Ch 25: Special Considerations for the Geriatric Patient

Question 1

______ is BEST defined as the abandonment or the deprivation of basic needs such as water, food, housing, clothing, or medical care.

a. Abuse
b. Elder neglect
c. Abuse
d. Self-neglect

Answer 1

b. Elder neglect

Question 2

Which of the following statements about assessment of an elderly patient is true?

a. Address the patient as “dear.”
b. Speak to the patient, not a family member, when possible.
c. Take a position above the patient’s eye level.
d. Ask, “What’s wrong?” to get a concise response.

Answer 2

b. Speak to the patient, not a family member, when possible.

Question 3

A classification of medications used to control the rhythm of the heart and control blood pressure common to older adults are referred to as:

a. beta blockers.
b. blood thinners.
c. aspirin.
d. antibiotics.

Answer 3

a. beta blockers.

Question 4

Which of the following statements about the assessment of an elderly patient is NOT true?

a. Poorly functioning heating devices may create problems.
b. Curvature of the spine makes it easy to position the patient’s head.
c. Properly fitted false teeth can stay in place for artificial ventilation.
d. A patient’s lack of self-care should be noted

Answer 4

b. Curvature of the spine makes it easy to position the patient’s head.

Question 5

What can age-related stiffening of the aorta lead to?

a. Enlargement of the left ventricle
b. Susceptibility to tearing
c. Degeneration of the heart’s electrical system
d. Parkinson’s disease

Answer 5

b. Susceptibility to tearing

Question 6

Which of the following is a common change due to aging?

a. More efficient digestion
b. Lower blood pressure
c. Increased lung capacity
d. Weakened bone structure

Answer 6

d. Weakened bone structure

Question 7

Depression is in the elderly.
a. often imaginary
b. common
c. untreatable
d. rare

Answer 7

b. common

Question 8

In general, the force needed to cause injury in the elderly is ________ the force needed to cause injury in younger people.

a. less than
b. the same as
c. more than
d. unable to be compared to

Answer 8

a. less than

Question 9

________ are responsible for most of the injury deaths among the elderly.

a. Burns
b. Medication errors
c. Falls
d. Vehicle collisions

Answer 9

c. Falls

Question 10

Because sensitivity to pain is _________ in the elderly, suspect a serious illness or injury in any elderly patient’s complaint of pain.

a. nonexistent
b. increased
c. unchanging
d. decreased

Answer 10

d. decreased