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NSG 2000 GERIATRIC NURSING FINAL
EXAM 1 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2025 GALEN COLLEGE OF
NURSING
1. What is the most common cause of injury-related death in older adults? a. Motor vehicle accidents b. Falls c. Medication overdose d. Choking Falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths among older adults due to decreased mobility, balance issues, and frailty. 2. Which age-related change increases the risk of drug toxicity in older adults?
a. Increased gastric motility b. Increased renal clearance c. Decreased liver metabolism d. Increased protein binding Aging reduces liver metabolism, leading to slower drug breakdown and increased risk for toxicity.
3. An older adult patient presents with acute confusion. What is the nurse’s priority action? a. Assess for signs of infection or illness b. Reorient the patient to time and place c. Notify the family d. Review the patient's medication list Delirium is often caused by underlying medical issues such as infection; assessment is the first priority. 4. Which of the following is the best intervention to prevent pressure injuries in immobile older adults? a. Use of donut-shaped cushions b. Frequent repositioning c. Application of talcum powder d. Use of heating pads
7. Which assessment finding in an older adult is most concerning? a. Unintentional weight loss b. Wrinkled skin c. Decreased appetite in the morning d. Difficulty sleeping at night Unintentional weight loss may indicate underlying disease and requires further evaluation. 8. Which of the following best describes ageism? a. A chronic illness associated with aging b. A stereotype or prejudice against older adults c. A government program for elderly health care d. A type of dementia Ageism is discrimination or stereotyping based on a person's age, particularly older adults. 9. What is the best way for a nurse to communicate with a hearing- impaired older adult? a. Speak loudly and slowly b. Face the patient directly while speaking c. Use written communication only d. Shout from a close distance
Facing the patient ensures they can see lip movements and facial expressions, aiding understanding.
10. Which intervention helps promote sleep in older adults? a. Taking long daytime naps b. Limiting caffeine intake in the evening c. Watching television before bed d. Drinking wine before sleeping Caffeine can interfere with sleep, and limiting it in the evening promotes better rest. 11. What does polypharmacy refer to? a. Multiple diseases in one person b. Multiple doctors treating one patient c. Use of multiple medications d. Over-the-counter medication use Polypharmacy is common in geriatrics and increases the risk for drug interactions and side effects. 12. What is the primary reason older adults are more prone to dehydration? a. Increased physical activity
15. Which vaccination is especially important for older adults to receive annually? a. Hepatitis B b. MMR c. Influenza d. Varicella Influenza can cause severe illness in older adults, making yearly vaccination essential. 16. What is the best way to prevent aspiration in an older adult with dysphagia? a. Offer liquids with every bite b. Encourage upright positioning during meals c. Serve food at room temperature d. Avoid using straws Upright positioning during meals reduces the risk of aspiration and promotes safe swallowing. 17. A common symptom of depression in older adults is: a. Aggression b. Euphoria
c. Loss of interest in activities d. Hallucinations Loss of interest (anhedonia) is a core symptom of depression and often seen in the elderly.
18. What is the most important factor in maintaining independence in older adults? a. Community support b. Functional mobility c. Nutritional intake d. Social interaction Functional mobility allows older adults to perform ADLs and maintain independence. 19. Which of the following conditions is most likely to cause orthostatic hypotension in older adults? a. Asthma b. Dehydration c. Diabetes d. Infection Dehydration reduces circulating volume and can lead to postural drops in blood pressure.
b. Apply adult briefs c. Limit fluid intake d. Schedule toileting every 4 hours Identifying the underlying cause of incontinence is essential for appropriate treatment.
23. Which is the most accurate method to assess hydration in older adults? a. Skin turgor on the hand b. Moistness of mucous membranes c. Intake and output trends d. Bowel movement frequency Monitoring intake and output offers objective data on fluid balance. 24. What is the most common cause of vision loss in the elderly? a. Cataracts b. Retinopathy c. Macular degeneration d. Glaucoma Macular degeneration leads to central vision loss and is a leading cause of blindness in the elderly.
25. What is an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease? a. Hallucinations b. Short-term memory loss c. Loss of motor skills d. Incontinence Short-term memory loss is often the first sign noticed in Alzheimer’s disease. 26. Which intervention best supports independence in an older adult with mild cognitive decline? a. Use memory aids like notes and calendars b. Restrict activity to prevent injury c. Provide constant supervision d. Limit conversation to reduce confusion Memory aids can support independence and orientation in early cognitive decline. 27. What should a nurse include when teaching fall prevention at home? a. Use rugs in slippery areas b. Place furniture close together c. Install grab bars in bathrooms d. Keep lights dim to avoid glare
30. A confused older adult patient becomes agitated during care. What is the nurse’s best action? a. Leave the patient alone b. Call security c. Speak calmly and redirect d. Use restraints Calm communication and redirection can often de-escalate agitation without the need for restraints. 31. Which of the following is a common side effect of anticholinergic medications in older adults? a. Increased urination b. Sedation c. Confusion d. Muscle cramps Older adults are more sensitive to anticholinergics, which can cause confusion and delirium. 32. Which of the following best defines frailty in geriatric patients? a. Dependence on a caregiver b. A syndrome of decreased reserve and resistance to stressors
c. Mental decline d. Severe chronic pain Frailty is a clinical syndrome involving weakness, fatigue, and low physiological reserve.
33. When assessing pain in a non-verbal older adult with dementia, the nurse should use: a. Standard numeric scale b. Behavioral pain scale c. Ask family to rate pain d. Avoid pain assessment Behavioral scales like PAINAD help assess pain in patients unable to self- report. 34. A nurse notes that an older adult with dementia is pacing and restless. What is the best intervention? a. Administer a sedative b. Provide a safe, structured activity c. Ignore the behavior d. Physically restrain the patient Engaging the patient in activity can reduce agitation and provide meaningful stimulation.
c. Neurologic exam d. Medication list Postural blood pressure assessment helps identify orthostatic hypotension.
38. An older adult is at risk for aspiration. What diet modification is most appropriate? a. Clear liquid diet b. Thickened liquids c. Low-fiber diet d. High-protein shakes Thickened liquids move more slowly and reduce the risk of aspiration during swallowing. 39. Which type of exercise is most beneficial for bone health in older adults? a. Swimming b. Stretching c. Weight-bearing walking d. Stationary cycling Weight-bearing activities like walking stimulate bone strength and prevent osteoporosis.
40. Which lab value is most important to monitor in an older adult taking a loop diuretic? a. Calcium b. Potassium c. Hemoglobin d. Glucose Loop diuretics cause potassium loss, increasing the risk of arrhythmias and muscle weakness. 41. What is the best nursing response to an older adult expressing fear of dying? a. Change the subject b. Tell them not to worry c. Listen and provide emotional support d. Call the chaplain immediately Active listening validates the patient's feelings and opens the door for therapeutic conversation. 42. When assessing a geriatric patient for abuse, what is a red flag? a. Multiple chronic conditions b. Unexplained bruises in various stages of healing
45. The nurse should include which strategy to promote effective communication with a cognitively impaired older adult? a. Ask several questions at once b. Use abstract language c. Use short, simple sentences d. Speak from a distance Simple, direct communication is easier for cognitively impaired individuals to process. 46. What is a common emotional response in older adults who lose independence? a. Relief b. Depression c. Euphoria d. Denial Loss of autonomy often leads to feelings of sadness and depression in the elderly. 47. A common symptom of urinary tract infection (UTI) in older adults is: a. Burning during urination b. Fever and chills
c. Sudden confusion d. Lower back pain Older adults often present with atypical symptoms like confusion instead of localized symptoms.
48. What should the nurse monitor for in an older adult on opioid pain medication? a. Polyuria b. Constipation c. Increased appetite d. Insomnia Constipation is a common side effect of opioids and should be prevented with early interventions. 49. Which of the following is a modifiable risk factor for falls in the elderly? a. Age b. Medication use c. Osteoarthritis d. Gender Certain medications like sedatives can increase fall risk and may be adjusted.
