Chapter 24: Older Adulthood

Question 0

The three common conditions affecting cognition in older adults are

Answer 0

Delirium, depression, and dementia

Question 1

Two factors contribute to the projected increase in the number of older adults:

Answer 1

The aging of the “baby-boom” generation and the growth of the population segment older than 85 years.

Question 2

Sexuality is recognized as a factor in the lives of older adults; thus,

Answer 2

All older adults, whether healthy or frail, need to express sexual feelings.

Question 3

The libido does not decrease in older adults; however,

Answer 3

Frequency of sexual activity may decline.

Question 4

Visual acuity declines with age. Presbyopia is a progressive decline in

Answer 4

The ability to focus on near objects.

Question 5

Taste buds atrophy and lose sensitivity. Older adults are less able to discern

Answer 5

Salty, sweet, sour, and bitter tastes.

Question 6

Changes in the musculoskeletal system lead to changes in the configuration of the thorax. This is known as

Answer 6

Kyphosis

Question 7

Frontotemporal dementia has an insidious onset and progresses slowly. Early symptoms include

Answer 7

Poor hygiene, lack of social tact, and sexual disinhibition.

Question 8

Geriatrics

Answer 8

The branch of medicine that deals with physiological and psychological aspects of aging and with diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting older adults.

Question 9

Gerontology

Answer 9

The study of all aspects of the aging process and its consequences.

Question 10

Gerontological Nursing

Answer 10

Concerned with assessment of the health and functional status of Dee adults; diagnosis, planning, and implementing health care and services to meet the identified needs; and evaluating the effectiveness of such care. This is the term most often used by nurses specializing in this field.

Question 11

Gerontic Nursing

Answer 11

A seldom-used term that is gaining popularity, is the art and practice of nurturing, caring for, and comforting older patients, rather than merely the treatment of disease.

Question 12

Ageism

Answer 12

Discrimination against people because of increasing age.

Question 13

Stochastic Theories

Answer 13

View aging as the result of random cellular damage over time. The accumulated damage leads to the physical changes characteristic of the aging process.

Question 14

Nonstochastic Theories

Answer 14

Genetically programmed physiological mechanisms with the body control the process of aging.

Question 15

“Aging Well”

Answer 15

When they are achieving self-integration of all aspects of growing older.

Question 16

Personal Care Home

Answer 16

A private business that provides accommodation, meals, and supervision or assistance with personal care in a familylike atmosphere.

Question 17

General Survey

Answer 17

Occurs during your initial encounter with an older adult and includes a quick, but careful, head-to-for scan of the patient, which you should document in a concise description.

Question 18

Delirium (Acute Confusional State)

Answer 18

A potentially reversible cognitive impairment that often has a physiological cause.

Question 19

Dementia

Answer 19

A syndrome consisting of a number of symptoms that include loss of memory, judgement, and reasoning and changes in mood, behaviour, and communication abilities. Deterioration of cognitive function leads to a decline in the ability to perform basic instrumental ADLs.