Chapter 31 Older Adults Questions With Complete
Solutions
16. When making a distinction as to whether an elderly patient
has confusion related to delirium or another problem, what
information would be of particular value?
a.
Evidence of spasticity or flaccidity
b.
The patient's level of motor activity
c.
Medications the patient has recently taken
d.
Level of preoccupation with somatic symptoms
ANS: C
Delirium in the elderly produces symptoms of confusion.
Medication interactions or adverse reactions are often a cause.
The distracters do not give information important for delirium.
17. An 85-year-old has difficulty walking after a knee
replacement. The patient tells the nurse, "It's awful to be old.
Every day is a struggle. No one cares about old people." Select
the nurse's best response.
a.
,"Everyone here cares about old people. That's why we work
here."
b.
"It sounds like you're having a difficult time. Tell me about it."
c.
"Let's not focus on the negative. Tell me something good."
d.
"You are still able to get around, and your mind is alert."
ANS: B
The nurse uses empathetic understanding to permit the patient to
express frustration and clarify her "struggle" for the nurse. The
distracters block communication.
18. A 76-year-old is indifferent and responds to others only
when they initiate an interaction. What form of group therapy
would be most useful to promote resocialization?
a.
Orientation
b.
Activity group
c.
Psychotherapy
d.
Reminiscence
ANS: D
Reminiscence therapy in a group setting can help to resocialize
regressed and apathetic patients. The nurse can encourage
discussion about past pleasant events or memories: first car,
, favorite memory from school, favorite band or song, seasonal
activities growing up, etc. Assisting to evoke pleasant feelings
or memories is an effective method to improve mood
particularly in those with memory impairment. Group
psychotherapy would not be effective for this patient. An
activity group does not address the patient's problem.
Orientation groups can exacerbate a patient's distress.
19. A nurse assesses four patients between the ages of 70 and
80. Which patient has the highest risk for alcohol abuse? The
patient who
a.
consumes 1 glass of wine nightly with dinner.
b.
began drinking alcohol daily after retirement and says, "A few
drinks keep my mind off my arthritis."
c.
drank socially throughout adult life and continues this pattern,
saying "I've earned the right to do as I please."
d.
abused alcohol between the ages of 25 and 40 but now abstains
and occasionally attends Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
ANS: B
Alcohol abuse and dependence can develop at any age, and the
geriatric population is particularly at risk. Losses, such as
retirement, widowhood, and loneliness, are often related. The
distracters describe patients with a lower risk for alcohol abuse.
Solutions
16. When making a distinction as to whether an elderly patient
has confusion related to delirium or another problem, what
information would be of particular value?
a.
Evidence of spasticity or flaccidity
b.
The patient's level of motor activity
c.
Medications the patient has recently taken
d.
Level of preoccupation with somatic symptoms
ANS: C
Delirium in the elderly produces symptoms of confusion.
Medication interactions or adverse reactions are often a cause.
The distracters do not give information important for delirium.
17. An 85-year-old has difficulty walking after a knee
replacement. The patient tells the nurse, "It's awful to be old.
Every day is a struggle. No one cares about old people." Select
the nurse's best response.
a.
,"Everyone here cares about old people. That's why we work
here."
b.
"It sounds like you're having a difficult time. Tell me about it."
c.
"Let's not focus on the negative. Tell me something good."
d.
"You are still able to get around, and your mind is alert."
ANS: B
The nurse uses empathetic understanding to permit the patient to
express frustration and clarify her "struggle" for the nurse. The
distracters block communication.
18. A 76-year-old is indifferent and responds to others only
when they initiate an interaction. What form of group therapy
would be most useful to promote resocialization?
a.
Orientation
b.
Activity group
c.
Psychotherapy
d.
Reminiscence
ANS: D
Reminiscence therapy in a group setting can help to resocialize
regressed and apathetic patients. The nurse can encourage
discussion about past pleasant events or memories: first car,
, favorite memory from school, favorite band or song, seasonal
activities growing up, etc. Assisting to evoke pleasant feelings
or memories is an effective method to improve mood
particularly in those with memory impairment. Group
psychotherapy would not be effective for this patient. An
activity group does not address the patient's problem.
Orientation groups can exacerbate a patient's distress.
19. A nurse assesses four patients between the ages of 70 and
80. Which patient has the highest risk for alcohol abuse? The
patient who
a.
consumes 1 glass of wine nightly with dinner.
b.
began drinking alcohol daily after retirement and says, "A few
drinks keep my mind off my arthritis."
c.
drank socially throughout adult life and continues this pattern,
saying "I've earned the right to do as I please."
d.
abused alcohol between the ages of 25 and 40 but now abstains
and occasionally attends Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
ANS: B
Alcohol abuse and dependence can develop at any age, and the
geriatric population is particularly at risk. Losses, such as
retirement, widowhood, and loneliness, are often related. The
distracters describe patients with a lower risk for alcohol abuse.
