Gerontological Nursing Exam Questions And
Answers Verified 100% Correct
Define Pressure Ulcers: - ANSWER- Localized injury to the skin and/or underlying
tissue over a bony prominence, as a result of pressure, or pressure in combination with
shear and/or friction. Heels are particularly apt to develop pressure ulcers, since they
are small surfaces that receive a high degree of pressure. 4 stages.
Stage 1 Pressure Ulcer - ANSWER- Erythema not resolving within 30 minutes of
pressure relief. Epidermis remains intact. Reversible with intervention.
Stage 2 Pressure Ulcer - ANSWER- Partial-thickness loss of skin layers involving
epidermis and possibly penetrating into but not through dermis. May present as
blistering with erythema and/or induration; wound base moist and pink; painful; free of
necrotic tissue.
Stage 3 Pressure Ulcer - ANSWER- Full-thickness tissue loss extending through dermis
to involve subcutaneous tissue. Presents as shallow crater unless covered by eschar.
May include necrotic tissue, undermining, sinus tract formation, exudate, and/or
infection. Wound base is usually not painful.
Stage 4 Pressure Ulcer - ANSWER- Deep tissue destruction extending through
subcutaneous tissue to fascia, possibly involving muscle layers, joint and/or bone.
Presents as a deep crater. May include necrotic tissue, undermining, sinus tract
formation, exudate, and/or infection. Wound base is usually not painful.
Xerosis - ANSWER- Extremely dry, cracked, and itchy skin; Occurs primarily in the
extremities; exposure to environmental elements contributes to skin dryness and
dehydration; dry skin may be just dry skin, but it may also be a symptom of more
serious systemic disease.
Pruritus - ANSWER- A symptom, not a diagnosis or disease; a threat to skin integrity
because of the attempts to relieve it by scratching; aggravated by perfumed detergents,
fabric softeners, heat, sudden temperature changes, gentle touch, pressure, vibration,
electrical stimuli, sweating, restrictive clothing, fatigue, exercise, and anxiety.
Herpes Zoster - ANSWER- A viral infection frequently seen in older adults; peak
incidence occurs between 50-70; immunosuppressed elders and those with histories of
chicken pox are at greatest risk; always occurs along a nerve pathway or dermatome;
during the healing process, clusters of papulovesicles develop along a nerve pathway.
,Young-Old - ANSWER- 65-74 years of age.
Middle-Old - ANSWER- 75-84 years of age.
Old-Old - ANSWER- Over 85 years of age.
Maslow's Hierarchy of Human Needs - ANSWER- Ranks needs from the most basic to
the most complex. The needs of higher levels cannot be met without first meeting. As
basic level needs are met, the satisfaction of higher level needs is possible.
Basic: Biological and Physiological Integrity (Ex: air)
Safety and Security (Ex: Protections)
Belonging and Attachment (Ex: love, empathy)
Self-Esteem and Self-Efficacy (Ex: image, identity)
Complex: Self Actualization and Transcendence (Ex: seeking, expanding, spirituality).
Sensorineural hearing loss: - ANSWER- Results from damage to any part of the inner
ear or the neural pathways to the brain
Presbycusis - ANSWER- Form of sensorineural hearing loss that is related to aging.
Most common form of hearing loss in the U.S.
Conductive hearing loss: - ANSWER- usually involves abnormalities of the external and
middle ear that reduce the ability of sound to be transmitted to or through the middle
ear.
Hearing Aids: - ANSWER- A personal amplifying system that includes a microphone, an
amplifier, and a loud speaker. The goal is to improve communication and quality of life,
not to restore normal hearing.
Cochlear implants: - ANSWER- used if adult is profoundly deaf as a result of
sensorineural hearing loss. Surgically implanted in the mastoid bone behind the ear.
Electrically stimulates the cochlea, setting the cilia in motion and transmitting impulses
along the auditory nerve to the brain's hearing center.
Cerumen Impaction: - ANSWER- Most common an easily corrected of all interferences
in the hearing of older people. Cerumen interferes with the conduction of sound through
air in the ear drum.
Individuals at risk: blacks, wears hearing aids, older men with large amounts of ear
canal tragi
Dysarthia - ANSWER- A speech disorder caused by a weakness or incoordination of
the speech muscles. Occurs as a result of central or peripheral neuromuscular
, disorders that interfere with the clarity of speech and pronunciation. Characterized by
weakness, slow movement, and a lack of coordination of the muscles associated with
speech.
Western/Biomedical System - ANSWER- Disease is thought to be the result of
abnormalities in the structure and function of body organs.
Personalistic/Magicoreligious System - ANSWER- Believe that illness is caused by the
actions of the supernatural. Illness is a punishment.
Naturalistic/Holistic Health - ANSWER- Based on the concept of balance and stems
from ancient civilizations. View health as a sign of balance.
Natural Aging of Epidermis: - ANSWER- Thins, making blood vessels and bruises much
more visible. Cell-renewal time increases.
Natural Aging of Dermis: - ANSWER- Loses about 20% of thickness with aging. Dermal
blood vessels are reduced. Collagen synthesis decreases.
Natural Aging of Hypodermis: - ANSWER- Some areas atrophy, far decreases.
Promoting Healthy Skin While Aging: - ANSWER- Avoid excessive exposure to
ultraviolet light, keep skin moisturized, avoid use of drying soaps, always use sun
screens, keep well hydrated.
Natural Aging of Hair: - ANSWER- Men and women in all racial groups have less hair as
they grow older, the amount of hair in the ears, nose and eyebrows of older men
increases, older women develop chin and facial hair.
Natural Aging of Nails: - ANSWER- Become harder and thicker, and more brittle, dull,
and opaque. Changes shape, becoming at times flat or concave instead of convex.
Natural Aging of Musculoskeletal System: - ANSWER- Vertebral disks become thin,
causing shortening of trunk. Stooped, slightly forward-bent posture is common.
Alternation in body shape and weight occurs as lean body mass declines and body
water is lost. Reduced bone mineral density.
Natural Aging of Cardiovascular System: - ANSWER- Maximum coronary artery blood
flow, stroke volumes, and cardiac output are decreased. It takes longer for the heart to
accelerate and then return to a resting state. Heart disease is the number one cause of
nonaccidental death worldwide. Decreased elasticity and recoil of blood vessels. Blood
Answers Verified 100% Correct
Define Pressure Ulcers: - ANSWER- Localized injury to the skin and/or underlying
tissue over a bony prominence, as a result of pressure, or pressure in combination with
shear and/or friction. Heels are particularly apt to develop pressure ulcers, since they
are small surfaces that receive a high degree of pressure. 4 stages.
Stage 1 Pressure Ulcer - ANSWER- Erythema not resolving within 30 minutes of
pressure relief. Epidermis remains intact. Reversible with intervention.
Stage 2 Pressure Ulcer - ANSWER- Partial-thickness loss of skin layers involving
epidermis and possibly penetrating into but not through dermis. May present as
blistering with erythema and/or induration; wound base moist and pink; painful; free of
necrotic tissue.
Stage 3 Pressure Ulcer - ANSWER- Full-thickness tissue loss extending through dermis
to involve subcutaneous tissue. Presents as shallow crater unless covered by eschar.
May include necrotic tissue, undermining, sinus tract formation, exudate, and/or
infection. Wound base is usually not painful.
Stage 4 Pressure Ulcer - ANSWER- Deep tissue destruction extending through
subcutaneous tissue to fascia, possibly involving muscle layers, joint and/or bone.
Presents as a deep crater. May include necrotic tissue, undermining, sinus tract
formation, exudate, and/or infection. Wound base is usually not painful.
Xerosis - ANSWER- Extremely dry, cracked, and itchy skin; Occurs primarily in the
extremities; exposure to environmental elements contributes to skin dryness and
dehydration; dry skin may be just dry skin, but it may also be a symptom of more
serious systemic disease.
Pruritus - ANSWER- A symptom, not a diagnosis or disease; a threat to skin integrity
because of the attempts to relieve it by scratching; aggravated by perfumed detergents,
fabric softeners, heat, sudden temperature changes, gentle touch, pressure, vibration,
electrical stimuli, sweating, restrictive clothing, fatigue, exercise, and anxiety.
Herpes Zoster - ANSWER- A viral infection frequently seen in older adults; peak
incidence occurs between 50-70; immunosuppressed elders and those with histories of
chicken pox are at greatest risk; always occurs along a nerve pathway or dermatome;
during the healing process, clusters of papulovesicles develop along a nerve pathway.
,Young-Old - ANSWER- 65-74 years of age.
Middle-Old - ANSWER- 75-84 years of age.
Old-Old - ANSWER- Over 85 years of age.
Maslow's Hierarchy of Human Needs - ANSWER- Ranks needs from the most basic to
the most complex. The needs of higher levels cannot be met without first meeting. As
basic level needs are met, the satisfaction of higher level needs is possible.
Basic: Biological and Physiological Integrity (Ex: air)
Safety and Security (Ex: Protections)
Belonging and Attachment (Ex: love, empathy)
Self-Esteem and Self-Efficacy (Ex: image, identity)
Complex: Self Actualization and Transcendence (Ex: seeking, expanding, spirituality).
Sensorineural hearing loss: - ANSWER- Results from damage to any part of the inner
ear or the neural pathways to the brain
Presbycusis - ANSWER- Form of sensorineural hearing loss that is related to aging.
Most common form of hearing loss in the U.S.
Conductive hearing loss: - ANSWER- usually involves abnormalities of the external and
middle ear that reduce the ability of sound to be transmitted to or through the middle
ear.
Hearing Aids: - ANSWER- A personal amplifying system that includes a microphone, an
amplifier, and a loud speaker. The goal is to improve communication and quality of life,
not to restore normal hearing.
Cochlear implants: - ANSWER- used if adult is profoundly deaf as a result of
sensorineural hearing loss. Surgically implanted in the mastoid bone behind the ear.
Electrically stimulates the cochlea, setting the cilia in motion and transmitting impulses
along the auditory nerve to the brain's hearing center.
Cerumen Impaction: - ANSWER- Most common an easily corrected of all interferences
in the hearing of older people. Cerumen interferes with the conduction of sound through
air in the ear drum.
Individuals at risk: blacks, wears hearing aids, older men with large amounts of ear
canal tragi
Dysarthia - ANSWER- A speech disorder caused by a weakness or incoordination of
the speech muscles. Occurs as a result of central or peripheral neuromuscular
, disorders that interfere with the clarity of speech and pronunciation. Characterized by
weakness, slow movement, and a lack of coordination of the muscles associated with
speech.
Western/Biomedical System - ANSWER- Disease is thought to be the result of
abnormalities in the structure and function of body organs.
Personalistic/Magicoreligious System - ANSWER- Believe that illness is caused by the
actions of the supernatural. Illness is a punishment.
Naturalistic/Holistic Health - ANSWER- Based on the concept of balance and stems
from ancient civilizations. View health as a sign of balance.
Natural Aging of Epidermis: - ANSWER- Thins, making blood vessels and bruises much
more visible. Cell-renewal time increases.
Natural Aging of Dermis: - ANSWER- Loses about 20% of thickness with aging. Dermal
blood vessels are reduced. Collagen synthesis decreases.
Natural Aging of Hypodermis: - ANSWER- Some areas atrophy, far decreases.
Promoting Healthy Skin While Aging: - ANSWER- Avoid excessive exposure to
ultraviolet light, keep skin moisturized, avoid use of drying soaps, always use sun
screens, keep well hydrated.
Natural Aging of Hair: - ANSWER- Men and women in all racial groups have less hair as
they grow older, the amount of hair in the ears, nose and eyebrows of older men
increases, older women develop chin and facial hair.
Natural Aging of Nails: - ANSWER- Become harder and thicker, and more brittle, dull,
and opaque. Changes shape, becoming at times flat or concave instead of convex.
Natural Aging of Musculoskeletal System: - ANSWER- Vertebral disks become thin,
causing shortening of trunk. Stooped, slightly forward-bent posture is common.
Alternation in body shape and weight occurs as lean body mass declines and body
water is lost. Reduced bone mineral density.
Natural Aging of Cardiovascular System: - ANSWER- Maximum coronary artery blood
flow, stroke volumes, and cardiac output are decreased. It takes longer for the heart to
accelerate and then return to a resting state. Heart disease is the number one cause of
nonaccidental death worldwide. Decreased elasticity and recoil of blood vessels. Blood
