Assessment & Screening in Gerontological Practice Flashcards

The Braden Scale is used in gerontological practice to assess risk for:

Answer: Pressure ulcer development

The Braden Scale evaluates six subscales (sensory perception, moisture, activity, mobility, nutrition, friction/shear) to predict pressure ulcer risk.

Which nutritional screening tool is most commonly recommended for use with community-dwelling older adults?

Answer: Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA)

The MNA was specifically developed and validated for use in older adults in community, outpatient, and long-term care settings and is the most widely used in gerontology.

The Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) is specifically designed to identify:

Answer: Acute delirium in hospitalized older adults

The CAM operationalizes DSM delirium criteria into four features (acute onset, inattention, disorganized thinking, altered consciousness) for rapid delirium identification.

A gerontological nurse performs a pain assessment on an older adult with moderate dementia who cannot self-report pain. The most appropriate tool is:

Answer: Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia (PAINAD)

PAINAD uses behavioral and physiological indicators (breathing, vocalization, facial expression, body language, consolability) to assess pain in non-verbal dementia patients.

Which of the following is a key principle when administering functional assessments to older adults from culturally diverse backgrounds?

Answer: Consider that cultural norms influence role expectations and task performance

Cultural backgrounds shape expectations around gender roles, family responsibilities, and independence, all of which directly affect performance and interpretation of functional assessments.

The Functional Assessment Staging Test (FAST) is used primarily to track the progression of:

Answer: Alzheimer's disease severity

FAST stages Alzheimer's disease from normal aging (Stage 1) through severe dementia (Stage 7) based on functional decline milestones.

When assessing an older adult's social support network, which factor is most predictive of resilience and positive health outcomes?

Answer: Quality and perceived adequacy of social support

Research consistently shows that the perceived quality and adequacy of social support — not quantity — is the strongest predictor of resilience and health outcomes in older adults.