Seeing Older Adults Through the Eyes of Wellness
1. A nurse is discussing an older adult's recent diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis
with a colleague. Which of the nurse's statements reflects an accurate view of the
relationship between aging and wellness?
A) "It's important that the individual knows this is an expected part of growing
older."
B) "We need to teach the older adult how he can keep living a fruitful life in
spite of his diagnosis."
C) "We need to make sure our teaching is not too detailed for someone of his
age."
D) "We need to ensure his expectations of continuing to live alone are realistic."
Ans: B
Feedback:
Answer B reflects a desire to foster a fulfilling and productive life for the older
adult despite his diagnosis, and reflects an understanding of wellness and aging.
Option A implies that illness is an inevitability of aging. Option C suggests that
older adults have a limited capacity to learn by virtue of their age, and option D
implies pessimism about the health and functioning of the older adult.
2. A nurse is teaching an older person about the concept of successful aging.
Which of the nurse's questions addresses an important contributor to successful
aging?
A) "Are you largely free of acute or chronic illnesses?"
B) "Do you feel financially secure?"
C) "Do you feel like you actively engage with life?"
D) "Do you have a reliable support network?"
Ans: C
Feedback:
,Research has indicated that an active engagement with life is central to successful
and healthy aging. Absence of illness, financial security, and the nature of a
person's support network are not identified components of successful aging.
3. An older adult has recently begun to display unprecedented lapses in short-term
memory. The nurse overhears a colleague reassuring the person by saying, "Try
not to worry; it's just a part of growing older." The nurse recognizes that this is an
example of what phenomenon?
A) Multiple jeopardy
B) Gerontophobia
C) Age attribution
D) Implicit ageism
Ans: C
Feedback:
Age attribution is the act of attributing a problem to age rather than to a pathology,
as in the colleague's statement. Multiple jeopardy is the compounding of
discrimination based on factors such as race and gender, while gerontophobia is the
fear or hatred of older people. Implicit ageism is the unrecognized, negative
perception of older people.
4. A nurse hears a colleague make the statement, "Most older adults have nothing
to worry about financially." Which of the following responses is most appropriate?
A) "You have to remember that there's a huge economic disparity among older
adults."
B) "Actually, the number of older people living below the poverty line has been
increasing, not decreasing."
C) "This isn't really true now, but it is true that the gaps that disadvantaged
groups live with are expected to shrink."
D) "This is true for some groups, but not for minorities who are less likely to be
living with their relatives."
Ans: A
Feedback:
,An important consideration with regard to economic conditions of older adults is
the tremendous range in financial status, which varies significantly according to
race, gender, and living arrangements. The number of adults living below the
poverty line, however, has decreased in recent years. The disparities that separate
disadvantaged groups from more economically secure older adults are predicted to
persist. Minorities are more likely, not less likely, to be living with their relatives.
5. A nurse is conducting a study on the needs and living situations of older adults
in the community. Which of the following statements should the nurse take into
account?
A) A majority of older Americans will live in a nursing home at some point.
B) More older men live alone than older women.
C) Assisted living arrangements have become increasingly common.
D) Most older Americans reside in some form of institutional arrangement.
Ans: C
Feedback:
Assisted living arrangements have become an increasingly common alternative to
nursing homes. The number of Americans living in nursing homes has recently
decreased, not increased, and more older women live alone than do older men.
Ninety percent of older Americans live in an apartment or house, rather than in an
institutional arrangement.
6. A nurse who provides care to many older adults recognizes the importance of
implementing a wellness approach to care. What principle underlies this approach
to the health care of older adults?
A) Older adults have decreasing expectations for wellness as they move through
the aging process.
B) Health problems are a Western cultural construct that has no objective,
physiologic basis.
C) Older adults must come to accept a decline in wellness as they age.
D) A holistic approach to caring for older adults can foster their well-being at
every stage of life.
Ans: D
, Feedback:
An integral part of the wellness approach to the health care of older adults is a
holistic approach to care that considers mind, body, and spirit. Health problems are
an inevitable reality but a decrease in wellness does not necessarily accompany the
aging process.
7. A diabetes nurse is providing care for a 73-year-old client who is a regular client
of the hospital's out-client diabetes clinic. What assessment question most clearly
addresses this client's potential for optimal function?
A) "What are some goals that you have for maximizing your level of
wellness?"
B) "How can we help you to take ownership of your own health?"
C) "Is there anything that you're doing that might be exacerbating your
diabetes?"
D) "How long do you think that you'll be able to live independently?"
Ans: A
Feedback:
Eliciting an older adult's goals for wellness and high functioning can help promote
these outcomes. Questions about a client's living situation, disease management,
and personal responsibility may or may not promote wellness.
8. A nurse cares for an 81-year-old client whose current hospital admission has
been prompted by an exacerbation of chronic renal failure. Which of the following
actions by the nurse will best emphasize the goal of client wellness?
A) Ask for the client's code status be changed to "do not resuscitate."
B) Explore the client's abilities and strengths.
C) Show the client others who are more ill.
D) Teach the client that health problems do not have to affect daily routines.
Ans: B
Feedback:
A focus on existing strengths and abilities can foster wellness in older adults, even
when they are experiencing health challenges. It is inappropriate to actively
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