CHAPTER 01: OVERVIEW OF GERONTOLOGIC NURSING
1. A 72-year-old is prescribed lithium. The nurse educates the patient on the importance of
Biannual evaluation of which of the following? (Select all that apply.)
A. Renal function
B. Serum glucose level
C. Liver function
D. Thyroid function
E. Red blood cell count - answer-a. Renal function
C. Liver function
D. Thyroid function
1. A nurse is assessing an older patient for the possible cause of his acute urinary
Incontinence. Which actions by the nurse are most important? (Select all that apply.)
A. Asking when his last normal bowel movement was
B. Monitoring his intake and output
C. Determining if he has been screened for prostatic hypertrophy
D. Asking him if he awakens during the night to urinate
E. Measuring his abdominal girth - answer-a. Asking when his last normal bowel movement was
C. Determining if he has been screened for prostatic hypertrophy
D. Asking him if he awakens during the night to urinate
1. A nurse planning primary disease prevention interventions for a 64-year-old patient
Includes which of the following? (Select all that apply.)
A. Giving an influenza vaccination in early autumn of each year.
B. Suggesting the patient attend "Cooking to Manage Hypertension" classes taught by
A registered dietician.
C. Giving a pneumococcal vaccination to celebrate the patient's 65th birthday.
D. Identifying several local smoking cessation support groups.
E. Providing the patient with a take-home occult stool screening kit. - answer-a. Giving an influenza
vaccination in early autumn of each year.
C. Giving a pneumococcal vaccination to celebrate the patient's 65th birthday.
D. Identifying several local smoking cessation support groups.
1. A nurse planning primary disease prevention interventions for a 64-year-old patient
Includes which of the following? (Select all that apply.)
A. Giving an influenza vaccination in early autumn of each year.
B. Suggesting the patient attend "Cooking to Manage Hypertension" classes taught by
A registered dietician.
C. Giving a pneumococcal vaccination to celebrate the patient's 65th birthday.
D. Identifying several local smoking cessation support groups.
E. Providing the patient with a take-home occult stool screening kit. - answer-a. Giving an influenza
vaccination in early autumn of each year.
C. Giving a pneumococcal vaccination to celebrate the patient's 65th birthday.
D. Identifying several local smoking cessation support groups.
1. A nurse who cares for older adults recognizes which of the following clinical features
,Associated with dementia? (Select all that apply.)
A. Failing to remember his or her room number
B. Becoming increasingly disoriented at night
C. Working on jigsaw puzzles for hours at a time
D. Often referring to a cup as a canyon
E. Misunderstanding when told "it's raining cats and dogs" - answer-a. Failing to remember his or her
room number
D. Often referring to a cup as a canyon
E. Misunderstanding when told "it's raining cats and dogs"
1. A patient reports to the nurse that he seems to be sleeping less at night but now regularly
Requires at least two short naps a day. He expresses a concern that "something is wrong." The nurse
Responds that:
A. "Aging alters our sleep patterns, so what you describe is really quite common."
B. "Circadian sleep rhythms are controlled by the hypothalamus, which is affected by
Age."
C. "Sleep patterns are affected by so many things; have you been under a lot of stress
Lately?"
D. "Can you be more specific about what you think is wrong with your sleep pattern?" - answer-a. "Aging
alters our sleep patterns, so what you describe is really quite common."
1. An older adult is experiencing age-related postural hypotension and he fears "something
Is really wrong" because he is the only one in his social group experiencing the problems. The
Nurse responds:
A. "Don't be concerned; just be very careful about your risk for falling."
B. "You have had very thorough testing, so don't worry about it being serious."
C. "It's just a matter of time before they too have to watch not to get up too quickly."
D. "You just don't have the compensating mechanisms of your friends." - answer-d. "You just don't have
the compensating mechanisms of your friends."
1. An older adult patient reports burning and itching eyes. On assessment, the nurse notes
Swelling of the eyelid margins bilaterally. What additional data are necessary to confirm the nurse's
Suspicion of blepharitis?
A. The patient reports visual disturbances such as rainbow halos.
B. The eyelids are reddened from seborrhea.
C. The patient is being treated with anticoagulants.
D. Small corneal hemorrhages are present. - answer-b. The eyelids are reddened from seborrhea.
1. In 2010, the revised Standards and Scope of Gerontological Nursing Practice was
Published. The nurse would use these standards to:
A. Promote the practice of gerontologic nursing within the acute care setting.
B. Define the concepts and dimensions of gerontologic nursing practice.
C. Elevate the practice of gerontologic nursing.
D. Incorporate suggested interventions from others who practice gerontologic nursing. - answer-d.
Incorporate suggested interventions from others who practice gerontologic nursing.
1. The clinic nurse caring for an older diabetic patient with a sixth grade education
Anticipates that the patient may experience difficulty (Select all that apply.)
,A. Recognizing the importance of keeping clinic appointments.
B. Following a low-carbohydrate diet.
C. Paying for insulin and syringes.
D. Deciding on a primary health care provider.
E. Naming a health care surrogate. - answer-a. Recognizing the importance of keeping clinic
appointments.
B. Following a low-carbohydrate diet.
C. Paying for insulin and syringes.
1. The geriatric nurse recognizes that the body's homeostatic mechanisms may be
Compromised in the:
A. 79-year-old with moderate Alzheimer disease who requires assistance with all
Activities of daily living (adls).
B. 73-year-old with a history of chronic bronchitis who lives with family.
C. 86-year-old who lost a spouse and is moving into an assisted living facility.
D. 69-year-old with peripheral vascular disease who is visited by home health care
Weekly. - answer-c. 86-year-old who lost a spouse and is moving into an assisted living facility.
1. The nurse caring for an older adult patient engages in appropriate cancer-related health
Screening when which of the following occur? (Select all that apply.)
A. Preparing a patient for a lung biopsy
B. Collecting a 24-hour urine specimen
C. Assisting a patient schedule a mammogram
D. Drawing blood for a prostate sensitive antigen (PSA) test
E. Keeping a patient NPO for a bladder biopsy - answer-a. Preparing a patient for a lung biopsy
C. Assisting a patient schedule a mammogram
D. Drawing blood for a prostate sensitive antigen (PSA) test
1. The nurse explains that the plan of care for an older adult patient with seborrheic
Dermatitis of the scalp should include:
A. Cleaning lesions with a weak hydrogen peroxide solution daily.
B. Cleaning the scalp with a low-dose steroidal shampoo.
C. Applying hydrocortisone 10% to scalp lesions.
D. Applying selenium shampoo to the scalp. - answer-d. Applying selenium shampoo to the scalp.
1. The nurse knows that several age-related changes in the integumentary system increase
Older adults' risk for pressure ulcers. Which factors does this include? (Select all that apply.)
A. Poor nutrition
B. Living in a nursing home
C. Thinning epidermis
D. Decreased skin elasticity
E. Vessel degeneration - answer-c. Thinning epidermis
D. Decreased skin elasticity
E. Vessel degeneration
1. To educate patients on health promotion measures to minimize the effect of normal age-
Related changes in immunity, the geriatric nurse:
, A. Describes the effects of low-dosage antibiotic therapy on opportunistic infections.
B. Reinforces the usefulness of lymphocyte counts to detect new infections.
C. Discusses the need for yearly flu immunization.
D. Stresses the importance of maintaining intact skin and mucous membranes. - answer-d. Stresses the
importance of maintaining intact skin and mucous membranes.
1. When assessing a patient's report of experiencing "problems sleeping," the nurse
Gathers data related to which of the following? (Select all that apply.)
A. The patient has difficulty falling asleep.
B. The patient wakes up frequently during the night.
C. The patient finds it difficult to stay asleep.
D. The patient experiences vivid dreams while sleeping.
E. The patient has taken sleeping medication in the past. - answer-a. The patient has difficulty falling
asleep.
B. The patient wakes up frequently during the night.
C. The patient finds it difficult to stay asleep.
1. When assessing an older adult for intrinsic risk factors for falls, the nurse is particularly
Interested in which of the following? (Select all that apply.)
A. An unsteady gait when asked to walk without assistance
B. The presence of throw rugs in the living room of the home
C. The patient's report that he wears corrective lenses
D. An inability to see changes in height because of poor lighting
E. Evidence of short-term memory deficiency - answer-a. An unsteady gait when asked to walk without
assistance
C. The patient's report that he wears corrective lenses
E. Evidence of short-term memory deficiency
1. When assessing the patient's vision, the nurse should understand that older adults may
Report common aging changes, including which of the following? (Select all that apply.)
A. "My eyelids droop so unattractively."
B. "The whites on my eyes seem a bit yellow."
C. "The vision in my right eye seems blurry."
D. "i've started to use over-the-counter eye moisturizing drops."
E. "I have noticed the night driving has become more difficult." - answer-a. "My eyelids droop so
unattractively."
B. "The whites on my eyes seem a bit yellow."
D. "i've started to use over-the-counter eye moisturizing drops."
E. "I have noticed the night driving has become more difficult."
1. When caring for older adults, the nurse expects to encounter the normal urinary age-
Related outcome of:
A. Urinary incontinence.
B. Low-grade bladder infection.
C. Nocturia.
1. A 72-year-old is prescribed lithium. The nurse educates the patient on the importance of
Biannual evaluation of which of the following? (Select all that apply.)
A. Renal function
B. Serum glucose level
C. Liver function
D. Thyroid function
E. Red blood cell count - answer-a. Renal function
C. Liver function
D. Thyroid function
1. A nurse is assessing an older patient for the possible cause of his acute urinary
Incontinence. Which actions by the nurse are most important? (Select all that apply.)
A. Asking when his last normal bowel movement was
B. Monitoring his intake and output
C. Determining if he has been screened for prostatic hypertrophy
D. Asking him if he awakens during the night to urinate
E. Measuring his abdominal girth - answer-a. Asking when his last normal bowel movement was
C. Determining if he has been screened for prostatic hypertrophy
D. Asking him if he awakens during the night to urinate
1. A nurse planning primary disease prevention interventions for a 64-year-old patient
Includes which of the following? (Select all that apply.)
A. Giving an influenza vaccination in early autumn of each year.
B. Suggesting the patient attend "Cooking to Manage Hypertension" classes taught by
A registered dietician.
C. Giving a pneumococcal vaccination to celebrate the patient's 65th birthday.
D. Identifying several local smoking cessation support groups.
E. Providing the patient with a take-home occult stool screening kit. - answer-a. Giving an influenza
vaccination in early autumn of each year.
C. Giving a pneumococcal vaccination to celebrate the patient's 65th birthday.
D. Identifying several local smoking cessation support groups.
1. A nurse planning primary disease prevention interventions for a 64-year-old patient
Includes which of the following? (Select all that apply.)
A. Giving an influenza vaccination in early autumn of each year.
B. Suggesting the patient attend "Cooking to Manage Hypertension" classes taught by
A registered dietician.
C. Giving a pneumococcal vaccination to celebrate the patient's 65th birthday.
D. Identifying several local smoking cessation support groups.
E. Providing the patient with a take-home occult stool screening kit. - answer-a. Giving an influenza
vaccination in early autumn of each year.
C. Giving a pneumococcal vaccination to celebrate the patient's 65th birthday.
D. Identifying several local smoking cessation support groups.
1. A nurse who cares for older adults recognizes which of the following clinical features
,Associated with dementia? (Select all that apply.)
A. Failing to remember his or her room number
B. Becoming increasingly disoriented at night
C. Working on jigsaw puzzles for hours at a time
D. Often referring to a cup as a canyon
E. Misunderstanding when told "it's raining cats and dogs" - answer-a. Failing to remember his or her
room number
D. Often referring to a cup as a canyon
E. Misunderstanding when told "it's raining cats and dogs"
1. A patient reports to the nurse that he seems to be sleeping less at night but now regularly
Requires at least two short naps a day. He expresses a concern that "something is wrong." The nurse
Responds that:
A. "Aging alters our sleep patterns, so what you describe is really quite common."
B. "Circadian sleep rhythms are controlled by the hypothalamus, which is affected by
Age."
C. "Sleep patterns are affected by so many things; have you been under a lot of stress
Lately?"
D. "Can you be more specific about what you think is wrong with your sleep pattern?" - answer-a. "Aging
alters our sleep patterns, so what you describe is really quite common."
1. An older adult is experiencing age-related postural hypotension and he fears "something
Is really wrong" because he is the only one in his social group experiencing the problems. The
Nurse responds:
A. "Don't be concerned; just be very careful about your risk for falling."
B. "You have had very thorough testing, so don't worry about it being serious."
C. "It's just a matter of time before they too have to watch not to get up too quickly."
D. "You just don't have the compensating mechanisms of your friends." - answer-d. "You just don't have
the compensating mechanisms of your friends."
1. An older adult patient reports burning and itching eyes. On assessment, the nurse notes
Swelling of the eyelid margins bilaterally. What additional data are necessary to confirm the nurse's
Suspicion of blepharitis?
A. The patient reports visual disturbances such as rainbow halos.
B. The eyelids are reddened from seborrhea.
C. The patient is being treated with anticoagulants.
D. Small corneal hemorrhages are present. - answer-b. The eyelids are reddened from seborrhea.
1. In 2010, the revised Standards and Scope of Gerontological Nursing Practice was
Published. The nurse would use these standards to:
A. Promote the practice of gerontologic nursing within the acute care setting.
B. Define the concepts and dimensions of gerontologic nursing practice.
C. Elevate the practice of gerontologic nursing.
D. Incorporate suggested interventions from others who practice gerontologic nursing. - answer-d.
Incorporate suggested interventions from others who practice gerontologic nursing.
1. The clinic nurse caring for an older diabetic patient with a sixth grade education
Anticipates that the patient may experience difficulty (Select all that apply.)
,A. Recognizing the importance of keeping clinic appointments.
B. Following a low-carbohydrate diet.
C. Paying for insulin and syringes.
D. Deciding on a primary health care provider.
E. Naming a health care surrogate. - answer-a. Recognizing the importance of keeping clinic
appointments.
B. Following a low-carbohydrate diet.
C. Paying for insulin and syringes.
1. The geriatric nurse recognizes that the body's homeostatic mechanisms may be
Compromised in the:
A. 79-year-old with moderate Alzheimer disease who requires assistance with all
Activities of daily living (adls).
B. 73-year-old with a history of chronic bronchitis who lives with family.
C. 86-year-old who lost a spouse and is moving into an assisted living facility.
D. 69-year-old with peripheral vascular disease who is visited by home health care
Weekly. - answer-c. 86-year-old who lost a spouse and is moving into an assisted living facility.
1. The nurse caring for an older adult patient engages in appropriate cancer-related health
Screening when which of the following occur? (Select all that apply.)
A. Preparing a patient for a lung biopsy
B. Collecting a 24-hour urine specimen
C. Assisting a patient schedule a mammogram
D. Drawing blood for a prostate sensitive antigen (PSA) test
E. Keeping a patient NPO for a bladder biopsy - answer-a. Preparing a patient for a lung biopsy
C. Assisting a patient schedule a mammogram
D. Drawing blood for a prostate sensitive antigen (PSA) test
1. The nurse explains that the plan of care for an older adult patient with seborrheic
Dermatitis of the scalp should include:
A. Cleaning lesions with a weak hydrogen peroxide solution daily.
B. Cleaning the scalp with a low-dose steroidal shampoo.
C. Applying hydrocortisone 10% to scalp lesions.
D. Applying selenium shampoo to the scalp. - answer-d. Applying selenium shampoo to the scalp.
1. The nurse knows that several age-related changes in the integumentary system increase
Older adults' risk for pressure ulcers. Which factors does this include? (Select all that apply.)
A. Poor nutrition
B. Living in a nursing home
C. Thinning epidermis
D. Decreased skin elasticity
E. Vessel degeneration - answer-c. Thinning epidermis
D. Decreased skin elasticity
E. Vessel degeneration
1. To educate patients on health promotion measures to minimize the effect of normal age-
Related changes in immunity, the geriatric nurse:
, A. Describes the effects of low-dosage antibiotic therapy on opportunistic infections.
B. Reinforces the usefulness of lymphocyte counts to detect new infections.
C. Discusses the need for yearly flu immunization.
D. Stresses the importance of maintaining intact skin and mucous membranes. - answer-d. Stresses the
importance of maintaining intact skin and mucous membranes.
1. When assessing a patient's report of experiencing "problems sleeping," the nurse
Gathers data related to which of the following? (Select all that apply.)
A. The patient has difficulty falling asleep.
B. The patient wakes up frequently during the night.
C. The patient finds it difficult to stay asleep.
D. The patient experiences vivid dreams while sleeping.
E. The patient has taken sleeping medication in the past. - answer-a. The patient has difficulty falling
asleep.
B. The patient wakes up frequently during the night.
C. The patient finds it difficult to stay asleep.
1. When assessing an older adult for intrinsic risk factors for falls, the nurse is particularly
Interested in which of the following? (Select all that apply.)
A. An unsteady gait when asked to walk without assistance
B. The presence of throw rugs in the living room of the home
C. The patient's report that he wears corrective lenses
D. An inability to see changes in height because of poor lighting
E. Evidence of short-term memory deficiency - answer-a. An unsteady gait when asked to walk without
assistance
C. The patient's report that he wears corrective lenses
E. Evidence of short-term memory deficiency
1. When assessing the patient's vision, the nurse should understand that older adults may
Report common aging changes, including which of the following? (Select all that apply.)
A. "My eyelids droop so unattractively."
B. "The whites on my eyes seem a bit yellow."
C. "The vision in my right eye seems blurry."
D. "i've started to use over-the-counter eye moisturizing drops."
E. "I have noticed the night driving has become more difficult." - answer-a. "My eyelids droop so
unattractively."
B. "The whites on my eyes seem a bit yellow."
D. "i've started to use over-the-counter eye moisturizing drops."
E. "I have noticed the night driving has become more difficult."
1. When caring for older adults, the nurse expects to encounter the normal urinary age-
Related outcome of:
A. Urinary incontinence.
B. Low-grade bladder infection.
C. Nocturia.
