Exam 28: Psychosocial Needs of the Older Adult

Which information is most important to obtain during assessment of an older adult diagnosed with a mental disorder?

Select the best comment for a nurse to begin an interview with an elderly patient.

A physically frail elderly patient with mild cognitive impairments needs the services of a facility that can provide supervision and safety as well as recreation and social interaction. The family cares for this patient during the evening and night. Which type of facility should the nurse suggest to meet this patient's needs?

Which statement about aging provides the best rationale for focused assessment of elderly patients?

A nurse assessing an elderly patient for depression and suicide potential should include questions about mood as well as which of the following?

A nurse assesses four patients between the ages of 70 and 80 years. Which patient has the highest risk for alcohol abuse?

Which beliefs by a nurse facilitate provision of safe, effective care for older adult patients?

A nurse assesses an elderly patient. The nurse should complete the Geriatric Depression Scale if the patient answers which question affirmatively?

When determining whether an elderly patient's confusion is related to delirium or another problem, what information would be of particular value?

A nurse and social worker co-lead a reminiscence group for eight elite-old adults. Which activity is appropriate to include in the group?

A nurse wants to assess for suicidal ideation in an elderly patient. Select the best question to begin this assessment.

Which remarks by a 72-year-old patient should prompt the nurse to assess for depression?

A nurse leads a staff development session about ageism among health care workers. What information should the nurse include about the consequences of ageism?

A 79-year-old white male tells a nurse, "I have felt very sad lately. I do not have much to live for. My family and friends are all dead, and my own health is failing." The nurse should analyze this comment as which of the following?

An elderly patient brings a bag of medications to the clinic. The nurse finds a bottle labelled "Ativan" and one labelled "lorazepam," both of which are to be taken BID. There are also bottles labelled "hydrochlorothiazide," "Inderal," and "rofecoxib," each to be taken once daily. Which conclusion is accurate?

An older adult patient was diagnosed with schizophrenia at age 18. A nurse at the outpatient medication clinic interviews this patient. Which communication strategy will be most helpful?

A patient living in community housing for the elderly 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 these remarks to represent which of the following:

A 76-year-old is regressed, indifferent, and responds to others only when they initiate an interaction. What form of group therapy would be most useful to promote resocialization?

A health-care provider writes these new orders for a resident in a nursing home: 2 G sodium diet, Restraint as needed, Limit fluids to 1800 mL daily, Continue antihypertensive medication, Milk of Magnesia 30 mL PO once if no bowel movement for 3 days. What should the nurse do?

An elderly patient must be physically restrained. Who is responsible for the patient's safety?