2024 GERONTOLOGICAL NURSING
8TH ED COMMON AGING CHANGES
CH 5 FINAL, EXAM WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS
1. The nurse teaches an 87-year-old inactive client about avoiding
constipation. Which of the following fluid and diet choices should the nurse
include in the teaching?
A) Avoid beverages with caffeine
B) Drink iced liquids
C) Encourage low-residue foods
D) Increase intake of fruit juices - CORRECT-ANSWERSAns: D
Feedback:
It is important for older adults to incorporate good fluid intake, a diet rich in
fruits and vegetables to promote bowel health.
2. Which of the following statements by older adult clients should the nurse
interpret as a potential pathological process rather than a normal age-
related change?
A) "Food just doesn't seem to have as much taste as it did when I was
younger."
B) "I feel like it takes so much longer to digest my meals than it used to."
C) "Even when I have a bowel movement it often doesn't feel like it's
complete."
D) "I tend to regurgitate a lot of my food after a meal these days." -
CORRECT-ANSWERSAns: D
Feedback:
Regurgitation is indicative of GERD or a hiatal hernia. Decreased taste
sensation, lower gastric motility, and incomplete bowel movements are
considered normal, age-related changes.
3. The nurse discusses nutritional health with an 89-year-old client whose
total protein level is 5 (abnormally low). Which of the following physiological
changes should the nurse interpret as a potential pathological process rather
than a normal age-related change?
A) Decreased amounts of pepsinogen released in the stomach
B) Decreased peristalsis of the esophagus and stomach
C) Decreased taste sensations, decreasing food intake
D) Decreased teeth and chewing ability - CORRECT-ANSWERSAns: D
, Feedback:
Tooth loss is not a normal aging change. Esophageal motility and stomach
motility decrease with advanced age causing presbyesophagus. The stomach
has a higher pH as a result of the declines in hydrochloric acid and pepsin
(converted pepsinogen), which can interfere with the absorption of proteins.
The tongue atrophies, affecting the taste buds and decreasing taste
sensations.
4. The nurse discusses dental health with an 81-year-old client. Which of the
following statements, when made by the client is identified as true?
A) "Everyone loses their teeth, it's natural."
B) "I can't get any cavities any more, only young people get them."
C) "Fluoride treatments might help strengthen the enamel on my teeth."
D) "There is no treatment for my bad teeth and poor appetite." - CORRECT-
ANSWERSAns: C
Feedback:
Topical fluoride treatments are beneficial to the teeth of older persons.
Tooth loss is related to periodontal disease, not aging. Whereas the
incidence of caries decreases with age, it is still present.
5. The nurse assists the aging client to create a menu. Which of the following
foods, if requested by the client will require further teaching as it should not
be included on this list?
A) 2% milk
B) Canned tuna
C) Fried chicken
D) Squash - CORRECT-ANSWERSAns: C
Feedback:
The pancreas experiences fibrosis, atrophy, and fatty acid deposits, along
with a reduction in pancreatic secretions; this can affect the digestion of fats
and contribute to intolerance for fatty foods. The decrease in hydrochloric
acid can interfere with the absorption of calcium, iron, folic acid, and vitamin
B12. There are fewer cells on the absorbing surface of the intestinal walls
affecting the absorption of dextrose, xylose, calcium, iron, and vitamins B,
B12, and D.
6. The nurse teaches a group of older adults about diet. Which of following
recommendations made by the nurse is most likely to result in the promotion
of gastrointestinal (GI) health?
A) "If possible, eat organic, whole foods."
B) "It's important to emphasize fiber and fluid intake."
C) "Try to maximize the amount of unsaturated fats you eat every day."
D) "You should try to limit your food and fluid intake." - CORRECT-
ANSWERSAns: B
Feedback:
, Adequate fluid and fiber intake are central to GI health in older adults.
Organic foods are not noted to have a particular beneficial effect on GI
health. Fats may not be well tolerated with the decrease in pancreatic
enzymes present. Food and fluids should not be decreased.
7. The nurse develops a plan of care for a 75-year-old male patient who has
had a myocardial infarction (MI). Which of following characteristics of the
man's history and present conditions predispose him to constipation? (Select
all that apply.)
A) The man has a history of GERD.
B) The man takes a -blocker for the treatment of hypertension.
C) The man's activity level is significantly reduced as a result of his MI.
D) The man has received several doses of morphine since admission.
E) The man's fluid intake has been minimal since admission. - CORRECT-
ANSWERSAns: C, D, E
Feedback:
Decreased activity, low fluid intake, and opioid use are implicated in the
development of constipation. A history of GERD and the use of
antihypertensive medications are not.
8. The nurse discusses dental health with an aging client. Which of the
following physiological changes should the nurse interpret as a potential
pathological process rather than a normal age-related change?
A) Retraction of the gum's pulp
B) Diminished saliva
C) Hardened brittle tooth enamel
D) Periodontal disease causing tooth loss - CORRECT-ANSWERSAns: D
Feedback:
While periodontal disease is more frequent in the elderly, it cannot be
considered normal aging. With age, teeth experience wear on the surfaces, a
decrease in the size and volume of pulp, an increase in brittleness, varying
degrees of root absorption, and a loss of enamel.
9. Which of the following statements most accurately captures an aspect of
dental health among older adults?
A) Clients who wear dentures do not normally require visits to the dentist.
B) The incidence of dental caries increases significantly with age.
C) Periodontal disease is less common in older adults than in younger clients.
D) The presence of dental problems can be indicative of a variety of other
diseases. - CORRECT-ANSWERSAns: D
Feedback:
Clients with dentures still require visits to the dentist. Dental caries are less
common among older adults than younger adults, while the opposite is true
of periodontal disease. Numerous health problems can underlie dental health
problems.
, 10. A 76-year-old client has been diagnosed with an axial hiatal hernia
following several months of belching and heartburn. What should the nurse
teach the client about the management of this health problem?
A) "Even though you would expect them to help, it's important to avoid over-
the-counter antacids as much as possible."
B) "Losing weight and trying a bland diet might help alleviate some of the
symptoms you're experiencing."
C) "This problem can be easily corrected with day surgery, which your
physician will likely suggest."
D) "Try to limit yourself to two larger meals daily in order to minimize the
amount of time in a day that food is in your stomach." - CORRECT-
ANSWERSAns: B
Feedback:
Weight loss and a bland diet are noted interventions for the management of
hiatal hernias. Antacids are an appropriate measure and medical rather than
surgical treatment is the norm. Several small meals are preferred to less
frequent larger meals.
11. Which of the following older adults is likely at the highest risk for
developing esophageal cancer?
A) A 74-year-old with alcoholism who has chewed tobacco for many decades.
B) A 66-year-old who has experienced significant dysphagia since her CVA 3
years prior.
C) An 80-year-old who has a history of sepsis that was attributed to
periodontal disease.
D) An obese, 72-year-old who has a history of a hiatal hernia. - CORRECT-
ANSWERSAns: A
Feedback:
Alcohol, smokeless tobacco use, and poor oral hygiene are associated with
an increased incidence of esophageal cancer. Dysphagia is a symptom rather
than a causative agent of esophageal cancer. Obesity is not related to it.
While hiatal hernias are not directly related, Barrett's esophagus is.
12. At a health promotion class at a senior's center, a 67-year-old client asks
the nurse, "What can be done to help manage my spouse's diverticular
disease?" What is the nurse's most appropriate response to this client's
query?
A) "Try to encourage your spouse to drink at least 8 glasses of water each
day."
B) "You and your spouse might want to try eating 4 or 5 small meals rather
than 3 larger ones each day."
C) "I'd encourage you and your spouse to integrate more exercise into your
daily routine."
D) "Try to increase the amount of fiber that you include in the meals you
cook." - CORRECT-ANSWERSAns: D
Feedback: