Chapter 01: Trends and Issues
Williams: Basic Geriatric Nursing, 8th Edition
Multiple Choice Questions
1. What factor contributed to the shift in health care focus toward older adults in the late
1960s?
A. Disability was considered unavoidable.
B. Disease complications increased mortality.
C. Older adults’ needs were viewed as identical to younger adults.
D. Preventive health care practices increased life expectancy.
Correct Answer: D
Expanded preventive health care, improved disease control, and a greater emphasis on wellness significantly
increased longevity, shifting health care attention toward the aging population.
2. The term “aged” refers to individuals in which age group?
A. 55–64 years
B. 65–74 years
C. 75–84 years
D. 85 years and older
Correct Answer: C
“Aged” specifically describes individuals between 75 and 84 years of age.
3. Which statement accurately defines ageism?
A. Discrimination based solely on age
B. Fear of growing older
C. Cultural sensitivity regarding aging
D. Advocacy for older adult resources
Correct Answer: A
Ageism refers to negative attitudes and discriminatory behaviors directed toward individuals purely because of
their age.
4. Which legislation has had the greatest impact on health care for older adults?
,A. Medicare and Medicaid
B. Elimination of mandatory retirement age
C. Americans with Disabilities Act
D. Drug Benefit Program
Correct Answer: A
Medicare and Medicaid represent the most comprehensive legislation affecting health care access and services
for older adults.
5. Which housing option provides apartment-style privacy along with meals and limited
medical services?
A. Government-subsidized housing
B. Long-term care facility
C. Assisted-living center
D. Group housing plan
Correct Answer: C
Assisted-living facilities provide private accommodations with meals, limited medical support, and personal
services.
6. Which Medicare component covers inpatient hospital costs?
A. Part C
B. Part B
C. Part A
D. Part D
Correct Answer: C
Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital services. Part B covers physician services (typically 80%), Part D
addresses prescription drugs, and Part C includes private managed-care plans.
7. Which document authorizes a designated individual to make health care decisions on behalf
of a patient?
A. Advance directive
B. Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order
C. Durable power of attorney for health care
D. Living will
Correct Answer: C
A durable power of attorney for health care legally transfers decision-making authority to a chosen individual.
,8. An 80-year-old resident refuses to eat in a long-term care facility. What is the most
appropriate interpretation?
A. Maintaining independence and control
B. Early Alzheimer disease
C. Seeking attention
D. Disliking institutional food
Correct Answer: A
Food refusal may reflect an effort to preserve autonomy and personal control.
9. When does a living will take effect?
A. When written by the patient
B. When requested by family
C. When two physicians certify criteria are met
D. When physician and family agree
Correct Answer: C
A living will becomes effective once two physicians document that the specified criteria have been met.
10. How did diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) reduce hospital costs?
A. Limiting eligible diagnoses
B. Establishing preset payment and hospital stay lengths
C. Assigning specific physicians
D. Using frequency-based payment
Correct Answer: B
DRGs established fixed reimbursement amounts and designated hospital stays based on diagnosis.
11. Which facility is appropriate for a patient requiring physical therapy after hip
replacement?
A. Basic care facility
B. Skilled care facility
C. Subacute care facility
D. Assisted-living residence
Correct Answer: B
Skilled care facilities provide licensed professional services, including physical therapy.
12. How long does Medicare cover skilled nursing facility care?
, A. 30 days
B. 45 days
C. 100 days
D. Until discharge home
Correct Answer: C
Medicare covers up to 100 days of skilled nursing facility care when eligibility criteria are met.
13. Which political advocacy group promotes the interests of older adults?
A. American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
B. National Council of Senior Citizens
C. National Alliance of Senior Citizens
D. Gray Panthers
Correct Answer: A
AARP advances older adult welfare through volunteer engagement and lobbying efforts.
14. Which scenario represents financial elder abuse?
A. Using funds to purchase prescribed medication
B. Installing door alarms for safety
C. Respecting a competent adult’s hygiene refusal
D. Using the older adult’s money for personal alcohol purchase
Correct Answer: D
Using an older adult’s funds for personal benefit constitutes financial abuse.
15. What is the most common response of abused older adults?
A. Anger
B. Physical retaliation
C. Reporting authorities
D. Remaining silent
Correct Answer: D
Fear of retaliation or abandonment often prevents reporting.
16. Why do some nurses avoid gerontology careers?
A. Physical demands
B. Limited use of technical skills
C. Excessive challenge
D. Few employment opportunities
Williams: Basic Geriatric Nursing, 8th Edition
Multiple Choice Questions
1. What factor contributed to the shift in health care focus toward older adults in the late
1960s?
A. Disability was considered unavoidable.
B. Disease complications increased mortality.
C. Older adults’ needs were viewed as identical to younger adults.
D. Preventive health care practices increased life expectancy.
Correct Answer: D
Expanded preventive health care, improved disease control, and a greater emphasis on wellness significantly
increased longevity, shifting health care attention toward the aging population.
2. The term “aged” refers to individuals in which age group?
A. 55–64 years
B. 65–74 years
C. 75–84 years
D. 85 years and older
Correct Answer: C
“Aged” specifically describes individuals between 75 and 84 years of age.
3. Which statement accurately defines ageism?
A. Discrimination based solely on age
B. Fear of growing older
C. Cultural sensitivity regarding aging
D. Advocacy for older adult resources
Correct Answer: A
Ageism refers to negative attitudes and discriminatory behaviors directed toward individuals purely because of
their age.
4. Which legislation has had the greatest impact on health care for older adults?
,A. Medicare and Medicaid
B. Elimination of mandatory retirement age
C. Americans with Disabilities Act
D. Drug Benefit Program
Correct Answer: A
Medicare and Medicaid represent the most comprehensive legislation affecting health care access and services
for older adults.
5. Which housing option provides apartment-style privacy along with meals and limited
medical services?
A. Government-subsidized housing
B. Long-term care facility
C. Assisted-living center
D. Group housing plan
Correct Answer: C
Assisted-living facilities provide private accommodations with meals, limited medical support, and personal
services.
6. Which Medicare component covers inpatient hospital costs?
A. Part C
B. Part B
C. Part A
D. Part D
Correct Answer: C
Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital services. Part B covers physician services (typically 80%), Part D
addresses prescription drugs, and Part C includes private managed-care plans.
7. Which document authorizes a designated individual to make health care decisions on behalf
of a patient?
A. Advance directive
B. Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order
C. Durable power of attorney for health care
D. Living will
Correct Answer: C
A durable power of attorney for health care legally transfers decision-making authority to a chosen individual.
,8. An 80-year-old resident refuses to eat in a long-term care facility. What is the most
appropriate interpretation?
A. Maintaining independence and control
B. Early Alzheimer disease
C. Seeking attention
D. Disliking institutional food
Correct Answer: A
Food refusal may reflect an effort to preserve autonomy and personal control.
9. When does a living will take effect?
A. When written by the patient
B. When requested by family
C. When two physicians certify criteria are met
D. When physician and family agree
Correct Answer: C
A living will becomes effective once two physicians document that the specified criteria have been met.
10. How did diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) reduce hospital costs?
A. Limiting eligible diagnoses
B. Establishing preset payment and hospital stay lengths
C. Assigning specific physicians
D. Using frequency-based payment
Correct Answer: B
DRGs established fixed reimbursement amounts and designated hospital stays based on diagnosis.
11. Which facility is appropriate for a patient requiring physical therapy after hip
replacement?
A. Basic care facility
B. Skilled care facility
C. Subacute care facility
D. Assisted-living residence
Correct Answer: B
Skilled care facilities provide licensed professional services, including physical therapy.
12. How long does Medicare cover skilled nursing facility care?
, A. 30 days
B. 45 days
C. 100 days
D. Until discharge home
Correct Answer: C
Medicare covers up to 100 days of skilled nursing facility care when eligibility criteria are met.
13. Which political advocacy group promotes the interests of older adults?
A. American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
B. National Council of Senior Citizens
C. National Alliance of Senior Citizens
D. Gray Panthers
Correct Answer: A
AARP advances older adult welfare through volunteer engagement and lobbying efforts.
14. Which scenario represents financial elder abuse?
A. Using funds to purchase prescribed medication
B. Installing door alarms for safety
C. Respecting a competent adult’s hygiene refusal
D. Using the older adult’s money for personal alcohol purchase
Correct Answer: D
Using an older adult’s funds for personal benefit constitutes financial abuse.
15. What is the most common response of abused older adults?
A. Anger
B. Physical retaliation
C. Reporting authorities
D. Remaining silent
Correct Answer: D
Fear of retaliation or abandonment often prevents reporting.
16. Why do some nurses avoid gerontology careers?
A. Physical demands
B. Limited use of technical skills
C. Excessive challenge
D. Few employment opportunities
