NUR163/NUR 163 Exam 4 V3 | Concepts of
Practical Nursing in the Care of Elderly
Patients Q&A with Rationale | Hondros
College of Nursing
1. When assessing an elderly patient for signs of dehydration, which finding is the most
reliable indicator for this population?
A. Poor skin turgor on the back of the hand
B. Increased thirst and fluid seeking
C. Dryness of the oral mucous membranes
D. Decreased appetite and caloric intake
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Skin turgor is often unreliable in the elderly because of the natural loss of skin
elasticity associated with aging. Thirst perception also decreases as people age, meaning
the patient may not feel thirsty despite being dehydrated. Assessing the oral mucous
membranes and tongue moisture provides a more accurate reflection of systemic fluid
status in the geriatric population.
2. An elderly patient presents with a sudden onset of confusion and agitation. What is the
nurse’s priority action?
A. Request a prescription for a sedative medication
,B. Document the findings as a normal progression of dementia
C. Reorient the patient to time, place, and person
D. Assess the patient for signs of a urinary tract infection
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Sudden onset of confusion in the elderly is a hallmark sign of delirium, which is
often caused by an underlying infection such as a UTI. Sedatives should be avoided as they
can worsen the confusion and increase fall risks. Physical assessment for physiological
triggers is the priority before assuming it is a psychological or chronic condition.
3. Which age-related change in the cardiovascular system increases the risk of orthostatic
hypotension?
A. Increased elasticity of the large arteries
B. Decreased sensitivity of baroreceptors
C. Increased heart rate response to stress
D. Decreased thickness of the left ventricle
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: As people age, baroreceptors become less sensitive to changes in position and
blood pressure. This delay in response causes a drop in blood pressure when moving from
a lying to a standing position. Nurses should instruct patients to dangle their legs at the
bedside before standing to prevent falls.
, 4. The nurse is caring for an elderly patient with presbyopia. Which intervention is most
appropriate?
A. Provide large-print reading materials
B. Speak in a high-pitched voice to be heard
C. Place the patient in a room with dim lighting
D. Use gestures and facial expressions only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Presbyopia is the age-related loss of near vision due to the hardening of the
lens. Large-print materials and adequate lighting help the patient compensate for this
visual deficit. This condition is a normal part of aging and is usually managed with
corrective lenses or environmental adjustments.
5. A nurse identifies that an elderly patient has a high risk for skin breakdown. Which
physiological factor contributes most to this?
A. Decreased vascularity of the dermis
B. Increased subcutaneous fat layers
C. Increased production of sebum
D. Thicker epidermal layer of the skin
Correct Answer: A
Practical Nursing in the Care of Elderly
Patients Q&A with Rationale | Hondros
College of Nursing
1. When assessing an elderly patient for signs of dehydration, which finding is the most
reliable indicator for this population?
A. Poor skin turgor on the back of the hand
B. Increased thirst and fluid seeking
C. Dryness of the oral mucous membranes
D. Decreased appetite and caloric intake
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Skin turgor is often unreliable in the elderly because of the natural loss of skin
elasticity associated with aging. Thirst perception also decreases as people age, meaning
the patient may not feel thirsty despite being dehydrated. Assessing the oral mucous
membranes and tongue moisture provides a more accurate reflection of systemic fluid
status in the geriatric population.
2. An elderly patient presents with a sudden onset of confusion and agitation. What is the
nurse’s priority action?
A. Request a prescription for a sedative medication
,B. Document the findings as a normal progression of dementia
C. Reorient the patient to time, place, and person
D. Assess the patient for signs of a urinary tract infection
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Sudden onset of confusion in the elderly is a hallmark sign of delirium, which is
often caused by an underlying infection such as a UTI. Sedatives should be avoided as they
can worsen the confusion and increase fall risks. Physical assessment for physiological
triggers is the priority before assuming it is a psychological or chronic condition.
3. Which age-related change in the cardiovascular system increases the risk of orthostatic
hypotension?
A. Increased elasticity of the large arteries
B. Decreased sensitivity of baroreceptors
C. Increased heart rate response to stress
D. Decreased thickness of the left ventricle
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: As people age, baroreceptors become less sensitive to changes in position and
blood pressure. This delay in response causes a drop in blood pressure when moving from
a lying to a standing position. Nurses should instruct patients to dangle their legs at the
bedside before standing to prevent falls.
, 4. The nurse is caring for an elderly patient with presbyopia. Which intervention is most
appropriate?
A. Provide large-print reading materials
B. Speak in a high-pitched voice to be heard
C. Place the patient in a room with dim lighting
D. Use gestures and facial expressions only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Presbyopia is the age-related loss of near vision due to the hardening of the
lens. Large-print materials and adequate lighting help the patient compensate for this
visual deficit. This condition is a normal part of aging and is usually managed with
corrective lenses or environmental adjustments.
5. A nurse identifies that an elderly patient has a high risk for skin breakdown. Which
physiological factor contributes most to this?
A. Decreased vascularity of the dermis
B. Increased subcutaneous fat layers
C. Increased production of sebum
D. Thicker epidermal layer of the skin
Correct Answer: A
