Health Risks for Young and Middle-Aged Adults

Every question here, with the answer

1. A 24-year-old tells the nurse they are following a highly restrictive diet but are “not worried because my weight looks normal.” Which nursing response best applies the section’s guidance?

   1. Reassure the patient that malnutrition is unlikely unless the patient appears underweight.
   2. Explore the patient’s food choices and assess for nutrient deficiency risk despite normal weight.
   3. Focus teaching only on excess calories because obesity is the only adult malnutrition concern.
   4. Delay nutrition counseling unless the patient reports a diagnosed eating disorder.

   Answer: Explore the patient’s food choices and assess for nutrient deficiency risk despite normal weight.

   Malnutrition can occur with restrictive dieting or inadequate food choices even when a patient does not appear underweight. The other options incorrectly assume normal appearance rules out risk, narrow malnutrition only to obesity, or wait for a formal eating disorder diagnosis before intervening.

2. A middle-aged adult recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes asks, “Will I need medication for the rest of my life?” Which lifestyle measures does the nurse identify as able to improve blood sugar management and potentially decrease or eliminate the need for medication? Select all that apply.

   1. Rely on medication alone because lifestyle changes do not affect blood sugar.
   2. Engage in regular physical activity.
   3. Work toward weight management.
   4. Choose a well-balanced diet.
   5. Use stress reduction strategies.

   Answer: Rely on medication alone because lifestyle changes do not affect blood sugar., Engage in regular physical activity., Choose a well-balanced diet., Use stress reduction strategies.

   The section states that type 2 diabetes is not always permanent and that a healthy lifestyle of regular physical activity, a well-balanced diet, weight management, and stress reduction can frequently improve blood sugar management and potentially decrease or eliminate the need for medication. Relying on medication alone while dismissing lifestyle change contradicts this.

3. A patient with consistently elevated blood pressure says they do not need follow-up because they feel well. Which complication risk should the nurse emphasize as the priority reason for treatment?

   1. Micronutrient deficiencies caused by restrictive dieting
   2. Social anxiety during group situations
   3. Early-onset breast and gastrointestinal cancers
   4. End-organ damage affecting organs such as the eyes, kidney, heart, and brain

   Answer: End-organ damage affecting organs such as the eyes, kidney, heart, and brain

   Untreated hypertension can damage small vessels that feed organs and is associated with end-organ damage. The other options are health risks discussed in the section, but they are not the complication risk specifically linked to untreated hypertension.

4. During a screening visit, a 55-year-old patient says they quit smoking 2 weeks ago after smoking 1 pack per day for 25 years. What is the nurse’s best action?

   1. Recognize that the patient qualifies for a low-dose lung cancer screening CT.
   2. Recommend lung screening only if the patient develops symptoms.
   3. Document that screening is unnecessary because the patient quit smoking.
   4. Wait until the patient reaches age 80 to recommend lung cancer screening.

   Answer: Recognize that the patient qualifies for a low-dose lung cancer screening CT.

   The patient is within the age range, has a twenty-five pack-year smoking history, and quit within the past fifteen years, matching the screening criteria described in the section. Quitting recently does not remove the need to consider screening under these criteria.

5. A nurse is screening an adult after a significant life transition. Which patient reports should the nurse recognize as common symptoms of depression? Select all that apply.

   1. “My appetite has changed and my weight has changed.”
   2. “I no longer enjoy hobbies I used to enjoy.”
   3. “I have trouble sleeping.”
   4. “I only worry about embarrassment during social interactions.”
   5. “I feel guilty and have low energy.”

   Answer: “My appetite has changed and my weight has changed.”, “I no longer enjoy hobbies I used to enjoy.”, “I have trouble sleeping.”, “I feel guilty and have low energy.”

   Trouble sleeping, loss of interest, guilt, low energy, and appetite or weight changes are listed as common adult depression symptoms. Worry about embarrassment during social interactions aligns more specifically with social anxiety disorder as described in the section.

6. A nurse is discussing safety with an adult patient who reports hostility at work. Which circumstances in the patient’s job should the nurse identify as risk factors for workplace violence? Select all that apply.

   1. Exchanging money with customers
   2. Working in a high-crime neighborhood
   3. Working alone
   4. Working late at night
   5. Having child-rearing responsibilities outside the workplace

   Answer: Exchanging money with customers, Working in a high-crime neighborhood, Working alone, Working late at night

   The section lists exchange of money, working alone, working late at night, and working in high-crime neighborhoods as workplace violence risk factors. Child-rearing is discussed as a factor affecting psychological health, not as a workplace violence risk factor.