Adult Gerontology Management Across the Continuum of Care (NURS
5461) 2026 – UTA
1. Which of the following is considered a hallmark clinical sign of delirium in an
older adult patient?
A. Gradual memory loss over several years
B. Presence of plaques and tangles on imaging
C. Chronic difficulty with complex tasks
D. Acute onset of fluctuating levels of consciousness
Answer: D
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by an acute onset, a fluctuating course, and
disturbances in attention and consciousness, whereas dementia is typically gradual and
progressive.
2. According to the Beers Criteria, which medication class should be avoided in
older adults due to high risk of falls and fractures?
A. ACE Inhibitors
B. Proton Pump Inhibitors
C. Statins
D. Benzodiazepines
Answer: D
Rationale: Benzodiazepines increase the risk of falls, syncope, and fractures in older adults
due to their sedative effects and impact on motor coordination.
,3. When assessing an older adult for frailty using the Fried phenotype, which of
the following is NOT one of the five criteria?
A. History of hypertension
B. Self-reported exhaustion
C. Slow walking speed
D. Unintentional weight loss
Answer: A
Rationale: The Fried frailty phenotype includes unintentional weight loss, exhaustion, low
physical activity, slow gait speed, and weak grip strength. Hypertension is a comorbidity,
not a frailty criterion.
4. An 82-year-old patient presents with new-onset confusion and urinary
frequency. What is the most appropriate first action?
A. Order a brain MRI to rule out stroke
B. Initiate low-dose antipsychotic medication
C. Assess for long-term memory deficits
D. Obtain a urinalysis and culture
Answer: D
Rationale: Atypical presentation of infection, such as a UTI, often manifests as acute
confusion (delirium) in the elderly and should be ruled out first.
5. Which assessment tool is specifically used to screen for depression in the
geriatric population?
A. Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)
B. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
C. Braden Scale
D. Morse Fall Scale
Answer: A
, Rationale: The GDS is a validated screening tool specifically designed to identify
depression in older adults, often utilizing a ‘yes/no’ format.
6. A patient with end-stage COPD is being transitioned to hospice. What is the
primary goal of this level of care?
A. Comfort and symptom management at the end of life
B. Maximizing functional independence for return to work
C. Aggressive treatment of the underlying pathology
D. Prevention of all future hospitalizations for any cause
Answer: A
Rationale: Hospice care focuses on palliative management and comfort for patients with a
terminal prognosis, rather than curative treatment.
7. Which physiological change of aging significantly impacts the
pharmacokinetics of water-soluble drugs?
A. Decrease in total body water
B. Increase in total body water
C. Increase in lean muscle mass
D. Decrease in body fat percentage
Answer: A
Rationale: Total body water decreases with age, which can lead to higher serum
concentrations of water-soluble drugs like digoxin.
8. In the ‘Start Low, Go Slow’ prescribing principle for the elderly, what is the
primary objective?
A. To reduce the cost of medications for the patient
B. To ensure the patient takes the medication at the same time daily
C. To allow the caregiver to monitor for adherence
D. To minimize adverse drug reactions due to altered metabolism
Answer: D
5461) 2026 – UTA
1. Which of the following is considered a hallmark clinical sign of delirium in an
older adult patient?
A. Gradual memory loss over several years
B. Presence of plaques and tangles on imaging
C. Chronic difficulty with complex tasks
D. Acute onset of fluctuating levels of consciousness
Answer: D
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by an acute onset, a fluctuating course, and
disturbances in attention and consciousness, whereas dementia is typically gradual and
progressive.
2. According to the Beers Criteria, which medication class should be avoided in
older adults due to high risk of falls and fractures?
A. ACE Inhibitors
B. Proton Pump Inhibitors
C. Statins
D. Benzodiazepines
Answer: D
Rationale: Benzodiazepines increase the risk of falls, syncope, and fractures in older adults
due to their sedative effects and impact on motor coordination.
,3. When assessing an older adult for frailty using the Fried phenotype, which of
the following is NOT one of the five criteria?
A. History of hypertension
B. Self-reported exhaustion
C. Slow walking speed
D. Unintentional weight loss
Answer: A
Rationale: The Fried frailty phenotype includes unintentional weight loss, exhaustion, low
physical activity, slow gait speed, and weak grip strength. Hypertension is a comorbidity,
not a frailty criterion.
4. An 82-year-old patient presents with new-onset confusion and urinary
frequency. What is the most appropriate first action?
A. Order a brain MRI to rule out stroke
B. Initiate low-dose antipsychotic medication
C. Assess for long-term memory deficits
D. Obtain a urinalysis and culture
Answer: D
Rationale: Atypical presentation of infection, such as a UTI, often manifests as acute
confusion (delirium) in the elderly and should be ruled out first.
5. Which assessment tool is specifically used to screen for depression in the
geriatric population?
A. Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)
B. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
C. Braden Scale
D. Morse Fall Scale
Answer: A
, Rationale: The GDS is a validated screening tool specifically designed to identify
depression in older adults, often utilizing a ‘yes/no’ format.
6. A patient with end-stage COPD is being transitioned to hospice. What is the
primary goal of this level of care?
A. Comfort and symptom management at the end of life
B. Maximizing functional independence for return to work
C. Aggressive treatment of the underlying pathology
D. Prevention of all future hospitalizations for any cause
Answer: A
Rationale: Hospice care focuses on palliative management and comfort for patients with a
terminal prognosis, rather than curative treatment.
7. Which physiological change of aging significantly impacts the
pharmacokinetics of water-soluble drugs?
A. Decrease in total body water
B. Increase in total body water
C. Increase in lean muscle mass
D. Decrease in body fat percentage
Answer: A
Rationale: Total body water decreases with age, which can lead to higher serum
concentrations of water-soluble drugs like digoxin.
8. In the ‘Start Low, Go Slow’ prescribing principle for the elderly, what is the
primary objective?
A. To reduce the cost of medications for the patient
B. To ensure the patient takes the medication at the same time daily
C. To allow the caregiver to monitor for adherence
D. To minimize adverse drug reactions due to altered metabolism
Answer: D
