NUR 257 Geriatric Medicine (Gerontology) Final Exam Key
Concepts Latest Update 2026 | Galen College of Nursing
Louisville | Exam Prep Guide
1. To better fulfill the AHA's Stroke Chain of Survival goals, which assessment
mnemonic was developed to better prepare the public and EMS to recognize
stroke?
S.T.R.O.K.E.
AEIOU-TIPPSS
F.A.S.T
RACE
2. If an older adult is experiencing both mobility issues and feelings of isolation,
what comprehensive approach should be taken to address their psychosocial
needs?
Encourage the individual to stay at home and avoid social interactions.
Implement a care plan that includes social engagement activities
and physical therapy.
Suggest that the individual should only participate in physical activities
without addressing emotional needs.
Focus solely on medication management for their mobility issues.
3. If a healthcare provider is assessing an elderly patient with multiple chronic
conditions, what approach should they take according to the principles of
medical gerontology?
Focus only on the patient's physical health and ignore psychological
factors.
Prioritize the management of the most recent health issue only.
, Treat each chronic condition independently without considering their
interactions.
A comprehensive assessment that considers the patient's overall
health, including physical, psychological, and social factors.
4. Cellular senescence is:
Accumulation of non-dividing cells due to telomere shortening ,
DNA damage or other cellular stress
Accumulation of terminally differentiated cells
Cell death due to mitochondria damaging
5. What is the leading cause of injury and death among the elderly?
Trauma from falls
Cancer
Suicide
Heart disease
6. If an elderly patient presents with unusual symptoms that do not align with
typical disease presentations, what steps should a healthcare provider take to
ensure accurate diagnosis?
Assume the symptoms are due to normal aging and provide general
treatment.
Conduct a comprehensive assessment considering comorbidities
and atypical presentations.
Focus solely on the most common diseases in the elderly.
Limit the assessment to physical examinations only.
,7. Discuss how mobility disorders can affect the daily lives of older adults.
Mobility disorders enhance social interactions and improve mental
health.
Mobility disorders have no significant impact on daily life activities.
Mobility disorders primarily affect younger populations rather than
older adults.
Mobility disorders can limit independence and increase the risk of
falls, affecting daily activities.
8. Describe how functional psychiatric illnesses differ from other types of
psychiatric disorders in the elderly.
Functional psychiatric illnesses are the same as neurodegenerative
disorders.
Functional psychiatric illnesses are always caused by trauma.
Functional psychiatric illnesses are primarily due to genetic factors.
Functional psychiatric illnesses are mental health disorders not
linked to structural brain diseases.
9. If an elderly patient requires surgery, what factors should be considered
when planning their anesthesia?
The preference of the surgical team without patient input.
The patient's overall health, medication interactions, and
physiological changes.
Only the type of surgery being performed.
The patient's age alone without considering health status.
, 10. A patient has damage to a spinal nerve involving the dorsal root of the
nerve. What effects does the nurse expect?
Loss of sensation and motor control
Loss of motor function
Loss of sensation
Varies with specific nerve
11. What are two key effects of aging on the endocrine system?
Increased hormone production and enhanced tissue responsiveness
Reduced hormone production and tissue responsiveness
No significant changes in hormone levels or tissue response
Increased sensitivity to hormones and improved metabolism
12. What are two social aspects that can influence the health of older adults?
Medication and therapy
Isolation and support systems
Genetics and lifestyle
Diet and exercise
13. Symptoms of Alzheimer's disease include:
A. Neuron loss.
D. All of the above.
B. Severe dementia.
C. Neurofibrillary tangles.
Concepts Latest Update 2026 | Galen College of Nursing
Louisville | Exam Prep Guide
1. To better fulfill the AHA's Stroke Chain of Survival goals, which assessment
mnemonic was developed to better prepare the public and EMS to recognize
stroke?
S.T.R.O.K.E.
AEIOU-TIPPSS
F.A.S.T
RACE
2. If an older adult is experiencing both mobility issues and feelings of isolation,
what comprehensive approach should be taken to address their psychosocial
needs?
Encourage the individual to stay at home and avoid social interactions.
Implement a care plan that includes social engagement activities
and physical therapy.
Suggest that the individual should only participate in physical activities
without addressing emotional needs.
Focus solely on medication management for their mobility issues.
3. If a healthcare provider is assessing an elderly patient with multiple chronic
conditions, what approach should they take according to the principles of
medical gerontology?
Focus only on the patient's physical health and ignore psychological
factors.
Prioritize the management of the most recent health issue only.
, Treat each chronic condition independently without considering their
interactions.
A comprehensive assessment that considers the patient's overall
health, including physical, psychological, and social factors.
4. Cellular senescence is:
Accumulation of non-dividing cells due to telomere shortening ,
DNA damage or other cellular stress
Accumulation of terminally differentiated cells
Cell death due to mitochondria damaging
5. What is the leading cause of injury and death among the elderly?
Trauma from falls
Cancer
Suicide
Heart disease
6. If an elderly patient presents with unusual symptoms that do not align with
typical disease presentations, what steps should a healthcare provider take to
ensure accurate diagnosis?
Assume the symptoms are due to normal aging and provide general
treatment.
Conduct a comprehensive assessment considering comorbidities
and atypical presentations.
Focus solely on the most common diseases in the elderly.
Limit the assessment to physical examinations only.
,7. Discuss how mobility disorders can affect the daily lives of older adults.
Mobility disorders enhance social interactions and improve mental
health.
Mobility disorders have no significant impact on daily life activities.
Mobility disorders primarily affect younger populations rather than
older adults.
Mobility disorders can limit independence and increase the risk of
falls, affecting daily activities.
8. Describe how functional psychiatric illnesses differ from other types of
psychiatric disorders in the elderly.
Functional psychiatric illnesses are the same as neurodegenerative
disorders.
Functional psychiatric illnesses are always caused by trauma.
Functional psychiatric illnesses are primarily due to genetic factors.
Functional psychiatric illnesses are mental health disorders not
linked to structural brain diseases.
9. If an elderly patient requires surgery, what factors should be considered
when planning their anesthesia?
The preference of the surgical team without patient input.
The patient's overall health, medication interactions, and
physiological changes.
Only the type of surgery being performed.
The patient's age alone without considering health status.
, 10. A patient has damage to a spinal nerve involving the dorsal root of the
nerve. What effects does the nurse expect?
Loss of sensation and motor control
Loss of motor function
Loss of sensation
Varies with specific nerve
11. What are two key effects of aging on the endocrine system?
Increased hormone production and enhanced tissue responsiveness
Reduced hormone production and tissue responsiveness
No significant changes in hormone levels or tissue response
Increased sensitivity to hormones and improved metabolism
12. What are two social aspects that can influence the health of older adults?
Medication and therapy
Isolation and support systems
Genetics and lifestyle
Diet and exercise
13. Symptoms of Alzheimer's disease include:
A. Neuron loss.
D. All of the above.
B. Severe dementia.
C. Neurofibrillary tangles.
