Gerontological Nurse Test Gerontological Nursing 3

Question 1

When assessing pain in an older adult with moderate dementia who cannot self-report, which validated tool should the nurse use?

Accepted Answer

PAINAD (Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia)

Answer

The PAINAD scale is specifically designed and validated for assessing pain in non-verbal patients with advanced dementia by observing behaviors such as breathing, vocalization, facial expression, body language, and consolability.

Question 2

Which age-related physiological change most directly contributes to increased drug toxicity in older adults?

Accepted Answer

Decreased total body water and lean muscle mass

Answer

Decreased lean muscle mass and total body water in older adults reduce the volume of distribution for water-soluble drugs, leading to higher plasma concentrations and increased toxicity risk.

Question 3

A nurse notes that a 79-year-old patient has lost 5% of body weight unintentionally over the past month. What is the PRIORITY nursing action?

Accepted Answer

Obtain a dietary consult and assess for dysphagia and depression

Answer

Unintentional weight loss in older adults warrants a thorough multidisciplinary assessment, including dietary evaluation, screening for dysphagia, depression, malignancy, and social factors before initiating any intervention.

Question 4

Which statement best describes the physiological basis for thermoregulatory dysfunction in older adults?

Accepted Answer

Reduced subcutaneous fat and impaired shivering decrease cold tolerance

Answer

Aging reduces subcutaneous fat insulation, impairs shivering thermogenesis, and decreases peripheral vasoconstriction, making older adults vulnerable to both hypothermia and hyperthermia.

Question 5

An 80-year-old patient develops acute confusion, agitation, and disorganized thinking 48 hours after hip replacement surgery. What condition does the nurse FIRST suspect?

Accepted Answer

Postoperative delirium

Answer

The acute onset, fluctuating course, and temporal relationship to surgery are classic features of postoperative delirium, which is distinct from dementia (gradual onset) and sundowning (occurs at a specific time of day).

Gerontological Nurse Test Practice Test

Gerontological Nurse Test Practice Test

Gerontological Nurse Test Gerontological Nursing 3