Chapter 16: Sexuality and Aging
Williams: Basic Geriatric Nursing, 8th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. What statement by a 65-year-old man who had a myocardial infarction 6 months ago
would indicate a need for further teaching?
a. “I’m enjoying the same sexual activities now as I did before my heart attack.”
b. “I’m still pretty cautious, but our sex lives are very satisfactory.”
c. “I’ve been told that I’m at risk for another heart attack if we have sex.”
d. “My heart medications have caused erectile dysfunction, but we’ve found other
methods of sexual expression.”
ANS: C
Fear, rather than an actual threat, can cause cessation of sexual relations following a
heart attack.
DIF: 5 REF: p. 280 OBJ: 2 TOP: Illness and Sexual Function
KEY: Nursing Process Step: Evaluation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation
2. The nurse makes it clear to older adults in a long-term care facility that condoms are
available from the medicine cart on request for which reason?
a. To guarantee safe sex practices
b. To reduce the incidence of sexually transmitted illnesses (STIs)
c. To show acceptance of sexual expression
d. To prevent soiling bed linens or furniture
, ANS: B
STIs can still be transmitted in the older adult. Nothing can guarantee safe sex
practices.
DIF: 5 REF: p. 281 OBJ: 7 TOP: STDs and the Older Adult
KEY: Nursing Process Step: Planning
MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance: Prevention and Early
Detection of Disease
3. The horrified CNA runs to the nursing station and says, “Do you know what Mr. and Mrs.
Smith are doing? They’re having sex right there in room 210!” Which response is
appropriate for the nurse to make?
a. Knock discreetly on the door and enter the room.
b. Call the charge nurse to report inappropriate sexual activity.
c. Request an order from the physician to allow intercourse.
d. Give the CNA a “Do Not Disturb” sign to put on the door of room 210.
ANS: D
Privacy should be protected for appropriate sexual expression. Orders and notifying
the charge nurse are not necessary, but recording the event in the nursing notes as a
conjugal visit is suggested.
DIF: 4 REF: p. 282 OBJ: 7 TOP: Privacy
KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity: Psychosocial Adaptation
4. A cognitively impaired man is openly masturbating in the dayroom of a long-term care
facility. Which statement will the nurse make?
a. “This is inappropriate behavior in public areas.”
b. “Oh my! Don’t you know that will make you go blind?”
c. “I think you may need some privacy” and take him to his room.
Williams: Basic Geriatric Nursing, 8th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. What statement by a 65-year-old man who had a myocardial infarction 6 months ago
would indicate a need for further teaching?
a. “I’m enjoying the same sexual activities now as I did before my heart attack.”
b. “I’m still pretty cautious, but our sex lives are very satisfactory.”
c. “I’ve been told that I’m at risk for another heart attack if we have sex.”
d. “My heart medications have caused erectile dysfunction, but we’ve found other
methods of sexual expression.”
ANS: C
Fear, rather than an actual threat, can cause cessation of sexual relations following a
heart attack.
DIF: 5 REF: p. 280 OBJ: 2 TOP: Illness and Sexual Function
KEY: Nursing Process Step: Evaluation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation
2. The nurse makes it clear to older adults in a long-term care facility that condoms are
available from the medicine cart on request for which reason?
a. To guarantee safe sex practices
b. To reduce the incidence of sexually transmitted illnesses (STIs)
c. To show acceptance of sexual expression
d. To prevent soiling bed linens or furniture
, ANS: B
STIs can still be transmitted in the older adult. Nothing can guarantee safe sex
practices.
DIF: 5 REF: p. 281 OBJ: 7 TOP: STDs and the Older Adult
KEY: Nursing Process Step: Planning
MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance: Prevention and Early
Detection of Disease
3. The horrified CNA runs to the nursing station and says, “Do you know what Mr. and Mrs.
Smith are doing? They’re having sex right there in room 210!” Which response is
appropriate for the nurse to make?
a. Knock discreetly on the door and enter the room.
b. Call the charge nurse to report inappropriate sexual activity.
c. Request an order from the physician to allow intercourse.
d. Give the CNA a “Do Not Disturb” sign to put on the door of room 210.
ANS: D
Privacy should be protected for appropriate sexual expression. Orders and notifying
the charge nurse are not necessary, but recording the event in the nursing notes as a
conjugal visit is suggested.
DIF: 4 REF: p. 282 OBJ: 7 TOP: Privacy
KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity: Psychosocial Adaptation
4. A cognitively impaired man is openly masturbating in the dayroom of a long-term care
facility. Which statement will the nurse make?
a. “This is inappropriate behavior in public areas.”
b. “Oh my! Don’t you know that will make you go blind?”
c. “I think you may need some privacy” and take him to his room.
