Which two factors contribute to the projected increase in the number of older adults?
The aging of the baby boom generation and the growth of the population segment over age 85
The three common conditions affecting cognition in older adults are:
Delirium, depression, and dementia
Sexuality is recognized as a factor in the care of older adults, thus:
All older adults, whether healthy or frail, need to express sexual feelings
Older adults experience a change in sexual activity. Which best explains this change?
Frequency and opportunities for sexual activity may decline.
Visual acuity declines with age. Presbyopia is a progressive decline in:
The ability of the eyes to accommodate for close, detailed work
Taste buds atrophy and lose sensitivity, and appetite may decrease. The older adult is less able to discern:
Salty, sour, and bitter tastes
Kyphosis, a change in the musculoskeletal system, leads to:
Changes in the configuration of the spine that affect the lungs and thorax
When caring for the older adult, it is important to:
Treat the client as an individual with a unique history of his or her own
Which statement about older adults in the United States is correct?
The number of older adults is rising because of the increase in the average life span and the aging of the baby boom generation
When assessing the older adult, the nurse should know which findings represent common physiological changes associated with aging and which are abnormal findings. A normal and common physiological change is:
Increase in the time it takes for the heart rate to return to baseline after exercise
An older adult recently diagnosed with a urinary tract infection displays a sudden onset of confusion. She most likely is experiencing
To help reduce confusion of the older adult at night, the nurse may
Make telephone calls to friends or family members to let the older adult hear reassuring voices.
To enhance effectiveness in teaching the older adult, the nurse should:
Speak in clear, low-pitched tones
When assessing the older adult, the nurse should review the client's achievement of developmental tasks. For the older adult, these may include all of the following except:
Engaging in more introspective, self-focused activities
General health promotion and illness prevention measures the nurse may recommend to older adults include
Nurses have the responsibility to dispel myths and replace stereotypes of older adults with accurate information. The nurse knows that most older adults:
Have a reduced ability to respond to stress
The older adult is at risk for falls for various reasons. To help prevent falls the nurse may:
Instruct the older adult to use a night light in the bathroom