Geriatric Care Flashcards
7 cards from real LVN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Geriatric Care flashcards as text
An elderly patient on hospice reports pain of 8/10. The LVN administers a scheduled opioid. Within what timeframe should the LVN reassess pain?
Answer: 30–60 minutes after administration
Pain should be reassessed 30–60 minutes after opioid administration to evaluate effectiveness and adjust care as needed.
Which sign indicates that an elderly patient is experiencing dehydration?
Answer: Skin tenting and dry mucous membranes
Skin tenting (poor turgor) and dry mucous membranes are classic signs of dehydration, especially in elderly patients.
An 80-year-old patient with COPD and heart failure has expressed a wish for comfort measures only. The LVN notices increased respiratory distress. What is the priority intervention?
Answer: Notify the RN and administer comfort-focused interventions per the care plan
For a patient with comfort-focused goals, the priority is to relieve distress through palliative interventions aligned with the care plan.
Which nutritional finding is most common and concerning in elderly long-term care residents?
Answer: Protein-calorie malnutrition
Protein-calorie malnutrition is prevalent in elderly residents due to decreased appetite, dysphagia, depression, and functional limitations.
A patient with type 2 diabetes who is 79 years old is found unresponsive with a blood glucose of 42 mg/dL. After notifying the RN, what is the LVN's priority action?
Answer: Administer IV dextrose or glucagon per orders if the patient cannot swallow safely
An unresponsive patient cannot safely swallow; IV dextrose or glucagon is required to safely treat severe hypoglycemia.
Which communication technique is most effective when interacting with an elderly patient who has hearing loss?
Answer: Stand in front of the patient, speak slowly, and use lower-pitched tones
Facing the patient, speaking slowly, and using lower-pitched tones aid lip reading and are easier for those with high-frequency hearing loss.
A frail elderly patient's daughter asks about advance directives. Which statement by the LVN is most appropriate?
Answer: 'An advance directive documents the patient's wishes for future care and designates a healthcare proxy.'
An advance directive is a legal document that specifies a patient's care preferences and can name a healthcare proxy to make decisions if the patient cannot.