,NU176/NU 176 Exam 2 | Geriatric Nursing |
Galen College | Q & A | 2026/2027 Edition
(PDF
1. Which of the following best defines the term "frailty" in the older adult population?
A) Normal age-related decline in physical function
B) A state of increased vulnerability to adverse health outcomes due to decreased physiological reserve
C) A chronic condition that inevitably leads to death within 5 years
D) A reversible condition caused by poor nutrition
Correct Answer: A state of increased vulnerability to adverse health outcomes due to decreased
physiological reserve
Rationale: Frailty is a clinical syndrome characterized by decreased physiological reserve and increased
vulnerability to stressors. It is associated with increased risk of falls, hospitalization, institutionalization,
and mortality. Frailty is not a normal part of aging and can be identified using validated screening tools.
2. The nurse is assessing an 82-year-old patient's functional status. Which of the following is an
Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL)?
A) Bathing
B) Toileting
C) Managing finances
D) Eating
Correct Answer: Managing finances
Rationale: Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) include more complex tasks necessary for
independent living, such as managing finances, shopping, meal preparation, housekeeping, and using
transportation. Basic ADLs include bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, continence, and feeding.
,3. A nurse is assessing a 75-year-old patient using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. The patient takes 15
seconds to complete the test. How should the nurse interpret this result?
A) The patient has normal mobility for their age
B) The patient is at increased risk for falls
C) The patient requires a wheelchair for mobility
D) The test result is invalid and should be repeated
Correct Answer: The patient is at increased risk for falls
Rationale: The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test measures the time it takes for a patient to stand up from a
chair, walk 10 feet, turn, walk back, and sit down. A time of 15 seconds or more indicates increased fall
risk. A time of less than 10 seconds is considered normal.
4. The SPICES tool is used to assess which aspect of geriatric care?
A) Functional ability with ADLs
B) Common geriatric syndromes
C) Mental status and cognitive decline
D) Fall risk exclusively
Correct Answer: Common geriatric syndromes
Rationale: SPICES is an acronym used to screen for common geriatric syndromes: Sleep disorders,
Problems with eating, Incontinence, Confusion, Evidence of falls, and Skin breakdown. It is not limited to
falls or cognitive decline alone.
5. The most important initial step in building a therapeutic relationship with an older adult patient is:
A) Conducting a thorough physical assessment
B) Establishing trust and rapport
C) Providing detailed discharge instructions
D) Reviewing the medication list
, Correct Answer: Establishing trust and rapport
Rationale: Trust is foundational for effective communication and care. Without rapport, the older adult
may withhold information or resist interventions, compromising safety and outcomes.
6. A nurse is caring for an older adult client who has a history of dementia and is incontinent of stool.
Because they cannot communicate the need to defecate, which of the following is the priority action by
the nurse?
A) Administer a daily laxative
B) Begin a prompted toileting program
C) Insert a rectal tube
D) Place the client in an adult diaper
Correct Answer: Begin a prompted toileting program
Rationale: A prompted toileting program is the priority intervention for managing fecal incontinence in a
patient with dementia. This approach involves taking the patient to the bathroom at regular intervals
and offering assistance, which promotes continence and dignity.
7. Late signs of pneumonia in older adults include which of the following?
A) Productive cough and pleuritic pain
B) Chest pain or high fever
C) Rhinorrhea and sneezing
D) Confusion and lethargy
Correct Answer: Chest pain or high fever
Rationale: Late signs of pneumonia in older adults include chest pain or high fever. Older adults often
present with atypical symptoms of infection, such as confusion and lethargy, rather than classic fever
and cough, due to a blunted immune response and decreased physiologic reserve.
Galen College | Q & A | 2026/2027 Edition
1. Which of the following best defines the term "frailty" in the older adult population?
A) Normal age-related decline in physical function
B) A state of increased vulnerability to adverse health outcomes due to decreased physiological reserve
C) A chronic condition that inevitably leads to death within 5 years
D) A reversible condition caused by poor nutrition
Correct Answer: A state of increased vulnerability to adverse health outcomes due to decreased
physiological reserve
Rationale: Frailty is a clinical syndrome characterized by decreased physiological reserve and increased
vulnerability to stressors. It is associated with increased risk of falls, hospitalization, institutionalization,
and mortality. Frailty is not a normal part of aging and can be identified using validated screening tools.
2. The nurse is assessing an 82-year-old patient's functional status. Which of the following is an
Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL)?
A) Bathing
B) Toileting
C) Managing finances
D) Eating
Correct Answer: Managing finances
Rationale: Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) include more complex tasks necessary for
independent living, such as managing finances, shopping, meal preparation, housekeeping, and using
transportation. Basic ADLs include bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, continence, and feeding.
,3. A nurse is assessing a 75-year-old patient using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. The patient takes 15
seconds to complete the test. How should the nurse interpret this result?
A) The patient has normal mobility for their age
B) The patient is at increased risk for falls
C) The patient requires a wheelchair for mobility
D) The test result is invalid and should be repeated
Correct Answer: The patient is at increased risk for falls
Rationale: The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test measures the time it takes for a patient to stand up from a
chair, walk 10 feet, turn, walk back, and sit down. A time of 15 seconds or more indicates increased fall
risk. A time of less than 10 seconds is considered normal.
4. The SPICES tool is used to assess which aspect of geriatric care?
A) Functional ability with ADLs
B) Common geriatric syndromes
C) Mental status and cognitive decline
D) Fall risk exclusively
Correct Answer: Common geriatric syndromes
Rationale: SPICES is an acronym used to screen for common geriatric syndromes: Sleep disorders,
Problems with eating, Incontinence, Confusion, Evidence of falls, and Skin breakdown. It is not limited to
falls or cognitive decline alone.
5. The most important initial step in building a therapeutic relationship with an older adult patient is:
A) Conducting a thorough physical assessment
B) Establishing trust and rapport
C) Providing detailed discharge instructions
D) Reviewing the medication list
, Correct Answer: Establishing trust and rapport
Rationale: Trust is foundational for effective communication and care. Without rapport, the older adult
may withhold information or resist interventions, compromising safety and outcomes.
6. A nurse is caring for an older adult client who has a history of dementia and is incontinent of stool.
Because they cannot communicate the need to defecate, which of the following is the priority action by
the nurse?
A) Administer a daily laxative
B) Begin a prompted toileting program
C) Insert a rectal tube
D) Place the client in an adult diaper
Correct Answer: Begin a prompted toileting program
Rationale: A prompted toileting program is the priority intervention for managing fecal incontinence in a
patient with dementia. This approach involves taking the patient to the bathroom at regular intervals
and offering assistance, which promotes continence and dignity.
7. Late signs of pneumonia in older adults include which of the following?
A) Productive cough and pleuritic pain
B) Chest pain or high fever
C) Rhinorrhea and sneezing
D) Confusion and lethargy
Correct Answer: Chest pain or high fever
Rationale: Late signs of pneumonia in older adults include chest pain or high fever. Older adults often
present with atypical symptoms of infection, such as confusion and lethargy, rather than classic fever
and cough, due to a blunted immune response and decreased physiologic reserve.
