Chapter 01: Introduction to Healthy Aging
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A man is terminally ill with end-stage prostate cancer. What is the best statement about this man’s
wellness?
a. Wellness is possible, even if the patient uses medication to assist in management of his
medical care.
b. Wellness is unfortunately not a real option for the patient.
c. Wellness is the same thing as faith healing, and if the patient were more receptive, he
could be back at work in a few weeks.
d. Nursing interventions can help empower a patient to achieve a higher level of
wellness.
ANS: D
Feedback
A Incorrect. An individual must work hard to achieve wellness, just as in a job.
B Incorrect. All persons, regardless of age or life–health situation, can be helped to achieve a
higher level of wellness.
C Incorrect. Biomedical approaches and other treatments and techniques are used to
achieve realistic improvements in wellness.
D Correct. A nurse can foster wellness at all levels of the needs hierarchy.
DIF: Application REF: 8 OBJ: 2
TOP: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance
2. In differentiating between health and wellness in health care, which of the following
statements is true?
a. Health is a broad term encompassing attitudes and behaviours.
b. The concept of wellness was rarely or never considered by previous generations.
c. Wellness and self-actualization develop through learning and compromise.
d. It is impossible to have wellness when one’s health is compromised.
ANS: A
Feedback
A Correct. Holistically, health includes wellness, which involves one’s whole being.
B Incorrect. Throughout history, basic self-care requirements have been recognized.
C Incorrect. As basic needs are met, higher level needs can be satisfied in turn, with ever-
deepening richness to life.
D Incorrect. Even with chronic illness, with multiple disabilities, or in dying, movement toward
higher wellness is possible.
DIF: Comprehension REF: 4 OBJ: 2
1|Page
, TOP: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance
3. Which province or territory is predicted to have the fastest growing older-person population in Canada
between the years 2006 and 2031?
a. Ontario
b. British Columbia
c. Yukon
d. Newfoundland
ANS: C
Feedback
A Incorrect. As shown in Figure 1-1 in your text, the older-person population of Ontario
does not rise as rapidly as the older-person population of Yukon between 2006 and
2031.
B Incorrect. As shown in Figure 1-1 in your text, the older-person population of British
Columbia does not rise as rapidly as the older-person population of
Yukon between 2006 and 2031.
C Correct. As shown in Figure 1-1 in your text, the older-person population of Yukon rises
faster than any of the other provinces and territories between 2006 and 2031.
D Incorrect. As shown in Figure 1-1 in your text, the older-person population of
Newfoundland does not rise as rapidly as the older-person population of Yukon between
2006 and 2031.
DIF: Knowledge REF: 3 (Figure 1-1) OBJ: 3
TOP: NCLEX: Health P romo tio nand Maintenance
4. Historical influences that have shaped the lives of the majority of the middle-old in Canada today
include which of the following?
a. Influenza epidemic of 1918
b. Immigration from Communist Europe
c. Child-rearing during the Depression
d. World War II
ANS: D
Feedback
A Incorrect. A person who survived the influenza epidemic would be at least 93 years old in
2011 and therefore be considered old-old, or centenarian.
B Incorrect. Those who are middle-old in 2011 were born between 1920 and 1930, before
Communism swept Europe.
C Incorrect. Most of those who are middle-old in 2011 had not reached childbearing age by
the end of the Depression.
D Correct. Those who are middle-old in 2011 were in their teens and twenties during the
war; in particular, the men were very likely to have fought in it.
DIF: Comprehension REF: 2 OBJ: 3
TOP: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance
2|Page
, 5. A nurse prepares for the arrival of older persons evacuated from a forest fire in northern Manitoba
to a shelter for short-term care. Which of the following is the priority nursing intervention?
a. Demonstrate that the staff is prepared to meet their needs.
b. Use individual medical records to develop a medication plan.
c. Help older persons to display family photos and memorabilia.
d. Help older persons to teach one another a new skill in the shelter.
ANS: B
Feedback
A Incorrect. Providing safety and security from the fire is evident and implied, as the older
persons have been evacuated from danger. The priority nursing intervention is caring for
any health concerns; e.g., medication or treatments that were left behind.
B Correct. The nurse prepares for short-term care by prioritizing the needs of the older
persons, and this intervention helps to maintain the therapeutic plan, thereby addressing
the need for physiological integrity. Furthermore, the nurse
maintains continuity of care by preparing a medication schedule to prevent missed doses
of medication.
C Incorrect. In emergency conditions, the nurse provides basic care relating to safety,
security, and physical well-being. Maintaining a sense of belonging is important, but not in
emergency conditions.
D Incorrect. A state of emergency is not the time to develop self-esteem because meeting
safety, security, and physical needs is more important.
DIF: Analysis REF: 6-7 OBJ: 4
TOP: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
6. According to researchers, which characteristic will most centenarians share in the future?
a. Being female
b. Having dementia
c. Being malnourished
d. Being wheelchair-bound
ANS: A
Feedback
A Correct. Researchers expect women to comprise the majority of centenarians in the
future.
B Incorrect. Gerontologists expect dementia to be common among older persons, but they
are not predicting most centenarians will have dementia.
C Incorrect. Malnutrition is common among older persons, but researchers have not
predicted that most centenarians will be malnourished.
D Incorrect. Decreased mobility is common among older persons, but researchers have not
predicted that most centenarians will be confined to a wheelchair.
DIF: Knowledge REF: 2 OBJ: 3
TOP: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance
7. Which statement describes aging in developing countries?
3|Page
, a. Many developing countries have historically had many members live to be
centenarians.
b. The biggest problem for older persons will be lack of food.
c. Most of the world’s older persons are likely to reside in developing countries.
d. Like fertility, life expectancy is increasing, although at a different rate.
ANS: C
Feedback
A Incorrect. Historically only 2% of the world’s population was defined as old.
B Incorrect. The biggest problem of the world’s oldest persons is most likely to be lack of
regular income.
C Correct. Developing countries contain 62% of the world’s older persons already.
D Incorrect. Life expectancy is increasing, but fertility is decreasing worldwide.
DIF: Knowledge REF: 4 OBJ: 3
TOP: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Wellness
8. The nurse develops a community program to promote exercise for older persons. Which of the following
should the nurse include in the exercise program?
a. Reinforce the ease of exercising every day.
b. Use exercise to relax any dietary restrictions.
c. Describe ways to resume exercise after lapses.
d. Teach participants that exercise achieves wellness.
ANS: C
Feedback NURSINGTB.COM
A Incorrect. The nurse tells the participants that achieving wellness takes work and regular
effort. Instead of offering false hope, the nurse shares practical advice about how to
incorporate exercise into everyday life.
B Incorrect. The nurse avoids suggesting that older persons can look forward to relaxing
dietary or medical restrictions by using a single method because it is unethical to offer
false hope, the plan can be ineffective, and the plan can have
adverse effects.
C Correct. Because the path to wellness includes progression as well as regression, the
nurse shares information to help participants anticipate these events. The nurse
encourages participants by telling them to expect periods of regression, that progress
made up to that point is not lost, and how to approach resumption in progress toward
wellness with exercise.
D Incorrect. The nurse avoids instructing older persons to rely on one method of achieving
wellness because wellness is achieved by balancing emotional, spiritual, social, cultural,
and physical processes.
DIF: Application REF: 7 OBJ: 4
TOP: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance
9. Determinants of health are the underlying causes of illness and wellness. Which of the following
describes the older person who is likely to experience the best overall health and well-being?
a. Resides in assisted-living facility, watches television alone, uses herbal remedies,
4|Page
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A man is terminally ill with end-stage prostate cancer. What is the best statement about this man’s
wellness?
a. Wellness is possible, even if the patient uses medication to assist in management of his
medical care.
b. Wellness is unfortunately not a real option for the patient.
c. Wellness is the same thing as faith healing, and if the patient were more receptive, he
could be back at work in a few weeks.
d. Nursing interventions can help empower a patient to achieve a higher level of
wellness.
ANS: D
Feedback
A Incorrect. An individual must work hard to achieve wellness, just as in a job.
B Incorrect. All persons, regardless of age or life–health situation, can be helped to achieve a
higher level of wellness.
C Incorrect. Biomedical approaches and other treatments and techniques are used to
achieve realistic improvements in wellness.
D Correct. A nurse can foster wellness at all levels of the needs hierarchy.
DIF: Application REF: 8 OBJ: 2
TOP: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance
2. In differentiating between health and wellness in health care, which of the following
statements is true?
a. Health is a broad term encompassing attitudes and behaviours.
b. The concept of wellness was rarely or never considered by previous generations.
c. Wellness and self-actualization develop through learning and compromise.
d. It is impossible to have wellness when one’s health is compromised.
ANS: A
Feedback
A Correct. Holistically, health includes wellness, which involves one’s whole being.
B Incorrect. Throughout history, basic self-care requirements have been recognized.
C Incorrect. As basic needs are met, higher level needs can be satisfied in turn, with ever-
deepening richness to life.
D Incorrect. Even with chronic illness, with multiple disabilities, or in dying, movement toward
higher wellness is possible.
DIF: Comprehension REF: 4 OBJ: 2
1|Page
, TOP: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance
3. Which province or territory is predicted to have the fastest growing older-person population in Canada
between the years 2006 and 2031?
a. Ontario
b. British Columbia
c. Yukon
d. Newfoundland
ANS: C
Feedback
A Incorrect. As shown in Figure 1-1 in your text, the older-person population of Ontario
does not rise as rapidly as the older-person population of Yukon between 2006 and
2031.
B Incorrect. As shown in Figure 1-1 in your text, the older-person population of British
Columbia does not rise as rapidly as the older-person population of
Yukon between 2006 and 2031.
C Correct. As shown in Figure 1-1 in your text, the older-person population of Yukon rises
faster than any of the other provinces and territories between 2006 and 2031.
D Incorrect. As shown in Figure 1-1 in your text, the older-person population of
Newfoundland does not rise as rapidly as the older-person population of Yukon between
2006 and 2031.
DIF: Knowledge REF: 3 (Figure 1-1) OBJ: 3
TOP: NCLEX: Health P romo tio nand Maintenance
4. Historical influences that have shaped the lives of the majority of the middle-old in Canada today
include which of the following?
a. Influenza epidemic of 1918
b. Immigration from Communist Europe
c. Child-rearing during the Depression
d. World War II
ANS: D
Feedback
A Incorrect. A person who survived the influenza epidemic would be at least 93 years old in
2011 and therefore be considered old-old, or centenarian.
B Incorrect. Those who are middle-old in 2011 were born between 1920 and 1930, before
Communism swept Europe.
C Incorrect. Most of those who are middle-old in 2011 had not reached childbearing age by
the end of the Depression.
D Correct. Those who are middle-old in 2011 were in their teens and twenties during the
war; in particular, the men were very likely to have fought in it.
DIF: Comprehension REF: 2 OBJ: 3
TOP: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance
2|Page
, 5. A nurse prepares for the arrival of older persons evacuated from a forest fire in northern Manitoba
to a shelter for short-term care. Which of the following is the priority nursing intervention?
a. Demonstrate that the staff is prepared to meet their needs.
b. Use individual medical records to develop a medication plan.
c. Help older persons to display family photos and memorabilia.
d. Help older persons to teach one another a new skill in the shelter.
ANS: B
Feedback
A Incorrect. Providing safety and security from the fire is evident and implied, as the older
persons have been evacuated from danger. The priority nursing intervention is caring for
any health concerns; e.g., medication or treatments that were left behind.
B Correct. The nurse prepares for short-term care by prioritizing the needs of the older
persons, and this intervention helps to maintain the therapeutic plan, thereby addressing
the need for physiological integrity. Furthermore, the nurse
maintains continuity of care by preparing a medication schedule to prevent missed doses
of medication.
C Incorrect. In emergency conditions, the nurse provides basic care relating to safety,
security, and physical well-being. Maintaining a sense of belonging is important, but not in
emergency conditions.
D Incorrect. A state of emergency is not the time to develop self-esteem because meeting
safety, security, and physical needs is more important.
DIF: Analysis REF: 6-7 OBJ: 4
TOP: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
6. According to researchers, which characteristic will most centenarians share in the future?
a. Being female
b. Having dementia
c. Being malnourished
d. Being wheelchair-bound
ANS: A
Feedback
A Correct. Researchers expect women to comprise the majority of centenarians in the
future.
B Incorrect. Gerontologists expect dementia to be common among older persons, but they
are not predicting most centenarians will have dementia.
C Incorrect. Malnutrition is common among older persons, but researchers have not
predicted that most centenarians will be malnourished.
D Incorrect. Decreased mobility is common among older persons, but researchers have not
predicted that most centenarians will be confined to a wheelchair.
DIF: Knowledge REF: 2 OBJ: 3
TOP: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance
7. Which statement describes aging in developing countries?
3|Page
, a. Many developing countries have historically had many members live to be
centenarians.
b. The biggest problem for older persons will be lack of food.
c. Most of the world’s older persons are likely to reside in developing countries.
d. Like fertility, life expectancy is increasing, although at a different rate.
ANS: C
Feedback
A Incorrect. Historically only 2% of the world’s population was defined as old.
B Incorrect. The biggest problem of the world’s oldest persons is most likely to be lack of
regular income.
C Correct. Developing countries contain 62% of the world’s older persons already.
D Incorrect. Life expectancy is increasing, but fertility is decreasing worldwide.
DIF: Knowledge REF: 4 OBJ: 3
TOP: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Wellness
8. The nurse develops a community program to promote exercise for older persons. Which of the following
should the nurse include in the exercise program?
a. Reinforce the ease of exercising every day.
b. Use exercise to relax any dietary restrictions.
c. Describe ways to resume exercise after lapses.
d. Teach participants that exercise achieves wellness.
ANS: C
Feedback NURSINGTB.COM
A Incorrect. The nurse tells the participants that achieving wellness takes work and regular
effort. Instead of offering false hope, the nurse shares practical advice about how to
incorporate exercise into everyday life.
B Incorrect. The nurse avoids suggesting that older persons can look forward to relaxing
dietary or medical restrictions by using a single method because it is unethical to offer
false hope, the plan can be ineffective, and the plan can have
adverse effects.
C Correct. Because the path to wellness includes progression as well as regression, the
nurse shares information to help participants anticipate these events. The nurse
encourages participants by telling them to expect periods of regression, that progress
made up to that point is not lost, and how to approach resumption in progress toward
wellness with exercise.
D Incorrect. The nurse avoids instructing older persons to rely on one method of achieving
wellness because wellness is achieved by balancing emotional, spiritual, social, cultural,
and physical processes.
DIF: Application REF: 7 OBJ: 4
TOP: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance
9. Determinants of health are the underlying causes of illness and wellness. Which of the following
describes the older person who is likely to experience the best overall health and well-being?
a. Resides in assisted-living facility, watches television alone, uses herbal remedies,
4|Page
