Chronic Disease Management in the Elderly Flashcards
6 cards from real Gerontological Nurse Test practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Chronic Disease Management in the Elderly flashcards as text
Which finding in an older adult with diabetes indicates peripheral neuropathy and increased risk for diabetic foot complications?
Answer: Loss of protective sensation detected by 10-gram monofilament testing
Failure to sense a 10-gram monofilament indicates loss of protective sensation, a key finding that predicts high risk for undetected foot injuries and diabetic foot ulcers.
An older adult with COPD is receiving supplemental oxygen. The nurse monitors for oxygen-induced hypercapnia primarily in patients who:
Answer: Are chronic CO2 retainers with a hypoxic drive for breathing
Patients with severe COPD who chronically retain CO2 may rely on hypoxic drive for respiration; administering high-flow oxygen can suppress this drive and cause dangerous CO2 retention.
A nurse is reviewing the care plan for an older adult with both heart failure and CKD. The nurse recognizes that diuretic therapy in this patient requires monitoring for:
Answer: Electrolyte imbalances, particularly hypokalemia, and worsening renal function
Loop diuretics used in heart failure can cause hypokalemia and worsen renal perfusion in patients with CKD, requiring careful electrolyte and creatinine monitoring.
An older adult with rheumatoid arthritis has been on methotrexate therapy for several years. Which laboratory test should be routinely monitored?
Answer: Complete blood count (CBC) and liver function tests
Methotrexate can cause bone marrow suppression and hepatotoxicity; regular CBC and liver function tests are essential safety monitoring requirements for patients on long-term therapy.
Which intervention is the highest priority in preventing pressure injuries in an older adult with limited mobility due to severe osteoarthritis?
Answer: Repositioning the patient at least every 2 hours
Regular repositioning every two hours relieves sustained pressure over bony prominences, which is the primary mechanism of pressure injury development, making it the highest-priority prevention intervention.
A gerontological nurse is developing a care plan for an older adult with multiple chronic conditions. Which approach best represents the principle of individualized chronic disease management?
Answer: Prioritizing conditions based on the patient's goals, function, and life expectancy
Effective chronic disease management in older adults requires individualization based on the patient's personal goals, functional status, prognosis, and values—not rigid application of single-disease guidelines.
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