C HAPTER 06: G ERONTOLOGIC A LTERATIONS
Urden: Priorities in Critical Care Nursing, 8th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which sign or symptom can be a normal asses sment finding for an older
patient?
a. Asymptomatic dysrhythmias
b. Decreased urine output
c. Increased respiratory effort
d. Difficult y problem -solving
ANS: A
The incidence of asymptomatic cardiac dysrhythmias increases in older
patients. The most common dysrhythmi a is the premature ventricular
contraction. Other common t ypes are atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter,
and paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia and atrioventricular
conduction disturbances. All of the other findings are abnormal.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding OBJ:
Nursing Process Step: Assessment TOP: Gerontologic
Alterations MSC: NC LEX: Physiological Integrit y:
Physiological Adaptation
2. An older adult patient has been admitted after an inferior m yocardial
infarction. Age-related changes in m yocardial pumping abilit y may be
evidenced by which finding?
, a. Increased contractility
b. Decreased contractility
c. Decreased left ventricle afterload
d. Increased cardiac output
ANS: B
Collagen is the principal noncontractile protein occupying the cardi ac
interstitium. Because m yocardial collagen content increases with age,
increased m yocardial collagen content renders the m yocardium less
compliant and may be responsible for increased loading of blood
vessels.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understandi ng OBJ:
Nursing Process Step: Assessment TOP: Gerontologic
Alterations MSC: NC LEX: Physiological Integrit y:
Physiological Adaptation
3. An older adult is placed on a continuous infusion of high -dose loop
diuretic for diuresis. What finding would alert th e nurse to the presence
of a possible adverse effect?
a. Tremors
b. Bradycardia
c. Electrol yte imbalance
d. Hypogl ycemia
ANS: C
Side effects of loop diuretics include increased glucose, headaches,
fever, and electrol yte disturbances.
Urden: Priorities in Critical Care Nursing, 8th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which sign or symptom can be a normal asses sment finding for an older
patient?
a. Asymptomatic dysrhythmias
b. Decreased urine output
c. Increased respiratory effort
d. Difficult y problem -solving
ANS: A
The incidence of asymptomatic cardiac dysrhythmias increases in older
patients. The most common dysrhythmi a is the premature ventricular
contraction. Other common t ypes are atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter,
and paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia and atrioventricular
conduction disturbances. All of the other findings are abnormal.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding OBJ:
Nursing Process Step: Assessment TOP: Gerontologic
Alterations MSC: NC LEX: Physiological Integrit y:
Physiological Adaptation
2. An older adult patient has been admitted after an inferior m yocardial
infarction. Age-related changes in m yocardial pumping abilit y may be
evidenced by which finding?
, a. Increased contractility
b. Decreased contractility
c. Decreased left ventricle afterload
d. Increased cardiac output
ANS: B
Collagen is the principal noncontractile protein occupying the cardi ac
interstitium. Because m yocardial collagen content increases with age,
increased m yocardial collagen content renders the m yocardium less
compliant and may be responsible for increased loading of blood
vessels.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understandi ng OBJ:
Nursing Process Step: Assessment TOP: Gerontologic
Alterations MSC: NC LEX: Physiological Integrit y:
Physiological Adaptation
3. An older adult is placed on a continuous infusion of high -dose loop
diuretic for diuresis. What finding would alert th e nurse to the presence
of a possible adverse effect?
a. Tremors
b. Bradycardia
c. Electrol yte imbalance
d. Hypogl ycemia
ANS: C
Side effects of loop diuretics include increased glucose, headaches,
fever, and electrol yte disturbances.
