Galen College NU 176 Exam 3 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Geriatric Nursing
Q&A | Geriatric Nursing
1. The nurse is teaching a group of older adults about age-related changes in
the cardiovascular system. Which of the following is a normal age-related
change?
A) Decreased cardiac output and increased blood pressure
B) Increased cardiac output and decreased blood pressure
C) Increased elasticity of blood vessels
D) Decreased peripheral vascular resistance
Correct Answer: Decreased cardiac output and increased blood pressure
Rationale: Normal age-related cardiovascular changes include decreased
cardiac output, increased blood pressure (due to decreased vessel elasticity),
and increased peripheral vascular resistance. These changes occur due to
stiffening of the arteries and decreased efficiency of the heart muscle.
2. An older adult client asks the nurse about normal changes in the
neurological system with aging. Which of the following should the nurse
include in the teaching?
A) Increased nerve cell mass
B) Increased brain weight
C) Loss of nerve cell mass and demyelination of cells
D) Increased response and reaction times
Correct Answer: Loss of nerve cell mass and demyelination of cells
Rationale: Age-related changes in the neurological system include loss of
nerve cell mass, atrophy of the brain and spinal cord, decreased brain
,weight, decreased nerve cells, demyelination of cells, and decreased
response and reaction times.
3. An older adult client reports difficulty reading small print. The nurse
recognizes this as most likely:
A) Cataracts
B) Presbyopia
C) Glaucoma
D) Macular degeneration
Correct Answer: Presbyopia
Rationale: Presbyopia is the gradual loss of the eye's ability to focus on
nearby objects, a normal age-related change that typically begins around
age 40. It is caused by the hardening of the lens and weakening of the ciliary
muscles.
4. A nurse is providing education to an older adult client about age-related
changes in the integumentary system. Which finding is a normal age-related
change?
A) Increased skin elasticity
B) Thinning of the epidermis
C) Increased subcutaneous fat
D) Increased sebaceous gland activity
Correct Answer: Thinning of the epidermis
Rationale: Normal age-related changes in the integumentary system include
thinning of the epidermis, decreased skin elasticity, decreased subcutaneous
,fat, and decreased sebaceous gland activity. These changes increase the risk
of skin breakdown and injury.
5. The nurse is assessing an older adult client's nutritional status. Which of
the following is a risk factor for malnutrition in older adults?
A) Increased appetite
B) Physical immobility
C) Enhanced sense of taste
D) Increased metabolic rate
Correct Answer: Physical immobility
Rationale: Physical immobility is a significant risk factor for malnutrition in
older adults, as it can limit access to food, reduce appetite, and contribute to
social isolation. Sensory changes (including decreased taste and smell) and
other factors also contribute.
6. 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 six common geriatric
syndromes: Sleep disorders, Problems with eating, Incontinence, Confusion,
Evidence of falls, and Skin breakdown. It is a comprehensive screening tool
designed to identify common issues in older adults.
, 7. The nurse is using the SPICES assessment tool. Which of the following is
represented by the "S" in SPICES?
A) Safety
B) Skin breakdown
C) Sleep Disorders
D) Socialization
Correct Answer: Sleep Disorders
Rationale: SPICES stands for: **S**leep Disorders, **P**roblems with Eating
or Feeding, **I**ncontinence, **C**onfusion, **E**vidence of Falls, and
**S**kin Breakdown.
8. The 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. Which
interpretation is correct?
A) The patient is at low risk for falls
B) The patient is at high risk for falls
C) The test result is inconclusive
D) The patient should repeat the test
Correct Answer: The patient is at high risk for falls
Rationale: A Timed Up and Go (TUG) test time of greater than 12-14 seconds
indicates an increased risk for falls in older adults. A time of 15 seconds
suggests the patient is at high risk for falls and requires further evaluation
and fall prevention interventions.
Q&A | Geriatric Nursing
1. The nurse is teaching a group of older adults about age-related changes in
the cardiovascular system. Which of the following is a normal age-related
change?
A) Decreased cardiac output and increased blood pressure
B) Increased cardiac output and decreased blood pressure
C) Increased elasticity of blood vessels
D) Decreased peripheral vascular resistance
Correct Answer: Decreased cardiac output and increased blood pressure
Rationale: Normal age-related cardiovascular changes include decreased
cardiac output, increased blood pressure (due to decreased vessel elasticity),
and increased peripheral vascular resistance. These changes occur due to
stiffening of the arteries and decreased efficiency of the heart muscle.
2. An older adult client asks the nurse about normal changes in the
neurological system with aging. Which of the following should the nurse
include in the teaching?
A) Increased nerve cell mass
B) Increased brain weight
C) Loss of nerve cell mass and demyelination of cells
D) Increased response and reaction times
Correct Answer: Loss of nerve cell mass and demyelination of cells
Rationale: Age-related changes in the neurological system include loss of
nerve cell mass, atrophy of the brain and spinal cord, decreased brain
,weight, decreased nerve cells, demyelination of cells, and decreased
response and reaction times.
3. An older adult client reports difficulty reading small print. The nurse
recognizes this as most likely:
A) Cataracts
B) Presbyopia
C) Glaucoma
D) Macular degeneration
Correct Answer: Presbyopia
Rationale: Presbyopia is the gradual loss of the eye's ability to focus on
nearby objects, a normal age-related change that typically begins around
age 40. It is caused by the hardening of the lens and weakening of the ciliary
muscles.
4. A nurse is providing education to an older adult client about age-related
changes in the integumentary system. Which finding is a normal age-related
change?
A) Increased skin elasticity
B) Thinning of the epidermis
C) Increased subcutaneous fat
D) Increased sebaceous gland activity
Correct Answer: Thinning of the epidermis
Rationale: Normal age-related changes in the integumentary system include
thinning of the epidermis, decreased skin elasticity, decreased subcutaneous
,fat, and decreased sebaceous gland activity. These changes increase the risk
of skin breakdown and injury.
5. The nurse is assessing an older adult client's nutritional status. Which of
the following is a risk factor for malnutrition in older adults?
A) Increased appetite
B) Physical immobility
C) Enhanced sense of taste
D) Increased metabolic rate
Correct Answer: Physical immobility
Rationale: Physical immobility is a significant risk factor for malnutrition in
older adults, as it can limit access to food, reduce appetite, and contribute to
social isolation. Sensory changes (including decreased taste and smell) and
other factors also contribute.
6. 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 six common geriatric
syndromes: Sleep disorders, Problems with eating, Incontinence, Confusion,
Evidence of falls, and Skin breakdown. It is a comprehensive screening tool
designed to identify common issues in older adults.
, 7. The nurse is using the SPICES assessment tool. Which of the following is
represented by the "S" in SPICES?
A) Safety
B) Skin breakdown
C) Sleep Disorders
D) Socialization
Correct Answer: Sleep Disorders
Rationale: SPICES stands for: **S**leep Disorders, **P**roblems with Eating
or Feeding, **I**ncontinence, **C**onfusion, **E**vidence of Falls, and
**S**kin Breakdown.
8. The 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. Which
interpretation is correct?
A) The patient is at low risk for falls
B) The patient is at high risk for falls
C) The test result is inconclusive
D) The patient should repeat the test
Correct Answer: The patient is at high risk for falls
Rationale: A Timed Up and Go (TUG) test time of greater than 12-14 seconds
indicates an increased risk for falls in older adults. A time of 15 seconds
suggests the patient is at high risk for falls and requires further evaluation
and fall prevention interventions.
