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An older person under your care who has been alert and oriented begins acting different than normal and appears to be hallucinating. Which of the following is the correct term for this?
- A. Depression
- B. Dementia
- C. Delirium
- D. Confusion
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by acute changes in mental status, such as hallucinations, often reversible with treatment.
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Many older patients experience a decline in renal function as they age. What effect does renal decline have on medications?
- A. Decline in renal function has very little effect on medications unless the patient goes into acute renal failure.
- B. Decline in renal function can cause excessive amounts of a drug to be left circulating in the blood.
- C. Decline in renal function can cause an increase in dilute urine elimination, thereby flushing out too much medication too quickly.
- D. Decline in renal function does not really affect medications because most drugs are rendered inactive by the liver.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Reduced renal function impairs drug excretion, leading to accumulation in the blood, which can cause toxicity or prolonged effects.
Unless indicated by unexpected events, documentation in a long-term care facility is usually done once per week.
- A. TRUE
- B. FALSE
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Documentation occurs daily or per shift to ensure accurate and timely records of care.
Older adults may have decreased sensation. Which of the following is an important intervention aimed at preventing complications from this physiological change?
- A. Check the bath water to make sure it is hot enough.
- B. Check the bath water to make sure it is not too hot.
- C. Make sure the patient wears at least socks when ambulating.
- D. Tell the patient to clip toenails regularly.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Checking bath water temperature prevents burns, as decreased sensation increases the risk of injury from hot water.
Older adults may not empty their bladders completely when they void because of changes in neuromuscular functioning of the bladder muscle or, in men, enlargement of the prostate gland. Which of the following is a common complication of insufficient bladder emptying?
- A. Constipation from enlarged bladder pressing on lower gastrointestinal tract
- B. Renal failure
- C. Urinary tract infection
- D. Bladder spasms
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Residual urine from incomplete bladder emptying increases the risk of urinary tract infections due to bacterial growth.
An 89-year-old female has been admitted to the long-term care (LTC) facility where you work. She had tried to remain independent, but her arthritis now prevents her from ambulating in her home even with a walker, and her children felt she would be safer in an LTC facility. What neurological effects should you monitor for?
- A. Confusion
- B. Depression
- C. Delirium
- D. Dementia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Depression is a common neurological effect in older adults transitioning to LTC due to loss of independence and social changes.