Deck 45: Older Adults

Question 1

The term elderly refers to persons _____ years of age and older.

A) 70
B) 65
C) 75
D) 60

Answer 1

65

Question 2

As many as ______% of older adults who seek emergency care are malnourished.

A) 30
B) 15
C) 25
D) 20

Answer 2

20

Question 3

Which of the following is a cardiovascular system change that you would find in an elderly patient?

A) Decreased cardiac output
B) Thinning of the blood vessels
C) Thinning of heart's valves
D) Increased peripheral vascular resistance

Answer 3

Decreased cardiac output

Question 4

Your patient is complaining of shortness of breath with exertion and has a cough that produces frothy, blood-tinged sputum. You hear crackles and wheezes when he breathes, and his pulse is rapid. He also reports fatigue and recent weight gain, and he appears anxious. You suspect

A) asthma.
B) heart failure.
C) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
D) pneumonia.

Question 5

More than _____% of all pneumonia cases occur in individuals 65 years of age and older.

A) 50
B) 30
C) 10
D) 70

Question 6

Your 75 year old female patient is complaining of a sudden onset of dyspnea, is very anxious, has shoulder and chest pain, and low blood pressure. You should

A) administer positive-pressure ventilation with oxygen.
B) transport to the hospital for further assessment and care.
C) give oxygen by non-rebreather mask at 20 L/min.
D) allow the patient to assume a position of comfort.

Question 7

Which of the following is a respiratory system change that you would find in an elderly patient?

A) Less effective coughing
B) Decreased activity of cilia in the lungs
C) Stronger elasticity of the diaphragm
D) Increased number of alveoli involved in gas exchange

Question 8

Depression, pressure sores, urine incontinence, difficulty swallowing, and venous clots in the legs that can lead to pulmonary emboli are common complications that can occur after

A) COPD.
B) a stroke.
C) heart failure.
D) kidney failure.

Question 9

Your patient presented with a sudden change in mental status and her speech is rambling and incoherent. She is anxious and irritable. You suspect

A) delirium.
B) dementia.
C) sundowning.
D) stroke.

Question 10

Your 75 year old male patient has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. He is unable to recognize his wife and is suspicious and anxious about your presence in his home. He lost control of his bladder during your examination. In which stage of the disease is he?

A) Late
B) End-stage
C) Early
D) Middle

Question 11

__________ is a disease associated with a buildup of internal eye pressure that can damage the optic nerve.

A) Macular Degeneration
B) Myopia
C) Retinal Detachment
D) Glaucoma

Question 12

Your 68 year old patient is reporting upper abdominal pain, vomiting and a loss of appetite, as well as black, tarry stools. You suspect

A) lower GI bleeding.
B) upper GI bleeding.
C) fecal impaction.
D) an ulcer disease.

Question 13

Which of the following gastrointestinal system changes would you find in a 70 year old patient?

A) Increased hydrochloric acid in the stomach
B) Increased pancreatic secretions
C) Increased risk of periodontal disease
D) Increased metabolism in the liver

Question 14

Which of the following is a genitourinary system change that occurs in elderly patients?

A) Reduced blood flow to kidneys
B) Prostate shrinkage in male patients
C) Increased bladder capacity
D) Reduced urination at night

Question 15

Your elderly patient reported having the flu last week and is now very weak and nauseous. He has warm, flushed skin and an altered mental status. He begins having a seizure. He is likely suffering from

A) heart failure.
B) a hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state.
C) a stroke.
D) Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Question 16

Your 72 year old patient reports fuzzy vision that has gotten progressively worse over the past year. She also says that she now sees shadowy areas in her central vision and that straight lines appear bent. You suspect

A) glaucoma.
B) retinal detachment.
C) myopia.
D) macular degeneration.

Question 17

When transporting this patient to the ambulance, you should

A) place her lying on her left side on a backboard.
B) use a fireman's carry to extricate her from the bathroom.
C) assist her in standing and let her use her walker.
D) use spinal precautions and place her on a backboard.

Question 18

In looking at this photo, what is the most important thing that you should note in your patient care report?

A) What her family should have done to prevent this type of fall.
B) Hazards that exist in the bathroom that could be prevented.
C) Description of the appearance and clothing of the patient.
D) The position and location the patient was in when you arrived.

Question 19

You elderly patient cut her hand while preparing food. The bleeding is controlled; P 64, B/P 110/80, R 14. When you ask questions, she speaks very slowly and often pauses while answering. You should

A) ask simple yes-or-no questions that do not require lengthy explanation.
B) skip the patient interview, apply oxygen, and transport the patient nonemergently.
C) wait for her to answer your questions unless her condition worsens.
D) document your suspicion that the patient has an altered mental status.