HESI HINTS ONLY- GERONTOLOGY TWO DIFFERENT VERSIONS WITH QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE 2024

Page 1 of 58 HESI HINTS ONLY - GERONTOLOGY TWO DIFFERE NT VERSION S WITH QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE 2024 Why is regular assessment of the feet important in the elderly? - ANSWER✔✔It increase the opportunity to discoed and treat skin care problems early. These problems could become more serious d/t decreased circulation Differentiation of normal and pathologic causes for skin and hair conditions is essential: - ANSWER✔✔Ie seborrheic keratosis vs melanomas What places an older adult at risk for the development of pressure ulcers? - ANSWER✔✔Impaired mobility, impaired skin integrity, decreased peripheral circulation, and lack of physical activity What are ways to help prevent or decrease the occurrence of falls? - ANSWER✔✔Install adequate lighting, paint the edges of stairs a bright color, place a bell on any residents cats; cats move quickly and can get underfoot, wear proper footwear that supports the foot and contributes to balance, shoes made of non slippery materials Physiology of blood pressure - ANSWER✔✔Both SBP and DBP increase with age, but systolic increase more than the DBP . Page 2 of 58 Physiology of BP: expressed as a ratio of systolic to diastolic. Systolic refers to the level of the BP during the contraction phase; whereas diastolic refers to the stage when the chambers of the heart are filling with blood. Why are dysrhythmias particularly serious in older adults? - ANSWER✔✔Older adults cannot tolerate decreased C.O., which can result in syncope, falls, and transient ischemia attacks. Pulse may be rapid, slow, or irregular. Angina symptoms in older adults may be confused with what kind of symptoms? - ANSWER✔✔Gastrointestinal symptoms. Angina symptoms may be absent or they may be confused with GI symptoms With aging, what happens to the muscles that operate the lungs? - ANSWER✔✔The muscles that operate the lungs lose elasticity so that respiratory efficiency is reduced. Vital capacity - the amount of air brought into lungs at one time, decreases. Breathing may become more difficult after strenuous exercise. The rate of decline has been found to be slower in more active people. The nurse should encourage older people to remain physically active for as long as possible. What makes older adults more susceptible to chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and pneumonia? - ANSWER✔✔Declining muscle strength may impair cough efficiency . What is a major cause of respiratory disability in older adults? - ANSWER✔✔COPD Page 3 of 58 What is a major cause of death in older adults? - ANSWER✔✔Aspiration pneumonia What changes contribute to chronic constipation with age? - ANSWER✔✔The number of enzymes in the small intestine is reduced, and simple sugars are absorbed more slowly, resulting in decreases efficiency of the digestive process. The smooth muscle content and the muscle tone of the wall of the colon decrease. Anatomic changes in the large intestine result in decreased intestinal motility. Physiologic factors, as well as abuse of over the counter laxatives, are factors Decreases in fluid intake and mobility contribute to constipation Is tooth loss a normal part of the aging process? - ANSWER✔✔No. What can prevent tooth loss? - ANSWER✔✔Good dental hygiene, good nutrition, and dental care Why do older people tend to feel full before the entire meal is consumed and thus appear to eat smaller quantities of food at mealtime? - ANSWER✔✔This is because the digestive system of older people feature a decrease in the contraction time of the muscles, and more time is needed for the cardiac sphincter to open. Therefore, it takes more time for the food to be transmitted to the stomach. `What poses a significant concern in older adults? - ANSWER✔✔Poor nutrition or malnutrition . Page 4 of 58 Reason for poor nutrition in older adults: - ANSWER✔✔Chronic illness which suppresses the appetite, hospitalization and surgery, difficulty chewing, alcohol use, cognitive changes, depression, grief, loneliness, social isolation, and problems with food procurement. What is an early sign of malnutrition? - ANSWER✔✔Changes in weight What is a more accurate measure of age than chronological age? - ANSWER✔✔The ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL's). The majority of this aged 65 and older regard their health as good or excellent Chronological age may or may not correspond to: - ANSWER✔✔Physical, mental, social, and cultural actions and feelings Changes in the heart and lungs result in less efficient utilization of what? - ANSWER✔✔Of oxygen, which reduces the individual's capacity to maintain physical activity for long periods of time. Physical training for older people can significantly reduce blood pressure, and increase aerobic activity. Teaching and designing rehabilitation programs for older adults should contain which 2 things: - ANSWER✔✔Exercise and nutrition