Nutrition and Hydration in the Elderly Flashcards
7 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 7 Nutrition and Hydration in the Elderly flashcards as text
Which vitamin deficiency is most commonly associated with macrocytic anemia and peripheral neuropathy in older adults?
Answer: Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 deficiency is common in older adults due to reduced gastric acid and intrinsic factor production, causing macrocytic anemia and neurological symptoms including peripheral neuropathy.
Which electrolyte imbalance is the hallmark finding of refeeding syndrome in a severely malnourished older adult?
Answer: Hypophosphatemia
Hypophosphatemia is the hallmark of refeeding syndrome because insulin released during carbohydrate refeeding drives phosphate into cells, causing a dangerous drop in serum phosphate levels.
What is the recommended daily calcium intake for adults aged 71 and older according to the National Academy of Medicine?
Answer: 1,200 mg/day
The National Academy of Medicine recommends 1,200 mg/day of calcium for adults over 70 years to help offset decreased absorption efficiency and maintain bone density.
Which clinical findings are most characteristic of zinc deficiency in older adults?
Answer: Impaired wound healing and altered taste
Zinc deficiency characteristically causes impaired wound healing, dysgeusia (altered taste), and decreased immune function, all of which are clinically significant in older adults.
A nurse is caring for an older adult receiving continuous enteral tube feeding via a nasogastric tube. Which complication requires the highest priority monitoring?
Answer: Aspiration pneumonia
Aspiration pneumonia is the most serious and life-threatening complication of enteral tube feeding in elderly patients, particularly those with impaired gag reflex, reduced mobility, or cognitive impairment.
Which age-related gastrointestinal change most directly reduces calcium absorption in older adults?
Answer: Decreased renal activation of vitamin D and reduced intestinal calcium transport
Aging reduces the kidney's ability to convert vitamin D to its active form (calcitriol) and decreases intestinal calcium transport efficiency, resulting in lower net calcium absorption.
An older adult presents with confusion, muscle weakness, and a serum sodium of 128 mEq/L. Which dietary/fluid modification is most appropriate for managing dilutional hyponatremia?
Answer: Fluid restriction
Dilutional hyponatremia (serum Na <135 mEq/L with excess free water) is treated with fluid restriction to correct the water-to-sodium ratio and restore eunatremia.
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