A nurse develops a plan of care for an older adult recently ...

[faduma]

A nurse develops a plan of care for an older adult recently diagnosed with Lewy body dementia. Which functional consequence would be most important to monitor in this older adult?
 
  A) Development of visual hallucinations
  B) A visual acuity score of 20/30
  C) Improved visual acuity after medications for dementia
  D) Growth of cataracts

Question 2

A gerontological nurse presents at a local conference regarding recent findings in age-related hearing loss. Which age-related changes indicated in hearing loss and speech perception should the nurse include?
 
  A) Changes to the external auditory canal and pinna
  B) Degenerative changes to the auditory brainstem
  C) Growth of longer and thicker hair in the ear canal
  D) Thickening of the tympanic membrane

[pikon]

Answer to Question 1

Ans: A
Persons with Lewy body dementia are at risk for visual hallucinations. Low vision is 20/70 visual acuity to 20/200 visual acuity. Visual acuity will not improve with dementia medications, as anticholinergics also impair vision. Cataracts are unrelated to Lewy body dementia, although they are common in all older adults.

Answer to Question 2

Ans: B
Studies suggest that central auditory structures (e.g., primary auditory cortex and auditory brainstem) account for a significant component of hearing loss in older adults, particularly with regard to speech perception. The external ear changes that occur with normal aging are not directly related to hearing loss (including hair growth in men). The tympanic membrane thins and stiffens with age.