NUR 257 Midterm 2
1. what are common not normal behaviors in an older adult?
Answer
severe mood swings, uncontrolled laughing or crying, changes in cognitive ability and
excessive forgetfulness
2. true or false
changes in mental status are part of the normal aging process-
Answer
false
3. the most common affective or mood disorder of old age
Answer
depression
4. what might cause depression in an older adult?
Answer
precipitating events/loss, chronic illness, or chronic pain
5. what are s/s of depression in the older adult?
Answer
fatigue, diminished memory/concentration, irritability, somatic complaints, behavioral
,changes, feelings of worthlessness, sleep disturbances, appetite disturbances with excessive
weight loss/gain, restlessness, impaired attention span, and suicidal ideation
6. why might depression go untreated in an older adult?
Answer
it goes unrecognized or the patient does not want to seek medical treatment for it
7. how can we combat the high suicide risk in the older adult population?
Answer
routine assessments/screenings
8. what assessment/screening tool is used for depression in older adults?
Answer
geriatric depression scale (GDS)
9. what is the treatment/management of depression?
Answer
treat underlying medical condition (chronic illness, chronic pain)
antidepressant medications
10. what can older adults on antidepressants become at risk for?
Answer
adverse effects
anticholinergic, cardiac and orthostatic adverse effects
,drug interaction
med toxicity, hypotensive, falls
11. what patient education is needed for older adults on antidepressants?
Answer
- elders to understand that it may take even longer than the typical 4-6 weeks for symptoms to
diminish
change positions slowly
maintain adequate hydration to avoid common side effects (nausea, dizziness, and constipation)
12. acute confusional state
Answer
delirium
13. what type of delirium has a higher mortality rate and why?
Answer
stupor (hypoalert-hypoactive) delirium because it tends not to be recognized; it is quiet and
often mistaken for depression
14. which type of delirium is easier to diagnose?
Answer
excessive activity (hyper- alert-hyperactive) delirium
, require more attention because patient's thinking is disoriented
15. in what setting is delirium most commonly seen in older adults? why?
Answer
the hospital setting because it often indicates a medical illness
16. what happens if delirium is left untreated?
Answer
changes in LOC, irreversible brain damage, and death
17. what vital assessment piece do you need to know to determine dementia from delirium?
Answer
the patient's baseline
dementia is long term delirium is abrupt onset
18. what screening tool is used for delirium in the hospital?
Answer
CAM
19. what are the common causes of delirium?
Answer
physical illness infection (UTI or pneumonia)
1. what are common not normal behaviors in an older adult?
Answer
severe mood swings, uncontrolled laughing or crying, changes in cognitive ability and
excessive forgetfulness
2. true or false
changes in mental status are part of the normal aging process-
Answer
false
3. the most common affective or mood disorder of old age
Answer
depression
4. what might cause depression in an older adult?
Answer
precipitating events/loss, chronic illness, or chronic pain
5. what are s/s of depression in the older adult?
Answer
fatigue, diminished memory/concentration, irritability, somatic complaints, behavioral
,changes, feelings of worthlessness, sleep disturbances, appetite disturbances with excessive
weight loss/gain, restlessness, impaired attention span, and suicidal ideation
6. why might depression go untreated in an older adult?
Answer
it goes unrecognized or the patient does not want to seek medical treatment for it
7. how can we combat the high suicide risk in the older adult population?
Answer
routine assessments/screenings
8. what assessment/screening tool is used for depression in older adults?
Answer
geriatric depression scale (GDS)
9. what is the treatment/management of depression?
Answer
treat underlying medical condition (chronic illness, chronic pain)
antidepressant medications
10. what can older adults on antidepressants become at risk for?
Answer
adverse effects
anticholinergic, cardiac and orthostatic adverse effects
,drug interaction
med toxicity, hypotensive, falls
11. what patient education is needed for older adults on antidepressants?
Answer
- elders to understand that it may take even longer than the typical 4-6 weeks for symptoms to
diminish
change positions slowly
maintain adequate hydration to avoid common side effects (nausea, dizziness, and constipation)
12. acute confusional state
Answer
delirium
13. what type of delirium has a higher mortality rate and why?
Answer
stupor (hypoalert-hypoactive) delirium because it tends not to be recognized; it is quiet and
often mistaken for depression
14. which type of delirium is easier to diagnose?
Answer
excessive activity (hyper- alert-hyperactive) delirium
, require more attention because patient's thinking is disoriented
15. in what setting is delirium most commonly seen in older adults? why?
Answer
the hospital setting because it often indicates a medical illness
16. what happens if delirium is left untreated?
Answer
changes in LOC, irreversible brain damage, and death
17. what vital assessment piece do you need to know to determine dementia from delirium?
Answer
the patient's baseline
dementia is long term delirium is abrupt onset
18. what screening tool is used for delirium in the hospital?
Answer
CAM
19. what are the common causes of delirium?
Answer
physical illness infection (UTI or pneumonia)
