Nokea
The nurse is assisting an older adult patient out of bed when suddenly the patient begins to fall. What is the likely cause of the fall?
- A. Fever
- B. Orthostatic hypotension
- C. Dehydration
- D. A decrease in venous return
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension occurs when the patient changes position. In the older adult, the loss of elasticity in the vessels slows the vascular accommodation to sudden postural changes to a standing position.
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The nurse initiates the application of a draw sheet on every bedfast patient on her unit to facilitate lifting and to prevent forces.
Correct Answer: shearing
Rationale: Shearing forces cause skin damage by friction; for instance, when a patient is dragged across bed linens during a position change.
The older patient informs the nurse that food has no taste and therefore the patient has no appetite. What is this most likely caused by?
- A. Tasteless food
- B. Overuse of salt
- C. Lack of variety
- D. Loss of taste buds
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Older adults may experience a loss of appetite. Change in taste as a result of decreased saliva production and a decreased number of taste buds may make food unappealing.
For what is the older adult patient at increased risk because of age-related changes in the musculoskeletal system?
- A. Fractures due to poor uptake of calcium
- B. Heart attacks due to increased effort to ambulate
- C. Respiratory failure due to kyphosis
- D. Falls related to posture changes
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Falls are the leading cause of accidental death in individuals over 65, in part because of posture changes brought on by aging.
Which statements are myths that have been disproved concerning aging?
- A. All older adults are senile.
- B. Most older adults live in their own homes.
- C. Older adults are poor.
- D. Older adults have frequent contact with family members.
- E. Older adults are disabled.
Correct Answer: A,C,E
Rationale: All older adults are not senile; this is a myth. Mental decline is not inevitable. Older adults are not all poor, this is a myth. Older adults have a lower poverty rate than younger adults. Older adults are not all disabled; this is a myth. Most are able to manage their own care. Most older adults do live in their own homes and have frequent contact with family members.
What is the result of a slowing of the impulse transmission in the nervous system?
- A. Hypertension
- B. Hearing deficit
- C. Decrease in tactile sensations
- D. Longer reaction time
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: When nerve impulses in the nervous system of an older adult slow down, the result is a longer reaction time.