Question 1

Challenges experienced by aging adults include:

Accepted Answer

Older adults experience physiological changes in body function and appearance as they age. Many older adults are living longer and experiencing chronic diseases.

Question 2

Your patient has been diagnosed with diabetes and is concerned that she will no longer be able to do activities she enjoys. Which of the following is your best response?

Accepted Answer

Health prevention can be one of the best strategies to delay or lessen some of the most common chronic diseases of the elderly.

Question 3

Mrs. Rodriguez is 74 years old, is recently widowed, and lives alone. On her most recent visit, she showed signs of forgetfulness. You believe some may be due to lack of stimulation. You discuss this with Mrs. Rodriguez and suggest which of the following activities would be most helpful?

Accepted Answer

Playing cards with others provides social as well as intellectual stimulation. Both have been shown to stimulate brain functioning.

Question 4

Which of the following is not a normal expectation of aging?

Accepted Answer

While aging and retirement are considered normal developmental stages of life, depression is not a normal part of aging.

Question 5

Your patient's daughter complains that her mother has difficulty sleeping, no longer shows an interest in eating or doing activities, and cannot seem to focus on a conversation. You suspect which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Mood changes, decreased energy levels, disrupted sleep patterns, changes in appetite, and difficulty with concentration are important signals of depression that should not be ignored and warrant further evaluation.

Question 6

Which of the following is true about intimacy among older adults?

Accepted Answer

The majority of older adults regard sexuality as important but report experiencing at least one of the following: decreased desire, low arousal, difficulty achieving orgasm, vaginal dryness, and difficulty achieving an erection.

Question 7

Barriers to sexual fulfillment in older adults include:

Accepted Answer

Physiological changes can contribute to decreased libido. Death of a partner or spouse is a significant loss with which aging adults must cope.

Question 8

Mr. Sidhu and his wife are in their 80s and keep very active. On this visit to your clinic, Mrs. Sidhu confides that she is concerned about her husband's driving, as he has had three minor accidents in the past month. To further evaluate this situation, you decide to assess which of the following with Mr. Sidhu?

Accepted Answer

Seventeen percent of the older population has problems with sight, and 48% of men and 35% of women have hearing difficulties. Many individuals find that they need glasses to read as they age or that they can no longer see well enough to drive at night.

Question 9

Regular eye examinations are important as we age because:

Accepted Answer

Many individuals need glasses to read as they age or can no longer see well enough to drive at night. These changes can create safety issues when directions are not followed properly with cleaning products or when street signs are misread.

Question 10

Your patient reports a history of falling several times in his home during the past year. Which of the following referrals would be most helpful?

Accepted Answer

Physical therapists can provide strength-training, balance, and gait-training exercises to minimize the risk for falls. An assessment by an occupational therapist or home care nurse to eliminate safety hazards in the patient's living environment would also be beneficial.

Question 11

It is no longer safe for Mrs. Green to live alone in her home. While looking for an assisted living residence, Mrs. Green's daughter expresses frustration that her mother's desire to keep her cat narrows the options considerably. You point out that:

Accepted Answer

Pets can improve quality of life by offering companionship, cues to eat meals, a source of entertainment, and the opportunity for physical activity.

Question 12

Mrs. Osterman is 69 years old and hopes to continue working for several more years to increase her retirement savings. Common barriers for older adults who wish to continue working include:

Accepted Answer

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development proposed three key issues that discourage older adults in the workplace (Gurria, 2008). Current retirement systems that penalize older adults from working while earning pensions, employer attitudes toward older workers, and lack of training with current technology are all barriers for older workers who wish to remain in the job market (Gurria, 2008).

Quiz 4: Challenges and Opportunities of Growing Old