NUR 2214 / NUR2214: Nursing Care of the Older
Adult Quiz 2 Review – Rasmussen Actual Exam
Complete Questions & Answers | Graded A+ | Pass
Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Physiological Changes of Aging
Q1: During a routine check-up, a 72-year-old patient mentions that she feels dizzy when
she stands up quickly. You explain that this is likely due to normal age-related changes
in the vascular system. Which physiological change best explains her symptom?
A. Increased elasticity of the arterial walls
B. Decreased baroreceptor sensitivity
C. Hyperplasia of the cardiac muscle
D. Increased response to catecholamines
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is decreased baroreceptor sensitivity; as we age, the
baroreceptors in the carotid sinus and aorta become less responsive, meaning the body
can't adjust the heart rate and blood pressure as quickly when changing positions,
leading to orthostatic hypotension.
Q2: You are assessing an 80-year-old patient's lung sounds. You note a decreased
ability to cough and clear secretions. Which age-related change is the primary reason
for this increased risk of respiratory infection?
A. Increased number of functional cilia
B. Stiffening of the rib cage (kyphoscoliosis)
C. Weakening of the respiratory muscles
D. Reduced cough reflex and ciliary action
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: This matches what we know about normal aging versus disease; the cough
reflex weakens and ciliary function declines, making it much harder for older adults to
clear pathogens and secretions from the airways.
Q3: A nurse is teaching a community group about changes in the integumentary system
as people age. Which statement by a participant indicates a correct understanding of
these changes?
A. "The oil glands will become more active, leading to oily skin."
B. "The skin will become thinner and lose some of its protective fatty layer."
, C. "Melanin production will increase, causing darker skin spots."
D. "The rate of nail growth will significantly speed up."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: With older adults we always consider that the subcutaneous fat layer
atrophies and the epidermis thins, which increases fragility and the risk of skin tears.
Q4: When reviewing laboratory results for a geriatric patient, you note a slightly elevated
serum creatinine level, but the patient reports normal fluid intake. Why might the serum
creatinine appear normal or only slightly elevated despite a significant decline in kidney
function?
A. Older adults have increased muscle mass.
B. The kidneys excrete creatinine faster in old age.
C. There is a decrease in muscle mass reducing creatinine production.
D. Laboratory reference ranges are adjusted for age.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Because muscle mass naturally decreases with age, less creatinine is
produced, so the serum level stays within the "normal" range even though the
glomerular filtration rate (GFR) has dropped.
Q5: An older adult patient complains of needing to get up several times during the night
to urinate. What normal age-related change contributes to this nocturia?
A. Increased bladder muscle tone
B. Decreased bladder capacity and muscle elasticity
C. Improved renal concentration ability
D. Increased urethral resistance
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The bladder loses elasticity and capacity with age, meaning it fills up faster
and triggers the urge to urinate sooner, often disrupting sleep.
Q6: You are caring for a 68-year-old patient who is having difficulty reading small print in
the newspaper. This is most likely caused by which condition?
A. Presbycusis
B. Presbyopia
C. Glaucoma
D. Cataracts
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is presbyopia, which is the normal loss of the eye's ability to
focus on near objects due to hardening of the lens; this usually starts in the 40s but is a
common complaint by the late 60s.
Adult Quiz 2 Review – Rasmussen Actual Exam
Complete Questions & Answers | Graded A+ | Pass
Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Physiological Changes of Aging
Q1: During a routine check-up, a 72-year-old patient mentions that she feels dizzy when
she stands up quickly. You explain that this is likely due to normal age-related changes
in the vascular system. Which physiological change best explains her symptom?
A. Increased elasticity of the arterial walls
B. Decreased baroreceptor sensitivity
C. Hyperplasia of the cardiac muscle
D. Increased response to catecholamines
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is decreased baroreceptor sensitivity; as we age, the
baroreceptors in the carotid sinus and aorta become less responsive, meaning the body
can't adjust the heart rate and blood pressure as quickly when changing positions,
leading to orthostatic hypotension.
Q2: You are assessing an 80-year-old patient's lung sounds. You note a decreased
ability to cough and clear secretions. Which age-related change is the primary reason
for this increased risk of respiratory infection?
A. Increased number of functional cilia
B. Stiffening of the rib cage (kyphoscoliosis)
C. Weakening of the respiratory muscles
D. Reduced cough reflex and ciliary action
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: This matches what we know about normal aging versus disease; the cough
reflex weakens and ciliary function declines, making it much harder for older adults to
clear pathogens and secretions from the airways.
Q3: A nurse is teaching a community group about changes in the integumentary system
as people age. Which statement by a participant indicates a correct understanding of
these changes?
A. "The oil glands will become more active, leading to oily skin."
B. "The skin will become thinner and lose some of its protective fatty layer."
, C. "Melanin production will increase, causing darker skin spots."
D. "The rate of nail growth will significantly speed up."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: With older adults we always consider that the subcutaneous fat layer
atrophies and the epidermis thins, which increases fragility and the risk of skin tears.
Q4: When reviewing laboratory results for a geriatric patient, you note a slightly elevated
serum creatinine level, but the patient reports normal fluid intake. Why might the serum
creatinine appear normal or only slightly elevated despite a significant decline in kidney
function?
A. Older adults have increased muscle mass.
B. The kidneys excrete creatinine faster in old age.
C. There is a decrease in muscle mass reducing creatinine production.
D. Laboratory reference ranges are adjusted for age.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Because muscle mass naturally decreases with age, less creatinine is
produced, so the serum level stays within the "normal" range even though the
glomerular filtration rate (GFR) has dropped.
Q5: An older adult patient complains of needing to get up several times during the night
to urinate. What normal age-related change contributes to this nocturia?
A. Increased bladder muscle tone
B. Decreased bladder capacity and muscle elasticity
C. Improved renal concentration ability
D. Increased urethral resistance
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The bladder loses elasticity and capacity with age, meaning it fills up faster
and triggers the urge to urinate sooner, often disrupting sleep.
Q6: You are caring for a 68-year-old patient who is having difficulty reading small print in
the newspaper. This is most likely caused by which condition?
A. Presbycusis
B. Presbyopia
C. Glaucoma
D. Cataracts
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best answer is presbyopia, which is the normal loss of the eye's ability to
focus on near objects due to hardening of the lens; this usually starts in the 40s but is a
common complaint by the late 60s.
