new treatment. How should the
nurse best address this ethical dilemma? - Answer-Talk to the client's wife about her
feelings on selling their assets.
A client provides a document identifying an adult child as being the guardian of person
for the client. What type of decision should the guardian be expected to make? -
Answer-consent for a lumbar puncture
Which assessment should the nurse prioritize when determining care for a client with
onychomycosis? - Answer-Inspecting the client's toenail beds
-- Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the toenails. It is not synonymous with tinea
pedis, which is athlete's foot.
The nurse notes that an older client uses the arm rests when moving from a seated to a
standing position. When visiting with family in the lounge, which piece of furniture
should the nurse recommend that the client use? - Answer-love seat
- The love seat will provide at least one arm rest to help the client with a position
change. The sofa might be difficult if the client is sitting in the middle. The stool and
folding chair most likely will not have arm rests for the client to use.
The nurse provides diet teaching to an older adult client with gout. Which client
statement indicates that additional instruction is required? - Answer-"I can eat bacon
with my eggs for breakfast."
