An older patient worries that simple tasks, like balancing a checkbook, take longer. How should the nurse respond?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Step 1: Acknowledge patient's concern. Step 2: Educate on normal aging changes affecting cognitive function. Step 3: Reassure patient that slight delays in tasks are common. Step 4: Encourage healthy habits to support cognitive function. Step 5: Emphasize the importance of monitoring any significant changes. Summary: Choice A is correct as it addresses the concern, educates on normal aging changes, reassures the patient, and provides guidance on monitoring. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they either suggest immediate evaluation without considering normal aging changes or provide inaccurate information about brain function in aging.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Facilitate family rituals related to death and dying. In end-of-life care, it is essential to support the older adult and their family in their cultural and spiritual practices to promote comfort and closure. This intervention aligns with the goals of long-term care by addressing the psychological and emotional needs of the patient and family. Providing a basin and towels (B) focuses on physical self-care, which may not be a priority in end-stage disease. Decreasing analgesic dose (A) can compromise pain management and quality of life. Informing family members about strict visiting hours (C) can hinder emotional support and connection during this critical time.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because walking is a physical activity that promotes cardiovascular health, strength, and overall well-being. Regular exercise like walking 3-5 times per week for 30 minutes can help improve circulation, maintain healthy weight, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Cooking healthy meals (choice B) is important for nutrition but may not directly promote physical activity. Reading and knitting (choice C) are mentally stimulating but do not provide the physical benefits of exercise. Taking vitamins daily (choice D) is important for overall health but does not substitute for physical activity.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Physical exercise. Engaging in physical exercise has been shown to improve blood flow to the brain, promote the growth of new brain cells, and enhance cognitive function. This helps maintain brain health and may reduce the risk of developing dementia. Other choices are not as directly related to brain health. B: Stimulating mental activity is important but not as effective as physical exercise in preventing dementia. C: Socialization is beneficial for overall well-being but does not have a direct impact on brain health. D: Crossword puzzles are a form of mental stimulation, but physical exercise has a greater impact on brain health.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Pneumonia. Older adults are more susceptible to pneumonia due to weakened immune systems and underlying health conditions. Pneumonia can lead to severe complications, requiring hospitalization. Osteoarthritis (A) primarily affects joints and does not typically lead to hospitalization. Stroke (B) and heart failure (D) are serious conditions but may not be as common for hospitalization as pneumonia in older adults. Pneumonia's impact on the respiratory system and its ability to progress rapidly make it the most common reason for hospitalization in this population.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because promoting independence without assistance to all clients may not always maintain safety for the elderly. Elderly individuals may require some level of assistance for certain activities to prevent falls or other safety risks. Providing assistance when needed is crucial for ensuring their safety. A: Modifying the environment to reduce obstacles and barriers to ambulation helps prevent falls. B: Consistent checks of ambulation abilities ensure early detection of any decline in mobility. C: Orienting to new surroundings and repeating as needed helps prevent confusion and disorientation.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Ingesting excessive acetaminophen can lead to liver damage, not renal failure. Diabetes mellitus, prostate hypertrophy causing urinary obstruction, and heart failure are known to cause renal failure due to their effects on kidney function. Diabetic nephropathy can damage the kidneys over time, prostate hypertrophy can obstruct urine flow and lead to kidney damage, and heart failure can result in decreased blood flow to the kidneys, causing renal failure. Thus, D is the correct answer as it does not directly cause renal failure, unlike the other choices.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Step 1: Acknowledge patient's concern. Step 2: Educate on normal aging changes affecting cognitive function. Step 3: Reassure patient that slight delays in tasks are common. Step 4: Encourage healthy habits to support cognitive function. Step 5: Emphasize the importance of monitoring any significant changes. Summary: Choice A is correct as it addresses the concern, educates on normal aging changes, reassures the patient, and provides guidance on monitoring. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they either suggest immediate evaluation without considering normal aging changes or provide inaccurate information about brain function in aging.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Delirium in older adults results from reversible metabolic changes, such as electrolyte imbalances. Delirium is a multifactorial condition often triggered by physiological imbalances, including electrolyte disturbances. These imbalances can disrupt normal brain function, leading to confusion and cognitive impairment. Other choices are incorrect: A is more typical of sepsis, C is more associated with conditions like dementia, and D is not a primary cause of delirium.