The nurse is assessing the 84-year-old client during a routine health examination. Which finding should the nurse investigate first?
- A. Decreased force of cough
- B. Impaired swallowing
- C. Urine light yellow in color
- D. Height decreased by ½ inch
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Impaired swallowing increases aspiration risk and may indicate a non-age-related condition, requiring priority investigation. Decreased cough, light urine, and height loss are age-related.
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The nurse is assessing the 50-year-old female client who is hospitalized. The nurse should assess the client for which physical changes associated with aging? Select all that apply.
- A. Increased sweat gland activity
- B. Decreased ability to read smaller print
- C. Weight loss due to hypermetabolism
- D. Increased sebaceous gland activity
- E. Absence of a menstrual cycle
Correct Answer: B;E
Rationale: Visual acuity declines, affecting near vision, and menopause causes absence of menstruation in middle-aged women. Sweat and sebaceous gland activity decrease, and weight gain, not loss, occurs due to slower metabolism.
The nurse is caring for the 55-year-old client. Which statement by the client related to psychosocial changes should the nurse most definitely explore?
- A. I really don’t want to color my hair, even though it seems to be getting grayer every day.'
- B. I can’t see as sharp anymore. I get frustrated by the small lettering on the medicine bottles.'
- C. My husband and I have a more active sexual life now that the children are out of the house.'
- D. My house is empty; I thought I’d be happy when my children finally left, but I feel lonely.'
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The client’s statement suggests empty nest syndrome, a psychosocial concern requiring further exploration. Graying hair is a normal physiological change, vision issues are physiological, and an active sexual life indicates a healthy relationship.
The nurse is caring for the 94-year-old hospitalized client of the Muslim faith who is near death. Which nursing action is most inappropriate?
- A. Spraying perfume in the client’s room
- B. Placing the client supine facing Mecca
- C. Offering grief counseling to family members
- D. Checking records for wishes of organ donation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Grief counseling is discouraged in Muslim faith, making it inappropriate. Perfuming, facing Mecca, and checking organ donation are culturally appropriate.
The nurse is interviewing an 80-year-old client who has urinary incontinence. The client is taking furosemide. When asked about daily fluid intake, the client states, 'I drink 2 glasses of water, 1 glass of milk, and a half glass of juice. I don’t drink coffee or tea.' Which responses by the nurse are appropriate? Select all that apply.
- A. Your fluid intake should be 6 to 8 glasses of water, plus other fluids.'
- B. Your fluid intake is adequate and may help to reduce your incontinence.'
- C. Caffeine increases urination; it is good that you avoid drinking coffee.'
- D. Your fluid intake is limited; this increases your risk for dehydration.'
- E. Your fluid intake is sufficient to maintain a fluid and electrolyte balance.'
Correct Answer: A;C;D
Rationale: The client’s 3.5 glasses of fluid are inadequate, increasing dehydration risk, especially with furosemide. Older adults need 6-8 glasses of water plus other fluids, and avoiding caffeine reduces diuresis. Inadequate fluid may worsen incontinence.
The nurse is teaching newly hired NAs in a long term care facility. What information about skin care for older adults should the nurse emphasize?
- A. Avoid skin products purchased for the resident by family that contain alcohol
- B. Apply perfumed skin lots after the resident’s bath when the skin is still moist
- C. When taking residents outdoors, apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 8
- D. Apply a strong detergent to clothing with food stains before sending to laundry
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Avoiding alcohol-containing products prevents skin drying in older adults with fragile skin. Perfumed lotions, low SPF, and strong detergents increase irritation risk.
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