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,Chapter 01: Overview of Gerontologic Nursing
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Meiner: Gerontologic Nursing, 5th Edition
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MULTIPLE CHOICE w
1. In 2010, the revised Standards and Scope of Gerontological Nursing Practice was
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wpublished. The nurse would use these standards to:
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a. promote the practice of gerontologic nursing within the acute care setting.
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b. define the concepts and dimensions of gerontologic nursing practice.
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c. elevate the practice of gerontologic nursing.
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d. incorporate suggested interventions from others who practice gerontologic nursing.
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ANS: w D
The current publishing of the Standards and Scope of Gerontological Nursing Practice in
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2010 incorporates the input of gerontologic nurses from across the United States. It was
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not intended to promote gerontologic nursing practice within acute care settings, define
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concepts or dimensions of gerontologic nursing practice, or elevate the practice of
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gerontologic nursing.
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DIF: Remembering (Knowledge) REF: Page 2 OBJ: w w w w 1-
1 TOP: N/A
w MSC: Safe and Effective Care Environment
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2. When attempting to minimize the effect of ageism on the practice of nursing older adults,
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wa nurse needs to first:
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a. recognize that nurses must act as advocates for aging patients.
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b. accept that this population represents a substantial portion of those
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requiring nursing care.
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c. self-reflect and formulate one’s personal view of aging and the older patient.
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d. recognize ageism as a form of bigotry shared by many Americans.
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ANS: w C
Ageism is an ever-increasing prejudicial view of the effects of the aging process and of the
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older population as a whole. With nurses being members of a society holding such views, it
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is critical that the individual nurse self-reflect on personal feelings and determine whether
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such feelings will affect the nursing care that he or she provides to the aging patient. Acting
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as an advocate is an important nursing role in all settings. Simply accepting a fact does not
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help end ageism, nor does recognizing ageism as a form of bigotry.
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DIF: Applying (Application) w REF: N/A OBJ: 1-9 w w w w
TOP: Teaching-Learning w MSC: Safe and Effective Care Environment
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3. When discussing factors that have helped to increase the number of healthy, independent
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wolder Americans, the nurse includes the importance of:
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a. increased availability of in-home care services. w w w w w
b. government support of retired citizens. w w w w
c. effective antibiotic therapies. w w
d. the development of life-extending therapies.
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ANS: w C
, The health and ultimate autonomy of older Americans has been positively impacted by the
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development of antibiotics, better sanitation, and vaccines. These public health measures
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have been more instrumental in increasing the numbers of healthy, independent older
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Americans than have in-home care services, government programs, or life-extending
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therapies.
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DIF: Remembering (Knowledge) REF: Page 2 OBJ: 3-3 w w w w w w
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
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4. Based on current data, when presenting an older adult’s discharge teaching plan, the
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wnurse includes the patient’s:
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a. nonrelated caretaker. w
b. paid caregiver. w
c. family member. w
d. intuitional representative. w
ANS: w C
Less than 4% of older adults live in a formal health care environment. The majority of the
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geriatric population lives at home or with family members.
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DIF: Applying (Application) w REF: N/A w w OBJ: 3-3 w w
TOP: Nursing Process: Planning
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5. The nurse planning care for an older adult who has recently been diagnosed with
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wrheumatoid arthritis views the priority criterion for continued independence to be the
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wpatient’s:
a. age.
b. financial status. w
c. gender.
d. functional status. w
ANS: w D
Maintaining the functional status of older adults may avert the onset of physical frailty and
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cognitive impairment, two conditions that increase the likelihood of institutionalization.
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DIF: Remembering (Knowledge) w REF: Page 8 w OBJ: 1- w w
6 TOP: Nursing Process: Planning
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6. A nurse working with the older adult population is most likely to assess a need for a
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wfinancial social service’s referral for a(n):
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a. white male. w
b. black female. w
c. Hispanic male. w
d. Asian American female. w w
ANS: w B
The poverty rate among older black women is substantially higher than that seen among
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males or females of other ethnic groups. White males had the least poverty.
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DIF: Applying (Application) w REF: N/A w w OBJ: 1-4 w w
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
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, 7. Which of the following statements made by a nurse preparing to complete a health
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wassessment and history on an older patient reflects an understanding of the general health
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wstatus of this population? w w w
a. “I’ll need to document well regarding the medications the patient is
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currently prescribed.”
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b. “I would like to understand how supportive the patient’s family members are.”
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c. “Most older patients are being treated for a variety of chronic health care issues.”
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d. “It will be interesting to see whether this patient sees herself as being healthy.”
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ANS: w D
It is a misconception that old age is synonymous with disease and illness. The nurse should
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walways determine the patient’s sense of wellness and independence when conducting a
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whealth and history assessment. An assessment of medication use and family support is
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wimportant for any patient. Many older adults do have chronic health conditions, but their
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wperception is more important than a single number. w w w w w w w
DIF: Applying (Application) w REF: N/A OBJ: w w 1-
4 TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
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8. The nurse is caring for an older adult who has been admitted to an acute care hospital
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wfor treatment of a fractured femur. The family expresses concern about the patient’s
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wpending transfer to a subacute care facility. What response by the nurse is best?
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a. “Acute care facilities lack the long-term physical therapy support your
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dad requires.”
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b. “Your dad will be much happier in a more serene, private environment.”
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c. “The subacute facility will focus on helping your dad maintain his independence.”
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d. “Insurance, including Medicare, will cover only a limited amount of time here.”
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ANS: w C
The transfer of the patient to a subacute facility is based on the need to maintain the
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patient’s level of function and independence, a task the acute care facility is not prepared
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to address once the patient is physiologically stable. The patient may or may not be
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happier in the new setting; the nurse should not make this judgment. It is true that
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insurance only pays for a limited amount of time in an acute care facility, but this is not the
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best reason for the patient to transfer.
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DIF: Applying (Application) REF: w w N/A OBJ: w 1-
6 TOP: Communication and Documentation
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MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
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9. To best assure both the quality of care and the safety of the older adult patient who requires
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win- home unlicensed assistive personal (UAP) assistance, the geriatric nurse:
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a. evaluates the competency of the UAP staff. w w w w w w
b. assumes the roles of case manager and patient advocate.
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c. arranges for the needed UAP provided services. w w w w w w
d. assesses the patient for functional limitations. w w w w w
ANS: w A
As more care traditionally provided by professional nurses is being transferred to UAP, the
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nurse must assume more responsibility for educating, training, and evaluating the
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competency of UAP staff to provide safe, effective care for the older adult patient.
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