1 Inquire through: | Professional | Confidential Support
Chapter 21: Assessment of the Older Adult
Questions and Answers (100% Correct Answers)
A 75-year old patient tells the nurse, "I just do not enjoy eating as much as I used to
because the food does not have much taste or smell." Which statement by the nurse
is most appropriate?
a. "You should make an appointment with your health care provider."
b. "Try eating small, frequent meals."
c. "The senses of smell and taste decrease as we age."
d. "Maybe you should use saline drops in your nose."
Ans: C A decreased sense of smell is caused by a decrease in the number of sensory
cells in the nasal lining. Taste perception may also diminish due to gradual atrophy
of the tongue and a decrease in the number of papillae and taste buds.
During inspection of the mouth of an older adult, a nurse notices which finding as an
expected change associated with aging?
a. Exposed root surfaces of teeth
b. Aphthous ulcers of the mucosa
c. Collection of debris at the gingival margins
d. Leukoplakia of the dorsal and ventral tongue
Ans: A Root surfaces of the teeth are exposed to caries formation because of gingival
recession.
Which assessment finding of older adult patients indicates expected respiratory
function?
a. Increased elasticity of the alveoli
b. Flaccidity of the chest wall
c. Reduced inspiratory and expiratory effort
d. Decreased anteroposterior diameter
Ans: C Diminished strength of the respiratory muscles results in reduced maximal
inspiratory and expiratory force.
, 2 Inquire through: | Professional | Confidential Support
During an office visit, a 78-year-old woman is upset because her height is "2 inches
less than it was when I was 40!" How does the nurse explain this change to the
patient?
a. "Reduced height may occur as you age due to shortening of the vertebrae."
b. "You may be experiencing this height change due to arthritis."
c. "You need to improve your posture by performing stretching exercises."
d. "This is a rare occurrence and warrants having a bone density test."
Ans: A Decreased bone formation reduces height in most older adults, which may
cause shortening of the vertebrae and thinning of the vertebral disks.
In collecting a history from an older adult, which information does the nurse
consider least essential for a patient of this age?
a. Past health history
b. Genogram
c. Functional abilities
d. Mental health
Ans: B A genogram is not routinely used to document the family history for an older
adult. The health status and cause of death of the patient's parents and siblings lose
value as the patient ages.
In assessing the mood of older adult patients, a nurse documents which finding as
abnormal?
a. Sadness and grief after returning from the funeral of a long-time friend
b. Depression that interferes with the ability to perform activities of daily living
c. Frustration about rearranging the day's schedule to attend a grandson's birthday
party
d. Crying about the unexpected death of a pet that had been with the family 12 years
Ans: B Persistent depression that interferes significantly with the ability to function
is not an expected finding.
When assessing the pain level of an older adult, a nurse considers which factor?
a. Neural transmission of pain is increased as a part of the aging process.
Chapter 21: Assessment of the Older Adult
Questions and Answers (100% Correct Answers)
A 75-year old patient tells the nurse, "I just do not enjoy eating as much as I used to
because the food does not have much taste or smell." Which statement by the nurse
is most appropriate?
a. "You should make an appointment with your health care provider."
b. "Try eating small, frequent meals."
c. "The senses of smell and taste decrease as we age."
d. "Maybe you should use saline drops in your nose."
Ans: C A decreased sense of smell is caused by a decrease in the number of sensory
cells in the nasal lining. Taste perception may also diminish due to gradual atrophy
of the tongue and a decrease in the number of papillae and taste buds.
During inspection of the mouth of an older adult, a nurse notices which finding as an
expected change associated with aging?
a. Exposed root surfaces of teeth
b. Aphthous ulcers of the mucosa
c. Collection of debris at the gingival margins
d. Leukoplakia of the dorsal and ventral tongue
Ans: A Root surfaces of the teeth are exposed to caries formation because of gingival
recession.
Which assessment finding of older adult patients indicates expected respiratory
function?
a. Increased elasticity of the alveoli
b. Flaccidity of the chest wall
c. Reduced inspiratory and expiratory effort
d. Decreased anteroposterior diameter
Ans: C Diminished strength of the respiratory muscles results in reduced maximal
inspiratory and expiratory force.
, 2 Inquire through: | Professional | Confidential Support
During an office visit, a 78-year-old woman is upset because her height is "2 inches
less than it was when I was 40!" How does the nurse explain this change to the
patient?
a. "Reduced height may occur as you age due to shortening of the vertebrae."
b. "You may be experiencing this height change due to arthritis."
c. "You need to improve your posture by performing stretching exercises."
d. "This is a rare occurrence and warrants having a bone density test."
Ans: A Decreased bone formation reduces height in most older adults, which may
cause shortening of the vertebrae and thinning of the vertebral disks.
In collecting a history from an older adult, which information does the nurse
consider least essential for a patient of this age?
a. Past health history
b. Genogram
c. Functional abilities
d. Mental health
Ans: B A genogram is not routinely used to document the family history for an older
adult. The health status and cause of death of the patient's parents and siblings lose
value as the patient ages.
In assessing the mood of older adult patients, a nurse documents which finding as
abnormal?
a. Sadness and grief after returning from the funeral of a long-time friend
b. Depression that interferes with the ability to perform activities of daily living
c. Frustration about rearranging the day's schedule to attend a grandson's birthday
party
d. Crying about the unexpected death of a pet that had been with the family 12 years
Ans: B Persistent depression that interferes significantly with the ability to function
is not an expected finding.
When assessing the pain level of an older adult, a nurse considers which factor?
a. Neural transmission of pain is increased as a part of the aging process.
