Chapter 21: Caring for Older Adults
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. What is the correct definition of geriatrics?
a. The study of the aging process
b. Age-related farsightedness
c. The branch of medicine that provides care for older adults
d. The physical changes that occur with aging
2. Gerontology refers to which of the following?
a. The study of the aging process
b. Age-related farsightedness
c. The care of aging people
d. The physical changes that occur with aging
3. Which is true of people during late adulthood stage?
a. They will spend all of their savings.
b. They will prepare for their own death.
c. They will be depressed about failing health.
d. They will try to maintain existing friendships.
4. Retirement usually involves which of the following?
a. Volunteer work or part-time jobs
b. Increased income
c. Social and emotional adjustments
d. Some sort of illness or disability
5. Older adults may be lonely because of which of the following?
a. Family and friends die or move away.
b. They live with adult children.
c. They live in assisted-living facilities.
d. They have contact only with people their own age.
6. What is true about aging?
a. It is a normal process.
b. It means loss of health.
c. It decreases quality of life.
d. It occurs at the same rate in all people.
7. Which of the following statements about age-related changes in the skin is correct?
a. Skin becomes thicker.
b. Skin becomes increasingly sensitive.
c. Skin becomes fragile and more easily injured.
d. Oil and sweat glands produce more secretions.
8. What may older adults need to stay warm?
a. Electric heating pads
b. Warmer room temperatures
c. Hot water bottles
d. Intense activity
9. How often do older adults usually need a complete shower or bath?
a. Every day
b. Every other day
c. Twice a week
d. Once a week
10. Which of the following statements about the feet of older adults is correct?
a. Nails become thin.
b. Feet always have poor circulation.
c. Serious infections can result from nicks or cuts.
d. Deodorants are needed to eliminate foot odours.
11. In a discussion about hair hygiene for older adults, which of the following statements would
the support worker include?
a. White or grey hair is not common.
b. Thinning of hair occurs only in men.
c. Hair tends to be oily.
d. Shampooing frequency depends on personal choice.
12. Mrs. Janson has noticed her face is very dry. What should the support worker assist her with?
a. Using water or mild soaps.
b. Avoiding using lotions.
c. Taking tub baths every day.
d. Taking only showers.
13. Changes occur in the musculo-skeletal system with aging. Which of the following is true?
a. Bones become stronger.
b. Bones become brittle.
c. Bones become shorter.
d. Bones become larger.
14. Musculo-skeletal changes result in which of the following?
a. Sudden loss of height
b. Increased strength
c. Decreased mobility
d. Less joint pain and stiffness
15. Because of musculo-skeletal changes, older adults need to do which of the following?
a. Rest as much as possible.
b. Exercise no more than once weekly.
c. Have a diet low in protein, calcium, and vitamins.
d. Be moved gently and carefully.
16. Which of the following helps prevent loss of bone and muscle strength?
a. Inactivity
b. An appropriate diet
c. Frequent rests
d. Avoiding ROM exercises.
17. Mr. Chan is 69 years old. Nervous system changes in him may cause which of the following?
a. Shorter memory
b. Increased ability to fall asleep
c. Increased blood flow to the brain
d. Muscle atrophy
18. Which is correct regarding the older adult’s ability to sense pain?
a. It is increased.
b. It is decreased.
c. It is the same as a younger adult’s.
d. It is the same as a young child’s.
19. Age-related changes in the urinary system include which of the following?
a. Lower concentration of urine
b. Increased bladder size
c. Bladder muscles strengthen
d. Decreased kidney function
20. Why is it that older men may have difficulty urinating?
a. Kidneys atrophy
b. Bladder decreases in size
c. Prostate gland enlarges
d. Bladder muscles weaken
21. Mrs. Jorges urinates frequently throughout the night. What could she be encouraged to do to
reduce the need to urinate at night?
a. Drink only water.
b. Drink most fluids before 1700 hours.
c. Urinate before going to bed.
d. Restrict her fluid intake.
22. The sex hormone in men that decreases with age is which of the following?
a. Testosterone
b. Insulin
c. Estrogen
d. Progesterone
23. In men, all of the following occur with aging, except which?
a. An erection takes longer to occur.
b. The time between erection and orgasm is longer.
c. Orgasm is longer and more forceful.
d. Erections are lost quickly.
24. Mr. Johnson has severe circulatory problems and he complains of discomfort. What should
the support worker do?
a. Follow the care plan.
b. Encourage him to go for a long walk.
c. Allow him to carry heavy bags.
d. Put him to bed.
25. How can Fatima, a support worker, best support her client’s sexuality?
a. Dressing her in a sexy outfit.
b. Asking her client to share her sexual values.
c. Asking her client about her sexual practices.
d. Accepting her client’s sexual relationships.