NURS 5120 Adult Gerontology Assessment Lab Practice Questions and Answers|Accurate|Verified

NURS 5120 Adult Gerontology Assessment Lab
Practice Questions and Answers

During a comprehensive geriatric assessment, which component is most critical to
evaluate first?
A. Functional status
B. Nutritional intake
C. Cognitive function
D. Skin integrity
Answer: A. Functional status
Rationale: Functional status determines independence and guides care planning. It
is the cornerstone of geriatric assessment, influencing all other domains.

Question 2
Which tool is most appropriate for screening cognitive impairment in older adults?
A. PHQ-9
B. MMSE
C. Braden Scale
D. Katz Index
Answer: B. MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination)
Rationale: The MMSE is specifically designed to assess cognitive function, while
PHQ-9 screens depression, Braden Scale assesses skin risk, and Katz Index
measures ADLs.

Question 3
When assessing an older adult’s nutritional status, which lab value is most reliable?
A. Albumin
B. Hemoglobin
C. Prealbumin
D. Calcium
Answer: C. Prealbumin
Rationale: Prealbumin reflects short-term nutritional changes, making it more
sensitive than albumin. Hemoglobin and calcium are not primary nutrition
indicators.

Question 4
Which finding requires immediate intervention during a head-to-toe geriatric exam?
A. Mild kyphosis
B. Orthostatic hypotension
C. Decreased visual acuity
D. Presbycusis
Answer: B. Orthostatic hypotension
Rationale: This poses acute fall risk and may indicate dehydration, medication side
effects, or autonomic dysfunction. Other findings are expected age-related changes.

Question 5

,Which instrument best evaluates functional independence in daily living?
A. Barthel Index
B. Geriatric Depression Scale
C. Mini-Cog
D. Tinetti Balance Test
Answer: A. Barthel Index
Rationale: The Barthel Index measures ADLs and independence. Mini-Cog screens
cognition, GDS screens depression, and Tinetti assesses fall risk.

Question 6
Which age-related change most increases risk for adverse drug reactions?
A. Increased renal clearance
B. Decreased hepatic metabolism
C. Enhanced gastric absorption
D. Increased protein binding
Answer: B. Decreased hepatic metabolism
Rationale: Older adults metabolize drugs more slowly due to reduced liver function,
increasing toxicity risk.

Question 7
Which screening tool is best for depression in older adults?
A. Beck Depression Inventory
B. Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)
C. PHQ-2
D. Mini-Cog
Answer: B. Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)
Rationale: Specifically validated for older adults, minimizing somatic symptom bias.

Question 8
A 78-year-old reports frequent falls. Which assessment is most appropriate?
A. Katz Index
B. Tinetti Balance Test
C. MMSE
D. Barthel Index
Answer: B. Tinetti Balance Test
Rationale: Directly evaluates gait and balance, identifying fall risk.

Question 9
Which finding is considered a normal aging change?
A. Orthostatic hypotension
B. Presbyopia
C. Delirium
D. Incontinence
Answer: B. Presbyopia
Rationale: Age-related farsightedness is expected, unlike delirium or pathological
hypotension.

Question 10

, Which intervention best prevents polypharmacy complications?
A. Encourage herbal supplements
B. Annual medication reconciliation
C. Increase pill organizers
D. Prescribe higher doses
Answer: B. Annual medication reconciliation
Rationale: Reviewing medications reduces duplication and adverse interactions.

Question 11
Which lab value is most useful for monitoring renal function in older adults?
A. Serum creatinine
B. BUN
C. Creatinine clearance
D. Sodium
Answer: C. Creatinine clearance
Rationale: More accurate than serum creatinine, which may appear normal despite
reduced renal function.

Question 12
Which finding during a geriatric exam requires urgent referral?
A. Mild hearing loss
B. Unintentional weight loss
C. Decreased taste sensation
D. Kyphosis
Answer: B. Unintentional weight loss
Rationale: Often signals underlying disease such as malignancy or depression.

Question 13
Which tool best measures instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs)?
A. Katz Index
B. Lawton Scale
C. Barthel Index
D. Braden Scale
Answer: B. Lawton Scale
Rationale: Evaluates complex tasks like shopping, cooking, and managing finances.

Question 14
Which condition is most associated with delirium onset in hospitalized older adults?
A. Dementia
B. Infection
C. Depression
D. Hypertension
Answer: B. Infection
Rationale: Acute infections (e.g., UTI, pneumonia) are leading precipitants of
delirium.

Question 15
Which intervention best reduces pressure ulcer risk?