Test Bank for Toward Healthy Aging,
11th Edition Chapter 31: Ethics,
Decision-Making, and Mistreatment 11th
Edition by Theris A. Touhy
1. A nurse suspects that the next-door neighbor, an older adult, is a victim of elder abuse by an
adult child. What is the appropriate action for the nurse to do in this situation?
a. Because the neighbor is not a patient, the nurse should not get involved.
b. Visit the neighbor frequently to confirm the suspicions.
c. Complete a confidential report with the adult protective services in the area.
d. Ask the neighbor if they are being abused. - ANSANS: C
The best action is to make a confidential report with the local authorities. Suspected cases
should be reported at once to the agency, which will send a trained investigator to determine
whether an abusive or imminently dangerous situation exists and will be able to offer safety to
the victim and resources to the relatives and family members. In some states with mandatory
reporting, failure to report suspicions may result in civil and/or criminal penalties. Also in states
with mandatory reporting, the nurse can be held liable for civil and criminal penalties for failure
to report suspected cases of abuse. In states without mandatory reporting, it becomes an ethical
issue if the nurse is aware of suspected abuse and does not report it. Making a personal
investigation will not obtain a safe environment for the neighbor in a timely manner. Asking the
neighbor about abuse will not quickly obtain a safe environment or help if needed.
2. The nurse is providing care to a client diagnosed with dementia. What option is an example of
the appropriate use of implied consent by the nurse?
a. Preparing to draw blood from a client's arm after asking, "Can I see your arm?"
b. Changing the client's dressing when the client asks, "Will you change this bandage now?"
c. Using the client's monthly allowance to buy a watch when he continuously asks for the time
d. Arranging for a benign mole to be removed after the client states, "I don't like this here." -
ANSANS: B
, The correct option demonstrates the client's willing to have a low-risk procedure completed. The
remaining options, especially the one dealing with a surgical procedure, lack the element of
client cooperation and/or understanding in the decision-making process.
3. Which option is an example of elder exploitation?
a. A homebound client is left alone for days at a time by the caregiver.
b. An older client is smacked if he doesn't eat all of his food.
c. A client diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease is bathed only twice a month.
d. A homebound client can only get groceries by agreeing to pay for her neighbor's groceries,
too. - ANSANS: D
In elder mistreatment by exploitation, the abuser takes advantage of the older person for
monetary or personal benefit. In this case, the client is being coerced to buy her neighbor's
groceries. Abandonment is defined as the desertion or willful forsaking of an older person.
Abuse is any action or inaction harming or endangering the welfare of an older adult. The
definition of neglect involves failure to provide adequate care or services for an older adult.
4. A frail, elderly widow is admitted to the hospital after sustaining a fall. The client lives alone
and has no living relatives. After cognitive testing reveals mild cognitive impairment, the
interdisciplinary team on the Acute Care for the Elderly Unit recommends long-term care
placement and that a durable power of attorney for health care (DPOA-HC) be established.
When the client seems confused over what a DPOA-HC's responsibilities are, the nurse
responds best with which statement? - ANSa. "A DPOA-HC is a person you name to make
health care decisions for you when you can't make them for yourself."
b. "A DPOA-HC is a person you trust to make financial decisions for you and to manage your
money."
c. "A DPOA-HC is a person appointed by the court to make sure you get good care and to
manage your affairs."
d. "A DPOA-HC is a person who is appointed by the court to make nursing home placement
decisions for your care."
Part 2 ans A
ANS: A
A person designated by the individual to make health care decisions when the individual is not
able is the definition of durable power of attorney for health care. A power of attorney is a
person designated by the individual to make financial decisions when the individual is not able
to or at his or her request. The definition of a guardian is a person appointed by the court to
have care, custody, and control of a disabled person and to manage personal and/or financial
affairs. A guardian is able to make many more decisions than just nursing home placement
decisions. - ANS
11th Edition Chapter 31: Ethics,
Decision-Making, and Mistreatment 11th
Edition by Theris A. Touhy
1. A nurse suspects that the next-door neighbor, an older adult, is a victim of elder abuse by an
adult child. What is the appropriate action for the nurse to do in this situation?
a. Because the neighbor is not a patient, the nurse should not get involved.
b. Visit the neighbor frequently to confirm the suspicions.
c. Complete a confidential report with the adult protective services in the area.
d. Ask the neighbor if they are being abused. - ANSANS: C
The best action is to make a confidential report with the local authorities. Suspected cases
should be reported at once to the agency, which will send a trained investigator to determine
whether an abusive or imminently dangerous situation exists and will be able to offer safety to
the victim and resources to the relatives and family members. In some states with mandatory
reporting, failure to report suspicions may result in civil and/or criminal penalties. Also in states
with mandatory reporting, the nurse can be held liable for civil and criminal penalties for failure
to report suspected cases of abuse. In states without mandatory reporting, it becomes an ethical
issue if the nurse is aware of suspected abuse and does not report it. Making a personal
investigation will not obtain a safe environment for the neighbor in a timely manner. Asking the
neighbor about abuse will not quickly obtain a safe environment or help if needed.
2. The nurse is providing care to a client diagnosed with dementia. What option is an example of
the appropriate use of implied consent by the nurse?
a. Preparing to draw blood from a client's arm after asking, "Can I see your arm?"
b. Changing the client's dressing when the client asks, "Will you change this bandage now?"
c. Using the client's monthly allowance to buy a watch when he continuously asks for the time
d. Arranging for a benign mole to be removed after the client states, "I don't like this here." -
ANSANS: B
, The correct option demonstrates the client's willing to have a low-risk procedure completed. The
remaining options, especially the one dealing with a surgical procedure, lack the element of
client cooperation and/or understanding in the decision-making process.
3. Which option is an example of elder exploitation?
a. A homebound client is left alone for days at a time by the caregiver.
b. An older client is smacked if he doesn't eat all of his food.
c. A client diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease is bathed only twice a month.
d. A homebound client can only get groceries by agreeing to pay for her neighbor's groceries,
too. - ANSANS: D
In elder mistreatment by exploitation, the abuser takes advantage of the older person for
monetary or personal benefit. In this case, the client is being coerced to buy her neighbor's
groceries. Abandonment is defined as the desertion or willful forsaking of an older person.
Abuse is any action or inaction harming or endangering the welfare of an older adult. The
definition of neglect involves failure to provide adequate care or services for an older adult.
4. A frail, elderly widow is admitted to the hospital after sustaining a fall. The client lives alone
and has no living relatives. After cognitive testing reveals mild cognitive impairment, the
interdisciplinary team on the Acute Care for the Elderly Unit recommends long-term care
placement and that a durable power of attorney for health care (DPOA-HC) be established.
When the client seems confused over what a DPOA-HC's responsibilities are, the nurse
responds best with which statement? - ANSa. "A DPOA-HC is a person you name to make
health care decisions for you when you can't make them for yourself."
b. "A DPOA-HC is a person you trust to make financial decisions for you and to manage your
money."
c. "A DPOA-HC is a person appointed by the court to make sure you get good care and to
manage your affairs."
d. "A DPOA-HC is a person who is appointed by the court to make nursing home placement
decisions for your care."
Part 2 ans A
ANS: A
A person designated by the individual to make health care decisions when the individual is not
able is the definition of durable power of attorney for health care. A power of attorney is a
person designated by the individual to make financial decisions when the individual is not able
to or at his or her request. The definition of a guardian is a person appointed by the court to
have care, custody, and control of a disabled person and to manage personal and/or financial
affairs. A guardian is able to make many more decisions than just nursing home placement
decisions. - ANS
