NU 176 / NU176 Geriatric Nursing Exam 2 Guide Actual
2026/2027 with Detailed Rationales | 100% Verified |
Pass Guaranteed – A+ Graded
SECTION 1: THEORIES OF AGING & PHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES (12
Questions)
Q1: A nurse is caring for an 80-year-old patient and notes decreased skin elasticity
and thinning of the dermis. Which theory of aging best explains these changes at the
cellular level?
A. Immunological theory
B. Cross-linkage theory
C. Free radical theory
D. Programmed cell death theory
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because the cross-linkage theory proposes that proteins, DNA,
and other structural molecules develop abnormal chemical bonds over time, leading
to decreased tissue elasticity, thickened collagen, and reduced organ function.
Q2: An older adult patient has decreased gastric acid secretion and delayed gastric
emptying. Which physiological change of aging is most likely responsible?
A. Increased motilin hormone production
B. Atrophy of gastric mucosa and reduced parietal cell function
C. Hypertrophy of gastric smooth muscle
D. Increased pepsin secretion
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because aging causes atrophy of gastric mucosa with reduced
parietal cell mass, leading to decreased hydrochloric acid production (achlorhydria)
,and delayed gastric emptying, which affects drug absorption and increases infection
risk.
Q3: A 75-year-old patient has reduced vital capacity and increased residual volume.
Which respiratory change associated with aging is most responsible?
A. Increased elastic recoil of alveoli
B. Loss of elastic tissue, calcification of costal cartilage, and weakened respiratory
muscles
C. Hypertrophy of diaphragmatic muscle
D. Increased number of functional alveoli
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because aging causes loss of lung elastic recoil, calcification of
ribs and costal cartilage reducing chest wall compliance, and weakening of
respiratory muscles; these changes increase residual volume and decrease vital
capacity.
Q4: A nurse is assessing an older adult's cardiovascular system. Which finding is a
normal age-related change?
A. Increased maximal heart rate
B. Decreased arterial compliance and increased systolic blood pressure
C. Increased cardiac output at rest
D. Enhanced baroreceptor sensitivity
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because normal aging causes arterial stiffening from collagen
cross-linking and elastin fragmentation, leading to decreased compliance, increased
pulse pressure, and isolated systolic hypertension without underlying disease.
Q5: An older adult has decreased glomerular filtration rate and reduced renal blood
flow. Which age-related change is primarily responsible?
A. Glomerular hyperplasia and increased nephron number
B. Decreased nephron number, glomerulosclerosis, and reduced renal blood flow
C. Increased renal mass and hypertrophy of remaining nephrons
D. Enhanced tubular secretion function
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because aging causes progressive nephron loss (decreasing from
~1 million to 600,000 by age 80), glomerulosclerosis, and reduced renal blood flow,
leading to decreased GFR and impaired drug elimination.
Q6: A nurse is teaching an older adult about age-related changes in
thermoregulation. Which physiological change places older adults at risk for
hypothermia?
A. Increased basal metabolic rate
B. Decreased subcutaneous fat, reduced metabolic rate, and impaired
vasoconstriction
C. Enhanced shivering response
D. Increased thyroid hormone production
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because aging causes decreased subcutaneous fat insulation,
reduced basal metabolic rate (10-15% decrease per decade), and impaired
autonomic vasoconstriction response, making older adults vulnerable to both
hypothermia and hyperthermia.
Q7: An older adult patient has decreased visual accommodation and difficulty
reading fine print. Which age-related eye change is most responsible?
A. Cataract formation in the lens
B. Presbyopia from decreased lens elasticity and ciliary muscle strength
C. Glaucoma from increased intraocular pressure
D. Macular degeneration of the retina
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because presbyopia is a normal age-related change caused by
decreased lens elasticity and weakened ciliary muscles, impairing the eye's ability to
accommodate for near vision; it typically begins around age 40.
Q8: A nurse notes that an older adult patient has decreased hearing for
high-frequency sounds. Which term describes this age-related change?
A. Conductive hearing loss
B. Presbycusis
2026/2027 with Detailed Rationales | 100% Verified |
Pass Guaranteed – A+ Graded
SECTION 1: THEORIES OF AGING & PHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES (12
Questions)
Q1: A nurse is caring for an 80-year-old patient and notes decreased skin elasticity
and thinning of the dermis. Which theory of aging best explains these changes at the
cellular level?
A. Immunological theory
B. Cross-linkage theory
C. Free radical theory
D. Programmed cell death theory
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because the cross-linkage theory proposes that proteins, DNA,
and other structural molecules develop abnormal chemical bonds over time, leading
to decreased tissue elasticity, thickened collagen, and reduced organ function.
Q2: An older adult patient has decreased gastric acid secretion and delayed gastric
emptying. Which physiological change of aging is most likely responsible?
A. Increased motilin hormone production
B. Atrophy of gastric mucosa and reduced parietal cell function
C. Hypertrophy of gastric smooth muscle
D. Increased pepsin secretion
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because aging causes atrophy of gastric mucosa with reduced
parietal cell mass, leading to decreased hydrochloric acid production (achlorhydria)
,and delayed gastric emptying, which affects drug absorption and increases infection
risk.
Q3: A 75-year-old patient has reduced vital capacity and increased residual volume.
Which respiratory change associated with aging is most responsible?
A. Increased elastic recoil of alveoli
B. Loss of elastic tissue, calcification of costal cartilage, and weakened respiratory
muscles
C. Hypertrophy of diaphragmatic muscle
D. Increased number of functional alveoli
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because aging causes loss of lung elastic recoil, calcification of
ribs and costal cartilage reducing chest wall compliance, and weakening of
respiratory muscles; these changes increase residual volume and decrease vital
capacity.
Q4: A nurse is assessing an older adult's cardiovascular system. Which finding is a
normal age-related change?
A. Increased maximal heart rate
B. Decreased arterial compliance and increased systolic blood pressure
C. Increased cardiac output at rest
D. Enhanced baroreceptor sensitivity
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because normal aging causes arterial stiffening from collagen
cross-linking and elastin fragmentation, leading to decreased compliance, increased
pulse pressure, and isolated systolic hypertension without underlying disease.
Q5: An older adult has decreased glomerular filtration rate and reduced renal blood
flow. Which age-related change is primarily responsible?
A. Glomerular hyperplasia and increased nephron number
B. Decreased nephron number, glomerulosclerosis, and reduced renal blood flow
C. Increased renal mass and hypertrophy of remaining nephrons
D. Enhanced tubular secretion function
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because aging causes progressive nephron loss (decreasing from
~1 million to 600,000 by age 80), glomerulosclerosis, and reduced renal blood flow,
leading to decreased GFR and impaired drug elimination.
Q6: A nurse is teaching an older adult about age-related changes in
thermoregulation. Which physiological change places older adults at risk for
hypothermia?
A. Increased basal metabolic rate
B. Decreased subcutaneous fat, reduced metabolic rate, and impaired
vasoconstriction
C. Enhanced shivering response
D. Increased thyroid hormone production
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because aging causes decreased subcutaneous fat insulation,
reduced basal metabolic rate (10-15% decrease per decade), and impaired
autonomic vasoconstriction response, making older adults vulnerable to both
hypothermia and hyperthermia.
Q7: An older adult patient has decreased visual accommodation and difficulty
reading fine print. Which age-related eye change is most responsible?
A. Cataract formation in the lens
B. Presbyopia from decreased lens elasticity and ciliary muscle strength
C. Glaucoma from increased intraocular pressure
D. Macular degeneration of the retina
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because presbyopia is a normal age-related change caused by
decreased lens elasticity and weakened ciliary muscles, impairing the eye's ability to
accommodate for near vision; it typically begins around age 40.
Q8: A nurse notes that an older adult patient has decreased hearing for
high-frequency sounds. Which term describes this age-related change?
A. Conductive hearing loss
B. Presbycusis
