Chapter 5- Common Aging Changes

NURS 314: Chapter 5- Common Aging Changes The charge nurse at a nursing home impresses on a visiting class of nursing assistants the importance of hand washing, because older adults have a depressed immune response. One contributor to this depressed immune response in older adults is: A) Decreased serum activity of the thymic hormones B) Inactivation of varicella-zoster infections C) Decreased serum concentrations of IgA and IgG D) High pain sensitivity associated with inflammation Ans: A Feedback: Serum activity of the thymic hormones is almost undetectable with age. Serum concentrations of IgA and IgG increase with age. Inflammation often causes minimal pain in the elderly. Origin: Chapter 5- Common Aging Changes, 24 Chapter: 5 Client Needs: C2 Cognitive Level: Comprehension Difficulty: Moderate Integrated Process: Communication Objective: 2 Page and Header: 64, Personality 24.Older adults may appear rigid in their attitudes because of: A) Changes in personality that accompany aging B) Diminished ability to learn new information C) Physical or mental limitations D) Decline in morale and self-esteem Ans: C Feedback: Personality, learning ability, and morale/self-esteem do not change with age. Seniors may resist change because of their physical or mental limitations—for example, rearranging the furniture when eyesight or mobility is limited. Origin: Chapter 5- Common Aging Changes, 25 Chapter: 5 Client Needs: D2 Cognitive Level: Analysis Difficulty: Difficult Integrated Process: Nursing process Objective: 3 Page and Header: 57, Urinary System 25.Decreased renal mass and reduced glomerular filtration make it especially important that nurses: A) Assist elderly patients with frequent toileting B) Ensure that age-adjusted drug dosages are prescribed C) Look for signs of urinary tract infections D) Frequently check urine for glucose Ans: B Feedback: The need for frequent toileting is a result of decreased bladder capacity. Weaker bladder muscles increase the risk of urinary tract infections. Tests for glucose in the urine are needed on a case-by-case basis. The need most associated with decreased renal mass and reduced glomerular filtration is age-adjusted drug dosage.