NSG 6420 GERONTOLOGY MIDTERM Exam AND
PRACTICE QUESTIONS ACTUAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) |ALREADY
GRADED A+
Question 1
An 82-year-old woman presents with gradual memory loss, difficulty managing
finances, and getting lost in familiar places. Which condition is most consistent
with these findings?
A. Delirium
B. Alzheimer’s disease
C. Depression
D. Normal aging
Correct Answer: B. Alzheimer’s disease
Rationale: Alzheimer’s disease presents with progressive cognitive decline,
particularly memory impairment and executive dysfunction. Delirium is acute and
fluctuating; depression may mimic cognitive decline but is reversible; normal
aging does not significantly impair daily functioning.
Question 2
A nurse practitioner evaluates a 78-year-old man with acute confusion,
disorganized thinking, and fluctuating consciousness after surgery. What is the
most likely diagnosis?
A. Dementia
B. Delirium
C. Depression
D. Parkinson’s disease
Correct Answer: B. Delirium
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by acute onset, fluctuating course, and altered
level of consciousness, often triggered by medical conditions such as surgery or
infection.
,Question 3
Which physiological change is considered a normal part of aging?
A. Significant decline in intelligence
B. Reduced renal function
C. Severe memory impairment
D. Inability to perform daily activities
Correct Answer: B. Reduced renal function
Rationale: Aging leads to gradual decline in renal function (e.g., decreased GFR).
Intelligence and functional ability are generally preserved unless disease is present.
Question 4
An older adult reports difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds. What is the most
likely cause?
A. Otitis media
B. Presbycusis
C. Meniere’s disease
D. Acoustic neuroma
Correct Answer: B. Presbycusis
Rationale: Presbycusis is age-related hearing loss, particularly affecting high-
frequency sounds.
Question 5
A 75-year-old patient is prescribed multiple medications. What is the primary
concern in this scenario?
A. Compliance
B. Polypharmacy
C. Drug tolerance
D. Drug addiction
,Correct Answer: B. Polypharmacy
Rationale: Polypharmacy increases the risk of adverse drug reactions, drug
interactions, and medication nonadherence in older adults.
Question 6
Which assessment tool is commonly used to evaluate cognitive function in older
adults?
A. Glasgow Coma Scale
B. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
C. Braden Scale
D. APGAR Score
Correct Answer: B. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
Rationale: MMSE is widely used to assess cognitive impairment, including
memory, attention, and orientation.
Question 7
An elderly patient reports sadness, weight loss, and insomnia for several weeks.
What is the most appropriate diagnosis?
A. Delirium
B. Dementia
C. Depression
D. Anxiety disorder
Correct Answer: C. Depression
Rationale: Persistent low mood, sleep disturbances, and weight changes suggest
depression, which is common but often underdiagnosed in older adults.
, Question 8
Which factor increases the risk of falls in older adults?
A. Regular exercise
B. Adequate lighting
C. Polypharmacy
D. Balanced diet
Correct Answer: C. Polypharmacy
Rationale: Multiple medications, especially sedatives and antihypertensives,
increase fall risk due to dizziness and impaired balance.
Question 9
A nurse practitioner is assessing an elderly patient’s ability to perform daily tasks.
Which scale is most appropriate?
A. Katz Index of ADLs
B. Glasgow Coma Scale
C. PHQ-9
D. Norton Scale
Correct Answer: A. Katz Index of ADLs
Rationale: The Katz Index evaluates independence in activities of daily living
such as bathing, dressing, and feeding.
Question 10
Which condition is characterized by bradykinesia, resting tremor, and rigidity?
A. Alzheimer’s disease
B. Parkinson’s disease
C. Huntington’s disease
D. Multiple sclerosis
Correct Answer: B. Parkinson’s disease
Rationale: Parkinson’s disease presents with motor symptoms including tremor,
rigidity, and slowed movements.
PRACTICE QUESTIONS ACTUAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) |ALREADY
GRADED A+
Question 1
An 82-year-old woman presents with gradual memory loss, difficulty managing
finances, and getting lost in familiar places. Which condition is most consistent
with these findings?
A. Delirium
B. Alzheimer’s disease
C. Depression
D. Normal aging
Correct Answer: B. Alzheimer’s disease
Rationale: Alzheimer’s disease presents with progressive cognitive decline,
particularly memory impairment and executive dysfunction. Delirium is acute and
fluctuating; depression may mimic cognitive decline but is reversible; normal
aging does not significantly impair daily functioning.
Question 2
A nurse practitioner evaluates a 78-year-old man with acute confusion,
disorganized thinking, and fluctuating consciousness after surgery. What is the
most likely diagnosis?
A. Dementia
B. Delirium
C. Depression
D. Parkinson’s disease
Correct Answer: B. Delirium
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by acute onset, fluctuating course, and altered
level of consciousness, often triggered by medical conditions such as surgery or
infection.
,Question 3
Which physiological change is considered a normal part of aging?
A. Significant decline in intelligence
B. Reduced renal function
C. Severe memory impairment
D. Inability to perform daily activities
Correct Answer: B. Reduced renal function
Rationale: Aging leads to gradual decline in renal function (e.g., decreased GFR).
Intelligence and functional ability are generally preserved unless disease is present.
Question 4
An older adult reports difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds. What is the most
likely cause?
A. Otitis media
B. Presbycusis
C. Meniere’s disease
D. Acoustic neuroma
Correct Answer: B. Presbycusis
Rationale: Presbycusis is age-related hearing loss, particularly affecting high-
frequency sounds.
Question 5
A 75-year-old patient is prescribed multiple medications. What is the primary
concern in this scenario?
A. Compliance
B. Polypharmacy
C. Drug tolerance
D. Drug addiction
,Correct Answer: B. Polypharmacy
Rationale: Polypharmacy increases the risk of adverse drug reactions, drug
interactions, and medication nonadherence in older adults.
Question 6
Which assessment tool is commonly used to evaluate cognitive function in older
adults?
A. Glasgow Coma Scale
B. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
C. Braden Scale
D. APGAR Score
Correct Answer: B. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
Rationale: MMSE is widely used to assess cognitive impairment, including
memory, attention, and orientation.
Question 7
An elderly patient reports sadness, weight loss, and insomnia for several weeks.
What is the most appropriate diagnosis?
A. Delirium
B. Dementia
C. Depression
D. Anxiety disorder
Correct Answer: C. Depression
Rationale: Persistent low mood, sleep disturbances, and weight changes suggest
depression, which is common but often underdiagnosed in older adults.
, Question 8
Which factor increases the risk of falls in older adults?
A. Regular exercise
B. Adequate lighting
C. Polypharmacy
D. Balanced diet
Correct Answer: C. Polypharmacy
Rationale: Multiple medications, especially sedatives and antihypertensives,
increase fall risk due to dizziness and impaired balance.
Question 9
A nurse practitioner is assessing an elderly patient’s ability to perform daily tasks.
Which scale is most appropriate?
A. Katz Index of ADLs
B. Glasgow Coma Scale
C. PHQ-9
D. Norton Scale
Correct Answer: A. Katz Index of ADLs
Rationale: The Katz Index evaluates independence in activities of daily living
such as bathing, dressing, and feeding.
Question 10
Which condition is characterized by bradykinesia, resting tremor, and rigidity?
A. Alzheimer’s disease
B. Parkinson’s disease
C. Huntington’s disease
D. Multiple sclerosis
Correct Answer: B. Parkinson’s disease
Rationale: Parkinson’s disease presents with motor symptoms including tremor,
rigidity, and slowed movements.
