Geriatrics And Age-Related Changes
Comprehensive Practice Exam With 2026
High Yield Questions & Detailed Rationales
Just Released For Medical Nursing
Students
SECTION 1: PHYSIOLOGIC CHANGES IN AGING (Questions 1-30)
Question 1
A 75-year-old man presents with a new diagnosis of hypertension. Which of
the following age-related cardiovascular changes is most likely contributing
to his condition?
A) Decreased arterial compliance
B) Increased cardiac output
C) Decreased peripheral vascular resistance
D) Increased stroke volume
Answer: A
Explanation: With aging, there is decreased arterial compliance (increased
arterial stiffness) due to changes in elastin and collagen content in the vessel
walls. This leads to increased systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure,
which are characteristic of isolated systolic hypertension in the elderly.
,
Cardiac output typically decreases with age. Peripheral vascular resistance
increases with age. Stroke volume decreases with age.
Question 2
An 82-year-old woman is being evaluated for new-onset atrial fibrillation.
Which of the following age-related cardiovascular changes increases her
risk of developing this arrhythmia?
A) Increased calcium channel activity
B) Decreased sodium channel activity
C) Increased potassium channel activity
D) Increased fibrosis in the conduction system
Answer: D
Explanation: Age-related changes in the cardiovascular system include
increased fibrosis in the conduction system, which can lead to arrhythmias
such as atrial fibrillation. Calcium channel activity is not typically increased
with age. Sodium channel activity and potassium channel activity may be
altered but are not the primary factors.
Question 3
A 78-year-old man with a history of COPD presents with worsening
dyspnea. Which of the following age-related respiratory changes would
affect his pulmonary function?
A) Increased lung elasticity
B) Decreased chest wall compliance
C) Increased vital capacity
,
D) Increased forced expiratory volume (FEV1)
Answer: B
Explanation: With aging, there is decreased chest wall compliance due to
changes in the rib cage and muscles. This leads to decreased lung volumes
and capacities. Lung elasticity decreases with age. Vital capacity decreases
with age. FEV1 decreases with age.
Question 4
A 72-year-old woman with a history of hypertension presents with a new
diagnosis of renal insufficiency. Which of the following age-related renal
changes is most likely contributing to her condition?
A) Increased glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
B) Decreased renal blood flow
C) Increased renal mass
D) Decreased tubular function
Answer: B
Explanation: With aging, there is a progressive decrease in renal blood flow
and glomerular filtration rate (GFR). This is due to changes in the renal
vasculature and loss of nephrons. GFR decreases with age. Renal mass
decreases with age. Tubular function decreases with age.
Question 5
,
An 80-year-old man presents with difficulty swallowing and decreased
appetite. Which of the following age-related gastrointestinal changes is most
likely contributing to his symptoms?
A) Increased gastric acid secretion
B) Decreased esophageal motility
C) Increased intestinal absorption
D) Increased liver size
Answer: B
Explanation: With aging, there is decreased esophageal motility and delayed
gastric emptying, which can contribute to difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
and early satiety. Gastric acid secretion decreases with age. Intestinal
absorption decreases with age. Liver size decreases with age.
Question 6
A 76-year-old woman with a history of diabetes presents with new-onset
cognitive decline. Which of the following age-related neurologic changes is
most likely contributing to her symptoms?
A) Increased brain mass
B) Decreased cerebral blood flow
C) Increased neurotransmitter synthesis
D) Increased synaptic density
Answer: B
Explanation: With aging, there is decreased cerebral blood flow and
decreased brain mass, which can contribute to cognitive decline. Brain mass
Comprehensive Practice Exam With 2026
High Yield Questions & Detailed Rationales
Just Released For Medical Nursing
Students
SECTION 1: PHYSIOLOGIC CHANGES IN AGING (Questions 1-30)
Question 1
A 75-year-old man presents with a new diagnosis of hypertension. Which of
the following age-related cardiovascular changes is most likely contributing
to his condition?
A) Decreased arterial compliance
B) Increased cardiac output
C) Decreased peripheral vascular resistance
D) Increased stroke volume
Answer: A
Explanation: With aging, there is decreased arterial compliance (increased
arterial stiffness) due to changes in elastin and collagen content in the vessel
walls. This leads to increased systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure,
which are characteristic of isolated systolic hypertension in the elderly.
,
Cardiac output typically decreases with age. Peripheral vascular resistance
increases with age. Stroke volume decreases with age.
Question 2
An 82-year-old woman is being evaluated for new-onset atrial fibrillation.
Which of the following age-related cardiovascular changes increases her
risk of developing this arrhythmia?
A) Increased calcium channel activity
B) Decreased sodium channel activity
C) Increased potassium channel activity
D) Increased fibrosis in the conduction system
Answer: D
Explanation: Age-related changes in the cardiovascular system include
increased fibrosis in the conduction system, which can lead to arrhythmias
such as atrial fibrillation. Calcium channel activity is not typically increased
with age. Sodium channel activity and potassium channel activity may be
altered but are not the primary factors.
Question 3
A 78-year-old man with a history of COPD presents with worsening
dyspnea. Which of the following age-related respiratory changes would
affect his pulmonary function?
A) Increased lung elasticity
B) Decreased chest wall compliance
C) Increased vital capacity
,
D) Increased forced expiratory volume (FEV1)
Answer: B
Explanation: With aging, there is decreased chest wall compliance due to
changes in the rib cage and muscles. This leads to decreased lung volumes
and capacities. Lung elasticity decreases with age. Vital capacity decreases
with age. FEV1 decreases with age.
Question 4
A 72-year-old woman with a history of hypertension presents with a new
diagnosis of renal insufficiency. Which of the following age-related renal
changes is most likely contributing to her condition?
A) Increased glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
B) Decreased renal blood flow
C) Increased renal mass
D) Decreased tubular function
Answer: B
Explanation: With aging, there is a progressive decrease in renal blood flow
and glomerular filtration rate (GFR). This is due to changes in the renal
vasculature and loss of nephrons. GFR decreases with age. Renal mass
decreases with age. Tubular function decreases with age.
Question 5
,
An 80-year-old man presents with difficulty swallowing and decreased
appetite. Which of the following age-related gastrointestinal changes is most
likely contributing to his symptoms?
A) Increased gastric acid secretion
B) Decreased esophageal motility
C) Increased intestinal absorption
D) Increased liver size
Answer: B
Explanation: With aging, there is decreased esophageal motility and delayed
gastric emptying, which can contribute to difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
and early satiety. Gastric acid secretion decreases with age. Intestinal
absorption decreases with age. Liver size decreases with age.
Question 6
A 76-year-old woman with a history of diabetes presents with new-onset
cognitive decline. Which of the following age-related neurologic changes is
most likely contributing to her symptoms?
A) Increased brain mass
B) Decreased cerebral blood flow
C) Increased neurotransmitter synthesis
D) Increased synaptic density
Answer: B
Explanation: With aging, there is decreased cerebral blood flow and
decreased brain mass, which can contribute to cognitive decline. Brain mass
