NUR163/NUR 163 Final Exam V3 |
Concepts of Practical Nursing in the Care
of Elderly Patients Q&A with Rationale |
Hondros College of Nursing
1. Which physiological change in the integumentary system is most common in elderly
patients and increases the risk of skin tears?
A. Decreased vascularity and thinning of the dermis
B. Thickening of the epidermal layer
C. Increase in subcutaneous fat layers
D. Enhanced elasticity of collagen fibers
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Aging leads to a reduction in the number of blood vessels and the overall
thickness of the dermal layer. This thinning makes the skin more fragile and prone to
mechanical injury from friction or shearing. Practical nurses should focus on gentle
handling and the use of moisturizers to prevent complications.
2. According to Erikson’s developmental stages, what is the primary psychosocial task for a
patient in late adulthood?
A. Generativity vs. Stagnation
B. Intimacy vs. Isolation
,C. Identity vs. Role Confusion
D. Integrity vs. Despair
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Individuals in the final stage of life look back on their accomplishments to
determine if they have led a meaningful life. Success leads to a sense of wisdom and
integrity, while failure results in bitterness and regret. Nurses can support this process by
encouraging life reviews and active listening.
3. A nurse is reviewing a patient’s medications using the Beers Criteria. What is the primary
purpose of this tool?
A. To determine the exact dosage for pediatric patients
B. To identify medications that are potentially inappropriate for the elderly
C. To track the cost-effectiveness of generic medications
D. To calculate the patient’s body mass index for nutrition
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Beers Criteria provide a list of drugs that carry a higher risk of adverse
effects in older adults due to physiological changes. Using this list helps healthcare
providers minimize polypharmacy and reduce the incidence of drug-related falls or
confusion. It is an essential component of geriatric medication safety protocols.
, 4. Which of the following is a classic sign of a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) in an elderly
patient, unlike in younger adults?
A. High-grade fever and chills
B. Severe dysuria and urgency
C. Acute onset of confusion or delirium
D. Flank pain and hematuria
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Elderly patients often present with atypical symptoms when fighting an
infection like a UTI. Instead of fever or localized pain, they frequently exhibit sudden
changes in mental status or increased restlessness. Nurses must assess cognitive changes
as a possible indicator of underlying physical illness.
5. What is the most effective nursing intervention to prevent pressure injuries in a bedbound
geriatric patient?
A. Massaging reddened bony prominences every shift
B. Keeping the head of the bed at a 90-degree angle
C. Limiting fluid intake to prevent incontinence
D. Repositioning the patient at least every two hours
Correct Answer: D
Concepts of Practical Nursing in the Care
of Elderly Patients Q&A with Rationale |
Hondros College of Nursing
1. Which physiological change in the integumentary system is most common in elderly
patients and increases the risk of skin tears?
A. Decreased vascularity and thinning of the dermis
B. Thickening of the epidermal layer
C. Increase in subcutaneous fat layers
D. Enhanced elasticity of collagen fibers
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Aging leads to a reduction in the number of blood vessels and the overall
thickness of the dermal layer. This thinning makes the skin more fragile and prone to
mechanical injury from friction or shearing. Practical nurses should focus on gentle
handling and the use of moisturizers to prevent complications.
2. According to Erikson’s developmental stages, what is the primary psychosocial task for a
patient in late adulthood?
A. Generativity vs. Stagnation
B. Intimacy vs. Isolation
,C. Identity vs. Role Confusion
D. Integrity vs. Despair
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Individuals in the final stage of life look back on their accomplishments to
determine if they have led a meaningful life. Success leads to a sense of wisdom and
integrity, while failure results in bitterness and regret. Nurses can support this process by
encouraging life reviews and active listening.
3. A nurse is reviewing a patient’s medications using the Beers Criteria. What is the primary
purpose of this tool?
A. To determine the exact dosage for pediatric patients
B. To identify medications that are potentially inappropriate for the elderly
C. To track the cost-effectiveness of generic medications
D. To calculate the patient’s body mass index for nutrition
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Beers Criteria provide a list of drugs that carry a higher risk of adverse
effects in older adults due to physiological changes. Using this list helps healthcare
providers minimize polypharmacy and reduce the incidence of drug-related falls or
confusion. It is an essential component of geriatric medication safety protocols.
, 4. Which of the following is a classic sign of a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) in an elderly
patient, unlike in younger adults?
A. High-grade fever and chills
B. Severe dysuria and urgency
C. Acute onset of confusion or delirium
D. Flank pain and hematuria
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Elderly patients often present with atypical symptoms when fighting an
infection like a UTI. Instead of fever or localized pain, they frequently exhibit sudden
changes in mental status or increased restlessness. Nurses must assess cognitive changes
as a possible indicator of underlying physical illness.
5. What is the most effective nursing intervention to prevent pressure injuries in a bedbound
geriatric patient?
A. Massaging reddened bony prominences every shift
B. Keeping the head of the bed at a 90-degree angle
C. Limiting fluid intake to prevent incontinence
D. Repositioning the patient at least every two hours
Correct Answer: D
