Aging Adult

Question 1

Ageism

Answer 1

Form of prejudiced
The older adult is seen as:
Rigid
Narrow minded
Unable to learn
Unreliable
To old to enjoy sexual pleasures
Childlike and dependent

Question 2

Most older adults are :

Answer 2

Satisfied with life
Enjoy retirement 
Live in homes or apartments
Are close with their families
Have good income

Question 3

Physiological changes

Answer 3

All systems decline in functioning and become less effective
The older adult is more likely to develop complications and recover more slowly from illness or injury
Box 23-3

Question 4

Common chronic

Answer 4

Hypertension 
arthritis 
heart disease 
cancer
diabetes 
sinusitis

Question 5

Cognitive development

Answer 5

Does not change significantly
Learning continues throughout life
Takes longer to respond and react
Mild short term memory loss
Long-term memory usually remains
Dementia, Alzheimer’s, depression and delirium may occur

Question 6

Psychological development

Answer 6

• Self-concept remains relatively stable
• older adults may continue former roles or substitute new roles for old
• May reach the self actualization stage of Maslow s Harkey of needs

Question 7

Factors affecting psychological development

Answer 7

Pass ability to cope 
retirement/loss of income
declining health
loss of independence 
loss of driving privileges 
loneliness

Question 8

Disengagement psychosocial development

Answer 8

An older adult may substitute activities but does not disengage from society

Question 9

Eriksons theory of psychosocial development

Answer 9

Ego integrity versus despair and discuss

Life review

Question 10

Moral and spiritual development

Answer 10

• many adults demonstrate constructive faith and trust in a greater power
• Self transcendence is Characteristic of later life
• gerotranscendence: Describes the transformation of a persons view of reality from a rational, social, individual focus, materialistic perspective to a more transcending vision

Question 11

Kohlberg moral and spiritual development

Answer 11

Older adults have completed their moral development and most are at a conventional level

Question 12

Causes of accidental injuries

Answer 12

• changes in vision and hearing
• loss of mass and strength of muscle
• slow reflexes and reaction time
• decreased sensory ability
• combined effects of chronic illness a medication
• Economic factors

Question 13

Dementia

Answer 13

Chronic disease that developed gradually
Refers to various organic disorders that progressively affect cognitive function
- vascular dementia
- Lewy body dementia
- mixed dementia

Question 14

Most common cause of cognitive impairment

Answer 14

Alzheimer’s disease:

• irreversible and progressive form of memory defect to turtle dependency
• First signs usually appear by mid 60s

Question 15

Vascular dementia

Answer 15

Brain damage caused by multiple strokes.
Vascular dementia causes memory loss in older adults, particularly in those at higher risk of stroke due to obesity or diabetes

Question 16

Lewy body dementia

Answer 16

associated with abnormal deposits of a protein called alpha-synuclein in the brain. These deposits, called Lewy bodies, affect chemicals in the brain whose changes, in turn, can lead to problems with thinking, movement, behavior, and mood.

Question 17

Mixed dementia

Answer 17

changes representing more than one type of dementia occur simultaneously in the brain. In the most common form, the plaques and tangles associated with Alzheimer’s disease are present along with blood vessel changes associated with vascular dementia.

Question 18

Dementia common problems

Answer 18

Sundowning syndrome
Wandering 
Hallucination
Delusions 
Paranoia

SPICES tool can be used to identify common problems

Question 19

Nursing care for dementia

Answer 19

Support for patient and family
Be patient
reorient often
Slow pace of activity and waiting for responses

Question 20

Delirium

Answer 20

Temporary state of confusion caused by an underlying issue
A person with dementia can develop delirium:
- you may notice worsening cognitive impairment
- Family or caregivers are a good resource for identifying change

Question 21

Delirium risk factors

Answer 21

Cognitive impairment
sleep deprivation 
Immobility 
visual/hearing impairment 
dehydration

Question 22

Depression

Answer 22

• extreme prolonged sadness
  Caused by:
  Death of spouse or friends change and living environment retirement or decreased income loss of independence

Question 23

Signs and symptoms of depression

Answer 23

Sleep disturbances
 weight loss or gain 
difficulty concentrating irritability
 crying
Fatigue
 suicidal thoughts

Question 24

Elder abuse nursing responsibility

Answer 24

Serve relationship between elder and caregiver( Voice tone, caring behaviors, touch)
Injuries may not match story of how injuries occurred
Attempt to speak with the older adult when caregiver is away
Document objectively using quotations from patient and caregiver
Report any abuse suspicions

Question 25

Promoting health and an older adult

Answer 25

• promote balance diet:
  Low fat, cholesterol, sugar and salt
• encouraged daily exercise
• promote regular screening and immunizations
• ensure patient has on glasses and hearing aids if needed
• assess psychological needs (involve family)
• assist with hygiene needs
• assess swallowing, nutritional status, monitor weight
  -assess sleep habits provide interventions to promote sleep
• assess bathroom habits/ prevent constipation