Elderly Care
What is the primary goal of nursing care for the elderly?
a) Promoting independence
b) Providing constant supervision
c) Restricting physical activity
d) Minimizing social interactions
Promoting independence
In the nursing diagnosis phase, what should the nurse prioritize?
a) Developing a care plan
b) Identifying health problems
c) Administering prescribed treatments
d) Providing emotional support
Identifying health problems
What nutritional consideration is essential for elderly patients?
a) 45% of kcal are d/t PRO intake
b) Adequate CHO & PRO intake
c) Diet containing 20 grams. of fiber
d) Diet whereby 35% of kcal are d/t unsaturated fat.
Adequate CHO & PRO intake
How can the nurse best prevent pressure ulcers in the elderly?
a) Frequent repositioning
b) Restricting fluid intake
c) Apply dressings
d) Avoiding moisturizers
Frequent repositioning
What is the most significant factor affecting the way a person will grieve?
a. Meaning of the loss.
b. Time of the loss
c. Age of the grieving person
d. Availability of the person’s support system
Meaning of the loss.
Which assessment is most essential when providing care to the elderly?
a) Medication hx
b) Marital status
c) Comprehensive assessment
d) Employment history
Comprehensive assessment
When planning care for an elderly patient, what should the nurse consider first?
a) The patient's preferences
b) The physician's recommendations
c) The hospital's policies
d) The nurse's personal opinions
The patient's preferences
The elderly need increased amts. of which of the following?
a. Calcium
b. Vit. D
c. Vit. C
d. Vit. A
e. Fat
f. Water
Calcium
Vit. D
Vit. C
Vit. A
Some of the normal aging changes of the elderly put them at higher risk for injury. These include which of the following?
Decreased muscle strength
Decreased cardiac output
Decreased peripheral resistance
Increased insulin release
Increased processing time
Decreased muscle strength
Decreased cardiac output
Increased processing time
Which of the following pertain to Palliative care?
a. Life expectancy of 6 months or less
b. Curative measures may be implemented.
c. Care provided at any stage of illness
d. Symptom management may be part of the care
Curative measures may be implemented.
Care provided at any stage of illness
Symptom management may be part of the care
Which of the following potential problems should the nurse be aware of when caring for the elderly?
a. Dementia
b. Elder abuse
c. Frailty
d. Failure to thrive
e. Nutrition deficit
Dementia, Elder abuse, Frailty, Failure to thrive & Nutrition deficit
What is a key aspect of implementing care for an elderly patient?
a) Completing assessment
b) Administering medications
c) Collaborating with the healthcare team to provide pt. specific care
d) Gather information from the pt. and family
Collaborating with the healthcare team to provide pt. specific care
A decrease in liver size, liver enzyme activity, and liver blood flow will primarily affect:
a. Drug absorption
b. Drug metabolism
c. Drug excretion
d. Drug taste
Drug metabolism
Which of the following are evidence-based interventions to decrease skin breakdown?
Nutritional support
Decrease friction and shearing forces
Frequent repositioning
Use of rubber donut shaped devices to sit on
Skin cleaning
Moisturizing barriers
Nutritional support
Decrease friction and shearing forces
Frequent repositioning
Skin cleaning
Moisturizing barriers
A POLST form:
a. Provides specific instructions about the kinds of healthcare a person wishes to have or not have at the end of life.
b. Identifies another person to make decisions for the person regarding their healthcare choices when they are unable to do so.
c. Is a medical order that tells healthcare professionals what to do during a medical crisis when pt. cannot speak for themselves
d. Is a legal document requiring a signature by the patient and their power of attorney
Is a medical order that tells healthcare professionals what to do during a medical crisis when pt. cannot speak for themselves
How often should an immobile elderly person be re-positioned (i.e. the minimum)?
Every 2 hrs.
How does the nurse evaluate the effectiveness of care for an elderly patient?
a) By asking for feedback
b) Consulting with MD
c) By completing ongoing assessment & reassessment
d) By monitoring vital signs
By completing ongoing assessment & reassessment
Which of the following are cholinesterase inhibitors?
Donepezil
Galantamine
Rivastigmine
Memantine
Lorazepam
Alprazolam
Donepezil
Galantamine
Rivastigmine
A elderly person’s lab work includes the following:
WBC: 5500
RBC: 3.5 million
Hemoglobin: 10 gm/dL
Hematocrit: 35%
Platelets: 100,000
What are they most at risk for?
a. Infection
b. Bleeding
c. Falls
d. Cognitive changes
e. Deep vein thrombosis
f. Pulmonary emboli
Bleeding
What are the cardinal findings in brain death?
Absence of cerebral motor response to pain
Absence of brain stem response
Apnea
Which of the following increase a patient’s risk for falls?
Presbyopia
Neuropathy
Uses a walker
Multiple medications
Macular degeneration
Thinning skin
Hypertension
Presbyopia
Neuropathy
Uses a walker
Multiple medications
Macular degeneration
What intervention most helps prevent complications R/T immobility in the elderly?
a) Limiting fluid intake
b) Encouraging regular exercise
c) Completing nutritional assessments
d) Providing frequent rest periods
Encouraging regular exercise
What is the difference between around the clock dosing and rescue dosing of pain relief medications?
Around the clock: Give on schedule around the clock. Typically give long-acting analgesic.
Rescue dosing: Give as needed for breakthrough pain. Usually 5-15% of total 24 hr. analgesic requirement.
Which of the following cognitive changes of older adults puts them at higher risk for injury?
a. Increase reaction time
b. Long term memory declines; short term memory increases
c. Short term memory declines; long term memory less affected
d. Decreased cardiac output
e. Decreased elasticity of chest wall
Increase reaction time
Short term memory declines; long term memory less affected
What are 5 non-pharmaceutical modalities to treat fatigue and weakness at the end of life?
Emotional support
Relaxation
Massage
Music
Spiritual care