Common Health Problems of Older Adults
(Concepts for Interprofessional Collaborative Care
College Test
, Common Health Problems of Older Adults (Concepts
for Interprofessional Collaborative Care College Test
Chapter 03: Common Health Problems of Older Adults
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A nurse working with older adults in the community plans programming to improve morale and emotional
health in this population. What activity would best meet this goal?
a. Exercise program to improve physical function
b. Financial planning seminar series for older adults
c. Social events such as dances and group dinners
d. Workshop on prevention from becoming an abuse victim
ANS: A
All activities would be beneficial for the older population in the community. However, failure in performing
ones own activities of daily living and participating in society has direct effects on morale and life satisfaction.
Those who lose the ability to function independently often feel worthless and empty. An exercise program
designed to maintain and/or improve physical functioning would best address this need.
2. A nurse caring for an older client on a medical-surgical unit notices the client reports frequent constipation
and only wants to eat softer foods such as rice, bread, and puddings. What assessment should the nurse
perform first?
a. Auscultate bowel sounds.
b. Check skin turgor.
c. Perform an oral assessment.
d. Weigh the client.
ANS: C
Poorly fitting dentures and other dental problems are often manifested by a preference for soft foods and
constipation from the lack of fiber. The nurse should perform an oral assessment to determine if these
problems exist. The other assessments are important, but will not yield information specific to the clients food
preferences as they relate to constipation.
3. A nursing faculty member working with students explains that the fastest growing subset of the older
population is which group?
a. Elite old
b. Middle old
c. Old old
d. Young old
ANS: C
The old old is the fastest growing subset of the older population. This is the group comprising those 85 to 99
years of age. The young old are between 65 and 74 years of age; the middle old are between 75 and 84 years of
age; and the elite old are over 100 years of age.
4. A nurse is working with an older client admitted with mild dehydration. What teaching does the nurse
provide to best address this issue?
(Concepts for Interprofessional Collaborative Care
College Test
, Common Health Problems of Older Adults (Concepts
for Interprofessional Collaborative Care College Test
Chapter 03: Common Health Problems of Older Adults
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A nurse working with older adults in the community plans programming to improve morale and emotional
health in this population. What activity would best meet this goal?
a. Exercise program to improve physical function
b. Financial planning seminar series for older adults
c. Social events such as dances and group dinners
d. Workshop on prevention from becoming an abuse victim
ANS: A
All activities would be beneficial for the older population in the community. However, failure in performing
ones own activities of daily living and participating in society has direct effects on morale and life satisfaction.
Those who lose the ability to function independently often feel worthless and empty. An exercise program
designed to maintain and/or improve physical functioning would best address this need.
2. A nurse caring for an older client on a medical-surgical unit notices the client reports frequent constipation
and only wants to eat softer foods such as rice, bread, and puddings. What assessment should the nurse
perform first?
a. Auscultate bowel sounds.
b. Check skin turgor.
c. Perform an oral assessment.
d. Weigh the client.
ANS: C
Poorly fitting dentures and other dental problems are often manifested by a preference for soft foods and
constipation from the lack of fiber. The nurse should perform an oral assessment to determine if these
problems exist. The other assessments are important, but will not yield information specific to the clients food
preferences as they relate to constipation.
3. A nursing faculty member working with students explains that the fastest growing subset of the older
population is which group?
a. Elite old
b. Middle old
c. Old old
d. Young old
ANS: C
The old old is the fastest growing subset of the older population. This is the group comprising those 85 to 99
years of age. The young old are between 65 and 74 years of age; the middle old are between 75 and 84 years of
age; and the elite old are over 100 years of age.
4. A nurse is working with an older client admitted with mild dehydration. What teaching does the nurse
provide to best address this issue?
