MN 551 MIDTERM EXAM 2 – QUESTION AND
ANSWERS
1 You are providing care for an 82-year-old man whose signs and symptoms of Parkinson disease have become more
severe over the past several months. The man tells you that he can no longer do as many things for himself as he used to
. be able to do. What factor should you recognize as impacting your patient’s life most significantly?
A) Neurologic deficits
B) Loss of independence
C) Age-related changes
D) Tremors and decreased mobility
Ans: B
2. A gerontologic nurse practitioner provides primary care for a large number of older adults who are living with various
forms of cardiovascular disease. This nurse is well aware that heart disease is the leading cause of death in the aged. What
is an age-related physiological change that contributes to this trend?
A) Heart muscle and arteries lose their elasticity.
B) Systolic blood pressure decreases.
C) Resting heart rate decreases with age.
D) Atrial-septal defects develop with age.
Ans: A
3. An occupational health nurse overhears an employee talking to his manager about a 65-year-old coworker. What
phenomenon would the nurse identify when hearing the employee state, “He should just retire and make way for some
new blood.”?
A) Intolerance
B) Ageism
C) Dependence
D) Nonspecific prejudice
Ans: B
4. The nurse is caring for a 65-year-old patient who has previously been diagnosed with hypertension. Which of the
following blood pressure readings represents the threshold between high-normal blood pressure and hypertension?
A) 140/90 mm Hg
,MN 551 MIDTERM EXAM 2 – QUESTION AND
ANSWERS
B) 145/95 mm Hg
C) 150/100 mm Hg
D) 160/100 mm Hg
Ans: A
5. You are the nurse caring for an 85-year-old patient who has been hospitalized for a fractured radius. The patient’s
daughter has accompanied the patient to the hospital and asks you what her father can do for his very dry skin, which
has become susceptible to cracking and shearing. What would be your best response?
A) “He should likely take showers rather than baths, if possible.”
B) “Make sure that he applies sunscreen each morning.”
C) “Dry skin is an age-related change that is largely inevitable.”
D) “Try to help your father increase his intake of dairy products.”
Ans: A
6. An elderly patient has come in to the clinic for her twice-yearly physical. The patient tells the nurse that she is
generally enjoying good health, but that she has been having occasional episodes of constipation over the past 6
months. What intervention should the nurse first suggest?
A) Reduce the amount of stress she currently experiences.
B) Increase carbohydrate intake and reduce protein intake.
C) Take herbal laxatives, such as senna, each night at bedtime.
D) Increase daily intake of water.
Ans: D
7. An 84-year-old patient has returned from the post-anesthetic care unit (PACU) following hip arthroplasty. The patient
is oriented to name only. The patient’s family is very upset because, before having surgery, the patient had no
cognitive deficits. The patient is subsequently diagnosed with postoperative delirium. What should the nurse explain
to the patient’s family?
A) This problem is self-limiting and there is nothing to worry about.
B) Delirium involves a progressive decline in memory loss and overall cognitive function.
C) Delirium of this type is treatable and her cognition will return to previous levels.
,MN 551 MIDTERM EXAM 2 – QUESTION AND
ANSWERS
D) This problem can be resolved by administering antidotes to the anesthetic that was used in surgery.
Ans: C
8. The nurse is providing patient teaching to a patient with early stage Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and her family. The
patient has been prescribed donepezil hydrochloride (Aricept). What should the nurse explain to the patient and family
about this drug?
A) It slows the progression of AD.
B) It cures AD in a small minority of patients.
C) It removes the patient’s insight that he or she has AD.
D) It limits the physical effects of AD and other dementias.
Ans: A
9. A nurse is caring for an 86-year-old female patient who has become increasingly frail and unsteady on her feet.
During the assessment, the patient indicates that she has fallen three times in the month, though she has not yet
suffered an injury. The nurse should take action in the knowledge that this patient is at a high risk for what health
problem?
A) A hip fracture
B) A femoral fracture
C) Pelvic dysplasia
D) Tearing of a meniscus or bursa
Ans: A
10. The case manager is working with an 84-year-old patient newly admitted to a rehabilitation facility. When developing
a care plan for this older adult, which factors should the nurse identify as positive attributes that benefit coping in this
age group? Select all that apply.
A) Decreased risk taking
B) Effective adaptation skills
C) Avoiding participation in untested roles
D) Increased life experience
, MN 551 MIDTERM EXAM 2 – QUESTION AND
ANSWERS
E) Resiliency during change
Ans: B, D, E
11. A nurse will conduct an influenza vaccination campaign at an extended care facility. The nurse will be administering
intramuscular (IM) doses of the vaccine. Of what age-related change should the nurse be aware when planning the
appropriate administration of this drug?
A) An older patient has less subcutaneous tissue and less muscle mass than a younger patient.
B) An older patient has more subcutaneous tissue and less durable skin than a younger patient.
C) An older patient has more superficial and tortuous nerve distribution than a younger patient.
D) An older patient has a higher risk of bleeding after an IM injection than a younger patient.
Ans: A
12. An elderly patient, while being seen in an urgent care facility for a possible respiratory infection, asks the nurse if
Medicare is going to cover the cost of the visit. What information can the nurse give the patient to help allay her
concerns?
A) Medicare has a copayment for many of the services it covers. This requires the patient to pay a part of the bill.
B) Medicare pays for 100% of the cost for acute-care services, so the cost of the visit will be covered.
C) Medicare will only pay the cost for acute-care services if the patient has a very low income.
D) Medicare will not pay for the cost of acute-care services so the patient will be billed for the services provided.
Ans: A
13. The admissions department at a local hospital is registering an elderly man for an outpatient diagnostic test. The
admissions nurse asks the man if he has an advanced directive. The man responds that he does not want to complete
an advance directive because he does not want anyone controlling his finances. What would be appropriate
information for the nurse to share with this patient?
A) “Advance directives are not legal documents, so you have nothing to worry about.”
B) “Advance directives are limited only to health care instructions and directives.”
C) “Your finances cannot be managed without an advance directive.”
D) “Advance directives are implemented when you become incapacitated, and then you will use a living will to
allow the state to manage your money.”
ANSWERS
1 You are providing care for an 82-year-old man whose signs and symptoms of Parkinson disease have become more
severe over the past several months. The man tells you that he can no longer do as many things for himself as he used to
. be able to do. What factor should you recognize as impacting your patient’s life most significantly?
A) Neurologic deficits
B) Loss of independence
C) Age-related changes
D) Tremors and decreased mobility
Ans: B
2. A gerontologic nurse practitioner provides primary care for a large number of older adults who are living with various
forms of cardiovascular disease. This nurse is well aware that heart disease is the leading cause of death in the aged. What
is an age-related physiological change that contributes to this trend?
A) Heart muscle and arteries lose their elasticity.
B) Systolic blood pressure decreases.
C) Resting heart rate decreases with age.
D) Atrial-septal defects develop with age.
Ans: A
3. An occupational health nurse overhears an employee talking to his manager about a 65-year-old coworker. What
phenomenon would the nurse identify when hearing the employee state, “He should just retire and make way for some
new blood.”?
A) Intolerance
B) Ageism
C) Dependence
D) Nonspecific prejudice
Ans: B
4. The nurse is caring for a 65-year-old patient who has previously been diagnosed with hypertension. Which of the
following blood pressure readings represents the threshold between high-normal blood pressure and hypertension?
A) 140/90 mm Hg
,MN 551 MIDTERM EXAM 2 – QUESTION AND
ANSWERS
B) 145/95 mm Hg
C) 150/100 mm Hg
D) 160/100 mm Hg
Ans: A
5. You are the nurse caring for an 85-year-old patient who has been hospitalized for a fractured radius. The patient’s
daughter has accompanied the patient to the hospital and asks you what her father can do for his very dry skin, which
has become susceptible to cracking and shearing. What would be your best response?
A) “He should likely take showers rather than baths, if possible.”
B) “Make sure that he applies sunscreen each morning.”
C) “Dry skin is an age-related change that is largely inevitable.”
D) “Try to help your father increase his intake of dairy products.”
Ans: A
6. An elderly patient has come in to the clinic for her twice-yearly physical. The patient tells the nurse that she is
generally enjoying good health, but that she has been having occasional episodes of constipation over the past 6
months. What intervention should the nurse first suggest?
A) Reduce the amount of stress she currently experiences.
B) Increase carbohydrate intake and reduce protein intake.
C) Take herbal laxatives, such as senna, each night at bedtime.
D) Increase daily intake of water.
Ans: D
7. An 84-year-old patient has returned from the post-anesthetic care unit (PACU) following hip arthroplasty. The patient
is oriented to name only. The patient’s family is very upset because, before having surgery, the patient had no
cognitive deficits. The patient is subsequently diagnosed with postoperative delirium. What should the nurse explain
to the patient’s family?
A) This problem is self-limiting and there is nothing to worry about.
B) Delirium involves a progressive decline in memory loss and overall cognitive function.
C) Delirium of this type is treatable and her cognition will return to previous levels.
,MN 551 MIDTERM EXAM 2 – QUESTION AND
ANSWERS
D) This problem can be resolved by administering antidotes to the anesthetic that was used in surgery.
Ans: C
8. The nurse is providing patient teaching to a patient with early stage Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and her family. The
patient has been prescribed donepezil hydrochloride (Aricept). What should the nurse explain to the patient and family
about this drug?
A) It slows the progression of AD.
B) It cures AD in a small minority of patients.
C) It removes the patient’s insight that he or she has AD.
D) It limits the physical effects of AD and other dementias.
Ans: A
9. A nurse is caring for an 86-year-old female patient who has become increasingly frail and unsteady on her feet.
During the assessment, the patient indicates that she has fallen three times in the month, though she has not yet
suffered an injury. The nurse should take action in the knowledge that this patient is at a high risk for what health
problem?
A) A hip fracture
B) A femoral fracture
C) Pelvic dysplasia
D) Tearing of a meniscus or bursa
Ans: A
10. The case manager is working with an 84-year-old patient newly admitted to a rehabilitation facility. When developing
a care plan for this older adult, which factors should the nurse identify as positive attributes that benefit coping in this
age group? Select all that apply.
A) Decreased risk taking
B) Effective adaptation skills
C) Avoiding participation in untested roles
D) Increased life experience
, MN 551 MIDTERM EXAM 2 – QUESTION AND
ANSWERS
E) Resiliency during change
Ans: B, D, E
11. A nurse will conduct an influenza vaccination campaign at an extended care facility. The nurse will be administering
intramuscular (IM) doses of the vaccine. Of what age-related change should the nurse be aware when planning the
appropriate administration of this drug?
A) An older patient has less subcutaneous tissue and less muscle mass than a younger patient.
B) An older patient has more subcutaneous tissue and less durable skin than a younger patient.
C) An older patient has more superficial and tortuous nerve distribution than a younger patient.
D) An older patient has a higher risk of bleeding after an IM injection than a younger patient.
Ans: A
12. An elderly patient, while being seen in an urgent care facility for a possible respiratory infection, asks the nurse if
Medicare is going to cover the cost of the visit. What information can the nurse give the patient to help allay her
concerns?
A) Medicare has a copayment for many of the services it covers. This requires the patient to pay a part of the bill.
B) Medicare pays for 100% of the cost for acute-care services, so the cost of the visit will be covered.
C) Medicare will only pay the cost for acute-care services if the patient has a very low income.
D) Medicare will not pay for the cost of acute-care services so the patient will be billed for the services provided.
Ans: A
13. The admissions department at a local hospital is registering an elderly man for an outpatient diagnostic test. The
admissions nurse asks the man if he has an advanced directive. The man responds that he does not want to complete
an advance directive because he does not want anyone controlling his finances. What would be appropriate
information for the nurse to share with this patient?
A) “Advance directives are not legal documents, so you have nothing to worry about.”
B) “Advance directives are limited only to health care instructions and directives.”
C) “Your finances cannot be managed without an advance directive.”
D) “Advance directives are implemented when you become incapacitated, and then you will use a living will to
allow the state to manage your money.”
