Ch 23 The Aging Adult

Question 1

Ageism

Answer 1

Attitudes that stereotype the older adult on the basis of chronologic age

Question 2

Alzheimer’s disease AD

Answer 2

Type of dementia in which discrete patches of brain tissue disintegrate; this devastating disease eventually affects all body functions

Question 3

Cascade iatrogenesis

Answer 3

Downward spiral or sequence of adverse events often triggered by a medical or surgical intervention during the hospitalization of an older adult

Question 4

Delirium

Answer 4

A temporary state of confusion

Question 5

Dementia

Answer 5

Organic impairment of intellectual functioning, gradually leading to interference with social or occupational functioning, memory, and often personality integration

Question 6

Elder abuse EA

Answer 6

Intentional act or failure to act by a caregiver or another person in a relationship involving an expectation of trust that causes or creates a risk of harm to an older adult; including physical abuse, sexual abuse/contact, emotional/psychological abuse, neglect, and financial abuse/exploitation

Question 7

Functional health

Answer 7

Level of health defined by one’s ability to carry out usual and desired daily activities

Question 8

Gerontologic Nursing

Answer 8

Nursing specialty concerned with the care of older adults

Question 9

Gerontology

Answer 9

Study of all aspects of the aging process and their consequences

Question 10

Gerotranscendence 

Answer 10

Transformation of an older adult view of reality from a rational, social, individually focused, materialistic perspective to a more transcendent vision manifested by maturity, wisdom, spirituality, and a decreased emphasis on superficial relationships

Question 11

Life review

Answer 11

Universal phenomenon identified by Butler as a review of one’s life through one’s recollections

Question 12

Middle adult

Answer 12

The adult between the ages of 40 and 60 years; also called middle adulthood

Question 13

Older adult

Answer 13

Refers to adults over age 65

Question 14

Polypharmacy

Answer 14

The use of many medication at the same time

Question 15

Remission

Answer 15

.Period In a chronic illness when the disease is present, but the person does not experience symptoms of the disease

Question 16

Sarcopenia

Answer 16

Loss of muscle mass that frequently occurs in older adults as part of the natural aging process

Question 17

Social isolation

Answer 17

Sense of aloneness because of decreasing relationships with others, resulting from attitudinal, geographic, financial, or illness related factors

Question 18

Sundowning syndrome

Answer 18

Describes a phenomenon when a person habitually becomes confused or disorganized with darkness