Nokea
A group of nursing students is reviewing the physical changes that occur in older adults. The students demonstrate understanding of the information when they identify which of the following as contributing to the patient?s risk for drug toxicity?
- A. Reduced liver function
- B. Reduced brain gray matter volume
- C. Lower metabolic rate at rest
- D. Decreased body water
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Reduced liver function, common in older adults, impairs drug metabolism, increasing toxicity risk. Reduced brain volume, lower metabolic rate, and decreased body water contribute to other issues but are less directly linked to drug toxicity.
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The nurse is planning a presentation to a group of older adults on the topic of suicide in the population. One of the group participants asks who has the highest risk of suicide. Which response by the nurse would be most appropriate?
- A. Older adults who have multiple prescriptions from a variety of different pharmacies.
- B. Older adults who are experiencing a deep and profound depression.
- C. Older adult women who are divorced or widowed.
- D. Men over the age of 75 years who are divorced or widowed.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Men over 75 who are divorced or widowed have the highest suicide risk in older adults due to social isolation, loss, and gender-specific tendencies. Depression is a risk factor, but men in this demographic are particularly vulnerable. Women and polypharmacy are less specific.
A group of nursing students is reviewing information about the course of aging in future older adults and qualities that contribute to successful aging. The students demonstrate understanding of this information when they identify which of the following as least important?
- A. Capacity to adapt to change
- B. Engagement in life
- C. Stability with reliable social support
- D. Physical health
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: While physical health is important, successful aging relies more on adaptability, engagement, and social support, as these psychosocial factors often outweigh physical limitations in promoting well-being. Physical health is less critical in defining successful aging.
After checking a patient?s blood pressure, he asks the nurse what changes he should expect in himself as he grows older. Which response by the nurse would be most appropriate?
- A. You don?t have anything to worry about; you will basically stay the same.
- B. Your personality will stay the same, but your intelligence level will lessen somewhat.
- C. Usually, you can anticipate that you will begin to react to things more slowly.
- D. You will become increasingly childlike, and your personality will change.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Older adults typically experience slower reaction times due to age-related cognitive and neurological changes. Personality and intelligence remain relatively stable, and becoming childlike is not a normal aging process.
The nurse is working with a patient whose mobility is impaired secondary to a fall that resulted in a broken hip. In addition, the patient, who has diabetes, is developing problems with vision and hearing. The patient seems increasingly withdrawn and depressed. The nurse determines that the patient is at risk for spiritual distress. Which intervention would be most appropriate?
- A. Encourage the patient to talk about significant childhood religious experiences.
- B. Offer to take the patient to a revival the nurse?s church is holding in the community.
- C. Read to the patient Bible passages that seem particularly relevant to the patient?s case.
- D. Explore what the mobility, sight, and hearing changes mean to the patient.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Exploring the meaning of the patient?s losses addresses spiritual distress by focusing on their personal values and coping, which is patient-centered. Religious interventions (A, B, C) may not align with the patient?s beliefs and could be inappropriate.
An older patient tells the nurse that she is becoming more forgetful. The nurse explains to the patient that this is most likely related to which of the following?
- A. Anxiety
- B. Organic brain syndrome
- C. Plaques in the brain tissue
- D. Medications
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Medications, especially those with anticholinergic or sedative effects, are a common cause of forgetfulness in older adults. Anxiety may contribute, but medications are more likely. Organic brain syndrome and plaques suggest more severe conditions like dementia, not initially assumed.