Chapter 09: Meeting Safety Needs of Older
Adults
Williams: Basic Geriatric Nursing, 8th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which suggestion would be an appropriate suggestion for an 80-year-old person who
recently placed a deadbolt lock on the door?
a. Keep the door securely locked.
b. Apply similar locks on all the windows.
c. Leave the door unlocked, with the key in place while at home.
d. Replace the lock with a security chain to secure the premises.
ANS: C
Unlocked deadbolts allow rapid access by emergency personnel and allow the
individual to leave in the event of fire.
DIF: 5 REF: Box 9-4 | p. 180 OBJ: 3
TOP: Home Safety KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Safe, Effective Care Environment: Safety and Infection
Control
2. Which factor would least improve home security?
a. Peephole in the door at a convenient height
b. Brightly lit porch
c. Change locks if keys are lost
d. Hook and eye latch on the screen door
, ANS: D
The hook and eye latch on the screen door, although a retardant, would not offer
adequate security in the case of a break-in.
DIF: 7 REF: Box 9-4 | p. 180 OBJ: 3
TOP: Home Security KEY: Nursing Process Step: Data Collection
MSC: NCLEX: Safe, Effective Care Environment: Safety and Infection
Control
3. The home health nurse counsels a family in making safe driving “rules” for their 85-year-
old parent. Which situation will the nurse counsel the family to avoid?
a. Limit driving to nearby areas with easy access.
b. Plan ahead and know where you are going.
c. Wear prescribed glasses and hearing aids.
d. Drive below the speed limit to maintain control of the car.
ANS: D
Driving “rules” are significant when there are no alternatives to driving. Driving
slowly causes accidents.
DIF: 6 REF: Box 9-6 | pp. 180-182 OBJ: 3
TOP: Driving Safety KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Safe, Effective Care Environment: Safety and Infection
Control
4. Which factor may be a thermoregulation risk in the older adult?
a. Inactivity
b. Eating highly spiced foods
c. Having an implanted pacemaker
d. Use of caffeine
, ANS: A
The individual’s inactivity increases the thermoregulation risk for an older adult.
Eating highly spicy foods, having a pacemaker and using caffeine do not directly
contribute to a thermoregulation risk.
DIF: 4 REF: Box 9-7 | pp. 182-183 OBJ: 5
TOP: Thermoregulation Disorder KEY: Nursing Process Step: Data
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation
5. Which finding is likely to be exhibited in an older adult experiencing hyperthermia?
a. Excessive perspiration
b. Bradycardia
c. Temperature of 100F
d. Leg cramps
ANS: D
Persons with hyperthermia have leg and abdominal cramps; dry, hot, non-perspiring
skin; tachycardia; and a temperature over 102F.
DIF: 6 REF: p. 183 OBJ: 6 TOP: Hyperthermia
KEY: Nursing Process Step: Data Collection
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation
6. The nurse is aware that the older adult is at greater risk for hypothermia than a younger
person because the older adult has which diminished ability?
a. Convert glycogen to glucose
b. Select appropriate clothing or bed linen
c. Shiver
d. Constrict vessels
Adults
Williams: Basic Geriatric Nursing, 8th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which suggestion would be an appropriate suggestion for an 80-year-old person who
recently placed a deadbolt lock on the door?
a. Keep the door securely locked.
b. Apply similar locks on all the windows.
c. Leave the door unlocked, with the key in place while at home.
d. Replace the lock with a security chain to secure the premises.
ANS: C
Unlocked deadbolts allow rapid access by emergency personnel and allow the
individual to leave in the event of fire.
DIF: 5 REF: Box 9-4 | p. 180 OBJ: 3
TOP: Home Safety KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Safe, Effective Care Environment: Safety and Infection
Control
2. Which factor would least improve home security?
a. Peephole in the door at a convenient height
b. Brightly lit porch
c. Change locks if keys are lost
d. Hook and eye latch on the screen door
, ANS: D
The hook and eye latch on the screen door, although a retardant, would not offer
adequate security in the case of a break-in.
DIF: 7 REF: Box 9-4 | p. 180 OBJ: 3
TOP: Home Security KEY: Nursing Process Step: Data Collection
MSC: NCLEX: Safe, Effective Care Environment: Safety and Infection
Control
3. The home health nurse counsels a family in making safe driving “rules” for their 85-year-
old parent. Which situation will the nurse counsel the family to avoid?
a. Limit driving to nearby areas with easy access.
b. Plan ahead and know where you are going.
c. Wear prescribed glasses and hearing aids.
d. Drive below the speed limit to maintain control of the car.
ANS: D
Driving “rules” are significant when there are no alternatives to driving. Driving
slowly causes accidents.
DIF: 6 REF: Box 9-6 | pp. 180-182 OBJ: 3
TOP: Driving Safety KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Safe, Effective Care Environment: Safety and Infection
Control
4. Which factor may be a thermoregulation risk in the older adult?
a. Inactivity
b. Eating highly spiced foods
c. Having an implanted pacemaker
d. Use of caffeine
, ANS: A
The individual’s inactivity increases the thermoregulation risk for an older adult.
Eating highly spicy foods, having a pacemaker and using caffeine do not directly
contribute to a thermoregulation risk.
DIF: 4 REF: Box 9-7 | pp. 182-183 OBJ: 5
TOP: Thermoregulation Disorder KEY: Nursing Process Step: Data
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation
5. Which finding is likely to be exhibited in an older adult experiencing hyperthermia?
a. Excessive perspiration
b. Bradycardia
c. Temperature of 100F
d. Leg cramps
ANS: D
Persons with hyperthermia have leg and abdominal cramps; dry, hot, non-perspiring
skin; tachycardia; and a temperature over 102F.
DIF: 6 REF: p. 183 OBJ: 6 TOP: Hyperthermia
KEY: Nursing Process Step: Data Collection
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation
6. The nurse is aware that the older adult is at greater risk for hypothermia than a younger
person because the older adult has which diminished ability?
a. Convert glycogen to glucose
b. Select appropriate clothing or bed linen
c. Shiver
d. Constrict vessels
