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Care of the Older Adult Exam Questions
With Correct Answers
Healthy People Initiatives (Healthy People 1990) - answer✔Promoting Health/Preventing
Disease: Objectives for the Nation. This 1980 report outlined 226 objectives for the nation to
achieve over the following 10 years. It was referred to by some as Healthy People 1990
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) - answer✔USPSTF was launched by the U.S.
Public Health Service to systematically review evidence of effectiveness of clinical preventive
services. This task force periodically updates its research guidelines on a wide variety of
screening and counseling recommendations, such as breast cancer screening, colorectal cancer
screening, and counseling to promote physical activity.
A theory of health behavior change - answer✔Attempts to explain the processes underlying the
learning of new health behaviors. The two most widely cited theories of behavior change are
social cognitive theory, and stages of change. Other theories that have marshaled support are
health locus of control health belief model, reasoned action, community empowerment, and
community-oriented primary care.
health contract/calendar - answer✔The client is helped to choose an appropriate behavior
change goal and to create and implement a plan to accomplish that goal. The statement of the
goal and the plan of action are then written into a contract format.
The 1996 Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and Health - answer✔1. Emphasis on
being more physically active rather than a narrow adherence to a rigid exercise regimen.
2. Americans should get at least 30 minutes of physical activity or exercise most days of the
week
Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) - answer✔The premier educational and
advocacy organization for promoting better nutritional habits in the United States. Promoted use
of accurate nutrition contents on labels
Depression in the Older Adult - answer✔Older Adults are vulnerable to depression due to
losses that accompany aging such as widowhood, chronic medical conditions and pain, and
functional dependence. Not only can these emotional and physical losses lead to depression, but
depression in turn can lead to more physical decline.
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Healthwise - answer✔The best-known older adult medical self-care program is Healthwise,
located in Boise, Idaho.
GREEN HOUSE - answer✔Green Houses promote autonomy. Residents get up, eat, and go to
bed when they want. They decide on which foods to eat, and that may even include pizza, wine,
or ice cream. Medications are locked in individual rooms, rather than distributed by a cart that is
wheeled from room to room.
Healthy People 2010 - answer✔Healthy People 2010 is an initiative of the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services that utilized the skills and knowledge of an alliance of more than
350 national organizations and 250 state public health, mental health, substance abuse, and
environmental agencies to develop a set of health care objectives designed to increase the quality
and quantity of years of healthy life of Americans and to eliminate health disparities.
Health promotion - answer✔Health promotion activities are those activities in which an
individual is able to proactively engage in order to advance or improve his or her health.
Primary prevention - answer✔Primary prevention activities are those designed to completely
prevent a disease from occurring, such as immunization against pneumonia or influenza.
Secondary prevention - answer✔Secondary prevention efforts are directed toward early
detection and management of disease, such as the use of colonoscopy to detect small, cancerous
polyps.
Tertiary prevention - answer✔Tertiary prevention efforts are used to manage clinical diseases
in order to prevent them from progressing or to avoid complications of the disease, as is done
when beta blockers are used to help remodel the heart in congestive heart failure.
THE FOCUS OF HEALTH PROMOTION EFFORTS - answer✔• Physical activity
• Nutrition
• Tobacco use
• Safety
• Immunization
Activities of daily living (ADLs) - answer✔Activities performed in the course of daily life;
they include bathing, dressing, transferring, walking, eating, and continence.
Adult protective services (APS) agency - answer✔A social service agency designed to
investigate and intervene when complaints of elder abuse or neglect are reported. APS agencies
are generally organized as a division of local county government social service agencies
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Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet - answer✔A diet promoted by the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services that has been proven to be palatable and effective in
lowering blood pressure. It is rich in potassium, magnesium, and calcium, and low in salt
Instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) - answer✔Activities related to independent
living; they include meal preparation, money management, shopping, housework, and using a
telephone.
Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) - answer✔The Chronic Disease Self-
Management Program (CDSMP) is a 17-hour course for patients with chronic diseases that is
taught by trained laypeople. The course goal is to teach patients to improve symptom
management, maintain functional ability, and adhere to their medication regimens.
Moderate exercise - answer✔Moderate exercise is defined as 30 or more minutes of brisk
walking on 5 or more days per week. Tai chi and yoga are helpful for improving balance and
flexibility. Modified exercises, such as armchair exercises, can be helpful for the frail elderly or
those with mobility restrictions. Sporadic, vigorous exercise should be discouraged.
Moderate exercise is defined as 30 or more minutes of brisk walking on 5 or more days per
week. Tai chi and yoga are helpful for improving balance and flexibility. Modified exercises,
such as armchair exercises, can be helpful for the frail elderly or those with mobility restrictions.
Sporadic, vigorous exercise should be discouraged.
Serum albumin - answer✔Serum albumin: Less than 3.5 g/dl is associated with malnutrition
and increased morbidity and mortality.
Body mass index (BMI) - answer✔The Nutrition Screening Initiative suggests that a BMI of
22-27 is considered normal.
I Hate Falling - answer✔I Hate Falling:
Inflammation of joints or joint deformity
Hypotension (orthostatic blood pressure change)
Auditory and visual abnormalities
Tremor
Equilibrium problems
Foot problems
Arrhythmias, heart block, valvular disease
Leg-length discrepancy
Lack of conditioning (generalized weakness)
