NU176 | NU 176 Geriatric Nursing Final Exam v1 |
Questions with Correct Answers and Expert
Explanation for Each Question | Galen
1. A nurse is assessing an 80-year-old client. Which cardiovascular change is
considered a normal age-related finding?
A. Increased stiffness of the large arteries
B. Decreased peripheral vascular resistance
C. Increased cardiac output
D. Decreased systolic blood pressure
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Aging causes a loss of elasticity and increased stiffness in the
large arteries due to collagen cross-linking. This process often leads to a rise in
systolic blood pressure and a widened pulse pressure. It is important for nurses to
distinguish these normal changes from pathological conditions like atherosclerosis.
2. When educating an older adult about medication safety, which factor contributes
most to the risk of polypharmacy?
A. Using a single pharmacy for all prescriptions
B. Seeing multiple specialist providers
C. The use of a pill organizer
,D. Decreased sensitivity to medication side effects
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Seeing multiple specialists often results in fragmented care
where each provider prescribes medications without full knowledge of the others’
plans. This lack of coordination significantly increases the risk of drug-drug
interactions and duplicative therapies. Nurses should encourage patients to
maintain a comprehensive medication list to share with all healthcare providers.
3. An older adult presents with sudden confusion, agitation, and a fluctuating level of
consciousness. Which condition should the nurse suspect first?
A. Alzheimer’s disease
B. Depression
C. Delirium
D. Normal pressure hydrocephalus
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Delirium is characterized by an acute onset and a fluctuating
course, often triggered by an underlying medical issue like infection. Unlike
dementia, which is a slow and progressive decline, delirium is potentially reversible
if the cause is treated. Early identification is critical to prevent further complications
and ensure patient safety.
,4. Which assessment tool is most appropriate for evaluating an older adult’s risk for
developing pressure ulcers?
A. The Glasgow Coma Scale
B. The Geriatric Depression Scale
C. The Braden Scale
D. The Katz Index
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: The Braden Scale evaluates six subscales including sensory
perception, moisture, activity, mobility, nutrition, and friction/shear. A lower score
on this scale indicates a higher risk for pressure ulcer development. Nurses use this
tool to implement targeted interventions such as frequent repositioning and
nutritional support.
5. A nurse is performing a functional assessment. Which of the following is considered
an Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL)?
A. Bathing
B. Toileting
C. Managing finances
D. Dressing
, Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: IADLs involve more complex cognitive and physical tasks
required to live independently in the community, such as managing finances or
shopping. Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) refer to basic self-care tasks like bathing,
dressing, and toileting. Distinguishing between the two helps nurses determine the
level of support a patient requires at home.
6. Which statement by an older adult indicates a correct understanding of age-related
changes in sleep?
A. “I might wake up more frequently during the night.”
B. “I should expect to sleep deeply for 10 hours every night.”
C. “I will spend more time in REM sleep than I did when I was younger.”
D. “Daytime napping should be avoided at all costs.”
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Older adults often experience fragmented sleep and more
frequent nighttime awakenings due to changes in sleep architecture. They typically
spend less time in deep, restorative sleep stages (Stages 3 and 4) and more time in
lighter sleep. Nurses should educate patients that while sleep patterns change,
significant insomnia is not a normal part of aging.
Questions with Correct Answers and Expert
Explanation for Each Question | Galen
1. A nurse is assessing an 80-year-old client. Which cardiovascular change is
considered a normal age-related finding?
A. Increased stiffness of the large arteries
B. Decreased peripheral vascular resistance
C. Increased cardiac output
D. Decreased systolic blood pressure
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Aging causes a loss of elasticity and increased stiffness in the
large arteries due to collagen cross-linking. This process often leads to a rise in
systolic blood pressure and a widened pulse pressure. It is important for nurses to
distinguish these normal changes from pathological conditions like atherosclerosis.
2. When educating an older adult about medication safety, which factor contributes
most to the risk of polypharmacy?
A. Using a single pharmacy for all prescriptions
B. Seeing multiple specialist providers
C. The use of a pill organizer
,D. Decreased sensitivity to medication side effects
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Seeing multiple specialists often results in fragmented care
where each provider prescribes medications without full knowledge of the others’
plans. This lack of coordination significantly increases the risk of drug-drug
interactions and duplicative therapies. Nurses should encourage patients to
maintain a comprehensive medication list to share with all healthcare providers.
3. An older adult presents with sudden confusion, agitation, and a fluctuating level of
consciousness. Which condition should the nurse suspect first?
A. Alzheimer’s disease
B. Depression
C. Delirium
D. Normal pressure hydrocephalus
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Delirium is characterized by an acute onset and a fluctuating
course, often triggered by an underlying medical issue like infection. Unlike
dementia, which is a slow and progressive decline, delirium is potentially reversible
if the cause is treated. Early identification is critical to prevent further complications
and ensure patient safety.
,4. Which assessment tool is most appropriate for evaluating an older adult’s risk for
developing pressure ulcers?
A. The Glasgow Coma Scale
B. The Geriatric Depression Scale
C. The Braden Scale
D. The Katz Index
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: The Braden Scale evaluates six subscales including sensory
perception, moisture, activity, mobility, nutrition, and friction/shear. A lower score
on this scale indicates a higher risk for pressure ulcer development. Nurses use this
tool to implement targeted interventions such as frequent repositioning and
nutritional support.
5. A nurse is performing a functional assessment. Which of the following is considered
an Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL)?
A. Bathing
B. Toileting
C. Managing finances
D. Dressing
, Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: IADLs involve more complex cognitive and physical tasks
required to live independently in the community, such as managing finances or
shopping. Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) refer to basic self-care tasks like bathing,
dressing, and toileting. Distinguishing between the two helps nurses determine the
level of support a patient requires at home.
6. Which statement by an older adult indicates a correct understanding of age-related
changes in sleep?
A. “I might wake up more frequently during the night.”
B. “I should expect to sleep deeply for 10 hours every night.”
C. “I will spend more time in REM sleep than I did when I was younger.”
D. “Daytime napping should be avoided at all costs.”
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Older adults often experience fragmented sleep and more
frequent nighttime awakenings due to changes in sleep architecture. They typically
spend less time in deep, restorative sleep stages (Stages 3 and 4) and more time in
lighter sleep. Nurses should educate patients that while sleep patterns change,
significant insomnia is not a normal part of aging.
