Rasmussen University NUR 2214 Module 3 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Older
Adult Q&A | Geriatric Nursing
**1. The parents of a 4-year-old boy with sickle cell anemia ask the nurse
how to prevent a sickle cell crisis. What is the nurse's best response?**
A) Administer aspirin daily to thin the blood
B) Ensure the child drinks adequate fluids and avoids extreme temperatures
C) Restrict the child's activity to prevent fatigue
D) Give the child iron supplements to prevent anemia
Correct Answer: B) Ensure the child drinks adequate fluids and avoids
extreme temperatures
Rationale: Sickle cell crises are often triggered by dehydration, hypoxia,
infection, and extreme temperatures. Adequate hydration helps prevent
sickling, and avoiding temperature extremes reduces the risk of vaso-
occlusive events. Aspirin is not recommended in children, iron supplements
are not indicated, and activity does not need to be restricted.
**2. A patient receiving an antihistamine reports feeling "very drowsy." What
is the nurse's highest priority for this patient?**
A) Monitor for hypotension
B) Protect against fall risk
C) Assess for dehydration
D) Monitor for low platelets
Correct Answer: B) Protect against fall risk
Rationale: Drowsiness is a common side effect of antihistamines, which can
impair balance and coordination. The highest priority is to protect the patient
against falls, especially in the older adult population.
,**3. A nurse notices the caregiver of a patient with dementia displays poor
hygiene and reports losing sleep and being exhausted. How should the nurse
respond?**
A) Remain silent because this matter is not within the nurse's scope of
practice
B) Recommend therapy for the caregiver
C) Offer resources to support the caregiver
D) Educate the patient on coping strategies
Correct Answer: C) Offer resources to support the caregiver
Rationale: Caregiver burnout is a serious concern. The nurse should offer
resources such as respite care, support groups, and education to support the
caregiver.
**4. A 6-year-old female with a positive HIV status is on multiple anti-viral
medications. The mother asks, "Why does she need so many medications?"
What is the nurse's best response?**
A) To cure her HIV status
B) To suppress the virus from replicating, which stops the progression of the
disease
C) To destroy the HIV-positive blood cells
D) To eradicate any bacterial infections
Correct Answer: B) To suppress the virus from replicating, which stops the
progression of the disease
,Rationale: The primary goal of antiretroviral therapy is to suppress viral
replication, prevent the progression from HIV to AIDS, and maintain immune
function.
**5. What does the CAUTION acronym stand for in cancer screening?**
A) Change in bowel/bladder, a sore that does not heal, unusual bleeding or
discharge, thickening of a lump, Indigestion, obvious change (warts or
moles), nagging cough that will not go away
B) Change in bowel/bladder, a sore that does not heal, unusual bleeding or
discharge, thickening of a lump, Indigestion, orthostatic hypotension,
nagging cough
C) Change in bowel/bladder, a sore that does not heal, unusual bleeding or
discharge, tinnitus, Indigestion, obvious change, nagging cough
D) Change in bowel/bladder, a sore that does not heal, unusual bleeding or
discharge, thickening of a lump, Indigestion, obvious change, necrosis of the
skin
Correct Answer: A) Change in bowel/bladder, a sore that does not heal,
unusual bleeding or discharge, thickening of a lump, Indigestion, obvious
change (warts or moles), nagging cough that will not go away
Rationale: The CAUTION acronym is a well-known mnemonic for the warning
signs of cancer. Option A lists the correct components.
**6. A nurse is caring for a patient after a lumbar puncture. What nursing
care should be implemented after the procedure?**
A) Encourage the patient to ambulate immediately
B) Position the patient flat and encourage fluids
C) Apply heat to the puncture site
D) Restrict fluids to prevent headache
, Correct Answer: B) Position the patient flat and encourage fluids
Rationale: After a lumbar puncture, the patient should remain flat to reduce
the risk of a post-dural puncture headache, and fluids should be encouraged
to replace cerebrospinal fluid.
**7. A 5-year-old child is given fluoroquinolones. Which potential adverse
effect unique to pediatric clients should the nurse anticipate?**
A) Tooth discoloration
B) Tendon rupture
C) Growth suppression
D) Hepatotoxicity
Correct Answer: B) Tendon rupture
Rationale: Fluoroquinolones are associated with an increased risk of
tendonitis and tendon rupture in pediatric patients.
**8. A client with myasthenia gravis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are being cared for. Which information
should the nurse consider when planning care for this group?**
A) They all require continuous cardiac monitoring
B) They all may experience respiratory muscle weakness
C) They all have the same prognosis
D) They all are treated with the same medications
Correct Answer: B) They all may experience respiratory muscle weakness
Adult Q&A | Geriatric Nursing
**1. The parents of a 4-year-old boy with sickle cell anemia ask the nurse
how to prevent a sickle cell crisis. What is the nurse's best response?**
A) Administer aspirin daily to thin the blood
B) Ensure the child drinks adequate fluids and avoids extreme temperatures
C) Restrict the child's activity to prevent fatigue
D) Give the child iron supplements to prevent anemia
Correct Answer: B) Ensure the child drinks adequate fluids and avoids
extreme temperatures
Rationale: Sickle cell crises are often triggered by dehydration, hypoxia,
infection, and extreme temperatures. Adequate hydration helps prevent
sickling, and avoiding temperature extremes reduces the risk of vaso-
occlusive events. Aspirin is not recommended in children, iron supplements
are not indicated, and activity does not need to be restricted.
**2. A patient receiving an antihistamine reports feeling "very drowsy." What
is the nurse's highest priority for this patient?**
A) Monitor for hypotension
B) Protect against fall risk
C) Assess for dehydration
D) Monitor for low platelets
Correct Answer: B) Protect against fall risk
Rationale: Drowsiness is a common side effect of antihistamines, which can
impair balance and coordination. The highest priority is to protect the patient
against falls, especially in the older adult population.
,**3. A nurse notices the caregiver of a patient with dementia displays poor
hygiene and reports losing sleep and being exhausted. How should the nurse
respond?**
A) Remain silent because this matter is not within the nurse's scope of
practice
B) Recommend therapy for the caregiver
C) Offer resources to support the caregiver
D) Educate the patient on coping strategies
Correct Answer: C) Offer resources to support the caregiver
Rationale: Caregiver burnout is a serious concern. The nurse should offer
resources such as respite care, support groups, and education to support the
caregiver.
**4. A 6-year-old female with a positive HIV status is on multiple anti-viral
medications. The mother asks, "Why does she need so many medications?"
What is the nurse's best response?**
A) To cure her HIV status
B) To suppress the virus from replicating, which stops the progression of the
disease
C) To destroy the HIV-positive blood cells
D) To eradicate any bacterial infections
Correct Answer: B) To suppress the virus from replicating, which stops the
progression of the disease
,Rationale: The primary goal of antiretroviral therapy is to suppress viral
replication, prevent the progression from HIV to AIDS, and maintain immune
function.
**5. What does the CAUTION acronym stand for in cancer screening?**
A) Change in bowel/bladder, a sore that does not heal, unusual bleeding or
discharge, thickening of a lump, Indigestion, obvious change (warts or
moles), nagging cough that will not go away
B) Change in bowel/bladder, a sore that does not heal, unusual bleeding or
discharge, thickening of a lump, Indigestion, orthostatic hypotension,
nagging cough
C) Change in bowel/bladder, a sore that does not heal, unusual bleeding or
discharge, tinnitus, Indigestion, obvious change, nagging cough
D) Change in bowel/bladder, a sore that does not heal, unusual bleeding or
discharge, thickening of a lump, Indigestion, obvious change, necrosis of the
skin
Correct Answer: A) Change in bowel/bladder, a sore that does not heal,
unusual bleeding or discharge, thickening of a lump, Indigestion, obvious
change (warts or moles), nagging cough that will not go away
Rationale: The CAUTION acronym is a well-known mnemonic for the warning
signs of cancer. Option A lists the correct components.
**6. A nurse is caring for a patient after a lumbar puncture. What nursing
care should be implemented after the procedure?**
A) Encourage the patient to ambulate immediately
B) Position the patient flat and encourage fluids
C) Apply heat to the puncture site
D) Restrict fluids to prevent headache
, Correct Answer: B) Position the patient flat and encourage fluids
Rationale: After a lumbar puncture, the patient should remain flat to reduce
the risk of a post-dural puncture headache, and fluids should be encouraged
to replace cerebrospinal fluid.
**7. A 5-year-old child is given fluoroquinolones. Which potential adverse
effect unique to pediatric clients should the nurse anticipate?**
A) Tooth discoloration
B) Tendon rupture
C) Growth suppression
D) Hepatotoxicity
Correct Answer: B) Tendon rupture
Rationale: Fluoroquinolones are associated with an increased risk of
tendonitis and tendon rupture in pediatric patients.
**8. A client with myasthenia gravis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are being cared for. Which information
should the nurse consider when planning care for this group?**
A) They all require continuous cardiac monitoring
B) They all may experience respiratory muscle weakness
C) They all have the same prognosis
D) They all are treated with the same medications
Correct Answer: B) They all may experience respiratory muscle weakness
