NUR 2214 Week 3 Quiz V3 | NUR 2214
Nursing Care of the Older Adult | Actual
Q&A with Rationale (NUR2214 Week 3
Quiz) | Rasmussen University
1. A nurse is evaluating an older adult for signs of delirium. Which finding is most
characteristic of this condition?
A. Slow, progressive cognitive decline over years
B. Acute onset of confusion with a fluctuating course
C. Intact level of consciousness with memory loss
D. Stable symptoms that do not change during the day
Answer: B
Rationale: Delirium is distinguished by its rapid onset and the way symptoms fluctuate
throughout the day. This condition is often reversible if the underlying physiological cause
is identified and treated promptly. In contrast, dementia involves a slow, irreversible
decline in cognitive function.
2. When assessing a 75-year-old patient, which age-related cardiovascular change should the
nurse expect?
A. Increased cardiac output and heart rate
B. Decreased systolic blood pressure
,C. Increased arterial stiffness and decreased vessel compliance
D. Thinned and more elastic ventricular walls
Answer: C
Rationale: As individuals age, their arteries naturally become stiffer and less compliant,
which often leads to an increase in systolic blood pressure. This change increases the
workload on the heart and can contribute to left ventricular hypertrophy. Understanding
these physiological shifts is essential for managing hypertension in the elderly.
3. The nurse is using the SPICES tool to assess an older adult. What does the ‘S’ in this
acronym represent?
A. Social support systems
B. Sensory perception deficits
C. Sleep disorders
D. Surgical history and risks
Answer: C
Rationale: The SPICES tool is an acronym for common geriatric syndromes: Sleep
disorders, Problems with eating, Incontinence, Confusion, Evidence of falls, and Skin
breakdown. It serves as a brief instrument for overall health assessment of the older adult
population. Implementing this tool helps nurses identify potential problems that require
more in-depth investigation.
, 4. An older adult patient is diagnosed with presbyopia. How should the nurse describe this
condition?
A. Loss of peripheral vision due to high intraocular pressure
B. Degeneration of the macula causing central vision loss
C. Clouding of the lens that obscures vision
D. Loss of near vision due to decreased elasticity of the lens
Answer: D
Rationale: Presbyopia is a common age-related condition where the eye’s lens loses its
flexibility, making it difficult to focus on close objects. This typically occurs as part of the
normal aging process and results in the need for reading glasses. It is distinct from
cataracts, glaucoma, or macular degeneration, which involve different structural changes.
5. Which intervention is a priority for a nurse caring for an older patient with orthostatic
hypotension?
A. Restricting fluid intake to 1000 mL per day
B. Administering a sedative before ambulation
C. Encouraging rapid position changes to improve circulation
D. Teaching the patient to dangle legs at the bedside before standing
Answer: D
Nursing Care of the Older Adult | Actual
Q&A with Rationale (NUR2214 Week 3
Quiz) | Rasmussen University
1. A nurse is evaluating an older adult for signs of delirium. Which finding is most
characteristic of this condition?
A. Slow, progressive cognitive decline over years
B. Acute onset of confusion with a fluctuating course
C. Intact level of consciousness with memory loss
D. Stable symptoms that do not change during the day
Answer: B
Rationale: Delirium is distinguished by its rapid onset and the way symptoms fluctuate
throughout the day. This condition is often reversible if the underlying physiological cause
is identified and treated promptly. In contrast, dementia involves a slow, irreversible
decline in cognitive function.
2. When assessing a 75-year-old patient, which age-related cardiovascular change should the
nurse expect?
A. Increased cardiac output and heart rate
B. Decreased systolic blood pressure
,C. Increased arterial stiffness and decreased vessel compliance
D. Thinned and more elastic ventricular walls
Answer: C
Rationale: As individuals age, their arteries naturally become stiffer and less compliant,
which often leads to an increase in systolic blood pressure. This change increases the
workload on the heart and can contribute to left ventricular hypertrophy. Understanding
these physiological shifts is essential for managing hypertension in the elderly.
3. The nurse is using the SPICES tool to assess an older adult. What does the ‘S’ in this
acronym represent?
A. Social support systems
B. Sensory perception deficits
C. Sleep disorders
D. Surgical history and risks
Answer: C
Rationale: The SPICES tool is an acronym for common geriatric syndromes: Sleep
disorders, Problems with eating, Incontinence, Confusion, Evidence of falls, and Skin
breakdown. It serves as a brief instrument for overall health assessment of the older adult
population. Implementing this tool helps nurses identify potential problems that require
more in-depth investigation.
, 4. An older adult patient is diagnosed with presbyopia. How should the nurse describe this
condition?
A. Loss of peripheral vision due to high intraocular pressure
B. Degeneration of the macula causing central vision loss
C. Clouding of the lens that obscures vision
D. Loss of near vision due to decreased elasticity of the lens
Answer: D
Rationale: Presbyopia is a common age-related condition where the eye’s lens loses its
flexibility, making it difficult to focus on close objects. This typically occurs as part of the
normal aging process and results in the need for reading glasses. It is distinct from
cataracts, glaucoma, or macular degeneration, which involve different structural changes.
5. Which intervention is a priority for a nurse caring for an older patient with orthostatic
hypotension?
A. Restricting fluid intake to 1000 mL per day
B. Administering a sedative before ambulation
C. Encouraging rapid position changes to improve circulation
D. Teaching the patient to dangle legs at the bedside before standing
Answer: D
