Geriatric & Long-Term 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 & Long-Term Care flashcards as text
Which sign or symptom is most indicative of a urinary tract infection (UTI) in an elderly resident with dementia?
Answer: Sudden increase in confusion or behavioral changes
Elderly patients with dementia often cannot verbalize UTI symptoms; instead, a sudden change in behavior or increased confusion is a common atypical presentation.
A resident's family member asks to see their loved one's medical record. What is the LVN's best response?
Answer: Explain that HIPAA requires a signed authorization from the resident unless the resident lacks decision-making capacity
HIPAA protects patient privacy; family members need the resident's authorization to access records unless the resident lacks decision-making capacity or has designated them as a representative.
Which intervention is most appropriate for a resident at high risk for aspiration pneumonia?
Answer: Elevate the head of the bed to 90 degrees during meals and 30 minutes after
Keeping the head of the bed elevated at 90 degrees during meals and for 30 minutes after significantly reduces the risk of aspiration.
Which behavior by a long-term care staff member constitutes elder abuse?
Answer: Yelling at a resident to hurry up during morning care
Yelling at a resident is psychological/emotional abuse, which is a form of elder abuse and violates residents' rights.
A resident taking warfarin in a long-term care facility has a PT/INR of 4.5. What is the LVN's priority action?
Answer: Withhold the dose and notify the charge nurse or physician immediately
An INR of 4.5 is supratherapeutic and indicates excessive anticoagulation, creating a serious bleeding risk that requires immediate notification and dose withholding.
Which approach is most effective in managing chronic pain in elderly long-term care residents?
Answer: Use a multimodal approach combining pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic methods
A multimodal approach combining medications, positioning, heat/cold therapy, and distraction techniques provides the most effective chronic pain management in older adults.
A resident in a long-term care facility expresses a wish to die and asks the staff not to resuscitate them. What should the LVN do first?
Answer: Assess the resident's mental status and notify the charge nurse to follow advance directive protocols
The LVN must assess the resident's mental status, take the statement seriously, and notify the charge nurse so proper advance directive and DNR processes can be initiated.