The nurse is preparing to teach a community health program for senior citizens. Which phys-
ical findings would the nurse include that are typical in older adults? - ANSWER 1 In-
creased skin elasticity and an increase in testosterone production
2 Impaired fat digestion and an increase in pepsin production
Correct 3 Increased blood pressure and decreased cardiac output
4 An increase in body warmth and some swallowing difficulties
With aging, narrowing of the arteries causes some increase in the systolic and diastolic blood
pressures. Decreases occur in diastolic pressure, diastolic filling, and beta-adrenergic stimu-
lation; increases occur in arterial pressure, systolic pressure, wave velocity, and left ventricu-
lar end diastolic pressure. Decreased cardiac output and cardiac reserve decrease the older
adult's response to stress. Changes in libido may occur. Testosterone appears to influence
the frequency of nocturnal erections; however, low testosterone levels do not affect erec-
tions produced by erotic stimuli. There is a loss of skin elasticity. By the age of 60, gastric se-
cretions decrease 70% to 80% of those of the average adult. A decrease in pepsin may hin-
der protein digestion. There may be a decrease in subcutaneous fat and decreasing body
warmth. Some swallowing difficulties occur because older people are susceptible to fluid
loss and electrolyte imbalance. This results from decreased thirst sensation, difficulty swal-
lowing, chronic disease, reduced kidney function, diminished cognition, or adverse medica-
tion reactions.
Which intervention would the nurse include when developing a plan of care for an older cli-
ent with dementia? - ANSWER 1 Explain to the client the details of the regimen.
2 Demonstrate interest in the client's various likes and dislikes.
3 Be firm when dealing with the client's attitudes and behaviors.
Correct 4 Provide consistency in carrying out nursing activities for the client.
1
, Which theory proposes that older adults experience a shift from a materialistic to cosmic
view of the world? - ANSWER 1 Activity theory
2 Continuity theory
3 Disengagement theory
Correct 4 Gerotranscendence theory
Which finding in older adult clients is associated with aging? - ANSWER Correct 1 De-
crease in height
2 Decreased neck rigidity
3 Increased fine-motor dexterity
4 Increased range of motion (ROM)
An older client with Alzheimer type dementia, consistently sleeps in a semi-Fowler position
in bed. Which area of the client's body would the nurse consider a high risk for developing a
pressure injury? - ANSWER Correct 1 Sacrum
2 Scapulae
3 Ischial spine
4 Greater trochanter
Which type of bone tumor occurs most commonly in elderly clients? - ANSWER 1 Endo-
chroma
2 Osteosarcoma
Correct 3 Chondrosarcoma
4 Osteochondroma
Chondrosarcoma occurs most commonly in cartilage in the arm, leg, and pelvic bones of
older adults in the age group of 50 to 70 years old. Endochroma occurs in clients in the age
group of 10 to 20 years old. Osteosarcoma and osteochondroma occur in the age group of
10 to 25 years old.
2
ical findings would the nurse include that are typical in older adults? - ANSWER 1 In-
creased skin elasticity and an increase in testosterone production
2 Impaired fat digestion and an increase in pepsin production
Correct 3 Increased blood pressure and decreased cardiac output
4 An increase in body warmth and some swallowing difficulties
With aging, narrowing of the arteries causes some increase in the systolic and diastolic blood
pressures. Decreases occur in diastolic pressure, diastolic filling, and beta-adrenergic stimu-
lation; increases occur in arterial pressure, systolic pressure, wave velocity, and left ventricu-
lar end diastolic pressure. Decreased cardiac output and cardiac reserve decrease the older
adult's response to stress. Changes in libido may occur. Testosterone appears to influence
the frequency of nocturnal erections; however, low testosterone levels do not affect erec-
tions produced by erotic stimuli. There is a loss of skin elasticity. By the age of 60, gastric se-
cretions decrease 70% to 80% of those of the average adult. A decrease in pepsin may hin-
der protein digestion. There may be a decrease in subcutaneous fat and decreasing body
warmth. Some swallowing difficulties occur because older people are susceptible to fluid
loss and electrolyte imbalance. This results from decreased thirst sensation, difficulty swal-
lowing, chronic disease, reduced kidney function, diminished cognition, or adverse medica-
tion reactions.
Which intervention would the nurse include when developing a plan of care for an older cli-
ent with dementia? - ANSWER 1 Explain to the client the details of the regimen.
2 Demonstrate interest in the client's various likes and dislikes.
3 Be firm when dealing with the client's attitudes and behaviors.
Correct 4 Provide consistency in carrying out nursing activities for the client.
1
, Which theory proposes that older adults experience a shift from a materialistic to cosmic
view of the world? - ANSWER 1 Activity theory
2 Continuity theory
3 Disengagement theory
Correct 4 Gerotranscendence theory
Which finding in older adult clients is associated with aging? - ANSWER Correct 1 De-
crease in height
2 Decreased neck rigidity
3 Increased fine-motor dexterity
4 Increased range of motion (ROM)
An older client with Alzheimer type dementia, consistently sleeps in a semi-Fowler position
in bed. Which area of the client's body would the nurse consider a high risk for developing a
pressure injury? - ANSWER Correct 1 Sacrum
2 Scapulae
3 Ischial spine
4 Greater trochanter
Which type of bone tumor occurs most commonly in elderly clients? - ANSWER 1 Endo-
chroma
2 Osteosarcoma
Correct 3 Chondrosarcoma
4 Osteochondroma
Chondrosarcoma occurs most commonly in cartilage in the arm, leg, and pelvic bones of
older adults in the age group of 50 to 70 years old. Endochroma occurs in clients in the age
group of 10 to 20 years old. Osteosarcoma and osteochondroma occur in the age group of
10 to 25 years old.
2
