NURS 5461 Final Exam Questions With
Correct Answers Latest Update 2026 | Exam
Prep
1. Which assessment tool is most appropriate for evaluating a patient's ability to bathe,
dress, and feed themselves?
A. PHQ-9
B. Mini-Cog
C. Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) assessment
D. Montreal Cognitive Assessment
Answer: C
Rationale: ADLs measure a person's ability to perform basic self-care activities
independently.
2. Which finding is most characteristic of delirium?
A. Gradual cognitive decline over years
B. Stable memory impairment without changes in attention
C. Acute onset with fluctuating level of consciousness and impaired attention
D. Progressive decline in executive function only
Answer: C
Rationale: Delirium develops suddenly, fluctuates throughout the day, and primarily
affects attention and awareness.
3. During medication reconciliation, which factor most strongly increases an older adult's
risk for adverse drug events?
A. Living alone
B. Polypharmacy
C. Wearing hearing aids
D. Retirement
Answer: B
Rationale: Taking multiple medications significantly increases the risk of drug
interactions, medication errors, and adverse effects.
,4. Which screening tool is specifically designed to detect depression severity in adults?
A. Mini-Cog
B. Katz ADL Index
C. PHQ-9
D. Braden Scale
Answer: C
Rationale: The PHQ-9 is a validated questionnaire used to screen for and monitor the
severity of depression.
5. An older adult reports an unintentional 15-pound weight loss, exhaustion, and slower
walking speed over the past six months. These findings are most consistent with:
A. Delirium
B. Frailty syndrome
C. Osteoarthritis
D. Normal aging
Answer: B
Rationale: Unintentional weight loss, fatigue, and decreased gait speed are classic
features of frailty and are associated with increased vulnerability to adverse health
outcomes.
Question 6
A 74-year-old patient presents for an annual wellness examination. Which finding is
considered a normal age-related change rather than a pathologic condition?
A. New-onset confusion after a urinary tract infection
B. Gradual decrease in skin elasticity and turgor
C. Resting oxygen saturation of 88% without lung disease
D. Unintentional 15-pound weight loss over 3 months
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Aging normally causes decreased skin elasticity, reduced collagen, and
diminished skin turgor. Acute confusion, significant hypoxemia, and unexplained weight
loss require further evaluation.
, Question 7
When assessing an older adult with dizziness upon standing, which nursing action
should be performed first?
A. Assess orthostatic blood pressure measurements.
B. Obtain a chest radiograph.
C. Administer intravenous fluids immediately.
D. Schedule a brain MRI.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Orthostatic vital signs are the first assessment to determine whether the
symptoms are due to orthostatic hypotension, a common cause of falls in older adults.
Question 8
Which patient is at the highest risk for falls?
A. A 66-year-old who walks 30 minutes daily
B. A 72-year-old taking one antihypertensive medication
C. An 84-year-old with poor vision, muscle weakness, and multiple medications
D. A 70-year-old using corrective eyeglasses
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Advanced age combined with visual impairment, muscle weakness, and
polypharmacy substantially increases fall risk.
Question 9
A patient scores 2 out of 5 on the Mini-Cog assessment. The nurse practitioner should
interpret this result as:
A. Normal cognitive function
B. Possible cognitive impairment requiring further evaluation
C. Severe dementia requiring hospitalization
D. Depression without cognitive impairment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An abnormal Mini-Cog score suggests possible cognitive impairment and
should prompt additional assessment with tools such as the MoCA or MMSE and a
comprehensive evaluation.
Correct Answers Latest Update 2026 | Exam
Prep
1. Which assessment tool is most appropriate for evaluating a patient's ability to bathe,
dress, and feed themselves?
A. PHQ-9
B. Mini-Cog
C. Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) assessment
D. Montreal Cognitive Assessment
Answer: C
Rationale: ADLs measure a person's ability to perform basic self-care activities
independently.
2. Which finding is most characteristic of delirium?
A. Gradual cognitive decline over years
B. Stable memory impairment without changes in attention
C. Acute onset with fluctuating level of consciousness and impaired attention
D. Progressive decline in executive function only
Answer: C
Rationale: Delirium develops suddenly, fluctuates throughout the day, and primarily
affects attention and awareness.
3. During medication reconciliation, which factor most strongly increases an older adult's
risk for adverse drug events?
A. Living alone
B. Polypharmacy
C. Wearing hearing aids
D. Retirement
Answer: B
Rationale: Taking multiple medications significantly increases the risk of drug
interactions, medication errors, and adverse effects.
,4. Which screening tool is specifically designed to detect depression severity in adults?
A. Mini-Cog
B. Katz ADL Index
C. PHQ-9
D. Braden Scale
Answer: C
Rationale: The PHQ-9 is a validated questionnaire used to screen for and monitor the
severity of depression.
5. An older adult reports an unintentional 15-pound weight loss, exhaustion, and slower
walking speed over the past six months. These findings are most consistent with:
A. Delirium
B. Frailty syndrome
C. Osteoarthritis
D. Normal aging
Answer: B
Rationale: Unintentional weight loss, fatigue, and decreased gait speed are classic
features of frailty and are associated with increased vulnerability to adverse health
outcomes.
Question 6
A 74-year-old patient presents for an annual wellness examination. Which finding is
considered a normal age-related change rather than a pathologic condition?
A. New-onset confusion after a urinary tract infection
B. Gradual decrease in skin elasticity and turgor
C. Resting oxygen saturation of 88% without lung disease
D. Unintentional 15-pound weight loss over 3 months
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Aging normally causes decreased skin elasticity, reduced collagen, and
diminished skin turgor. Acute confusion, significant hypoxemia, and unexplained weight
loss require further evaluation.
, Question 7
When assessing an older adult with dizziness upon standing, which nursing action
should be performed first?
A. Assess orthostatic blood pressure measurements.
B. Obtain a chest radiograph.
C. Administer intravenous fluids immediately.
D. Schedule a brain MRI.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Orthostatic vital signs are the first assessment to determine whether the
symptoms are due to orthostatic hypotension, a common cause of falls in older adults.
Question 8
Which patient is at the highest risk for falls?
A. A 66-year-old who walks 30 minutes daily
B. A 72-year-old taking one antihypertensive medication
C. An 84-year-old with poor vision, muscle weakness, and multiple medications
D. A 70-year-old using corrective eyeglasses
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Advanced age combined with visual impairment, muscle weakness, and
polypharmacy substantially increases fall risk.
Question 9
A patient scores 2 out of 5 on the Mini-Cog assessment. The nurse practitioner should
interpret this result as:
A. Normal cognitive function
B. Possible cognitive impairment requiring further evaluation
C. Severe dementia requiring hospitalization
D. Depression without cognitive impairment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An abnormal Mini-Cog score suggests possible cognitive impairment and
should prompt additional assessment with tools such as the MoCA or MMSE and a
comprehensive evaluation.
