Gerontology Final Exam Practice Questions and Answers 100% Pass

Gerontology Final Exam Practice Questions and Answers 100% Pass T or F: Aging does not affect our ability to learn. Older persons may learn differently, thinking things out or taking more time to process information - T T or F: When nurses conduct a health history on an older adult, more time is needed to answer questions - T Ageism - A stereotyping or discriminating against a person due to age T or F: Older adults are the smallest consumers of prescription and OTC medicatons - F - largest group When nurses care for the older adult, is more or less time needed for assignments and medication administration? - More time Why do nurses perform position changes slowly? - To prevent older adults from falling because of a decreased CV response to environmental stressors When nurses talk with an older adult, how should he/she sit? - It is best to sit at eye level and speak clearly and allow extra time to answer questions T or F: When an older patient is climbing over the bed rail during the night shift, a nurse should begin by talking with the patient about behavior - T T or F: An increased immune response occurs as we age - F - decreased T or F: Age related changes can result in drug toxicities and increased adverse drug events - T What puts older adults at risk of dehydration? - Multiple physiological changes of aging Page 2/16 Crafted for Academic Insight by KatelynWhitman. All rights reserved © 2025 When an older adult has a disease (ex. UTI), do they present with typical or atypical signs and symptoms - Atypical - no increased temp when have a UTI T or F: Older adults often respond the same to medications or treatments as adults do - F - differently What are some normal age related changes to the CV system? - -Isolated systolic hypertension -Decreased exercise tolerance -Hypotension with rapid position changes -Thickening of the left ventricle wall -Decreased cardiac output -Stiffening of the myocardium and blood vessel walls What are some normal age related changes to the MSK system that may increase falls? - -Gait changes -Decreased vision -Decreased joint ROM What are some common age related physical changes in older adults that affect digestion and food intake? - -Decreased number of taste buds -A diminished sense of smell -Reduction in saliva production T or F: Pharmacokinetic property of absorption is affected by a decreased intestinal motility related to the aging process - T Which medications will have an increased risk of falling? - Alprazolam, zolpidem & seroquel Page 3/16 Crafted for Academic Insight by KatelynWhitman. All rights reserved © 2025 What is reduced drug elimination in the older adult a result of? - Decreased glomerular filtration rate in the kidneys What is a general principle of medication administration in the older adult when starting a new medication? - Start low and go slow For older adults with CHF, HTN and pain issues, what drug class is appropriate for moderate to severe pain? - Opioids, along with stool softener to decrease possible constipation (Acetaminophen, also) What is a good non=pharmacological treatment in an older adult? - Aromatherapy T or F: adverse drug events in the older adult often results in increased complications while in the hospital - T T or F: Older adults from different cultures have the same beliefs about treatments for medical problems and diseases - F - different T or F: A nurse can diagnose delirium by observing a patient's behavior - F - cannot T or F: Delirium in the acute care setting very often results in long-term cognitive decline in a patient - T Delirium - -A serious disturbance in mental abilities that results in confused thinking and reduced awareness of your environment -The start of delirium is usually rapid — within hours or a few days T or F: Delirium increases hospital length of stay, results in health complications is acute, and is acute in onset having a fluctuating course - T Predisposing risk factors of delirium - -Hard of hearing, age, sensory impairment, social loss/isolation, hx of dementia, ETOH (drinking alcohol), smoking, depression, malnutrition, Page 4/16 Crafted for Academic Insight by KatelynWhitman. All rights reserved © 2025 acute/chronic disease, severe illness, abnormal body temp, polypharmacy and psychotropic meds, renal/liver impairment The best way to help an Alzheimer's patient take a shower - -Water from head can look like bullets, don't spray over face/head, start at feet and work way up, have person hold a familiar item associated with bathing (bar of soap/sponge), keep covered with towels, bathe through towels, partial or less frequent baths -Loss of depth perception, feel like getting pushed into a wall How patients with dementia or Alzheimer's demonstrate pain - -2 things that cause behavioral expression in person with dementia: approach and unmet need (pain) -How to figure out what they need: play detective (know baseline), know the person, consider the situation and determine likely causes, be proactive rather than reactive; if you find something that works, tell other providers T or F: Dementia patients have a decreased risk of being abused by their caregivers - F - increased Elder Abuse - -Any form of mistreatment that results in loss or harm -Common types: physical, psychological, sexual, financial, medical (unwanted procedures or treatment) -Common signs: unexplained crying and fear Examples of elder abuse - The common types and examples of those Physical abuse - The use of physical force that may result in bodily injury, physical pain, or impairment. Examples include striking (with or without an object), hitting, beating, pushing, shoving, shaking, slapping, kicking, pinching, and burning Abandonment - Having been deserted or cast off Page 5/16 Crafted for Academic Insight by KatelynWhitman. All rights reserved © 2025 Sexual abuse - Forcing undesired sexual behavior by one person upon another. When that force is immediate, of short duration, or infrequent, it is called sexual assault Financial abuse - A common tactic used by abusers to gain power and control in a relationship. In general, this includes tactics to limit the partner's access to assets or conceal information and accessibility to the family finances T or F: Often elder abuse is missed by healthcare workers due to a lack of training on how to detect the abuse - T T or F: Often a spouse who is the primary caregiver of a dementia patient who feels trapped and burdened by the responsibility of caregiving and who abuses alcohol, fits the demographic characteristics of an abuser - T What is a potential abuse situation a nurse should make note of? - Behavior changes from verbally expressive to silent when a certain person enters the hospital room Which older adult is at greatest risk for falls? - Anyone with a prior fall history What is the leading cause of traumatic death and injury in the older adult? - Falls What type of approach should the nurse use to reduce falls in the older adult in the acute care setting? - Multi-prong approach - reducing clutter in the environment and have the patient call for help before they ambulate T or F: Functional decline has a correlation to the incidence of hospital acquired pressure ulcers in older adults in the acute care setting - F - does not have a correlation The nurse should make sure the older adult understands ______ of every medication they are taking - The purpose What must nurses teach the older adult in an acute care setting? - -The purpose of every med taken Page 6/16 Crafted for Academic Insight by KatelynWhitman. All rights reserved © 2025 -To prevent a fall by increasing their weight bearing activities to increase overall strength -To call for help before attempting to get out of bed T or F: Nurses must use healthcare jargon when teaching a patient - F - must use simple language Pressure ulcer - A localized injury to the skin or underlying tissue usually over a bony prominence as a result of pressure or pressure in combination with sheer Risk factors for developing a pressure ulcer in the acute care setting include: - -Pressure -Immobility -Moisture Age-related changes in the older adult skin that increase likelihood of developing a pressure ulcer in the acute care setting: - -Thinning of the epidermis -Decreased blood supply to the skin -Decreased sensation to the skin T or F: Any older adult may be an alcoholic or drug abuser regardless of profession, culture, or socioeconomic status - T T or F: Older adults do not benefit from substance abuse treatment - F - they do benefit What is a warning sign that an older adult may have a problem with alcohol? - When a well-groomed person becomes disheveled with unexplained bruisi