HESI GERONTOLOGY FINAL EXAM (VERSION 3)
T or F: Aging does not affect our ability to learn. Older persons may learn differently,
thinking things out or taking more time to process information - ANSWER: T
T or F: When nurses conduct a health history on an older adult, more time is needed
to answer questions - ANSWER: T
Ageism - ANSWER: A stereotyping or discriminating against a person due to age
T or F: Older adults are the smallest consumers of prescription and OTC medicatons -
ANSWER: F - largest group
When nurses care for the older adult, is more or less time needed for assignments
and medication administration? - ANSWER: More time
Why do nurses perform position changes slowly? - ANSWER: To prevent older adults
from falling because of a decreased CV response to environmental stressors
When nurses talk with an older adult, how should he/she sit? - ANSWER: It is best to
sit at eye level and speak clearly and allow extra time to answer questions
T or F: When an older patient is climbing over the bed rail during the night shift, a
nurse should begin by talking with the patient about behavior - ANSWER: T
T or F: An increased immune response occurs as we age - ANSWER: F - decreased
T or F: Age related changes can result in drug toxicities and increased adverse drug
events - ANSWER: T
What puts older adults at risk of dehydration? - ANSWER: Multiple physiological
changes of aging
When an older adult has a disease (ex. UTI), do they present with typical or atypical
signs and symptoms - ANSWER: Atypical - no increased temp when have a UTI
T or F: Older adults often respond the same to medications or treatments as adults
do - ANSWER: F - differently
What are some normal age related changes to the CV system? - ANSWER: -Isolated
systolic hypertension
-Decreased exercise tolerance
-Hypotension with rapid position changes
-Thickening of the left ventricle wall
-Decreased cardiac output
-Stiffening of the myocardium and blood vessel walls
, What are some normal age related changes to the MSK system that may increase
falls? - ANSWER: -Gait changes
-Decreased vision
-Decreased joint ROM
What are some common age related physical changes in older adults that affect
digestion and food intake? - ANSWER: -Decreased number of taste buds
-A diminished sense of smell
-Reduction in saliva production
T or F: Pharmacokinetic property of absorption is affected by a decreased intestinal
motility related to the aging process - ANSWER: T
Which medications will have an increased risk of falling? - ANSWER: Alprazolam,
zolpidem & seroquel
What is reduced drug elimination in the older adult a result of? - ANSWER:
Decreased glomerular filtration rate in the kidneys
What is a general principle of medication administration in the older adult when
starting a new medication? - ANSWER: Start low and go slow
For older adults with CHF, HTN and pain issues, what drug class is appropriate for
moderate to severe pain? - ANSWER: Opioids, along with stool softener to decrease
possible constipation (Acetaminophen, also)
What is a good non=pharmacological treatment in an older adult? - ANSWER:
Aromatherapy
T or F: adverse drug events in the older adult often results in increased complications
while in the hospital - ANSWER: T
T or F: Older adults from different cultures have the same beliefs about treatments
for medical problems and diseases - ANSWER: F - different
T or F: A nurse can diagnose delirium by observing a patient's behavior - ANSWER: F -
cannot
T or F: Delirium in the acute care setting very often results in long-term cognitive
decline in a patient - ANSWER: T
Delirium - ANSWER: -A serious disturbance in mental abilities that results in confused
thinking and reduced awareness of your environment
-The start of delirium is usually rapid — within hours or a few days
T or F: Aging does not affect our ability to learn. Older persons may learn differently,
thinking things out or taking more time to process information - ANSWER: T
T or F: When nurses conduct a health history on an older adult, more time is needed
to answer questions - ANSWER: T
Ageism - ANSWER: A stereotyping or discriminating against a person due to age
T or F: Older adults are the smallest consumers of prescription and OTC medicatons -
ANSWER: F - largest group
When nurses care for the older adult, is more or less time needed for assignments
and medication administration? - ANSWER: More time
Why do nurses perform position changes slowly? - ANSWER: To prevent older adults
from falling because of a decreased CV response to environmental stressors
When nurses talk with an older adult, how should he/she sit? - ANSWER: It is best to
sit at eye level and speak clearly and allow extra time to answer questions
T or F: When an older patient is climbing over the bed rail during the night shift, a
nurse should begin by talking with the patient about behavior - ANSWER: T
T or F: An increased immune response occurs as we age - ANSWER: F - decreased
T or F: Age related changes can result in drug toxicities and increased adverse drug
events - ANSWER: T
What puts older adults at risk of dehydration? - ANSWER: Multiple physiological
changes of aging
When an older adult has a disease (ex. UTI), do they present with typical or atypical
signs and symptoms - ANSWER: Atypical - no increased temp when have a UTI
T or F: Older adults often respond the same to medications or treatments as adults
do - ANSWER: F - differently
What are some normal age related changes to the CV system? - ANSWER: -Isolated
systolic hypertension
-Decreased exercise tolerance
-Hypotension with rapid position changes
-Thickening of the left ventricle wall
-Decreased cardiac output
-Stiffening of the myocardium and blood vessel walls
, What are some normal age related changes to the MSK system that may increase
falls? - ANSWER: -Gait changes
-Decreased vision
-Decreased joint ROM
What are some common age related physical changes in older adults that affect
digestion and food intake? - ANSWER: -Decreased number of taste buds
-A diminished sense of smell
-Reduction in saliva production
T or F: Pharmacokinetic property of absorption is affected by a decreased intestinal
motility related to the aging process - ANSWER: T
Which medications will have an increased risk of falling? - ANSWER: Alprazolam,
zolpidem & seroquel
What is reduced drug elimination in the older adult a result of? - ANSWER:
Decreased glomerular filtration rate in the kidneys
What is a general principle of medication administration in the older adult when
starting a new medication? - ANSWER: Start low and go slow
For older adults with CHF, HTN and pain issues, what drug class is appropriate for
moderate to severe pain? - ANSWER: Opioids, along with stool softener to decrease
possible constipation (Acetaminophen, also)
What is a good non=pharmacological treatment in an older adult? - ANSWER:
Aromatherapy
T or F: adverse drug events in the older adult often results in increased complications
while in the hospital - ANSWER: T
T or F: Older adults from different cultures have the same beliefs about treatments
for medical problems and diseases - ANSWER: F - different
T or F: A nurse can diagnose delirium by observing a patient's behavior - ANSWER: F -
cannot
T or F: Delirium in the acute care setting very often results in long-term cognitive
decline in a patient - ANSWER: T
Delirium - ANSWER: -A serious disturbance in mental abilities that results in confused
thinking and reduced awareness of your environment
-The start of delirium is usually rapid — within hours or a few days
