NUR 304 Gerontological Nursing Exam 2 Flashcards – Study Guide and Practice
Review Material
What does mental health indicate? - ANS ✔✔a capacity to cope efficiently with and manage life
stressors in an effort to achieve emotional homeostasis
What are some myths about aging? - ANS ✔✔Depression and loneliness are normal in older
adults.
The older I get, the less sleep I need.
It is inevitable that older people will get dementia.
Older adults should take it easy and avoid exercise so they don't get injured.etc
Cognitive function in later life is highly ______ - ANS ✔✔individualized
Is the following statement true or false?
The rate of completed suicide among older persons is the lowest of any age group in the United
States. - ANS ✔✔False
Rationale: The rate of completed suicide among older persons continues to be the highest of
any age group in the United States, with nearly ¼ of all suicides committed by persons aged 65
years and older.
What percent of suicides in the US is by persons 65+? - ANS ✔✔1/4
What does mental health imply? - ANS ✔✔satisfaction and interest in life
,What are ways to promote mental health in older adults? - ANS ✔✔Need to maintain satisfying
interests and activities
Opportunities to sense value as a member of society and have self-worth reinforced
Security to meet basic human needs
Support and assistance through stressful situations
Connection with others
Importance of optimum physical health
What are ways that the nurse can help guide mental health? (3) - ANS ✔✔Strengthen the
individual's capacity to manage the condition
Eliminate or minimize the limitations imposed by the condition
Act for or do for the individual only when absolutely necessary
What is the most frequent psychiatric problem treated in older adults? - ANS ✔✔depression
Is the following statement true or false?
The incidence of major depression declines with age, but the rate of minor depression increases
with age. - ANS ✔✔True
Rationale: Depression is the most frequent problem that psychiatrists treat in older adults.
Major depression declines with age while minor depression increases in incidence with age.
Major depression ___ with old age, while minor depression ____ with old age - ANS
✔✔decreases
increases
What are some signs of depression? - ANS ✔✔Vegetative symptoms
, Self-deprecation, guilt, apathy, remorse, hopelessness, helplessness, feelings of being a burden
Problems with personal relationships and social interactions
Changes in sleep and psychomotor activity
Hygiene neglect
Physical complaints
Altered cognition
Can mimic dementia
What are some treatments for depression? - ANS ✔✔Psychotherapy
Antidepressants
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
Herbs
Complementary/alternative (CAM) therapies
Good basic health practices
What are some indications of suicide? - ANS ✔✔medication misuse
self-starvation
activities that oppose a therapeutic need
activities that threaten a medical problem
subjecting oneself to unnecessary risks
What are some conditions for alcoholism? - ANS ✔✔Drinks a fifth of whiskey a day or its
equivalent in wine or beer (for a 180-lb person)
Alcoholic blackouts
Blood alcohol level greater than 150 mg/100 mL
Withdrawal syndrome: hallucinations, convulsions, gross tremors, delirium tremens
Review Material
What does mental health indicate? - ANS ✔✔a capacity to cope efficiently with and manage life
stressors in an effort to achieve emotional homeostasis
What are some myths about aging? - ANS ✔✔Depression and loneliness are normal in older
adults.
The older I get, the less sleep I need.
It is inevitable that older people will get dementia.
Older adults should take it easy and avoid exercise so they don't get injured.etc
Cognitive function in later life is highly ______ - ANS ✔✔individualized
Is the following statement true or false?
The rate of completed suicide among older persons is the lowest of any age group in the United
States. - ANS ✔✔False
Rationale: The rate of completed suicide among older persons continues to be the highest of
any age group in the United States, with nearly ¼ of all suicides committed by persons aged 65
years and older.
What percent of suicides in the US is by persons 65+? - ANS ✔✔1/4
What does mental health imply? - ANS ✔✔satisfaction and interest in life
,What are ways to promote mental health in older adults? - ANS ✔✔Need to maintain satisfying
interests and activities
Opportunities to sense value as a member of society and have self-worth reinforced
Security to meet basic human needs
Support and assistance through stressful situations
Connection with others
Importance of optimum physical health
What are ways that the nurse can help guide mental health? (3) - ANS ✔✔Strengthen the
individual's capacity to manage the condition
Eliminate or minimize the limitations imposed by the condition
Act for or do for the individual only when absolutely necessary
What is the most frequent psychiatric problem treated in older adults? - ANS ✔✔depression
Is the following statement true or false?
The incidence of major depression declines with age, but the rate of minor depression increases
with age. - ANS ✔✔True
Rationale: Depression is the most frequent problem that psychiatrists treat in older adults.
Major depression declines with age while minor depression increases in incidence with age.
Major depression ___ with old age, while minor depression ____ with old age - ANS
✔✔decreases
increases
What are some signs of depression? - ANS ✔✔Vegetative symptoms
, Self-deprecation, guilt, apathy, remorse, hopelessness, helplessness, feelings of being a burden
Problems with personal relationships and social interactions
Changes in sleep and psychomotor activity
Hygiene neglect
Physical complaints
Altered cognition
Can mimic dementia
What are some treatments for depression? - ANS ✔✔Psychotherapy
Antidepressants
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
Herbs
Complementary/alternative (CAM) therapies
Good basic health practices
What are some indications of suicide? - ANS ✔✔medication misuse
self-starvation
activities that oppose a therapeutic need
activities that threaten a medical problem
subjecting oneself to unnecessary risks
What are some conditions for alcoholism? - ANS ✔✔Drinks a fifth of whiskey a day or its
equivalent in wine or beer (for a 180-lb person)
Alcoholic blackouts
Blood alcohol level greater than 150 mg/100 mL
Withdrawal syndrome: hallucinations, convulsions, gross tremors, delirium tremens
