NURS 5120 MODULE 2 ELDERLY CASE
DISCUSSION 2026 COMPREHENSIVE
GERIATRIC NURSING REVIEW QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS VERIFIED
◉ The registered nurse (RN) is caring for an older female client with
a 20 year history of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), who is admitted for
carpel tunnel release. Which finding associated with RA should the
RN document?
A. Asymmetrical joint deformity
B. Small joint involvement in fingers
C. Crepitation or grating sensation in joints
D. Weight bearing joint involvement. Answer: B. Small joint
involvement in fingers.
Rationale: Small joint involvement (B) is common in rheumatoid
arthritis. (A), (C) and (D) are findings that different OA from RA.
◉ The registered nurse (RN) is re-enforcing discharge instructions
with the family of an older client who was recently admitted for an
intestinal obstruction. Which statement indicates that the family
understands the instructions?
A. Increase protein and carbohydrates in the daily diet
,B. Limit activity to bed rest for the first week and increase mobility
incrementally each week
C. Report abdominal distention, constipation or any other nausea
and vomiting to the healthcare provider
D. Drink liquids 2 hours after meals instead of during meals. Answer:
C. Report abdominal distention, constipation, or any nausea and
vomiting to the healthcare provider.
Rationale: (C) are symptoms that occur with intestinal obstruction
and should be addressed immediately. (A, B, and D) are not indicated
for a client who has been discharged for intestinal obstruction.
◉ An older client is transferred to a telemetry unit after placement
of a pacemaker. What action should the registered nurse (RN) take
first?
A. View incision site
B. Obtain a blood pressure
C. Establish telemetry monitoring
D. Evaluate client for pain. Answer: C. Establish telemetry
monitoring.
Rationale: The first action is to establish continuous telemetry
monitoring (C) to ensure the pacemaker is functioning properly. (A,
B and D) should be implemented after the client's heart rate and
rhythm are successfully being monitored.
, ◉ Older clients are at highest risk for abuse and neglect due to
which factors? (Select all that apply.)
A. Needs are greater than the caretaker's abilities
B. Client's declining strength
C. Fixed income
D. Longer life expectancy
E. Lack of exposure to technology and trends. Answer: A. Needs
regretter than the caretaker's abilities
B. Client's declining strength
Rationale: When needs are not being met due to lack of ability of the
caretaker (A), stress and feelings of failure may be expressed
through neglect and abuse. Decline in strength (B) increases the
older client's vulnerability to resist or respond to elder abuse. (C, D,
E) do not increase the risk for neglect and abuse.
◉ An older female client who has been taking
hydrocodone/acetaminophen (Lortab) q4 hours for chronic back
pain for the past 5 years tells the registered nurse (RN) that she
cannot live without her pain pills. When asked if she is addicted, the
client states that she is not an addict because the healthcare
provider prescribed the pain pills. Which coping mechanism should
the RN determine the client is using about her addiction?
A. Lack of knowledge about narcotic medications
DISCUSSION 2026 COMPREHENSIVE
GERIATRIC NURSING REVIEW QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS VERIFIED
◉ The registered nurse (RN) is caring for an older female client with
a 20 year history of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), who is admitted for
carpel tunnel release. Which finding associated with RA should the
RN document?
A. Asymmetrical joint deformity
B. Small joint involvement in fingers
C. Crepitation or grating sensation in joints
D. Weight bearing joint involvement. Answer: B. Small joint
involvement in fingers.
Rationale: Small joint involvement (B) is common in rheumatoid
arthritis. (A), (C) and (D) are findings that different OA from RA.
◉ The registered nurse (RN) is re-enforcing discharge instructions
with the family of an older client who was recently admitted for an
intestinal obstruction. Which statement indicates that the family
understands the instructions?
A. Increase protein and carbohydrates in the daily diet
,B. Limit activity to bed rest for the first week and increase mobility
incrementally each week
C. Report abdominal distention, constipation or any other nausea
and vomiting to the healthcare provider
D. Drink liquids 2 hours after meals instead of during meals. Answer:
C. Report abdominal distention, constipation, or any nausea and
vomiting to the healthcare provider.
Rationale: (C) are symptoms that occur with intestinal obstruction
and should be addressed immediately. (A, B, and D) are not indicated
for a client who has been discharged for intestinal obstruction.
◉ An older client is transferred to a telemetry unit after placement
of a pacemaker. What action should the registered nurse (RN) take
first?
A. View incision site
B. Obtain a blood pressure
C. Establish telemetry monitoring
D. Evaluate client for pain. Answer: C. Establish telemetry
monitoring.
Rationale: The first action is to establish continuous telemetry
monitoring (C) to ensure the pacemaker is functioning properly. (A,
B and D) should be implemented after the client's heart rate and
rhythm are successfully being monitored.
, ◉ Older clients are at highest risk for abuse and neglect due to
which factors? (Select all that apply.)
A. Needs are greater than the caretaker's abilities
B. Client's declining strength
C. Fixed income
D. Longer life expectancy
E. Lack of exposure to technology and trends. Answer: A. Needs
regretter than the caretaker's abilities
B. Client's declining strength
Rationale: When needs are not being met due to lack of ability of the
caretaker (A), stress and feelings of failure may be expressed
through neglect and abuse. Decline in strength (B) increases the
older client's vulnerability to resist or respond to elder abuse. (C, D,
E) do not increase the risk for neglect and abuse.
◉ An older female client who has been taking
hydrocodone/acetaminophen (Lortab) q4 hours for chronic back
pain for the past 5 years tells the registered nurse (RN) that she
cannot live without her pain pills. When asked if she is addicted, the
client states that she is not an addict because the healthcare
provider prescribed the pain pills. Which coping mechanism should
the RN determine the client is using about her addiction?
A. Lack of knowledge about narcotic medications
