NSG GERIATRIC NURSING EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026
Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
CORE DOMAINS
- Comprehensive geriatric assessment
- Normal aging and age-related changes
- Common geriatric syndromes
- Chronic disease management
- Pharmacology and polypharmacy
- Mobility, falls, and safety
- Cognition, delirium, and dementia
- Skin integrity and pressure injury prevention
- Ethics, law, and professional practice
- Communication, family support, and discharge planning
*
INTRODUCTION
This assessment is designed to evaluate knowledge and clinical judgment in geriatric nursing. It measures understanding of normal aging,
common health problems in older adults, safety, ethics, communication, medication management, and care planning. The questions combine
multiple-choice and scenario-based formats to reflect real nursing decision-making in clinical settings. Learners are expected to apply theory to
practice, identify priority actions, and choose interventions that promote function, independence, dignity, and quality of life. The document
supports exam preparation by reinforcing evidence-based care, professional standards, and patient-centered approaches in older-adult nursing.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. Which assessment finding is most consistent with normal aging?
A. Sudden confusion and agitation.
B. Progressive weight loss over one week.
C. Decreased renal clearance.
D. Fever and cough.
🟢 C. Decreased renal clearance.
🔴 RATIONALE: Renal function commonly declines with age, affecting medication handling and fluid balance.
2. An older adult with new-onset confusion should be assessed first for which condition?
, A. Dementia.
B. Delirium.
C. Depression.
D. Parkinson disease.
🟢 B. Delirium.
🔴 RATIONALE: Delirium is acute, often reversible, and must be considered before chronic cognitive disorders.
3. Which intervention best helps prevent falls in an older adult?
A. Keep the room dark at night.
B. Encourage rapid position changes.
C. Remove clutter from walkways.
D. Restrict all mobility.
🟢 C. Remove clutter from walkways.
🔴 RATIONALE: Environmental hazard reduction is a key fall-prevention measure.
4. A nurse notes an older adult taking multiple prescribed medicines. What is the best term for this situation?
A. Polypharmacy.
B. Adherence.
C. Tolerance.
D. Dependence.
🟢 A. Polypharmacy.
🔴 RATIONALE: Polypharmacy refers to the use of multiple medications and increases risk for adverse effects.
5. Which sign may indicate dehydration in an older adult?
A. Moist mucous membranes.
B. Poor skin turgor.
C. Bounding pulse.
D. Hypertension only.
, 🟢 B. Poor skin turgor.
🔴 RATIONALE: Dehydration can present with dry mucous membranes, poor turgor, and concentrated urine.
6. The best nursing approach when communicating with an older adult with hearing loss is to:
A. Speak loudly into the ear.
B. Face the person and speak clearly.
C. Use only written communication.
D. Talk to the family instead.
🟢 B. Face the person and speak clearly.
🔴 RATIONALE: Good eye contact, clear speech, and facing the patient improve communication.
7. Which assessment finding is most concerning for pressure injury risk?
A. Ambulates independently.
B. Eats regular meals.
C. Limited mobility.
D. Clear speech.
🟢 C. Limited mobility.
🔴 RATIONALE: Immobility increases pressure, skin breakdown, and pressure injury risk.
8. The main goal of geriatric nursing care is to:
A. Cure all chronic disease.
B. Promote independence and quality of life.
C. Eliminate all aging changes.
D. Avoid family involvement.
🟢 B. Promote independence and quality of life.
🔴 RATIONALE: Gerontological care focuses on function, dignity, safety, and well-being.
, 9. Which condition is most commonly associated with urinary incontinence in older adults?
A. Age alone.
B. Reduced mobility.
C. High fever.
D. Increased height.
🟢 B. Reduced mobility.
🔴 RATIONALE: Mobility limitations can prevent timely toileting and worsen incontinence.
0. An older adult suddenly becomes restless, disoriented, and unable to focus. What is the priority action?
A. Reassure the client that this is normal aging.
B. Assess for possible causes such as infection or medication effects.
C. Discharge the client home.
D. Encourage sleep only.
🟢 B. Assess for possible causes such as infection or medication effects.
🔴 RATIONALE: Delirium often results from acute illness, drugs, or metabolic causes and requires urgent assessment.
1. Which is a common age-related change in the cardiovascular system?
A. Increased cardiac output at rest.
B. Decreased arterial elasticity.
C. Complete loss of blood pressure control.
D. Permanent bradycardia in all adults.
🟢 B. Decreased arterial elasticity.
🔴 RATIONALE: Aging stiffens blood vessels and can increase systolic blood pressure.
2. A nurse is planning care for an older adult with osteoarthritis. Which intervention is most appropriate?
Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
CORE DOMAINS
- Comprehensive geriatric assessment
- Normal aging and age-related changes
- Common geriatric syndromes
- Chronic disease management
- Pharmacology and polypharmacy
- Mobility, falls, and safety
- Cognition, delirium, and dementia
- Skin integrity and pressure injury prevention
- Ethics, law, and professional practice
- Communication, family support, and discharge planning
*
INTRODUCTION
This assessment is designed to evaluate knowledge and clinical judgment in geriatric nursing. It measures understanding of normal aging,
common health problems in older adults, safety, ethics, communication, medication management, and care planning. The questions combine
multiple-choice and scenario-based formats to reflect real nursing decision-making in clinical settings. Learners are expected to apply theory to
practice, identify priority actions, and choose interventions that promote function, independence, dignity, and quality of life. The document
supports exam preparation by reinforcing evidence-based care, professional standards, and patient-centered approaches in older-adult nursing.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. Which assessment finding is most consistent with normal aging?
A. Sudden confusion and agitation.
B. Progressive weight loss over one week.
C. Decreased renal clearance.
D. Fever and cough.
🟢 C. Decreased renal clearance.
🔴 RATIONALE: Renal function commonly declines with age, affecting medication handling and fluid balance.
2. An older adult with new-onset confusion should be assessed first for which condition?
, A. Dementia.
B. Delirium.
C. Depression.
D. Parkinson disease.
🟢 B. Delirium.
🔴 RATIONALE: Delirium is acute, often reversible, and must be considered before chronic cognitive disorders.
3. Which intervention best helps prevent falls in an older adult?
A. Keep the room dark at night.
B. Encourage rapid position changes.
C. Remove clutter from walkways.
D. Restrict all mobility.
🟢 C. Remove clutter from walkways.
🔴 RATIONALE: Environmental hazard reduction is a key fall-prevention measure.
4. A nurse notes an older adult taking multiple prescribed medicines. What is the best term for this situation?
A. Polypharmacy.
B. Adherence.
C. Tolerance.
D. Dependence.
🟢 A. Polypharmacy.
🔴 RATIONALE: Polypharmacy refers to the use of multiple medications and increases risk for adverse effects.
5. Which sign may indicate dehydration in an older adult?
A. Moist mucous membranes.
B. Poor skin turgor.
C. Bounding pulse.
D. Hypertension only.
, 🟢 B. Poor skin turgor.
🔴 RATIONALE: Dehydration can present with dry mucous membranes, poor turgor, and concentrated urine.
6. The best nursing approach when communicating with an older adult with hearing loss is to:
A. Speak loudly into the ear.
B. Face the person and speak clearly.
C. Use only written communication.
D. Talk to the family instead.
🟢 B. Face the person and speak clearly.
🔴 RATIONALE: Good eye contact, clear speech, and facing the patient improve communication.
7. Which assessment finding is most concerning for pressure injury risk?
A. Ambulates independently.
B. Eats regular meals.
C. Limited mobility.
D. Clear speech.
🟢 C. Limited mobility.
🔴 RATIONALE: Immobility increases pressure, skin breakdown, and pressure injury risk.
8. The main goal of geriatric nursing care is to:
A. Cure all chronic disease.
B. Promote independence and quality of life.
C. Eliminate all aging changes.
D. Avoid family involvement.
🟢 B. Promote independence and quality of life.
🔴 RATIONALE: Gerontological care focuses on function, dignity, safety, and well-being.
, 9. Which condition is most commonly associated with urinary incontinence in older adults?
A. Age alone.
B. Reduced mobility.
C. High fever.
D. Increased height.
🟢 B. Reduced mobility.
🔴 RATIONALE: Mobility limitations can prevent timely toileting and worsen incontinence.
0. An older adult suddenly becomes restless, disoriented, and unable to focus. What is the priority action?
A. Reassure the client that this is normal aging.
B. Assess for possible causes such as infection or medication effects.
C. Discharge the client home.
D. Encourage sleep only.
🟢 B. Assess for possible causes such as infection or medication effects.
🔴 RATIONALE: Delirium often results from acute illness, drugs, or metabolic causes and requires urgent assessment.
1. Which is a common age-related change in the cardiovascular system?
A. Increased cardiac output at rest.
B. Decreased arterial elasticity.
C. Complete loss of blood pressure control.
D. Permanent bradycardia in all adults.
🟢 B. Decreased arterial elasticity.
🔴 RATIONALE: Aging stiffens blood vessels and can increase systolic blood pressure.
2. A nurse is planning care for an older adult with osteoarthritis. Which intervention is most appropriate?
