Nursing Care of Older Adults Exam 1 PracticeUltimate
Exam
**Question 1.** Which of the following best describes the primary role of a gerontological nurse in a
skilled nursing facility?
A) Performing surgical procedures
B) Conducting comprehensive geriatric assessments
C) Prescribing medications independently
D) Managing hospital discharge paperwork
Answer: B
Explanation: Gerontological nurses in SNFs focus on comprehensive assessments that evaluate
functional, cognitive, and psychosocial status to guide individualized care plans.
**Question 2.** The Patient Self‑Determination Act (PSDA) requires health‑care providers to:
A) Administer life‑sustaining treatment without consent
B) Document all family members’ wishes in the chart
C) Inform patients of their rights to advance directives upon admission
D) Restrict patients from making any medical decisions
Answer: C
Explanation: PSDA mandates that patients be informed of their right to create advance directives and to
refuse unwanted treatment.
**Question 3.** Which physiological change most directly contributes to orthostatic hypotension in
older adults?
A) Increased myocardial contractility
B) Decreased baroreceptor sensitivity
, Nursing Care of Older Adults Exam 1 PracticeUltimate
Exam
C) Enhanced renal sodium retention
D) Elevated plasma volume
Answer: B
Explanation: Age‑related decline in baroreceptor responsiveness impairs rapid blood pressure
adjustments when changing posture, leading to orthostatic hypotension.
**Question 4.** In the context of the Beers Criteria, which medication is considered potentially
inappropriate for an older adult with insomnia?
A) Zolpidem (Ambien)
B. Melatonin
C) Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
D) Ramelteon
Answer: C
Explanation: Diphenhydramine has anticholinergic properties and a high risk of sedation, confusion, and
falls in the elderly, making it inappropriate per Beers.
**Question 5.** The Mini‑Nutritional Assessment (MNA) is primarily used to:
A) Diagnose dementia
B) Evaluate fall risk
C) Screen for malnutrition in older adults
D) Measure functional mobility
Answer: C
, Nursing Care of Older Adults Exam 1 PracticeUltimate
Exam
Explanation: The MNA is a validated tool that assesses nutritional status and identifies risk of
malnutrition in the elderly.
**Question 6.** Which theory of aging emphasizes that successful aging results from maintaining
activity levels similar to earlier life stages?
A) Disengagement Theory
B) Activity Theory
C) Continuity Theory
D) Socioemotional Selectivity Theory
Answer: B
Explanation: Activity Theory posits that continued engagement in social and physical activities promotes
higher life satisfaction and health in older age.
**Question 7.** A 78‑year‑old resident presents with confusion, a urinary tract infection, and no fever.
This presentation exemplifies:
A) Typical infection presentation in the elderly
B) Atypical presentation of infection
C) Acute delirium unrelated to infection
D) Normal aging cognition
Answer: B
Explanation: Older adults often exhibit atypical signs such as confusion rather than fever when infected.
**Question 8.** Which of the following is a hallmark of sarcopenia?
, Nursing Care of Older Adults Exam 1 PracticeUltimate
Exam
A) Increased bone density
B) Loss of lean muscle mass and strength
C) Thickened epidermis
D) Elevated serum albumin
Answer: B
Explanation: Sarcopenia refers to age‑related decline in muscle mass and function, increasing frailty risk.
**Question 9.** The Hayflick Limit refers to:
A) The maximum number of red blood cells an older adult can produce
B) The finite number of cell divisions a somatic cell can undergo
C) The number of medications an older adult should take
D) The limit of functional independence after age 85
Answer: B
Explanation: The Hayflick Limit describes the programmed limit on cellular replication, contributing to
biological aging.
**Question 10.** Which of the following is a key component of fall‑prevention assessment in an
assisted‑living setting?
A) Measuring serum cholesterol weekly
B) Reviewing medication side effects that cause dizziness
C) Scheduling daily group therapy sessions
D) Providing high‑calorie meals
Exam
**Question 1.** Which of the following best describes the primary role of a gerontological nurse in a
skilled nursing facility?
A) Performing surgical procedures
B) Conducting comprehensive geriatric assessments
C) Prescribing medications independently
D) Managing hospital discharge paperwork
Answer: B
Explanation: Gerontological nurses in SNFs focus on comprehensive assessments that evaluate
functional, cognitive, and psychosocial status to guide individualized care plans.
**Question 2.** The Patient Self‑Determination Act (PSDA) requires health‑care providers to:
A) Administer life‑sustaining treatment without consent
B) Document all family members’ wishes in the chart
C) Inform patients of their rights to advance directives upon admission
D) Restrict patients from making any medical decisions
Answer: C
Explanation: PSDA mandates that patients be informed of their right to create advance directives and to
refuse unwanted treatment.
**Question 3.** Which physiological change most directly contributes to orthostatic hypotension in
older adults?
A) Increased myocardial contractility
B) Decreased baroreceptor sensitivity
, Nursing Care of Older Adults Exam 1 PracticeUltimate
Exam
C) Enhanced renal sodium retention
D) Elevated plasma volume
Answer: B
Explanation: Age‑related decline in baroreceptor responsiveness impairs rapid blood pressure
adjustments when changing posture, leading to orthostatic hypotension.
**Question 4.** In the context of the Beers Criteria, which medication is considered potentially
inappropriate for an older adult with insomnia?
A) Zolpidem (Ambien)
B. Melatonin
C) Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
D) Ramelteon
Answer: C
Explanation: Diphenhydramine has anticholinergic properties and a high risk of sedation, confusion, and
falls in the elderly, making it inappropriate per Beers.
**Question 5.** The Mini‑Nutritional Assessment (MNA) is primarily used to:
A) Diagnose dementia
B) Evaluate fall risk
C) Screen for malnutrition in older adults
D) Measure functional mobility
Answer: C
, Nursing Care of Older Adults Exam 1 PracticeUltimate
Exam
Explanation: The MNA is a validated tool that assesses nutritional status and identifies risk of
malnutrition in the elderly.
**Question 6.** Which theory of aging emphasizes that successful aging results from maintaining
activity levels similar to earlier life stages?
A) Disengagement Theory
B) Activity Theory
C) Continuity Theory
D) Socioemotional Selectivity Theory
Answer: B
Explanation: Activity Theory posits that continued engagement in social and physical activities promotes
higher life satisfaction and health in older age.
**Question 7.** A 78‑year‑old resident presents with confusion, a urinary tract infection, and no fever.
This presentation exemplifies:
A) Typical infection presentation in the elderly
B) Atypical presentation of infection
C) Acute delirium unrelated to infection
D) Normal aging cognition
Answer: B
Explanation: Older adults often exhibit atypical signs such as confusion rather than fever when infected.
**Question 8.** Which of the following is a hallmark of sarcopenia?
, Nursing Care of Older Adults Exam 1 PracticeUltimate
Exam
A) Increased bone density
B) Loss of lean muscle mass and strength
C) Thickened epidermis
D) Elevated serum albumin
Answer: B
Explanation: Sarcopenia refers to age‑related decline in muscle mass and function, increasing frailty risk.
**Question 9.** The Hayflick Limit refers to:
A) The maximum number of red blood cells an older adult can produce
B) The finite number of cell divisions a somatic cell can undergo
C) The number of medications an older adult should take
D) The limit of functional independence after age 85
Answer: B
Explanation: The Hayflick Limit describes the programmed limit on cellular replication, contributing to
biological aging.
**Question 10.** Which of the following is a key component of fall‑prevention assessment in an
assisted‑living setting?
A) Measuring serum cholesterol weekly
B) Reviewing medication side effects that cause dizziness
C) Scheduling daily group therapy sessions
D) Providing high‑calorie meals
