Chapter 14

Question 1

Gerontology

Answer 1

The study of all aspects of the aging process, including the clinical, psychologic, economic, and sociologic issues encountered by older persons and their consequences for both the individual and society.

Question 2

Ageism

Answer 2

An attitude that discriminates, separates, stigmatizes, and otherwise disadvantages older adults on the basis of chronologic age.

Question 3

Delirum

Answer 3

An acute organic mental disorder characterized by confusion, disorientation, restlessness, clouding of the consciousness, incoherence, fear, anxiety, excitement, and often, illusions, hallucinations, usually of visual origin; and, at times, delusions. The condition is caused by disturbances in cerebral functions that may result from a wide range of disorders. Delirium places medically ill individuals at greater risk for medical complications (pneumonia and decubiti) and is associated with functional decline and institutional placement. Delirium may lead to dementia.

Question 4

Dementia

Answer 4

A progressive organic mental disorder characterized by chronic personality disintegration, confusion, disorientation, stupor, deterioration of intellectual capacity and function, and impairment of control of memory, judgment, and impulses. Alzheimer’s disease, Picks disease, and other organic forms of dementia are generally considered irreversible, progressive, and incurable. However, conditions that cause the decline may be treatable or partially reversible.

Question 5

Depression

Answer 5

A reduction in happiness and well-being contributes to physical and social limitations and complicates the treatment of concomitant medical conditions. It is usually reversible with treatment.

Question 6

Reality Orientation

Answer 6

A formal activity that uses specific approaches to assist confused or disoriented persons toward an awareness of reality, or the “here and now” as by emphasizing, for example, the time, day, month, year, situation, and weather.

Question 7

Validation Therapy

Answer 7

A nursing intervention from the Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC) defined as use of a method of therapeutic communication with elderly persons with dementia that focuses on emotional rather than factual content.

Question 8

Reminiscience

Answer 8

The recollection of past person experiences and significant events.