NUR 2214 Week 5 Quiz V1 | NUR 2214
Nursing Care of the Older Adult | Actual
Q&A with Rationale (NUR2214 Week 5
Quiz) | Rasmussen University
1. An older adult patient is admitted with a sudden change in mental status. Which
assessment should the nurse prioritize to differentiate delirium from dementia?
A. Identifying the onset and duration of the mental status change.
B. Assessing for long-term memory deficits.
C. Evaluating the patient’s ability to perform IADLs.
D. Measuring the patient’s intelligence quotient (IQ).
Answer: A
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by an acute, abrupt onset and a fluctuating course,
whereas dementia is a slow, progressive decline. Identifying the timeline is the most critical
step in distinguishing these two conditions. The nurse must establish a baseline from
family members to determine if the confusion is new or chronic.
2. Which physiological change associated with aging significantly impacts the
pharmacokinetics of medications in older adults?
A. Increased total body water.
B. Decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR).
,C. Increased hepatic blood flow.
D. Decreased percentage of body fat.
Answer: B
Rationale: A decrease in GFR leads to reduced renal clearance of drugs, increasing the risk
of toxicity. Older adults typically have less body water and more body fat, which changes
the distribution of water-soluble and fat-soluble drugs. Monitoring renal function is
essential for safe medication administration in this population.
3. A nurse is teaching a group of older adults about preventing falls at home. Which
recommendation is most appropriate?
A. Keep the environment dimly lit to reduce glare.
B. Use scatter rugs in high-traffic areas for comfort.
C. Install grab bars in the bathroom and ensure adequate lighting.
D. Wear loose-fitting slippers without backs.
Answer: C
Rationale: Grab bars provide necessary support during transfers in slippery areas like
bathrooms. Adequate lighting helps compensate for age-related vision changes such as
decreased pupil size and lens yellowing. The removal of trip hazards like rugs and the use
of sturdy footwear are also vital components of a fall prevention plan.
, 4. What is the primary goal of palliative care for an older adult with end-stage heart failure?
A. Providing aggressive curative treatments.
B. Optimizing quality of life through symptom management.
C. Hastening the death process at the patient’s request.
D. Ensuring the patient remains in the hospital for all care.
Answer: B
Rationale: Palliative care focuses on relieving symptoms such as pain and dyspnea to
improve the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses. It can be provided alongside
curative treatments, unlike hospice care which is for the terminal phase. This holistic
approach addresses physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
5. An older adult complains of a persistent dry mouth. Which condition should the nurse
consider as a likely contributor?
A. Side effects of anticholinergic medications.
B. Increased salivary gland production.
C. Excessive intake of oral fluids.
D. A normal increase in taste bud sensitivity.
Answer: A
Rationale: Xerostomia (dry mouth) is a common side effect of many medications,
particularly those with anticholinergic properties often prescribed to older adults. It is not
Nursing Care of the Older Adult | Actual
Q&A with Rationale (NUR2214 Week 5
Quiz) | Rasmussen University
1. An older adult patient is admitted with a sudden change in mental status. Which
assessment should the nurse prioritize to differentiate delirium from dementia?
A. Identifying the onset and duration of the mental status change.
B. Assessing for long-term memory deficits.
C. Evaluating the patient’s ability to perform IADLs.
D. Measuring the patient’s intelligence quotient (IQ).
Answer: A
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by an acute, abrupt onset and a fluctuating course,
whereas dementia is a slow, progressive decline. Identifying the timeline is the most critical
step in distinguishing these two conditions. The nurse must establish a baseline from
family members to determine if the confusion is new or chronic.
2. Which physiological change associated with aging significantly impacts the
pharmacokinetics of medications in older adults?
A. Increased total body water.
B. Decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR).
,C. Increased hepatic blood flow.
D. Decreased percentage of body fat.
Answer: B
Rationale: A decrease in GFR leads to reduced renal clearance of drugs, increasing the risk
of toxicity. Older adults typically have less body water and more body fat, which changes
the distribution of water-soluble and fat-soluble drugs. Monitoring renal function is
essential for safe medication administration in this population.
3. A nurse is teaching a group of older adults about preventing falls at home. Which
recommendation is most appropriate?
A. Keep the environment dimly lit to reduce glare.
B. Use scatter rugs in high-traffic areas for comfort.
C. Install grab bars in the bathroom and ensure adequate lighting.
D. Wear loose-fitting slippers without backs.
Answer: C
Rationale: Grab bars provide necessary support during transfers in slippery areas like
bathrooms. Adequate lighting helps compensate for age-related vision changes such as
decreased pupil size and lens yellowing. The removal of trip hazards like rugs and the use
of sturdy footwear are also vital components of a fall prevention plan.
, 4. What is the primary goal of palliative care for an older adult with end-stage heart failure?
A. Providing aggressive curative treatments.
B. Optimizing quality of life through symptom management.
C. Hastening the death process at the patient’s request.
D. Ensuring the patient remains in the hospital for all care.
Answer: B
Rationale: Palliative care focuses on relieving symptoms such as pain and dyspnea to
improve the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses. It can be provided alongside
curative treatments, unlike hospice care which is for the terminal phase. This holistic
approach addresses physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
5. An older adult complains of a persistent dry mouth. Which condition should the nurse
consider as a likely contributor?
A. Side effects of anticholinergic medications.
B. Increased salivary gland production.
C. Excessive intake of oral fluids.
D. A normal increase in taste bud sensitivity.
Answer: A
Rationale: Xerostomia (dry mouth) is a common side effect of many medications,
particularly those with anticholinergic properties often prescribed to older adults. It is not
