Exam 28: Older Adults

An 80-year-old patient has difficulty walking because of arthritis and says, "It's awful to be old. Every day is a struggle. No one cares about old people." Which is the nurse's most therapeutic response?

A tricyclic antidepressant is prescribed for an older adult patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Nursing assessment should include careful collection of information regarding:

Which beliefs facilitate provision of safe, effective care for older adult patients? (Select all that apply.)

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

An older adult patient brings a bag of medication to the clinic. The nurse finds one bottle labeled "Ativan" and one labeled "lorazepam," and both are labeled "Take two times daily." Bottles of hydrochlorothiazide, Inderal, and rofecoxib, each labeled "Take one daily," are also included. Which conclusion is accurate?

A 75-year-old patient comes to the clinic reporting frequent headaches. After an introduction at the beginning of the interview, the nurse should:

A 79-year-old white man tells a visiting nurse, "I've been feeling sad lately. My family and friends are all dead. My money is running out, and my health is failing." The nurse should analyze this comment as:

An advance directive gives valid direction to health care providers when a patient is:

A nurse asks the following questions while assessing an older adult. The nurse will add the Geriatric Depression Scale as part of the assessment if the patient answers "yes" to which question?

A patient tells the nurse of the recent deaths of a spouse of 50 years as well as an adult child in an automobile accident. The patient has no other family and only a few friends in the community. What is the priority nursing diagnosis?

A 74-year-old patient is regressed and apathetic. This patient responds to others only when they initiate the interaction. Which therapy would be most useful to promote resocialization?