Chapter 03: Physiologic Changes
: Basic Geriatric Nursing, 7th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Why does the nurse modify the environment to keep it warmer for the older adult?
a. A change in the metabolic rate
b. Decreased subcutaneous tissue
c. Changes in the musculoskeletal system
d. A weakened peripheral vascular system
ANS: B
2. A 75-year-old male is worried that his wartlike dark macules with distinct borders are
melanomas. What would be the most likely cause for the macules?
a. Senile lentigo
b. Cutaneous papillomas
c. Seborrheic keratoses
d. Xerosis
ANS: C
3. The nurse is accompanying a group of older adults on a July 4th outing to monitor heat
prostration. What factor is related to heat intolerance in the older adult?
a. An increase in melanin
b. A reduction of perspiraN tionR I G B.C M
c. A reduction in body tempUeraS tureN T O
d. Increased capillary fragility
ANS: B
4. The nurse cautions the Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) to use care when transferring or
handling older adults. The nurse understands that the vascular fragility of the older adult can
result in which condition?
a. Altered blood pressure
b. Pressure ulcers
c. Pruritus
d. Senile purpura
ANS: D
5. The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) caring for an older adult asks if the yellow, waxy,
crusty lesions on the patient s axilla and groin are contagious. Which response shows the
nurse s understanding for the cause of the lesions?
a. Yes. It is cellulitis caused by bacteria.
b. No. It is seborrheic dermatitis caused by excessive sebum.
c. Yes. It is an indication of scabies.
d. No. It is the lesion seen with basal cell carcinoma.
ANS: B
, 6. Why would a nurse lead a group of postmenopausal women on a daily 15-minute walking
tour through the long-term care facility?
a. To improve bone strength
b. To orient them to their surroundings
c. To improve their socialization
d. To increase their appetite
ANS: A
7. A 70-year-old woman asks, How in the world can my bones be brittle when I eat all the
right foods? Which response by the nurse would be the most informative?
a. Calcium loss is expected in the older adult.
b. Calcium is continuously withdrawn from bone for nerve and muscle function.
c. Smoking and alcohol consumption speed calcium loss from the bones.
d. Walking and standing increase calcium loss from the bone.
ANS: B
8. A 70-year-old woman complains, I weigh exactly the same as I did when I wore a size 10
and now I can barely squeeze into a size 16. Which statement by the nurse would most
correctly explain the size change to the woman?
a. Metabolism in the older adult creates increased adipose tissue.
b. Postmenopausal women gain adipose tissue related to loss of calcium.
c. Decrease in muscle mass is replaced with adipose tissue.
d. Kyphosis causes a redistribution of weight.
ANS: C
9. What would be the most helpful response to a 70-year-old postmenopausal woman who asks
whether her hormone replacement therapy (HRT) will prevent bone loss?
a. No. HRT is not helpful after the age of 60.
b. Yes. HRT will prevent bone loss but can cause a stroke, heart attack, or breast
cancer.
c. No. HRT is reliant on some natural estrogen production from the ovaries.
d. Yes. HRT is a widely accepted therapy for prevention of bone loss.
ANS: B
10. What are Heberden nodes?
a. Yellow longitudinal lines in the nails
b. Thickened discolored fingernails
c. Darkened areas under the fingernail
d. Bony enlargements of distal joints of the fingers
ANS: D
11. Which care plan modification would be the most beneficial for a 62-year-old woman who is
suffering from a flare in her rheumatoid arthritis?
a. Increase fluid intake
b. Schedule several rest periods to balance activity
: Basic Geriatric Nursing, 7th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Why does the nurse modify the environment to keep it warmer for the older adult?
a. A change in the metabolic rate
b. Decreased subcutaneous tissue
c. Changes in the musculoskeletal system
d. A weakened peripheral vascular system
ANS: B
2. A 75-year-old male is worried that his wartlike dark macules with distinct borders are
melanomas. What would be the most likely cause for the macules?
a. Senile lentigo
b. Cutaneous papillomas
c. Seborrheic keratoses
d. Xerosis
ANS: C
3. The nurse is accompanying a group of older adults on a July 4th outing to monitor heat
prostration. What factor is related to heat intolerance in the older adult?
a. An increase in melanin
b. A reduction of perspiraN tionR I G B.C M
c. A reduction in body tempUeraS tureN T O
d. Increased capillary fragility
ANS: B
4. The nurse cautions the Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) to use care when transferring or
handling older adults. The nurse understands that the vascular fragility of the older adult can
result in which condition?
a. Altered blood pressure
b. Pressure ulcers
c. Pruritus
d. Senile purpura
ANS: D
5. The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) caring for an older adult asks if the yellow, waxy,
crusty lesions on the patient s axilla and groin are contagious. Which response shows the
nurse s understanding for the cause of the lesions?
a. Yes. It is cellulitis caused by bacteria.
b. No. It is seborrheic dermatitis caused by excessive sebum.
c. Yes. It is an indication of scabies.
d. No. It is the lesion seen with basal cell carcinoma.
ANS: B
, 6. Why would a nurse lead a group of postmenopausal women on a daily 15-minute walking
tour through the long-term care facility?
a. To improve bone strength
b. To orient them to their surroundings
c. To improve their socialization
d. To increase their appetite
ANS: A
7. A 70-year-old woman asks, How in the world can my bones be brittle when I eat all the
right foods? Which response by the nurse would be the most informative?
a. Calcium loss is expected in the older adult.
b. Calcium is continuously withdrawn from bone for nerve and muscle function.
c. Smoking and alcohol consumption speed calcium loss from the bones.
d. Walking and standing increase calcium loss from the bone.
ANS: B
8. A 70-year-old woman complains, I weigh exactly the same as I did when I wore a size 10
and now I can barely squeeze into a size 16. Which statement by the nurse would most
correctly explain the size change to the woman?
a. Metabolism in the older adult creates increased adipose tissue.
b. Postmenopausal women gain adipose tissue related to loss of calcium.
c. Decrease in muscle mass is replaced with adipose tissue.
d. Kyphosis causes a redistribution of weight.
ANS: C
9. What would be the most helpful response to a 70-year-old postmenopausal woman who asks
whether her hormone replacement therapy (HRT) will prevent bone loss?
a. No. HRT is not helpful after the age of 60.
b. Yes. HRT will prevent bone loss but can cause a stroke, heart attack, or breast
cancer.
c. No. HRT is reliant on some natural estrogen production from the ovaries.
d. Yes. HRT is a widely accepted therapy for prevention of bone loss.
ANS: B
10. What are Heberden nodes?
a. Yellow longitudinal lines in the nails
b. Thickened discolored fingernails
c. Darkened areas under the fingernail
d. Bony enlargements of distal joints of the fingers
ANS: D
11. Which care plan modification would be the most beneficial for a 62-year-old woman who is
suffering from a flare in her rheumatoid arthritis?
a. Increase fluid intake
b. Schedule several rest periods to balance activity
