Health Risks for Older Adults

Every question here, with the answer

1. An older adult in assisted living recently returned from the hospital after a fall with a shoulder injury. Before the fall, the client was independent in most ADLs, but today the nurse finds the client not dressed, hair ungroomed, and dentures still by the sink at breakfast time. What is the best nursing response?

   1. Encourage the client to skip breakfast until all grooming tasks are completed independently.
   2. Document the findings as expected aging and reassess at the next scheduled visit.
   3. Provide assistance with tasks requiring upper body mobility while the shoulder injury heals.
   4. Assume the client now requires total assistance with all ADLs permanently.

   Answer: Provide assistance with tasks requiring upper body mobility while the shoulder injury heals.

   The change in ADL performance is linked to the recent shoulder injury, so the nurse should individualize assistance for tasks affected by upper body mobility. The other options either generalize the decline, overestimate permanent dependence, or create an unsafe and punitive expectation.

2. The nurse is evaluating fall risk for an older adult in the home. Which findings should the nurse recognize as commonly linked to falls in older adults? Select all that apply.

   1. Dizziness
   2. Poor mobility
   3. Vision impairment
   4. Weakness
   5. Desire to remain socially active

   Answer: Dizziness, Poor mobility, Vision impairment, Weakness

   Dizziness, poor mobility, vision impairment, and weakness are specifically identified as health problems linked to falls. Staying socially active is discussed as supporting overall well-being, not as a fall risk factor in this section.

3. An older adult hospitalized after an acute illness is reluctant to get out of bed because of pain and fear of falling. Which nursing intervention best supports mobility while promoting safety?

   1. Assist the client to mobilize as soon as possible within the client’s ability, such as dangling, sitting in a chair, or early ambulation.
   2. Keep the client on bedrest until the fear of falling completely resolves.
   3. Perform all ADLs for the client to conserve energy and prevent discomfort.
   4. Delay prescribed physical therapy until the client can ambulate without assistance.

   Answer: Assist the client to mobilize as soon as possible within the client’s ability, such as dangling, sitting in a chair, or early ambulation.

   The section emphasizes early, individualized mobilization to prevent complications of immobility and maintain mobility. Bedrest, taking over ADLs, or delaying therapy can worsen immobility and reduce independence.

4. A 70-year-old client tells the nurse she has started several vitamins and herbal supplements, including red yeast rice, while also taking a prescription cholesterol-lowering medication. Which teaching points are appropriate? Select all that apply.

   1. Discuss total amounts of repeated ingredients in combination supplements with the provider.
   2. Stop the prescribed cholesterol medication because supplements are natural and safer.
   3. Bring supplement bottles so the nurse and provider can review ingredients.
   4. Ask the provider about possible interaction between red yeast rice and the prescription cholesterol-lowering medication.
   5. Treat vitamins and supplements like medications.

   Answer: Discuss total amounts of repeated ingredients in combination supplements with the provider., Bring supplement bottles so the nurse and provider can review ingredients., Ask the provider about possible interaction between red yeast rice and the prescription cholesterol-lowering medication., Treat vitamins and supplements like medications.

   The section teaches that supplements should be reviewed like medications, including checking bottles, repeated ingredients, total amounts, and possible interactions. Stopping a prescribed medication because a supplement is “natural” is unsafe and contradicts the teaching in the section.

5. An older adult with chronic illness becomes suddenly confused after a surgical procedure. Which nursing action is most appropriate?

   1. Assume the client has progressive dementia and wait for symptoms to resolve without further assessment.
   2. Assess for contributing physical causes such as hydration status, kidney function, medication metabolism, medication interactions, or infection.
   3. Explain to the family that this is most likely normal memory loss from aging.
   4. Screen only for depression because sudden confusion is usually an emotional response.

   Answer: Assess for contributing physical causes such as hydration status, kidney function, medication metabolism, medication interactions, or infection.

   Sudden confusion in an older adult should prompt assessment for delirium and its physical contributors, including hydration, kidney function, medications, and infection. Normal aging, depression alone, or assuming dementia would miss potentially treatable causes.

6. During a heat wave, the nurse is checking on older adults in the community because some have a decreased sense of thirst. Which complications should the nurse monitor for related to dehydration? Select all that apply.

   1. Skin damage
   2. Urinary tract infection
   3. Falls
   4. Improved nutrient absorption
   5. Constipation

   Answer: Skin damage, Urinary tract infection, Falls, Constipation

   The section identifies falls, UTI, constipation, and skin damage as risks associated with dehydration in older adults. Improved nutrient absorption is incorrect because hydration problems can negatively affect digestion and nutrient absorption.