Chapter 35: Mental Disorders of Older Adults

Chapter 35: Mental Disorders of Older Adults

 

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

 

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

 

MULTIPLE CHOICE

 

1. A patient living in community housing for older adults says, “I don’t go to the senior citizens club. They play cards and talk about the past, because that’s all they can do.” The nurse analyzes that these remarks represent:

a.	failure to achieve developmental tasks.
b.	thinking associated with ageism.
c.	hypercritical behavior.
d.	paranoid thinking.

 

 

ANS:  B

Ageism is negative stereotyping and devaluation of people based on their age. Older adults might be as guilty of using ageism as younger individuals. The other options are not substantiated by the information given in the scenario.

 

DIF:    Cognitive level: Applying                REF:   pp. 461, 477

TOP:   Nursing process: Assessment           MSC:  NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity

 

2. A community health nurse visits an older adult whose spouse died 6 months ago. Three vodka bottles are in the trash. The person says, “I get lonely and drink a little to help me forget.” Select the nurse’s most therapeutic intervention.

a.	Teach the person about alcoholism, and suggest other coping strategies.
b.	Request a mental health consultation to assess for alcohol dependency.
c.	Advise the person not to drink alone, because the risks for injury increase.
d.	Arrange for the person to attend an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting for older adults.

 

 

ANS:  D

This patient needs help with alcohol abuse as well as social involvement. The AA meeting for older adults will provide an opportunity for peer bonding and reminiscing as well as strategies for coping with stress without abusing alcohol. The other options are unnecessary or ineffective.

 

DIF:    Cognitive level: Analyzing              REF:   pp. 469-470

TOP:   Nursing process: Implementation     MSC:  NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity

 

3. A nurse plans a staff education program for employees of a senior living community. Which topic has priority?

a.	Late-onset schizophrenia
b.	Depression and suicide
c.	Dementia
d.	Delirium

 

 

ANS:  B

Older Americans frequently experience undiagnosed depression and are disproportionately more likely to commit suicide. Educating staff about signs and symptoms of high-risk patients and early intervention strategies will decrease morbidity and mortality. The other conditions have a lower prevalence.

 

DIF:    Cognitive level: Analyzing              REF:   pp. 464-465    TOP:   Nursing process: Planning

MSC:  NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity

 

4. A resident in a senior community has lost weight, feels depressed, and has lost interest in former social activities. The nurse asks, “When you last saw your doctor, did you share these problems?” The resident replies, “Yes, but the doctor said I shouldn’t expect to feel good every day.” Which barrier to mental health care is evident?

a.	Legislative failures to provide services for older adults
b.	The physician’s inadequate mental health assessment
c.	The resident’s inadequate description of symptoms
d.	Economic obstacles to adequate programming

 

 

ANS:  B

Primary-care physicians are often hurried and have little time to spend with patients. In addition, they are more attuned to and more comfortable treating physical problems than mental disorders. They often miss depressive symptoms in older adults, thus creating a barrier to effective treatment. The patient’s description of symptoms was adequate. Economic and legislative policies are not discussed in the scenario.

 

DIF:    Cognitive level: Applying                REF:   p. 463             TOP:   Nursing process: Evaluation

MSC:  NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity