Exam 30: Psychosocial Needs of the Older Adult

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

The highest priority for assessment by nurses caring for older adults who self-administer medications is:

A physically frail elderly patient with mild cognitive impairments needs 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?

A community health nurse visits an elderly person whose spouse died 6 months ago.Two vodka bottles are in the trash.When the nurse asks about alcohol use,this person says,"I get lonely and drink a little to help me forget." Select the nurse's most therapeutic intervention.

A 75-year-old patient comes to the clinic reporting frequent headaches.As the nurse begins the interaction,which action is most important?

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

In a sad voice,an elderly patient tells the nurse of the recent deaths of a spouse and close friend.The patient has no other family and only a few acquaintances in the community.The nurse's priority is to determine whether which nursing diagnosis applies to this patient?

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?

Which assessment findings would alert the nurse that an older patient may have an increased risk for development of geriatric alcohol abuse? Select all that apply.

A new nurse asks,"My elderly patient has Lewy body disease.What should I do about assessing for pain?" Select the best response from the nurse manager.

A patient asks,"What advantage does a durable power of attorney for health care have over a living will?" The nurse should reply,"A durable power of attorney for health care:

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?

Discharge planning begins for an elderly patient hospitalized for 2 weeks diagnosed with major depression.The patient needs ongoing assessment and socialization opportunities as well as education about medication and relapse prevention.The patient lives with a daughter,who works during the week.Select the best referral for this patient.

An 85-year-old has difficulty walking after a knee replacement.The patient tells the nurse,"It's awful to be old.Every day is a struggle.No one cares about old people." Select the nurse's best response.

A nurse plans an educational program for staff of a home health agency specializing in care of the elderly.Which topic is the highest priority to include?

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

A health care provider writes these new prescriptions for a resident in a skilled nursing facility: 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.The nurse should:

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

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

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