Chapter 28: Mental Health Touhy: Ebersole & Hess' Toward Healthy Aging, 9th Edition MULTIPLE CHOICE 1. When assessing an older client for indications of depression, the nurse bases the intervention
on the knowledge that: a. the older client’s symptoms may be atypical for the disorder. b. depression is a common mental disorder among the older population. c. the older client is generally willing to discuss his or her mental health symptoms. d. depression is not as commonly seen in this population as are anxiety disorders. ANS: A
Somatic complaints are often the presenting symptoms of mental health disorders, such as depression, making diagnosis difficult. Depression is a common disorder among this population but knowing that does not aid in identifying the clients who are depressed. The remaining options are not true regarding the mental disorder of depression. DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying REF: p. 369, Box 28-20 TOP: Integrated Process: Teaching/Learning MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity 2. The nurse preparing educational information on common mental health disorders among the
older adult population should include: a. methods for reducing anxiety. b. a written depression screening tool. c. local schizophrenia support groups. d. signs and symptoms of alcoholism. ANS: B
Depression is the most common mental health disorder of later life. Anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, and alcoholism are all incorrect; although these disorders are present in older adults, they occur in far fewer numbers than depression. DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying REF: p. 369, Box 28-20 TOP: Integrated Process: Teaching/Learning MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity 3. When an older adult reports experiencing several different stressors over the last 6 months, the
nurse demonstrates an understanding of the physiological effects of stress on the body by: a. assessing the client using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). b. testing the client’s urine for red blood cells. c. screening the client for abnormally high serum glucose levels. d. inquiring as to whether the client has lost weight during that time period. ANS: C
