You adjust care for older adults: polypharmacy, skin, confusion, and what family can safely do. Five of the 15 questions include the correct answer and rationale. The other ten keep answers in the study hub. Continue with the RN exams exam guide or more RN exams practice questions.
Five geriatric questions with answers
Cover the key. Write the first action. Then open the rationale and name why the other choices fail.
Question 1
A woman tells the nurse that her husband abuses her most often when he is intoxicated, just as his father had beaten him and his mother. The woman is aware of the location of a safe house and has considered leaving home with her two children, but she cites being brought up to believe 'you keep quiet and stay together, no matter what happens.' She states the husband is always apologetic and remorseful after an incident. What evidence exists that the husband is at risk of becoming a perpetrator of physical abuse? He:
A. is unable to make lasting behavioral changes.
B. was an abused child.
C. is without a job.
D. experiences remorse.
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: B — was an abused child.
The correct answer is B because the husband's history of being abused as a child increases his risk of becoming a perpetrator of physical abuse. Research shows that individuals who have been abused are more likely to perpetrate abuse themselves. This is due to a cycle of violence where behaviors learned in childhood are repeated in adulthood. In this case, the husband's abusive behavior towards his wife mirrors his own upbringing where his father abused his mother. This pattern suggests that the husband may continue the cycle of abuse.
Choice A (is unable to make lasting behavioral changes) is incorrect because it does not directly correlate with the risk of becoming a perpetrator of physical abuse. Choice C (is without a job) is also incorrect as employment status does not necessarily indicate a propensity for abuse. Choice D (experiences remorse) is incorrect as feeling remorse after abusive incidents does not negate the risk of becoming a perpetrator of physical abuse.
Question 2
An adolescent claims to have been physically abused by a parent. The adolescent's other parent angrily tells the nurse, 'It's ridiculous for our child to accuse my spouse, who's a prominent doctor and is respected by the community.' Which of these nursing communications would be most effective for the parent?
A. You believe that abuse does not exist in well-respected, professional families?'
B. Your spouse seems to have a very stressful, demanding practice. That can be a risk factor for losing your temper when angry.'
C. I know that it is difficult to believe what your child is saying about your spouse, but abuse has occurred.'
D. I know your spouse from working in the emergency room. Your spouse is always kind to patients, but that can be misleading.'
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: A — You believe that abuse does not exist in well-respected, professional families?'
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
1. This response challenges the parent's belief that abuse does not exist in respected families, highlighting the misconception that abuse can happen in any family.
2. It addresses the parent's disbelief directly, encouraging them to reconsider their assumptions and beliefs about abuse.
3. It promotes critical thinking and reflection on the parent's part, fostering a more open-minded and empathetic approach towards the adolescent's disclosure.
Summary of Other Choices:
B: This choice focuses on the stress of the accused parent, deflecting from the issue of abuse and potentially excusing their behavior.
C: This choice acknowledges the difficulty of the situation but does not effectively challenge the parent's disbelief or misconceptions about abuse.
D: This choice uses a positive characteristic of the accused parent to deflect from the allegations of abuse, which does not address the parent's denial or the seriousness of the situation.
Question 3
A woman tells the nurse that her husband abuses her most often when he is intoxicated, just as his father had beaten him and his mother. The woman is aware of the location of a safe house and has considered leaving home with her two children, but she cites being brought up to believe 'you keep quiet and stay together, no matter what happens.' She states the husband is always apologetic and remorseful after an incident. What evidence exists that the husband is at risk of becoming a perpetrator of physical abuse? He:
A. is unable to make lasting behavioral changes.
B. was an abused child.
C. is without a job.
D. experiences remorse.
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: B — was an abused child.
The correct answer is B because the husband's history of being abused as a child increases his risk of becoming a perpetrator of physical abuse. Research shows that individuals who have been abused are more likely to perpetrate abuse themselves. This is due to a cycle of violence where behaviors learned in childhood are repeated in adulthood. In this case, the husband's abusive behavior towards his wife mirrors his own upbringing where his father abused his mother. This pattern suggests that the husband may continue the cycle of abuse.
Choice A (is unable to make lasting behavioral changes) is incorrect because it does not directly correlate with the risk of becoming a perpetrator of physical abuse. Choice C (is without a job) is also incorrect as employment status does not necessarily indicate a propensity for abuse. Choice D (experiences remorse) is incorrect as feeling remorse after abusive incidents does not negate the risk of becoming a perpetrator of physical abuse.
Question 4
A man is diagnosed with prostate cancer. What does the nurse need to know to be able to answer the man when he asks, "What are the chances I'll survive this thing?"
A. Attack rate
B. Case fatality rate
C. Cause-specific morbidity rate
D. Crude mortality rate
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: B — Case fatality rate
The correct answer is B: Case fatality rate. Case fatality rate indicates the proportion of individuals diagnosed with a specific condition who die from that condition within a specified time frame. In the context of prostate cancer, the case fatality rate will provide the man with an estimation of the likelihood of survival post-diagnosis.
Rationale:
1. Attack rate (Choice A) is the proportion of individuals who develop a specific disease among those exposed to the disease within a defined time period. This does not provide information on survival chances.
2. Cause-specific morbidity rate (Choice C) refers to the prevalence of a specific disease in a population but does not indicate the likelihood of survival for an individual with the disease.
3. Crude mortality rate (Choice D) is the total number of deaths in a population due to any cause, not specific to prostate cancer. It does not provide insight into the survival chances of an individual with prostate cancer.
Question 5
A child, age 5, was admitted to the children's unit, having been sexually abused by an acquaintance of her family. The child refuses to talk and participate in unit activities, choosing to stay in her room with her stuffed animals. Which therapeutic intervention will best help the child release pent-up feelings about the abuse?
A. Individual communication with the nurse
B. Play therapy
C. Family therapy
D. Role-play with other children on the unit
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: B — Play therapy
The correct answer is B: Play therapy. Play therapy is the most suitable therapeutic intervention for a child in this scenario because it allows the child to express their feelings and experiences through play, which is a natural form of communication for children. Through play therapy, the child can act out their experiences using toys and create a safe space to process their emotions without having to verbally communicate. It helps the child release pent-up feelings and trauma in a non-threatening environment.
Summary of other choices:
A: Individual communication with the nurse may not be as effective as play therapy in this case as the child is not yet comfortable verbalizing their feelings.
C: Family therapy may not be appropriate at this stage as the child is not ready to engage with family members about the abuse.
D: Role-play with other children on the unit may not be beneficial as it can potentially trigger more anxiety and discomfort for the abused child.
Keep going past these 15 questions
Missed-question review, longer banks, and the rest of 20,000+ nursing practice questions open when you start studying.
Stems and choices stay public so you can still reason. Correct answers and full rationales unlock with the rest of the bank.
Question 6
Which of the following statements describing dental care for the elderly population is incorrect?
A. Losing one's teeth is considered a normal part of the aging process.
B. Clients who are edentulous continue to need to see dentists for regular checkups.
C. Regular dental examinations can prevent tooth loss and correct bite misalignments, thus improving the elderly client's ability to chew healthful foods.
D. The incidence of oral malignancies increases as a person ages. Therefore, regular oral exams are important to the health of the older adult.
Correct answer:
The correct answer is A because losing one's teeth is not a normal part of the aging process. Teeth loss is primarily due to poor oral hygiene, dental diseases, and other factors, not solely aging.
Step 1: Aging itself does not directly cause tooth loss.
Step 2: Proper oral care and regular dental checkups can prevent tooth loss.
Step 3: Edentulous clients still need dental checkups for oral health.
Step 4: Regular dental exams can prevent tooth loss and improve chewing ability.
Step 5: The incidence of oral malignancies does increase with age, emphasizing the importance of regular oral exams.
Incorrect answers:
B: Clients who are edentulous need dental checkups for oral health.
C: Regular exams can prevent tooth loss and improve chewing ability.
D: Oral malignancies increase with age, highlighting the importance of regular oral exams.
Overall, maintaining good oral hygiene and regular dental visits are crucial for elderly individuals' oral health, preventing tooth
While testing the vision of an elderly client, the nurse finds that the client has decreased ability to accommodate (presbyopia). Which clinical implication would the nurse recognize?
A. Blurring of vision due to increased intraocular pressure
B. Difficulty reading small print and decreased ability to focus on objects at varying distances
C. Narrowing of field of vision-loss of peripheral vision
D. Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
Correct answer:
The correct answer is B: Difficulty reading small print and decreased ability to focus on objects at varying distances. As people age, the lens of the eye becomes less flexible, leading to presbyopia, which results in difficulty seeing close objects clearly. This explains the client's decreased ability to accommodate. This choice is correct because presbyopia specifically affects near vision, making it harder to read small print and focus on objects up close.
A: Blurring of vision due to increased intraocular pressure - This choice is incorrect because presbyopia is not related to increased intraocular pressure.
C: Narrowing of field of vision-loss of peripheral vision - This choice is incorrect because presbyopia does not affect peripheral vision; it specifically impacts near vision.
D: Sensitivity to light (photophobia) - This choice is incorrect because presbyopia does not cause sensitivity to light; it is solely related to difficulty in focusing on near objects.
An acutely psychotic individual diagnosed with schizophreniaform disorder at admission is immediately placed on daily doses of risperidone. A hospitalization of 8 days' duration has been authorized by the HMO. By what hospital day would the nurse expect to note that client was demonstrating beginning trust in the nurse and reduction in hallucinations and delusions?
A. Day of admission
B. Day 3 of hospitalization
C. Day 5 of hospitalization
D. Day 7 of hospitalization
Correct answer:
The correct answer is B: Day 3 of hospitalization. At this point, the risperidone medication would have had sufficient time to begin exerting its therapeutic effects on the individual's symptoms of hallucinations and delusions. It typically takes a few days for antipsychotic medications like risperidone to reach therapeutic levels in the body and start alleviating psychotic symptoms. By day 3, the individual may start to demonstrate improved trust in the nurse due to the reduction in distressing symptoms.
Incorrect options:
A: Day of admission - It is unlikely to see significant improvement in symptoms and trust on the same day of admission.
C: Day 5 of hospitalization - By this time, the medication would have likely already started showing some effects, and the individual would have had some time to build trust with the nurse.
D: Day 7 of hospitalization - Waiting until day 7 might be too late to note beginning trust and significant reduction in symptoms, as the
A salesman has had difficulty holding a job because he accuses co-workers of conspiring to take his sales. Today, he argued with several office mates and threatened to kill one of them. The police were called, and he was brought to the mental health center for evaluation. He has had previous admissions to the unit for stabilization of paranoid schizophrenia. When the nurse meets him, he points at staff in the nursing station and states loudly, 'They're all plotting to destroy me. Isn't that true?' Which would be the most appropriate response?
A. No, that is not true. People here are trying to help you if you will let them.'
B. Let's think about it: what reason would people have to want to destroy you?'
C. Thinking that people want to destroy you must be very frightening.'
D. That doesn't make sense; staff are health care workers, not murderers.'
Correct answer:
The correct answer is C: Thinking that people want to destroy you must be very frightening.
Rationale:
1. Acknowledges the patient's feelings: By stating that thinking people want to destroy him is frightening, the nurse shows empathy and validates his experience.
2. Validates the patient's emotions: This response does not directly agree or disagree but acknowledges the emotions behind the patient's statement.
3. Builds rapport: By showing understanding and empathy, the nurse can establish trust and rapport with the patient, leading to better communication and therapeutic relationship.
Summary of other options:
A: This response denies the patient's feelings and could potentially escalate the situation by invalidating his experiences.
B: This response may come off as confrontational and does not address the patient's underlying fears.
D: This response is dismissive and does not address the patient's emotional distress, potentially leading to further agitation.
A man is diagnosed with prostate cancer. What does the nurse need to know to be able to answer the man when he asks, "What are the chances I'll survive this thing?"
A. Attack rate
B. Case fatality rate
C. Cause-specific morbidity rate
D. Crude mortality rate
Correct answer:
The correct answer is B: Case fatality rate. Case fatality rate indicates the proportion of individuals diagnosed with a specific condition who die from that condition within a specified time frame. In the context of prostate cancer, the case fatality rate will provide the man with an estimation of the likelihood of survival post-diagnosis.
Rationale:
1. Attack rate (Choice A) is the proportion of individuals who develop a specific disease among those exposed to the disease within a defined time period. This does not provide information on survival chances.
2. Cause-specific morbidity rate (Choice C) refers to the prevalence of a specific disease in a population but does not indicate the likelihood of survival for an individual with the disease.
3. Crude mortality rate (Choice D) is the total number of deaths in a population due to any cause, not specific to prostate cancer. It does not provide insight into the survival chances of an individual with prostate cancer.
Which measure is advisable to take, considering that individuals with dramatic erratic personality disorders often have the ability to evade limits and manipulate others?
A. Plan frequent client-centered staff meetings.
B. Practice take-down and restraint procedures.
C. Institute written or taped change-of-shift reports.
D. Rotate staff assignments so no one is responsible for the client for a prolonged period of days.
Correct answer:
The correct answer is A: Plan frequent client-centered staff meetings. This measure is advisable as it promotes open communication, collaboration, and consistency in care. By holding regular meetings, staff can discuss concerns, share observations, and develop strategies to effectively manage individuals with erratic personality disorders. This approach helps in setting clear boundaries, identifying manipulative behaviors, and ensuring a unified team response.
Summary:
- Choice B: Practice take-down and restraint procedures is incorrect as it focuses on physical control rather than preventive strategies.
- Choice C: Institute written or taped change-of-shift reports is incorrect as it lacks real-time communication and immediate response to potential issues.
- Choice D: Rotate staff assignments so no one is responsible for the client for a prolonged period of days is incorrect as it may disrupt continuity of care and hinder the establishment of trust and rapport.
A client seen by the rape crisis nurse 1 month after the incident states, 'I'm confused and just not myself. I have mood swings during the day, and I have nightmares at night. Sometimes I think I'm going crazy.' Other times, she is just plain afraid to be alone. The nurse should assess the client for:
A. Trauma syndrome.
B. Post-traumatic stress disorder.
C. Acute stress disorder.
D. None of the above.
Correct answer:
The correct answer is A: Trauma syndrome. This choice is correct because the client's symptoms of confusion, mood swings, nightmares, feeling like they are going crazy, and fear of being alone align with the criteria for trauma syndrome. This syndrome encompasses a range of symptoms that occur after experiencing a traumatic event, such as rape.
Choice B: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is not the best option in this case because the client's symptoms are more indicative of acute distress and confusion rather than the criteria for a formal diagnosis of PTSD, which typically requires the persistence of symptoms over time.
Choice C: Acute stress disorder is also not the most appropriate choice because while some symptoms may align, the duration and specific criteria for this disorder may not fully match the client's presentation.
Choice D: None of the above is incorrect as trauma syndrome best fits the client's symptoms based on the information provided.
A child, age 5, was admitted to the children's unit, having been sexually abused by an acquaintance of her family. The child refuses to talk and participate in unit activities, choosing to stay in her room with her stuffed animals. Which therapeutic intervention will best help the child release pent-up feelings about the abuse?
A. Individual communication with the nurse
B. Play therapy
C. Family therapy
D. Role-play with other children on the unit
Correct answer:
The correct answer is B: Play therapy. Play therapy is the most suitable therapeutic intervention for a child in this scenario because it allows the child to express their feelings and experiences through play, which is a natural form of communication for children. Through play therapy, the child can act out their experiences using toys and create a safe space to process their emotions without having to verbally communicate. It helps the child release pent-up feelings and trauma in a non-threatening environment.
Summary of other choices:
A: Individual communication with the nurse may not be as effective as play therapy in this case as the child is not yet comfortable verbalizing their feelings.
C: Family therapy may not be appropriate at this stage as the child is not ready to engage with family members about the abuse.
D: Role-play with other children on the unit may not be beneficial as it can potentially trigger more anxiety and discomfort for the abused child.
An adolescent claims to have been physically abused by a parent. The adolescent's other parent angrily tells the nurse, 'It's ridiculous for our child to accuse my spouse, who's a prominent doctor and is respected by the community.' Which of these nursing communications would be most effective for the parent?
A. You believe that abuse does not exist in well-respected, professional families?'
B. Your spouse seems to have a very stressful, demanding practice. That can be a risk factor for losing your temper when angry.'
C. I know that it is difficult to believe what your child is saying about your spouse, but abuse has occurred.'
D. I know your spouse from working in the emergency room. Your spouse is always kind to patients, but that can be misleading.'
Correct answer:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
1. This response challenges the parent's belief that abuse does not exist in respected families, highlighting the misconception that abuse can happen in any family.
2. It addresses the parent's disbelief directly, encouraging them to reconsider their assumptions and beliefs about abuse.
3. It promotes critical thinking and reflection on the parent's part, fostering a more open-minded and empathetic approach towards the adolescent's disclosure.
Summary of Other Choices:
B: This choice focuses on the stress of the accused parent, deflecting from the issue of abuse and potentially excusing their behavior.
C: This choice acknowledges the difficulty of the situation but does not effectively challenge the parent's disbelief or misconceptions about abuse.
D: This choice uses a positive characteristic of the accused parent to deflect from the allegations of abuse, which does not address the parent's denial or the seriousness of the situation.
An acutely psychotic individual diagnosed with schizophreniaform disorder at admission is immediately placed on daily doses of risperidone. A hospitalization of 8 days' duration has been authorized by the HMO. By what hospital day would the nurse expect to note that client was demonstrating beginning trust in the nurse and reduction in hallucinations and delusions?
A. Day of admission
B. Day 3 of hospitalization
C. Day 5 of hospitalization
D. Day 7 of hospitalization
Correct answer:
The correct answer is B: Day 3 of hospitalization. At this point, the risperidone medication would have had sufficient time to begin exerting its therapeutic effects on the individual's symptoms of hallucinations and delusions. It typically takes a few days for antipsychotic medications like risperidone to reach therapeutic levels in the body and start alleviating psychotic symptoms. By day 3, the individual may start to demonstrate improved trust in the nurse due to the reduction in distressing symptoms.
Incorrect options:
A: Day of admission - It is unlikely to see significant improvement in symptoms and trust on the same day of admission.
C: Day 5 of hospitalization - By this time, the medication would have likely already started showing some effects, and the individual would have had some time to build trust with the nurse.
D: Day 7 of hospitalization - Waiting until day 7 might be too late to note beginning trust and significant reduction in symptoms, as the
RN exams geriatric practice questions, set 10 for nursing students in the United States. Fifteen items. Five include answers and rationales in American English.
No. Nursier is independent practice. Register through the official path named on the RN exams exam guide.
The first five questions already include the rationale. Start full practice to unlock the remaining keys, missed-question review, and the rest of the bank.
Keep going past these 15 questions
Missed-question review, longer banks, and the rest of 20,000+ nursing practice questions open when you start studying.
