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NUR 163 Final Exam 2026/2027 Hondros Concepts of Practical Nursing
Care of Elderly Patients Actual Exam Verified Answers with Detailed
Rationales Study Guide Grade A
1. Communication between the nurse and patient should always be: Select all that
apply.
A. Respectful
B. Patient-centered
C. Purposeful
D. Directive
Correct Answer: A, B, C
Rationale: Therapeutic communication should always be respectful, patient-centered,
and purposeful. Directive communication may be appropriate in emergencies but is not
the general standard.
2. A nurse is communicating with an older adult patient. Which of the following are
important aspects of therapeutic communication? Select all that apply.
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A. Silence can be therapeutic
B. Open-ended questions encourage discussion
C. Tone and posture affect trust
D. Closed-ended questions should always be used
Correct Answer: A, B, C
Rationale: Silence provides time for reflection, open-ended questions encourage
discussion, and nonverbal communication (tone, posture) significantly affects trust.
3. Which of the following are physiological changes associated with normal
aging? Select all that apply.
A. Thinner skin
B. Increased muscle mass
C. Decreased thirst perception
D. Decreased thermoregulation
Correct Answer: A, C, D
Rationale: Normal aging includes thinner skin, decreased thirst perception, and
decreased thermoregulation. Muscle mass decreases, not increases, with aging.
4. Physiological age-related changes influence which areas? Select all that apply.
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A. Safety
B. Medication metabolism
C. Mobility
D. Communication ability
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D
Rationale: Age-related physiological changes affect safety, medication metabolism,
mobility, nutrition, and communication ability.
5. Which of the following are internal fall risk factors? Select all that apply.
A. Vision deficits
B. Poor lighting
C. Muscle weakness
D. Cognitive impairment
Correct Answer: A, C, D
Rationale: Internal fall risk factors include vision deficits, muscle weakness, medications,
and cognitive impairment. Poor lighting and loose rugs are external risk factors.
6. Which of the following are external fall risk factors? Select all that apply.
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A. Vision deficits
B. Poor lighting
C. Loose rugs
D. Muscle weakness
Correct Answer: B, C
Rationale: External fall risk factors include poor lighting, clutter, loose rugs, and
improper footwear. Vision deficits and muscle weakness are internal risk factors.
7. Medication safety in older adults is influenced by which factors? Select all that
apply.
A. Altered metabolism
B. Higher risk of adverse reactions
C. Increased drug interactions
D. Faster drug elimination
Correct Answer: A, B, C
Rationale: Older adults have altered metabolism, higher risk of adverse reactions, and
increased drug interactions. Drug elimination is typically decreased, not faster.
8. Polypharmacy is defined as the use of how many or more medications?
NUR 163 Final Exam 2026/2027 Hondros Concepts of Practical Nursing
Care of Elderly Patients Actual Exam Verified Answers with Detailed
Rationales Study Guide Grade A
1. Communication between the nurse and patient should always be: Select all that
apply.
A. Respectful
B. Patient-centered
C. Purposeful
D. Directive
Correct Answer: A, B, C
Rationale: Therapeutic communication should always be respectful, patient-centered,
and purposeful. Directive communication may be appropriate in emergencies but is not
the general standard.
2. A nurse is communicating with an older adult patient. Which of the following are
important aspects of therapeutic communication? Select all that apply.
,2|Page
A. Silence can be therapeutic
B. Open-ended questions encourage discussion
C. Tone and posture affect trust
D. Closed-ended questions should always be used
Correct Answer: A, B, C
Rationale: Silence provides time for reflection, open-ended questions encourage
discussion, and nonverbal communication (tone, posture) significantly affects trust.
3. Which of the following are physiological changes associated with normal
aging? Select all that apply.
A. Thinner skin
B. Increased muscle mass
C. Decreased thirst perception
D. Decreased thermoregulation
Correct Answer: A, C, D
Rationale: Normal aging includes thinner skin, decreased thirst perception, and
decreased thermoregulation. Muscle mass decreases, not increases, with aging.
4. Physiological age-related changes influence which areas? Select all that apply.
,3|Page
A. Safety
B. Medication metabolism
C. Mobility
D. Communication ability
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D
Rationale: Age-related physiological changes affect safety, medication metabolism,
mobility, nutrition, and communication ability.
5. Which of the following are internal fall risk factors? Select all that apply.
A. Vision deficits
B. Poor lighting
C. Muscle weakness
D. Cognitive impairment
Correct Answer: A, C, D
Rationale: Internal fall risk factors include vision deficits, muscle weakness, medications,
and cognitive impairment. Poor lighting and loose rugs are external risk factors.
6. Which of the following are external fall risk factors? Select all that apply.
, 4|Page
A. Vision deficits
B. Poor lighting
C. Loose rugs
D. Muscle weakness
Correct Answer: B, C
Rationale: External fall risk factors include poor lighting, clutter, loose rugs, and
improper footwear. Vision deficits and muscle weakness are internal risk factors.
7. Medication safety in older adults is influenced by which factors? Select all that
apply.
A. Altered metabolism
B. Higher risk of adverse reactions
C. Increased drug interactions
D. Faster drug elimination
Correct Answer: A, B, C
Rationale: Older adults have altered metabolism, higher risk of adverse reactions, and
increased drug interactions. Drug elimination is typically decreased, not faster.
8. Polypharmacy is defined as the use of how many or more medications?
