©THEBRIGHTSTARS 2024
CH 31 - Older Adults Exam Questions With
Correct Answers
A student nurse visiting a senior center says, "It's depressing to see these old people. They are
weak and frail. I doubt any of them can engage in a discussion." The student is expressing what
bias? a. reality. b. ageism. c. empathy. d. vulnerability. - answer✔B
Ageism is a bias against older people because of their age. None of the other options applies to
the ideas expressed by the student.
A nurse plans an educational program for staff of a home health agency specializing in care of
the elderly. Which topic is the highest priority to include? a. Pain assessment techniques for
older adults b. Psychosocial stimulation for those who live alone c. Preparation of psychiatric
advance directives in the elderly d. Ways to manage disinhibition in elderly persons with
dementia - answer✔A
The topic of greatest immediacy is the assessment of pain in older adults. Unmanaged pain can
precipitate other problems, such as substance abuse and depression. Elderly clients are less likely
to be accurately diagnosed and adequately treated for pain. The distracters are unrelated or of
lesser importance.
What is the best comment for a nurse to begin an interview with an elderly client? a. "I am a
nurse. Are you familiar with what nurses do?" b. "Hello. I am going to ask you some questions to
get to know you better." c. "You look comfortable and ready to participate in an admission
interview. Shall we get started?" d. "Hello. My name is _______ and I am a nurse. How you
would like to be addressed by staff? - answer✔D
The correct opening identifies the nurse's role and politely seeks direction for addressing the
client in a way that will make him or her comfortable. This is particularly important when a
considerable age difference exists between the nurse and the client. The nurse should address
clients by name and not assume clients want to be called by a first name. The nurse should
always introduce self.
, ©THEBRIGHTSTARS 2024
Which information is most important to obtain during assessment of an older adult diagnosed
with health problems? a. Functional ability and emotional status b. Chronological age and sexual
function c. Economic status and sources of income d. Developmental history, interests, and
activities - answer✔A
Information related to functional ability and emotional status provides an overview of a client's
problems and abilities. It guides selection of interventions and services to meet identified needs.
The distracters reflect information of relevance but are not of highest priority since they do not
focus on client needs.
A 75-year-old client comes to the clinic reporting frequent headaches. As the nurse begins the
interaction, which action is most important? a. Complete a neurological assessment. b.
Determine whether the client can hear as the nurse speaks. c. Suggest that the client lie down in a
darkened room for a few minutes. d. Administer medication to relieve the client's pain before
continuing the assessment. - answer✔B
Before proceeding with any further assessment, the nurse should assess the client's ability to hear
questions. Impaired hearing could lead to inaccurate answers. A neurological assessment is
appropriate but will not be accurate if the client is unable to participate in the assessment
effectively. The need for the other options can be determined until the assessment is completed.
Which statement about aging provides the best rationale for focused assessment of elderly
clients? a. The elderly are usually socially isolated and lonely. b. Vision, hearing, touch, taste,
and smell decline with age. c. The majority of elderly clients have some form of early dementia.
d. As people age, thinking becomes more rigid and learning is impaired. - answer✔B
The only true statement involves the decline of the senses with aging. It cues the nurse to assess
sensory function in the elderly client. Correcting vision and hearing are critical to providing safe
care. The distracters are myths about aging
When assessing an elderly client, the nurse should complete the Geriatric Depression Scale if the
client answers which question affirmatively. a. "Would you say your mood is often sad?" b. "Are
you having any trouble with your memory?" c. "Have you noticed an increase in your alcohol
use?" d. "Do you often experience moderate to severe pain?" - answer✔A
Feeling low may be a symptom of depression. Low moods occurring with regularity should
signal the need for further assessment for other symptoms of depression. The other options do
not focus on mood
CH 31 - Older Adults Exam Questions With
Correct Answers
A student nurse visiting a senior center says, "It's depressing to see these old people. They are
weak and frail. I doubt any of them can engage in a discussion." The student is expressing what
bias? a. reality. b. ageism. c. empathy. d. vulnerability. - answer✔B
Ageism is a bias against older people because of their age. None of the other options applies to
the ideas expressed by the student.
A nurse plans an educational program for staff of a home health agency specializing in care of
the elderly. Which topic is the highest priority to include? a. Pain assessment techniques for
older adults b. Psychosocial stimulation for those who live alone c. Preparation of psychiatric
advance directives in the elderly d. Ways to manage disinhibition in elderly persons with
dementia - answer✔A
The topic of greatest immediacy is the assessment of pain in older adults. Unmanaged pain can
precipitate other problems, such as substance abuse and depression. Elderly clients are less likely
to be accurately diagnosed and adequately treated for pain. The distracters are unrelated or of
lesser importance.
What is the best comment for a nurse to begin an interview with an elderly client? a. "I am a
nurse. Are you familiar with what nurses do?" b. "Hello. I am going to ask you some questions to
get to know you better." c. "You look comfortable and ready to participate in an admission
interview. Shall we get started?" d. "Hello. My name is _______ and I am a nurse. How you
would like to be addressed by staff? - answer✔D
The correct opening identifies the nurse's role and politely seeks direction for addressing the
client in a way that will make him or her comfortable. This is particularly important when a
considerable age difference exists between the nurse and the client. The nurse should address
clients by name and not assume clients want to be called by a first name. The nurse should
always introduce self.
, ©THEBRIGHTSTARS 2024
Which information is most important to obtain during assessment of an older adult diagnosed
with health problems? a. Functional ability and emotional status b. Chronological age and sexual
function c. Economic status and sources of income d. Developmental history, interests, and
activities - answer✔A
Information related to functional ability and emotional status provides an overview of a client's
problems and abilities. It guides selection of interventions and services to meet identified needs.
The distracters reflect information of relevance but are not of highest priority since they do not
focus on client needs.
A 75-year-old client comes to the clinic reporting frequent headaches. As the nurse begins the
interaction, which action is most important? a. Complete a neurological assessment. b.
Determine whether the client can hear as the nurse speaks. c. Suggest that the client lie down in a
darkened room for a few minutes. d. Administer medication to relieve the client's pain before
continuing the assessment. - answer✔B
Before proceeding with any further assessment, the nurse should assess the client's ability to hear
questions. Impaired hearing could lead to inaccurate answers. A neurological assessment is
appropriate but will not be accurate if the client is unable to participate in the assessment
effectively. The need for the other options can be determined until the assessment is completed.
Which statement about aging provides the best rationale for focused assessment of elderly
clients? a. The elderly are usually socially isolated and lonely. b. Vision, hearing, touch, taste,
and smell decline with age. c. The majority of elderly clients have some form of early dementia.
d. As people age, thinking becomes more rigid and learning is impaired. - answer✔B
The only true statement involves the decline of the senses with aging. It cues the nurse to assess
sensory function in the elderly client. Correcting vision and hearing are critical to providing safe
care. The distracters are myths about aging
When assessing an elderly client, the nurse should complete the Geriatric Depression Scale if the
client answers which question affirmatively. a. "Would you say your mood is often sad?" b. "Are
you having any trouble with your memory?" c. "Have you noticed an increase in your alcohol
use?" d. "Do you often experience moderate to severe pain?" - answer✔A
Feeling low may be a symptom of depression. Low moods occurring with regularity should
signal the need for further assessment for other symptoms of depression. The other options do
not focus on mood
