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While assessing an older adult patient for mental health issues, the nurse pays special attention to the patient?s sensory function based on the understanding of which of the following?
- A. Most older adults follow a specific pattern of decline in functioning leading to gradual onset of problems.
- B. Sensory decline may affect the individual?s ability to process information, possibly influencing the findings of the mental status examination.
- C. Diminished sensory function can lead to changes in other body systems that may affect the individual?s reaction to prescribed medications.
- D. Changes in the senses can result in changes in cognitive abilities that mimic the manifestations of mental disorders.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sensory decline (e.g., hearing, vision) can impair information processing, affecting mental status examination results. Patterns of decline vary, sensory changes don?t directly alter other systems for medication reactions, and cognitive mimicry is possible but less primary.
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A group of nursing students is reviewing risk and protective factors associated for mental disorders in the older adult population. The students demonstrate understanding of the information when they identify which of the following as a protective factor?
- A. Poverty
- B. Education
- C. Loss
- D. Chronic illness
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Education is a protective factor for mental health in older adults, promoting cognitive reserve and coping skills. Poverty, loss, and chronic illness are risk factors, increasing vulnerability to mental disorders.
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.
The nurse is preparing to assess a 78-year-old patient who has been diagnosed with major depression. Which of the following would the nurse expect to assess as a normal finding?
- A. Decrease in body fat
- B. Increased muscle mass
- C. Dulled taste sensation
- D. Enhanced visual acuity
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Dulled taste sensation is a normal age-related change in older adults due to reduced sensory function. Decreased body fat and increased muscle mass are not typical, and visual acuity typically declines, not enhances, with age.
A nurse is preparing to conduct an assessment of a 79-year-old woman who has come to the clinic for evaluation. When performing this assessment, which of the following would be most appropriate for the nurse to do? Select all that apply.
- A. Dim any lights that appear too bright.
- B. Face the patient from the side.
- C. Use short, simple sentences.
- D. Focus on one topic at a time.
- E. Speak slowly in a shouting tone.
Correct Answer: A,C,D
Rationale: Appropriate assessment techniques for older adults include dimming bright lights (A) to reduce glare, using short, simple sentences (C), and focusing on one topic (D) to accommodate sensory and cognitive changes. Facing from the side (B) is less effective than facing directly, and shouting (E) may be inappropriate or distressing.
A nurse is developing a plan for establishing appropriate supportive community care services for older adults to promote independence. Which services would the nurse be most likely to include? Select all that apply.
- A. Transportation
- B. Homemakers
- C. Legal
- D. Housing
- E. Child care
Correct Answer: A,B,C,D
Rationale: Supportive services for older adults to promote independence include transportation (A), homemakers (B), legal services (C), and housing (D), addressing mobility, daily tasks, legal needs, and living arrangements. Child care (E) is irrelevant for most older adults.