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WEST COAST UNIVERSITY NURS 370 –
GERONTOLOGICAL NURSING COMPREHENSIVE
PRACTICE EXAM 2 QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS AND
RATIONALES |100% PASS |GRADED A+ 2026/27
1. The nurse is assessing an older adult client. Which physiological
change is an expected part of the aging process?
a) Decreased skin turgor and elasticity
b) Increased cardiac output
c) Increased muscle mass
d) Increased bone density
Verified Answer: a
Rationale: Aging causes decreased skin turgor, elasticity, and
subcutaneous fat. Cardiac output decreases, muscle mass decreases
(sarcopenia), and bone density decreases (osteoporosis). All other
options are incorrect.
2. The nurse is caring for an older adult client with dementia. Which
communication technique is most appropriate?
a) Speak loudly and slowly
b) Use simple, clear sentences and maintain eye contact
c) Use complex medical terminology
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d) Avoid eye contact
Verified Answer: b
Rationale: Use simple, clear sentences, maintain eye contact, and speak
slowly. Speaking loudly is not necessary unless hearing impairment is
present. Complex terminology and avoiding eye contact are not
therapeutic.
3. An older adult client is prescribed a benzodiazepine for anxiety.
Which adverse effect is the nurse most concerned about?
a) Falls and sedation
b) Hypertension
c) Hyperglycemia
d) Weight gain
Verified Answer: a
Rationale: Benzodiazepines increase the risk of falls and sedation in
older adults due to altered pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
Hypertension, hyperglycemia, and weight gain are not typical adverse
effects.
4. The nurse is assessing an older adult client for signs of depression.
Which finding is common in older adults with depression?
a) Somatic complaints (pain, fatigue) and social withdrawal
b) Euphoria
c) Hyperactivity
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d) Grandiose delusions
Verified Answer: a
Rationale: Older adults with depression often present with somatic
complaints (pain, fatigue, GI symptoms), social withdrawal, and
cognitive changes. Euphoria, hyperactivity, and grandiose delusions are
not typical of depression.
5. The nurse is providing education to an older adult client about fall
prevention. Which intervention is most effective?
a) Install grab bars in the bathroom and remove rugs
b) Encourage the client to walk barefoot
c) Keep the home dimly lit
d) Avoid using assistive devices
Verified Answer: a
Rationale: Installing grab bars and removing loose rugs are effective fall
prevention strategies. Walking barefoot, dim lighting, and avoiding
assistive devices increase fall risk.
6. The nurse is assessing an older adult client with suspected urinary
tract infection (UTI). Which symptom is most common in older adults
with UTI?
a) Confusion and delirium
b) Dysuria
c) Frequency
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d) Hematuria
Verified Answer: a
Rationale: Older adults often present with confusion, delirium, or change
in mental status rather than classic UTI symptoms (dysuria, frequency).
Altered mental status is a common presentation of infection in the
elderly.
7. The nurse is caring for an older adult client with osteoporosis. Which
intervention is appropriate?
a) Encourage weight-bearing exercises
b) Encourage bed rest
c) Restrict calcium intake
d) Administer corticosteroids
Verified Answer: a
Rationale: Weight-bearing exercises (walking) help maintain bone
density in osteoporosis. Bed rest worsens bone loss. Calcium and
vitamin D should be encouraged, not restricted. Corticosteroids worsen
osteoporosis.
8. The nurse is assessing an older adult client's skin. Which finding is a
normal age-related change?
a) Senile purpura (bruising) on the forearms
b) Skin tears
c) Pressure ulcers
WEST COAST UNIVERSITY NURS 370 –
GERONTOLOGICAL NURSING COMPREHENSIVE
PRACTICE EXAM 2 QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS AND
RATIONALES |100% PASS |GRADED A+ 2026/27
1. The nurse is assessing an older adult client. Which physiological
change is an expected part of the aging process?
a) Decreased skin turgor and elasticity
b) Increased cardiac output
c) Increased muscle mass
d) Increased bone density
Verified Answer: a
Rationale: Aging causes decreased skin turgor, elasticity, and
subcutaneous fat. Cardiac output decreases, muscle mass decreases
(sarcopenia), and bone density decreases (osteoporosis). All other
options are incorrect.
2. The nurse is caring for an older adult client with dementia. Which
communication technique is most appropriate?
a) Speak loudly and slowly
b) Use simple, clear sentences and maintain eye contact
c) Use complex medical terminology
,2 | Page
d) Avoid eye contact
Verified Answer: b
Rationale: Use simple, clear sentences, maintain eye contact, and speak
slowly. Speaking loudly is not necessary unless hearing impairment is
present. Complex terminology and avoiding eye contact are not
therapeutic.
3. An older adult client is prescribed a benzodiazepine for anxiety.
Which adverse effect is the nurse most concerned about?
a) Falls and sedation
b) Hypertension
c) Hyperglycemia
d) Weight gain
Verified Answer: a
Rationale: Benzodiazepines increase the risk of falls and sedation in
older adults due to altered pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
Hypertension, hyperglycemia, and weight gain are not typical adverse
effects.
4. The nurse is assessing an older adult client for signs of depression.
Which finding is common in older adults with depression?
a) Somatic complaints (pain, fatigue) and social withdrawal
b) Euphoria
c) Hyperactivity
,3 | Page
d) Grandiose delusions
Verified Answer: a
Rationale: Older adults with depression often present with somatic
complaints (pain, fatigue, GI symptoms), social withdrawal, and
cognitive changes. Euphoria, hyperactivity, and grandiose delusions are
not typical of depression.
5. The nurse is providing education to an older adult client about fall
prevention. Which intervention is most effective?
a) Install grab bars in the bathroom and remove rugs
b) Encourage the client to walk barefoot
c) Keep the home dimly lit
d) Avoid using assistive devices
Verified Answer: a
Rationale: Installing grab bars and removing loose rugs are effective fall
prevention strategies. Walking barefoot, dim lighting, and avoiding
assistive devices increase fall risk.
6. The nurse is assessing an older adult client with suspected urinary
tract infection (UTI). Which symptom is most common in older adults
with UTI?
a) Confusion and delirium
b) Dysuria
c) Frequency
, 4 | Page
d) Hematuria
Verified Answer: a
Rationale: Older adults often present with confusion, delirium, or change
in mental status rather than classic UTI symptoms (dysuria, frequency).
Altered mental status is a common presentation of infection in the
elderly.
7. The nurse is caring for an older adult client with osteoporosis. Which
intervention is appropriate?
a) Encourage weight-bearing exercises
b) Encourage bed rest
c) Restrict calcium intake
d) Administer corticosteroids
Verified Answer: a
Rationale: Weight-bearing exercises (walking) help maintain bone
density in osteoporosis. Bed rest worsens bone loss. Calcium and
vitamin D should be encouraged, not restricted. Corticosteroids worsen
osteoporosis.
8. The nurse is assessing an older adult client's skin. Which finding is a
normal age-related change?
a) Senile purpura (bruising) on the forearms
b) Skin tears
c) Pressure ulcers
