Chapter 14 Living with Chronic Illness

Chapter 14  Living with Chronic Illness

Complete Chapter Questions And Answers
 

Sample Questions

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. An older female patient is diagnosed with a chronic illness. Which of the following principles should the nurse apply when answering her questions?
a.
The most prevalent form of disease in the United States is acute illness.
b.
Usually, chronic disease has a negligible impact on the family.
c.
Chronic illness is unending, and coping can be influenced by the perception of uncertainty.
d.
Older adults successfully cope with chronic disease by learning about the disease.

ANS: C
Chronic illnesses are enduring and necessitate lifetime adaptations. Uncertainty exacerbates the impact of a chronic disease. At this time, the prevalent form of disease is chronic illness. The effect on the family, as on the patient, can be profound. There are no guarantees. Knowledge requires effort on the part of all concerned to apply it.

PTS: 1 DIF: Apply REF: 225-228 TOP: Nursing Process: Planning
MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance

2. Which of the following is a true statement about Medicare for older adults?
a.
Eighty percent of Medicare’s annual expenditures are for individuals with chronic illnesses.
b.
Medicare enrollees spend under $1500 annually for out-of-pocket expenses related to chronic illnesses.
c.
Complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) are not covered by Medicare.
d.
Medicare covers care for those who have trouble with activities of daily living.

ANS: A
Eighty percent of Medicare’s expenditures are spent on care provided to those suffering from chronic illness. On average, Medicare enrollees spend over $3000 annually for out-of-pocket expenses related to chronic conditions. Medicare now covers some CAM therapies. Assistance with activities of daily living is not a covered expense with Medicare.

PTS: 1 DIF: Remember REF: 225-226
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: Safe, Effective Care Environment

3. Which of the following describes the nurse’s role for an older patient with a chronic illness?
a.
Implement an individualized therapeutic regimen that brings about a cure.
b.
Provide caring to help the patient live at the optimal level of health and wellness.
c.
Suggest that the patient accept eventual death to reduce the burdens on the patient’s family.
d.
Encourage the patient to minimize the use of services to control costs.

ANS: B
A chronic illness cannot be cured, but with caring, the nurse can assist the patient to live without being dominated by the demands of the illness. Chronic illnesses are long-term problems, and cures are not usually available. If a patient has an incurable illness, then the nurse can provide a caring environment to facilitate the implementation of the patient and family’s wishes. The nurse can help the patient and family to formulate cost-cutting measures, if so requested; however, because the nurse is the patient’s advocate, the nurse avoids making recommendations about not using services.

PTS: 1 DIF: Understand REF: 227-231 TOP: Caring
MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance

4. Which of the following statements is true about rehabilitation and restorative care for older adults?
a.
The purpose of rehabilitation and restorative care is to regain specific abilities lost because of a condition.
b.
Rehabilitation consists primarily of regular physical therapy sessions.
c.
A person can learn skills and gain abilities that enable functioning.
d.
The patient’s capabilities are recognized at the time of admission.

ANS: C
A patient with a severe stroke, for example, may not be able to walk again but may recover mobility by learning to drive a motorized wheelchair. The purpose of rehabilitation is to enable the person to regain function but not necessarily specific abilities, which can involve the development of compensating abilities (e.g., motorized chair driving) rather than the recovery of original abilities (e.g., walking). Rehabilitation involves activities involving the entire day, not merely those within an allotted time period. On admission, the patient is in crisis and his or her actual abilities may not be evident.

PTS: 1 DIF: Remember REF: 229-231
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance