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Wold: Basic Geriatric Nursing, 5th Edition
Chapter 08: Health Assessment of Older Adults
Test Bank
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse clarifies that the difference between a health screening and health
assessment is that a health screening:
a. identifies persons with unmet health needs who may need a referral.
b. assesses local health needs for the Public Health Department.
c. collects data that will be used for research.
d. provides appropriate treatment for identified health needs.
ANS: A
Screenings are to identify unmet health needs and to refer identified persons to an
appropriate resource for assessment and treatment.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: 151 OBJ: 1
TOP: Screening vs. Assessment KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance: Prevention and Early Detection of
Disease
2. The nurse charts that the “Patient stated abdominal pain is still at a level of 8 on a
scale of 1 to 10 and that he is still nauseated. Patient complains of feeling cold and
has an oral temperature of 97.8°.” The objective information recorded is the:
a. pain measurement.
b. presence of nausea.
c. sense of cold.
d. oral temperature.
ANS: D
The objective concrete measurement of the temperature is the only objective data in the
nurse’s record.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: 151 OBJ: 2
TOP: Objective Data KEY: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance: Prevention and Early Detection of
Disease
3. The nurse reminds the 55-year-old woman that the American Cancer Society (ACS)
recommendation for persons older than 50 years is to have an annual:
a. fecal occult blood test.
b. sigmoidoscopy.
c. Pap smear.
d. pelvic examination.
ANS: A
The ACS recommends an annual fecal occult blood test for persons older than 50.
Sigmoidoscopy is recommended every 3 to 5 years. Pap smears and pelvic examinations
are recommended every 2 to 3 years.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: 152, Table 8-1
OBJ: 3 TOP: American Cancer Society Recommendations
KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance: Prevention and Early Detection of
Disease
4. The nurse is aware that the most common health threat for the older adult, regardless
of ethnicity, is:
a. hypertension.
b. cancer.
c. diabetes.
d. glaucoma.
ANS: C
Diabetes is the most common health threat for the older adult, regardless of ethnicity.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: 158 OBJ: 3
TOP: Diabetes KEY: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance: Prevention and Early Detection of
Disease
5. The statement that would put the older woman most at ease during the lengthy health
interview would be:
a. “This interview will take about an hour.”
b. “Please have a seat over there across from the desk.”
c. “There are 75 questions we need to get answered in the next hour.”
d. “The bathroom is behind that green door. We’ll be taking a break in about 30
minutes.”
ANS: D
The “permission” to go to the bathroom and knowledge of its location will set the patient
at ease. It is helpful to provide information about the probable time limits of the
interview.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: 153 OBJ: 4
TOP: Physical Setting for Health Interview
KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity: Psychosocial Adaptation
6. To establish rapport, the nurse should initiate the health interview by saying:
a. “Hello, Mrs. Smith. My name is Alice. We’ll start with a few questions before the
physical exam.”
b. “Welcome, Sara. I’m Alice. Let’s get down to some questions about your health.”
c. “I’m Alice Jones. I’m here to do an interview about your health.”
d. “Hey, Mrs. Smith! Are you ready for some questions about your health?”
ANS: A
Addressing the patient formally and identifying yourself, as well as informing the patient
of the expectation of the interview, is an appropriate approach to the older adult.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: 153 OBJ: 4
TOP: Establishing Rapport KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity: Psychosocial Adaptation
7. The 94-year-old woman has come to the health assessment interview with her 70-
year-old daughter, who answers all the interview questions for her mother. The
nurse’s best approach to this situation would be to:
a. say, “I’m speaking to your mother. Please let her answer for herself.”
b. continue to interact with the daughter to facilitate completion of the interview.
c. look directly at the patient and say, “Mrs. Smith, now I’d like to hear from you
about your health.”
d. document that all answers to the interview came from a third party.
ANS: C
Directly addressing the older adult cues the patient and family member that the responses
are expected from the patient.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis REF: 153 OBJ: 4
TOP: Establishing Rapport KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance: Prevention and Early Detection of
Disease
8. The most effective method of building rapport is to open the health interview with:
a. focusing on the problems that the patient sees as important.
b. explaining the importance of health maintenance.
c. informing the patient of the number of questions that will be asked.
d. reassuring the patient that the interview is private.
ANS: A
Focusing on the patient’s concerns gives the patient the perception that the nurse is
concerned about him or her as a person.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: 153 OBJ: 4
TOP: Establishing Rapport KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity: Psychosocial Adaptation
ANS: D
Persons with an Asian background consider direct questions inappropriate and they are
more comfortable with indirect questioning in a social context. Rather than saying, “How
many bowel movements do you have a day?” it would be better to ask, “How would you
describe your digestion?”
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis REF: 153, Cultural Considerations
OBJ: 4 TOP: Cultural Considerations
KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity: Psychosocial Adaptation
10. The nurse appropriately uses a variety of communication techniques during the
health interview, which include:
a. using medical terminology.
b. keeping questions simple.
c. helping patients by finishing their sentences.
d. allowing patients to ramble as they respond.
ANS: B
Keeping questions simple and asking the question in a clear voice help patients process
answers. Finishing their sentences and allowing extensive rambling are not helpful for
useful interviewing.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: 153-154 OBJ: 4
TOP: Structuring the Interview KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance: Prevention and Early Detection of
Disease
11. An 85-year-old man accompanied by his son is unable to recall the medications that
he is presently taking. The nurse should:
a. ask the question again.
b. rephrase the question.
c. ask the son for the information.
d. leave that part of the health history blank.
ANS: C
When patients are unsure of answers, it is best to move on and ask the family for
objective information.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: 154 OBJ: 4
TOP: Health History KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance: Prevention and Early Detection of
Disease
12. Because the nurse is aware that the 86-year-old woman has age-related loss of
subcutaneous fat and a lowered metabolism rate, the nurse will take special
precautions to:
a. weigh the patient carefully without clothing.
b. prevent the patient from becoming chilled during the examination.
ANS: B
Because of loss of subcutaneous fat and lower metabolism, the older adult has altered
thermoregulation. Care should be taken to prevent chilling during the physical
examination.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: 155 OBJ: 6
TOP: Prevention of Chilling KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance: Prevention and Early Detection of
Disease
ANS: C
The older adult does not exhibit a marked increase in temperature or in the white blood
count as a response to infection. History of confusion and a decrease in appetite and fluid
intake are cardinal signs of infection in the older adult.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: 155, Table 8-3
OBJ: 5 TOP: Infection Assessment in the Older Adult
KEY: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation
14. During the health interview, when the older adult offers vague physical
gastrointestinal complaints, complains of inability to fall asleep, has frequent periods
of wakefulness during the night, and has a decrease in appetite, the nurse would be
cued to inquire about:
a. feelings of depression.
b. time of last bowel movement.
c. environmental stimuli that disturb sleep.
d. frequency and size of meals.
ANS: A
Vague physical complaints, sleep disturbances, and changes in appetite and food intake
are signals of possible depression.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis REF: 155, Table 8-3
OBJ: 4 TOP: Symptoms of Depression
KEY: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance: Prevention and Early Detection of
Disease
15. The most effective method to take an older adult’s temperature is to use a(n):
a. electronic thermometer, because it only takes a few seconds to assess temperature.
b. oral thermometer, because the presence of dry mucous membranes gives a more
valid temperature.
c. axillary thermometer, because its position is nearer the heart.
d. rectal thermometer, because it is the best indicator of the body core temperature.
ANS: A
The electronic thermometer is the best device because it is accurate and quick.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: 156 OBJ: 8
TOP: Temperature Assessment KEY: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance: Prevention and Early Detection of
Disease
16. The nurse is aware that the difference between the apical pulse and radial pulse is
referred to as the pulse:
a. pressure.
b. deficit.
c. ratio.
d. quality.
ANS: B
The difference between the apical and radial pulse is referred to as the pulse deficit. This
is a pertinent piece of information because it may indicate peripheral circulatory
impairment.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: 157 OBJ: 8
TOP: Pulse Deficit KEY: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation
17. The nurse records the assessment of crackles when the nurse auscultates:
a. high-pitched sounds in the lung bases on inspiration.
b. continuous low-pitched snoring sounds over major bronchi.
c. squeaky musical sounds on expiration.
d. coarse grating sounds on inspiration and expiration.
ANS: A
Crackles are adventitious breath sounds heard on inspiration that sound like cracking
paper. Frequently, these sounds can be cleared by coughing.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: 160, Box 8-2
OBJ: 7 TOP: Adventitious Breath Sounds
KEY: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation
18. The nurse assessing the apical pulse would place the head of the stethoscope at the:
a. third intercostal space at proximal edge of the clavicle.
b. fourth intercostal space at the edge of the sternum.
ANS: C
The correct placement of the stethoscope for the assessment of the apical pulse is at the
fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular line. The pulse should be counted for a full
minute.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: 157 OBJ: 8
TOP: Apical Pulse KEY: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Basic Care and Comfort
19. The nurse assessing a patient for orthostatic hypotension has a reading of a seated
blood pressure of 135/86. The blood pressure that would be indicative of orthostatic
hypotension would be a standing blood pressure of:
a. 145/85.
b. 134/76.
c. 130/72.
d. 126/62.
ANS: D
Orthostatic hypotension is suspected when the systolic reading is 20 mm Hg lower than
the sitting blood pressure. Dizziness with a diastolic pressure less than 100 mm Hg
should also be reported.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis REF: 159 OBJ: 7
TOP: Orthostatic Hypotension KEY: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation
20. When the nurse using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) requests the
patient to count by sevens (7, 14, 21, 28), the nurse is attempting to evaluate the
patient’s:
a. orientation.
b. recall.
c. ability to follow complex commands.
d. attention and ability to perform calculations.
ANS: D
Counting by sevens tests a person’s ability for attention and calculation.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis REF: 161, Figure 8-4
OBJ: 1 TOP: Mini-Mental State Examination
KEY: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation
21. The nurse explains that the Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 used in extended care
facilities is designed to:
a. identify ethnic populations in long-term care.
b. group residents into specified activity levels.
ANS: D
The MDS 3.0 is meant to standardize assessments and make them more reliable. MDS
3.0 is a computerized comprehensive assessment tool that justifies government funding.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: 162 OBJ: 9
TOP: Minimum Data Set 3.0 KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
1. The nurse explains that health screening can be conducted by __________. (Select
all that apply.)
a. a health professional
b. telephone interview
c. telecomputer
d. pen and paper surveys
e. lay persons
ANS: A, B, C, D
Lay persons may not do screenings unless they are specially trained. All other modes of
screening are in use today.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: 151 OBJ: 1
TOP: Health Screening Modes KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance: Prevention and Early Detection of
Disease
2. The nurse in a long-term care facility is aware that a health assessment will be
__________. (Select all that apply.)
a. the basis for the assignment of nursing diagnoses
b. done only at admission to the facility
c. performed only by a registered nurse
d. a platform for the nursing care plan
e. ongoing for the duration of the stay
ANS: A, D, E
The health assessment is done on admission to the facility and is ongoing during the
duration of the stay. The initial assessment can be done by any licensed professional in
the long-term facility and is the basis for the nursing diagnoses and plan of care.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: 151 OBJ: 1
TOP: Health Assessment KEY: Nursing Process Step: Planning
MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance: Prevention and Early Detection of
Disease
3. The nurse collects objective data by way of __________. (Select all that apply.)
a. observation
b. patient complaints
c. physical examination
d. laboratory findings
e. family input
ANS: A, C, D
Patient complaints and family input are subjective data. Objective data are concrete,
observable signs.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: 151 OBJ: 2
TOP: Objective Data Collection KEY: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance: Prevention and Early Detection of
Disease
4. The nurse planning a health interview with an older adult will take into consideration
__________. (Select all that apply.)
a. comfort of the physical setting
b. methods to develop trust and rapport
c. timing for minimal distractions
d. the age and ethnicity of the patient
e. income level
ANS: A, B, C, D
Income level is not a primary consideration in the health interview.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: 152 OBJ: 4
TOP: Health Interview KEY: Nursing Process Step: Planning
MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance: Prevention and Early Detection of
Disease
5. The nurse taking identifying information will collect data pertinent to __________.
(Select all that apply.)
a. ethnicity
b. previous or current occupation
c. educational background
d. perception of general health
e. completion of advanced directives
ANS: A, B, C, E
The patient’s perception of his or her general health is subjective data in the health
history and is not taken in the identifying data portion of the interview.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: 154, Box 8-1
OBJ: 4 TOP: Identifying Data
KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance: Prevention and Early Detection of
Disease
6. The nurse uses the five techniques of physical health assessment, which include
__________. (Select all that apply.)
a. inspection
b. palpation
c. interview
d. auscultation
e. percussion
ANS: A, B, D, E
Interviewing is not a technique of physical assessment.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: 155 OBJ: 7
TOP: Physical Assessment Techniques KEY: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance: Prevention and Early Detection of
Disease
7. When the nurse palpates a very weak pedal pulse in the right foot, the nurse would
anticipate finding other indications of diminished peripheral circulation in the right
foot and leg, such as __________. (Select all that apply.)
a. bruising
b. darkened color
c. cool skin
d. diminished hair on limb
e. capillary refill of 3 seconds
ANS: C, D
A decreased arterial flow will produce a faint or absent pedal pulse, cool pale skin, and
diminished hair on the limb. Bruising and a normal capillary refill time of 3 seconds are
not indicators of impaired peripheral circulation.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: 157 OBJ: 5
TOP: Peripheral Circulation KEY: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation
COMPLETION
1. The nurse explains that the tool that allows the evaluation of core function in a
resident in a long-term facility is the __________ __________ __________.
By Oscar Wilde
From “Fairy Tales,” copyright, 1913, by G. P. Putnam’s
Sons. By special permission from the publishers.
“She said that she would dance with me if I brought her red
roses,” cried the young Student; “but in all my garden there is no red
rose.”
From her nest in the Holm-oak tree the Nightingale heard him,
and she looked out through the leaves, and wondered.
“No red rose in all my garden!” he cried, and his beautiful eyes
filled with tears. “Ah, on what little things does happiness depend. I
have read all the wise men have written and all the secrets of
philosophy are mine, yet for want of a red rose is my life made
wretched.”
“Here at last is a true lover,” said the Nightingale. “Night after night
have I sung of him, though I knew him not; night after night have I
told his story to the stars, and now I see him. His hair is dark as the
hyacinth-blossom, and his lips as red as the rose of his desire; but
passion has made his face like pale ivory, and sorrow has set her
seal upon his brow.”
“The Prince gives a ball to-morrow night,” murmured the young
Student, “and my love will be of the company. If I bring her a red
rose, I shall hold her in my arms, and she will lean her head upon my
shoulder, and her hand will be clasped in mine. But there is no red
rose in my garden, so I shall sit lonely, and she will pass me by. She
will have no heed of me, and my heart will break.”
“Here indeed is the true lover,” said the Nightingale. “What I sing
of, he suffers; what is joy to me, to him is pain. Surely Love is a
wonderful thing. It is more precious than emeralds, and dearer than
fine opals. Pearls and pomegranates cannot buy it, nor is it set forth
in the market-place. It may not be purchased of the merchants, nor
can it be weighed out in the balance for gold.”
“The musicians will sit in their gallery,” said the young Student,
“and play upon their stringed instruments, and my love will dance to
the sound of the harp and violin. She will dance so lightly that her
feet will not touch the floor, and the courtiers in their gay dresses will
throng round her. But with me she will not dance, for I have no red
rose to give her”; and he flung himself down on the grass, and buried
his face in his hands, and wept.
“Why is he weeping?” asked a little Green Lizard, as he ran past
him with his tail in the air.
“Why, indeed?” said a Butterfly, who was fluttering after a
sunbeam.
“Why, indeed?” whispered a Daisy to his neighbor, in a soft low
voice.
“He is weeping for a red rose,” said the Nightingale.
“For a red rose!” they cried; “how very ridiculous!” and the Lizard,
who was something of a cynic, laughed outright.
But the Nightingale understood the secret of the Student’s sorrow,
and she sat silent in the Oak-tree, and thought about the mystery of
love.
Suddenly she spread her brown wings for flight and soared into
the air. She passed through the grove like a shadow, and like a
shadow she sailed across the garden.
In the center of the grass-plot was standing a beautiful Rose-tree,
and when she saw it she flew over to it, and lit upon a spray.
“Give me a red rose,” she cried, “and I will sing you my sweetest
song.”
But the Tree shook its head.
“My roses are white,” it answered; “as white as the foam of the
sea and whiter than the snow upon the mountain. But go to my
brother who grows round the sun-dial, and perhaps he will give you
what you want.”
So the Nightingale flew over to the Rose-tree that was growing
round the old sun-dial.
“Give me a red rose,” she cried, “and I will sing you my sweetest
song.”
But the Tree shook its head.
“My roses are yellow,” it answered; “as yellow as the hair of the
mermaiden who sits upon an amber throne, and yellower than the
daffodil that blooms in the meadow before the mower comes with his
scythe. But go to my brother who grows beneath the Student’s
window, and perhaps he will give you what you want.”
So the Nightingale flew over to the Rose-tree that was growing
beneath the Student’s window.
“Give me a red rose,” she cried, “and I will sing you my sweetest
song.”
But the Tree shook its head.
“My roses are red,” it answered, “as red as the feet of the dove,
and redder than the great fans of coral that wave and wave in the
ocean-cavern. But the winter has chilled my veins, and the frost has
nipped my buds, and the storm has broken my branches, and I shall
have no roses at all this year.”
“One red rose is all I want,” cried the Nightingale, “only one red
rose! Is there no way by which I can get it?”
“There is a way,” answered the Tree; “but it is so terrible that I
dare not tell it to you.”
“Tell it to me,” said the Nightingale; “I am not afraid.”
“If you want a red rose,” said the Tree, “you must build it out of
music by moonlight, and stain it with your own heart’s-blood. You
must sing to me with your breast against a thorn. All night long you
must sing to me, and the thorn must pierce your heart, and your life-
blood must flow into my veins, and become mine.”
“Death is a great price to pay for a red rose,” cried the Nightingale,
“and Life is very dear to all. It is pleasant to sit in the green wood,
and to watch the Sun in his chariot of gold, and the Moon in her
chariot of pearl. Sweet is the scent of the hawthorn, and sweet are
the bluebells that hide in the valley, and the heather that blows on
the hill. Yet Love is better than Life, and what is the heart of a bird
compared to the heart of a man?”
So she spread her brown wings for flight, and soared into the air.
She swept over the garden like a shadow, and like a shadow she
sailed through the grove.
The young Student was still lying on the grass, where she had left
him, and the tears were not yet dry in his beautiful eyes.
“Be happy,” cried the Nightingale, “be happy; you shall have your
red rose. I will build it out of music by moonlight, and stain it with my
own heart’s-blood. All that I ask of you in return is that you will be a
true lover, for Love is wiser than Philosophy, though she is wise, and
mightier than Power, though he is mighty. Flame-colored are his
wings, and colored like flame is his body. His lips are sweet as
honey, and his breath is like frankincense.”
The Student looked up from the grass, and listened, but he could
not understand what the Nightingale was saying to him, for he only
knew the things that are written down in books.
But the Oak-tree understood, and felt sad, for he was very fond of
the little Nightingale, who had built her nest in his branches.
“Sing me one last song,” he whispered; “I shall feel very lonely
when you are gone.”
So the Nightingale sang to the Oak-tree, and her voice was like
water bubbling from a silver jar.
When she had finished her song, the Student got up, and pulled a
note-book and a lead-pencil out of his pocket.
“She has form,” he said to himself, as he walked away through the
grove—“that cannot be denied to her; but has she got feeling? I am
afraid not. In fact, she is like most artists; she is all style, without any
sincerity. She would not sacrifice herself for others. She thinks
merely of music, and everybody knows that the arts are selfish. Still,
it must be admitted that she has some beautiful notes in her voice.
What a pity it is that they do not mean anything, or do any practical
good.” And he went into his room, and lay down on his little pallet-
bed, and began to think of his love; and, after a time, he fell asleep.
And when the Moon shone in the heavens the Nightingale flew to
the Rose-tree, and set her breast against the thorn. All night long
she sang with her breast against the thorn, and the cold crystal
Moon leaned down and listened. All night long she sang, and the
thorn went deeper and deeper into her breast, and her life blood
ebbed away from her.
She sang first of the birth of love in the heart of a boy and girl. And
on the topmost spray of the Rose-tree there blossomed a marvellous
rose, petal following petal, as song followed song. Pale was it, at
first, as the mist that hangs over the river—pale as the feet of the
morning, and silver as the wings of the dawn. As the shadow of a
rose in a mirror of silver, as the shadow of a rose in a water-pool, so
was the rose that blossomed on the topmost spray of the Tree.
But the Tree cried to the Nightingale to press closer against the
thorn. “Press closer, little Nightingale,” cried the Tree, “or the Day will
come before the rose is finished.”
So the Nightingale pressed closer against the thorn, and louder
and louder grew her song, for she sang of the birth of passion in the
soul of a man and a maid.
And a delicate flush of pink came into the leaves of the rose, like
the flush in the face of the bridegroom when he kisses the lips of the
bride. But the thorn had not yet reached her heart, so the rose’s
heart remained white, for only a Nightingale’s heart-blood can
crimson the heart of a rose.
And the Tree cried to the Nightingale to press closer against the
thorn. “Press closer, little Nightingale,” cried the Tree, “or the Day will
come before the rose is finished.”
So the Nightingale pressed closer against the thorn, and the thorn
touched her heart, and a fierce pang of pain shot through her. Bitter,
bitter was the pain, and wilder and wilder grew her song, for she
sang of the Love that is perfected by Death, of the Love that dies not
in the tomb.
And the marvellous rose became crimson, like the rose of the
eastern sky. Crimson was the girdle of petals, and crimson as a ruby
was the heart.
But the Nightingale’s voice grew fainter, and her little wings began
to beat, and a film came over her eyes. Fainter and fainter grew her
song, and she felt something choking her in her throat.
Then she gave one last burst of music. The white Moon heard it,
and she forgot the dawn, and lingered on in the sky. The red rose
heard it, and it trembled all over with ecstasy, and opened its petals
to the cold morning air. Echo bore it to her purple cavern in the hills,
and woke the sleeping shepherds from their dreams. It floated
through the reeds of the river, and they carried its message to the
sea.
“Look, look!” cried the Tree, “the rose is finished now”; but the
Nightingale made no answer, for she was lying dead in the long
grass, with the thorn in her heart.
And at noon the Student opened his window and looked out.
“Why, what a wonderful piece of luck!” he cried; “here is a red
rose! I have never seen any rose like it in all my life. It is so beautiful
that I am sure that it has a long Latin name”; and he leaned down
and plucked it.
Then he put on his hat, and ran up to the Professor’s house with
the rose in his hand.
The daughter of the Professor was sitting in the doorway winding
blue silk on a reel, and her little dog was lying at her feet.
“You said that you would dance with me if I brought you a red
rose,” cried the Student. “Here is the reddest rose in all the world.
You will wear it to-night next your heart, and as we dance together it
will tell you how I love you.”
But the girl frowned.
“I am afraid it will not go with my dress,” she answered; “and
besides, the Chamberlain’s nephew sent me some real jewels, and
everybody knows that jewels cost far more than flowers.”
“Well, upon my word, you are very ungrateful,” said the Student
angrily; and he threw the rose into the street, where it fell into the
gutter, and a cartwheel went over it
“Ungrateful!” said the girl. “I tell you what, you are very rude; and
after all, who are you? Only a Student. Why, I don’t believe you have
even got silver buckles to your shoes as the Chamberlain’s nephew
has”; and she got up from her chair and went into the house.
“What a silly thing Love is,” said the Student as he walked away.
“It is not half as useful as Logic, for it does not prove anything, and it
is always telling one of things that are not going to happen, and
making one believe things that are not true. In fact, it is quite
unpractical, and, as in this age to be practical is everything, I shall go
back to Philosophy and study Metaphysics.”
So he returned to his room and pulled out a great dusty book, and
began to read.
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