Nokea
The nurse is reviewing a laboratory report for a 61-year-old client. Which finding is most important for the nurse to address with the HCP?
- A. Total cholesterol 180 mg/dL; was 140 at age 50
- B. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) increased
- C. Alkaline phosphatase increased
- D. AST, ALT, and serum bilirubin increased
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Elevated liver function tests (AST, ALT, bilirubin) are not age-related and suggest liver pathology, requiring immediate HCP notification. Cholesterol, ESR, and alkaline phosphatase increases are normal with aging.
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Pre-hospital admission medications for the older adult client include warfarin and atenolol. Which statement made by the client should prompt the nurse to initiate a referral to a social worker?
- A. I crush my medications and take them with applesauce because they are hard to swallow.'
- B. I stopped taking my blood pressure pill; I can’t afford it, and my blood pressure is normal.'
- C. I feel more alert after starting to take ginkgo, but I forgot to ask my doctor if it were okay.'
- D. I have my daughter set up my medications for two weeks at a time in a medication bar.'
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Stopping medication due to cost indicates a financial concern, warranting a social worker referral. Swallowing issues, ginkgo use, and medication setup require different interventions.
The nurse overhears a person say, 'I’m having a senior moment because I forgot.' How should the nurse interpret this statement?
- A. This phrase is a comical statement without age bias and is acceptable to others
- B. This phrase is a stereotypical reference to older adults that can be termed ageism
- C. This phrase admits that the older adult’s ability to learn new information is limited
- D. This phrase recognizes that all older adults have short- and long-term memory issues
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The phrase is a stereotypical reference to older adults, perpetuating ageism. It’s not comical, doesn’t imply learning limits, and not all older adults have memory issues.
After performing an assessment and determining that there are no other causes, the nurse concludes that the older adult’s recent hearing loss in one ear may be from cerumen accumulation from age-related changes. The nurse’s conclusion was based on which age-related changes that contribute to the cerumen accumulation?
- A. Reduced sweat gland activity; thinning and drying of the skin lining the ear canal
- B. Ossicular bone calcification; longer and thicker hair growth in the ear canal
- C. Degenerative structural changes of the eardrum preventing cerumen passage
- D. Over activity of the sweat glands contributing to the development of presbycusis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Reduced sweat gland activity and thinning/drying of the ear canal skin cause cerumen buildup, affecting sound perception. Ossicular calcification, eardrum changes, and presbycusis are unrelated.
A 72-year-old woman reports she is sexually active. It is most important for the nurse to follow up by asking which question?
- A. Can you tell me more about your sexual partners?'
- B. Have you tried artificial water-based lubricants?'
- C. Are any medications having any drying effects?'
- D. Do you need to use different sexual positions?'
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Assessing sexual partners is critical due to rising STI/HIV rates in older adults. Lubricants, medication effects, and positions are secondary to infection risk.
The 62-year-old client is diagnosed with osteoporosis. Which medication, if taken by the client, should the nurse identify as posing a secondary risk factor for the client’s osteoporosis?
- A. Baby aspirin daily for past 4 years
- B. Escitalopram 5 mg daily for past 7 months
- C. Multivitamin for many years
- D. 10-year use of budesonide nostril spray bid
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Long-term corticosteroid use, like budesonide, is a risk factor for osteoporosis. Aspirin, escitalopram, and multivitamins (with calcium/vitamin D) do not contribute to bone loss.