Chapter 5: Chronic Illness and Older Adults

Chapter 5: Chronic Illness and Older Adults

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. When caring for a patient with type 2 diabetes who has been hospitalized with severe
hyperglycemia, which topic will be most important to include in discharge teaching?
a. Effect of endogenous insulin on transportation of glucose into cells
b. Function of the liver in formation of glycogen and gluconeogenesis
c. Impact of the patient’s family history on likelihood of developing diabetes
d. Symptoms indicating that the patient should contact the health care provider
ANS: D
One of the tasks for patients with chronic illnesses is to prevent and manage a crisis. The
patient needs instruction on recognition of symptoms of hyperglycemia and appropriate
actions to take if these symptoms occur. The other information also may be included in
patient teaching, but is not as essential in the patient’s self-management of the illness.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: 63
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
2. Which question will provide the most useful information when the nurse is performing a
comprehensive geriatric assessment of an older adult who is being assessed for admission
to an assisted-living facility?
a. “Have you had any recent infections?”
b. “How frequently do you see a doctor?”
c. “Do you have a history of heart disease?”
d. “Are you able to prepare your own meals?”
ANS: D
The patient’s functional abilities, rather than the presence of acute or chronic illness, are
more useful in determining how well the patient might adapt to an assisted-living
situation. The other questions also will provide helpful information but are not as useful
in providing a basis for determining patient needs or for developing interventions for the
older patient.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: 73
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance
3. The nurse is planning care for an alert and active 85-year-old patient who takes multiple
medications for chronic cardiac and respiratory disease and lives with a daughter who
works during the day. Which nursing diagnosis is most appropriate?
a. Risk for injury related to drug-drug interactions
b. Social isolation related to weakness and fatigue
c. Compromised family coping related to the patient’s many care needs
Test Bank 5-2
d. Caregiver role strain related to need to adjust family employment schedule
ANS: A
The patient’s age and multiple medications indicate a risk for injury caused by
interactions between the multiple drugs being taken and a decreased drug metabolism
rate. The patient data do not indicate problems with social isolation, caregiver role strain,
or compromised family coping.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: 76 TOP: Nursing Process:
Diagnosis
MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance
4. To obtain the most complete information when doing an assessment for an 81-year-old
patient, the nurse will
a. interview both the patient and the primary patient caregiver.
b. use a geriatric assessment instrument to evaluate the patient.
c. review the patient’s chart for the history of medical problems.
d. ask the patient to write down medical problems and medications.
ANS: B
The most complete information about the patient will be obtained through the use of an
assessment instrument specific to the geriatric population, which includes information
about both medical diagnoses and treatments and about functional health patterns and
abilities. A review of the chart, interviews of the patient and caregiver, and written
information by the patient will all be included in a comprehensive geriatric assessment.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: 73
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance