CHAPTER 2 Gerontological Nursing Issues

CHAPTER 2 Gerontological Nursing Issues

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

2.1•A nurse assists a geriatric client to discuss the desire to complete advanced directives with the client’s adult children. This is an example of

1. collaboration with the interdisciplinary team.
2. facilitation of palliative care.
3. engagement in professional development.
4. accountability to protect client’s rights and autonomy.

Answer: 4

Rationale: The nurse demonstrates accountability in supporting the client in exercising control over end-of-life decisions and communicating client wishes to family members. This is included in the knowledge and skills of gerontological nurses. Collaboration with the interdisciplinary team would involve the nurse working with other professionals who provide care to clients. Palliative care alleviates pain and suffering. Professional development activities include continuing education and being part of professional organizations.

Implementation

Safe, Effective Care Environment

Analysis

2.2•The nurse is supportive of an elderly client’s decision to stop further chemotherapy treatments after diagnostic testing shows a recurrence of the malignancy. The basic ethical principle involved is

Answer: 3

Rationale: The principle of autonomy involves respect for the client’s need for self-determination and the right to accept or refuse a treatment. Justice involves fairness and equal distribution of resources to all in need. Beneficence is the principle of doing good and not doing harm to clients. Nondisclosure is an ethical issue when persons who care about a client, such as family, do not want a client to be told the entire facts of a negative prognosis in order to protect the client from anxiety and fear.

Implementation

Safe, Effective Care Environment

Knowledge

2.3•The major focus of nursing assessments based on functional health patterns is

1. effects of diseases.
2. client disabilities.
3. potential for rehabilitation.
4. client interaction with his or her environment.

Answer: 4

Rationale: The assessment framework of functional health patterns (Gordon, 1994) is based on the client’s interaction with the environment, including client assessment of health status, lifestyle, activities, life demands, support systems, and the ability to function within the client’s environment. Effects of diseases are viewed within the context of the individual client’s ability to function with a disease that affects his or her life. Disability and the potential for rehabilitation are aspects of the functional assessment.

Assessment

Safe, Effective Care Environment

Application

2.4•An example of a gerontological nurse acting as a manager is

1. arranging respite care in a local nursing home for a client while the adult child caregiver recovers from surgery.
2. performing blood pressure screenings at a senior citizen health fair.
3. participating in a skin assessment survey of clients in a nursing home.
4. writing a letter of support for a client who is seeking custody of a grandchild.

Answer: 1

Rationale: The nurse functions as a manager by connecting a client to community resources and coordinating the transfer of care of the client needing respite care. Participating in the blood pressure screening and skin assessment surveys are within the traditional nursing role of clinical practitioner. The nurse is in an advocacy role by supporting the client to obtain custody of a grandchild.

Intervention

Health Promotion and Maintenance

Application