ATI RN
basic geriatric nursing 8th edition test bank Questions
Question 1 of 9
Which of the following is a sign of frailty in older adults?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C - Difficulty walking and balance issues. Frailty in older adults is characterized by physical weakness, decreased muscle strength, and reduced functional capacity. Difficulty walking and balance issues are key indicators of frailty as they reflect a decline in physical capabilities. Increased muscle mass (A) is not a sign of frailty but rather a positive indicator of strength. Unexplained weight gain (B) may not necessarily be related to frailty. Improved cognitive function (D) is unrelated to physical frailty.
Question 2 of 9
Mr J., an 80 yr old who has had flu like symptoms with diarrhea and has vomited 4 times in the last 24 hours is seen in the ED. Mr. J seems confused and is lethargic. The nurse notes that Mr. J has dry skin, a brown tongue, sunken cheeks and concentrated urine. This array of symptoms indicates:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: dehydration. Mr. J's symptoms of flu-like illness, diarrhea, vomiting, confusion, lethargy, dry skin, brown tongue, sunken cheeks, and concentrated urine are indicative of severe dehydration. Dehydration can lead to electrolyte imbalances, decreased blood volume, and impaired organ function, resulting in confusion and lethargy. Skin changes, dry mucous membranes, and concentrated urine are also classic signs of dehydration. The other choices (A, C, D) do not align with the constellation of symptoms presented by Mr. J and are less likely based on the information provided.
Question 3 of 9
Which physiological change in the brain is the reason the nurse allows more time for answering questions with older adults?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Atrophy of dendrites in the cerebral cortex. With aging, there is a natural decline in brain volume and synaptic connections, leading to reduced dendritic branching and synaptic density in the cerebral cortex. This affects processing speed and cognitive functions, requiring more time for older adults to respond to questions. Rationale: A: Increased secretion of cholinesterase is not a physiological change associated with aging that would require more time for answering questions. B: Decreased secretion of neurotransmitters may occur with aging but is not the primary reason for slower processing speed in older adults. C: Loss of spinal cord and brainstem neurons is not the main factor influencing older adults' response time to questions compared to atrophy of dendrites in the cerebral cortex.
Question 4 of 9
What is the most effective intervention to prevent skin breakdown in immobile older adults?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because regular repositioning and the use of pressure-relieving devices are essential to prevent skin breakdown in immobile older adults. Repositioning helps redistribute pressure, maintaining blood flow to the skin and preventing tissue damage. Pressure-relieving devices such as cushions or special mattresses further reduce pressure on vulnerable areas. Choices A and B do not address the root cause of skin breakdown and may even exacerbate the issue. Choice D is incorrect as complete bed rest can lead to further complications like pressure ulcers. In summary, choice C is the most effective intervention as it directly targets the risk factors for skin breakdown in immobile older adults.
Question 5 of 9
An older women tells the nurse that her husband seldom brushes his teeth as he did in the past. A reason why older clients stop participating in daily oral hygiene, such as brushing the teeth, include:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Decreased manual dexterity and inability to hold a toothbrush. As people age, they may experience decreased hand strength and motor skills, making it difficult to hold and manipulate objects like a toothbrush. This can lead to a decline in oral hygiene practices. Malocclusion of teeth (B) does not directly impact the ability to brush teeth. Decrease in taste acuity (C) may affect appetite but not tooth brushing habits. Lack of dental insurance (D) is a financial barrier and may affect access to dental care, but it does not directly impact the physical ability to brush teeth.
Question 6 of 9
What is the most common barrier to effective pain management in older adults?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because reluctance of older adults to report pain is a significant barrier to effective pain management. Older adults may underreport pain due to various factors such as fear of being seen as a burden, denial of aging-related changes, or belief that pain is a natural part of aging. This can lead to under-treatment of pain and decreased quality of life. Choices A, B, and C are not the most common barriers in this context. Fear of addiction to opioids, insufficient knowledge among healthcare providers, and inadequate access to specialists are important factors but are not as prevalent as older adults' reluctance to report pain.
Question 7 of 9
In the document “Recommended Baccalaureate Competencies and Curricular Guidelines for the Nursing Care of Older Adults” developed by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing, recommendations include which of the following?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Integration of gerontological content throughout the curriculum. This is because integrating gerontological content throughout the curriculum ensures that nursing students are exposed to and learn about caring for older adults in various courses, rather than just in a standalone course. This approach better prepares students to provide holistic care to older adults in different clinical settings. A: Provision of a free-standing course in gerontology within the curriculum may limit exposure to gerontological content and may not provide a comprehensive understanding of caring for older adults. C: Requiring gerontological certification for all students before completion of a BSN program is not mentioned in the document and may not be feasible or necessary for all nursing students. D: While structured clinical experiences with older adults across the continuum of care are essential, this alone may not ensure that students receive a comprehensive education in gerontological care if the content is not integrated throughout the curriculum.
Question 8 of 9
Providing information about diet & exercise for a healthy diabetic client is best described as which nursing activity?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Promoting wellness. Providing information about diet and exercise for a healthy diabetic client falls under promoting wellness because it focuses on proactive measures to maintain health and prevent complications. It aims to empower the client to make healthy lifestyle choices. B: Preventing illness is not the best description as the client is already diabetic, so the focus is on managing the condition rather than solely preventing it. C: Treating disease is not accurate because the client is already diabetic and the goal is not to treat the disease, but rather manage it effectively. D: Restoring health is not applicable in this scenario as the client is not in a state of compromised health that needs to be restored.
Question 9 of 9
The home care nurse is visiting an older female client whose husband died 6 months ago. What behavior by the client indicates ineffective coping?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because neglecting personal grooming indicates a lack of self-care, which is a common sign of ineffective coping after the loss of a loved one. This behavior suggests the client may be struggling emotionally and unable to engage in basic self-care tasks. Looking at old pictures, participating in social activities, and visiting the husband's grave are all healthy coping mechanisms that can help the client process her grief and maintain connections with her late husband.