Test Bank for Toward Healthy Aging,
11th Edition Chapter 15: Nutritional
Health 11th Edition by Theris A. Touhy
1. An older adult who is within a normal weight range asks a nurse, "I have heard that it is
important to limit the amount of saturated fats in my diet, but I don't know how much I should be
taking in daily. Can you help me?" What is the nurse's best response?
a. "Someone of your age needs to limit saturated fats."
b. "Less than 10% of calories per day should come from saturated fats."
c. "Saturated fat intake will depend on the presence of any cardiac issues."
d. "Read food labels well and focus your diet on saturated-free, low-fat foods." - ANSANS: B
Similar to other age groups, older adults should limit intake of saturated fat and trans fatty acids.
High-fat diets cause obesity and increase the risk of heart disease and cancer. Less than 10%
of calories per day should come from saturated fats. The remaining options don't address the
issue of how much fat should be eaten daily.
2. A nursing student asks the instructor, "Our textbook discussed the obesity paradox in older
adults. I am not sure I understand; isn't obesity bad for everyone?" The best response by the
instructor is presented in which statement? - ANSa. "While there is evidence that obesity in
younger people lessens life expectancy, overweight and obese adults do not have the same risk
of morbidity and mortality.
b. "Obesity is usually not a concern in older adults, as most older people tend to weigh less than
they did when they were younger."
c. "Obesity is a concern in all age groups; however, over the past decade obesity in older adults
has decreased."
d. "Obesity in older adults is less of a concern than we once thought; individuals over age 65
with a higher BMI have a lower mortality rate."
Part 2 ANS: A
Although there is strong evidence that obesity in younger people decreases life expectancy and
has a negative effect on functionality and morbidity, less is known about the benefits and risks of
obesity in older adults compared to children and adults. Older overweight and obese adults do
not have the same risk of morbidity and mortality as younger individuals, particularly if obesity
develops late in life. Some research has found that for people who have survived to 70 years of
age, mortality risk is lowest in those with a BMI classified as overweight. Persons who increased
, or decreased BMI have a greater mortality risk than those who have a stable BMI, particularly in
those aged 70-79. Obesity is prevalent in older adults. The proportion of older adults who are
obese has doubled in the past 30 years. More than one-third of individuals 65 years and older
are obese with a higher prevalence in those 65-74 - ANS
3. A nurse identifies that an older adult needs more education on nutritional needs when the
older adult makes which statement?
a. "Since I am an older person, I need more calories because my metabolic rate is slower."
b. "Since I am an older person, I need fewer calories since my metabolic rate is slower."
c. "Even though I am an older person, I still need the same amount of nutrients in order to be
healthy."
d. "Even though I am an older person, I still need to pay attention to my diet and activity levels."
- ANSANS: A
Generally, older adults need fewer calories because they may not be as active and metabolic
rates slow down. Older adults generally require the same amount of nutrients for optimal health
outcomes. Older adults need to pay attention to meeting nutritional requirements and obtaining
adequate physical activity for optimal health.
4. An older adult asks a nurse, "I hear a lot about getting enough fruits and vegetables in my
diet and eating a balanced diet. It is confusing. Can you help me understand what a balanced
diet for me would be?" The nurse bases a response on which of the following?
a. Daily intake should consist of 25% fruits and vegetables; 25% grains; and 50% protein-rich
foods.
b. Daily intake should consist of 50% fruits and vegetables; 25% grains; and 25% protein-rich
foods.
c. Daily intake should consist of 33% fruits and vegetables; 33% grains; and 33% protein-rich
foods.
d. Daily intake should consist of 40% fruits and vegetables; 30% grains; and 30% protein-rich
foods. - ANSANS: B
The USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University provides a MyPlate
for Older Adults emphasizing the nutritional needs of older adults in a framework on the
2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The MyPlate for Older Adults depicts a colorful
plate composed of approximately 50% fruits and vegetables; 25% grains, many of which are
whole-grains; and 25% protein-rich foods such as nuts, beans, fish, lean meat, poultry, and
fat-free and low-fat dairy products such as milk, cheeses, and yogurts.
11th Edition Chapter 15: Nutritional
Health 11th Edition by Theris A. Touhy
1. An older adult who is within a normal weight range asks a nurse, "I have heard that it is
important to limit the amount of saturated fats in my diet, but I don't know how much I should be
taking in daily. Can you help me?" What is the nurse's best response?
a. "Someone of your age needs to limit saturated fats."
b. "Less than 10% of calories per day should come from saturated fats."
c. "Saturated fat intake will depend on the presence of any cardiac issues."
d. "Read food labels well and focus your diet on saturated-free, low-fat foods." - ANSANS: B
Similar to other age groups, older adults should limit intake of saturated fat and trans fatty acids.
High-fat diets cause obesity and increase the risk of heart disease and cancer. Less than 10%
of calories per day should come from saturated fats. The remaining options don't address the
issue of how much fat should be eaten daily.
2. A nursing student asks the instructor, "Our textbook discussed the obesity paradox in older
adults. I am not sure I understand; isn't obesity bad for everyone?" The best response by the
instructor is presented in which statement? - ANSa. "While there is evidence that obesity in
younger people lessens life expectancy, overweight and obese adults do not have the same risk
of morbidity and mortality.
b. "Obesity is usually not a concern in older adults, as most older people tend to weigh less than
they did when they were younger."
c. "Obesity is a concern in all age groups; however, over the past decade obesity in older adults
has decreased."
d. "Obesity in older adults is less of a concern than we once thought; individuals over age 65
with a higher BMI have a lower mortality rate."
Part 2 ANS: A
Although there is strong evidence that obesity in younger people decreases life expectancy and
has a negative effect on functionality and morbidity, less is known about the benefits and risks of
obesity in older adults compared to children and adults. Older overweight and obese adults do
not have the same risk of morbidity and mortality as younger individuals, particularly if obesity
develops late in life. Some research has found that for people who have survived to 70 years of
age, mortality risk is lowest in those with a BMI classified as overweight. Persons who increased
, or decreased BMI have a greater mortality risk than those who have a stable BMI, particularly in
those aged 70-79. Obesity is prevalent in older adults. The proportion of older adults who are
obese has doubled in the past 30 years. More than one-third of individuals 65 years and older
are obese with a higher prevalence in those 65-74 - ANS
3. A nurse identifies that an older adult needs more education on nutritional needs when the
older adult makes which statement?
a. "Since I am an older person, I need more calories because my metabolic rate is slower."
b. "Since I am an older person, I need fewer calories since my metabolic rate is slower."
c. "Even though I am an older person, I still need the same amount of nutrients in order to be
healthy."
d. "Even though I am an older person, I still need to pay attention to my diet and activity levels."
- ANSANS: A
Generally, older adults need fewer calories because they may not be as active and metabolic
rates slow down. Older adults generally require the same amount of nutrients for optimal health
outcomes. Older adults need to pay attention to meeting nutritional requirements and obtaining
adequate physical activity for optimal health.
4. An older adult asks a nurse, "I hear a lot about getting enough fruits and vegetables in my
diet and eating a balanced diet. It is confusing. Can you help me understand what a balanced
diet for me would be?" The nurse bases a response on which of the following?
a. Daily intake should consist of 25% fruits and vegetables; 25% grains; and 50% protein-rich
foods.
b. Daily intake should consist of 50% fruits and vegetables; 25% grains; and 25% protein-rich
foods.
c. Daily intake should consist of 33% fruits and vegetables; 33% grains; and 33% protein-rich
foods.
d. Daily intake should consist of 40% fruits and vegetables; 30% grains; and 30% protein-rich
foods. - ANSANS: B
The USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University provides a MyPlate
for Older Adults emphasizing the nutritional needs of older adults in a framework on the
2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The MyPlate for Older Adults depicts a colorful
plate composed of approximately 50% fruits and vegetables; 25% grains, many of which are
whole-grains; and 25% protein-rich foods such as nuts, beans, fish, lean meat, poultry, and
fat-free and low-fat dairy products such as milk, cheeses, and yogurts.
