Geriatric Nursing Practice Exam
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. Which physiological change is commonly associated with normal
aging?
A. Increased total body water
B. Increased renal blood flow
C. Decreased skin elasticity
D. Increased lung elasticity
Answer: C. Decreased skin elasticity
Rationale: Aging normally causes loss of collagen and elastin,
resulting in thinner, less elastic skin. Total body water, renal blood
flow, and pulmonary elasticity generally decrease rather than increase
with aging.
2. Which finding in an older adult is most consistent with normal
aging?
A. New confusion
B. Mild slowing of information processing
C. Sudden inability to perform activities of daily living
D. New-onset hallucinations
Answer: B. Mild slowing of information processing
Rationale: Normal aging may involve slower processing speed and
increased time needed to learn unfamiliar information. Acute
,confusion, hallucinations, and sudden functional decline require
further assessment.
3. Which assessment finding requires the nurse to distinguish
delirium from dementia?
A. Gradual memory loss over several years
B. Stable cognitive impairment
C. Acute onset of fluctuating confusion
D. Progressive difficulty with problem solving
Answer: C. Acute onset of fluctuating confusion
Rationale: Delirium typically develops suddenly and fluctuates during
the day. Dementia is usually progressive and develops over a longer
period.
4. Which factor places an older adult at greatest risk for delirium?
A. Wearing eyeglasses
B. Acute infection
C. Regular exercise
D. Stable chronic arthritis
Answer: B. Acute infection
Rationale: Infection is a common precipitating factor for delirium in
older adults. Other contributors include medications, dehydration,
metabolic disturbances, pain, surgery, and environmental changes.
5. Which intervention is most appropriate for an older adult
experiencing delirium?
A. Place the client in a dark room
B. Frequently change caregivers
,C. Provide a calm, familiar environment
D. Encourage prolonged daytime sleeping
Answer: C. Provide a calm, familiar environment
Rationale: Familiar surroundings, consistent caregivers, adequate
lighting, orientation cues, and minimizing unnecessary stimulation
can help reduce delirium.
6. Which statement about dementia is correct?
A. Dementia always develops suddenly
B. Dementia is usually characterized by progressive cognitive decline
C. Dementia is always reversible
D. Dementia is synonymous with delirium
Answer: B. Dementia is usually characterized by progressive
cognitive decline
Rationale: Dementia involves acquired and usually progressive
impairment in cognitive functioning that interferes with independence.
Delirium is typically acute and potentially reversible.
7. Which finding is most characteristic of Alzheimer disease?
A. Progressive impairment of memory and cognition
B. Sudden paralysis after trauma
C. Acute fever and disorientation
D. Reversible confusion after hypoglycemia
Answer: A. Progressive impairment of memory and cognition
Rationale: Alzheimer disease is a progressive neurodegenerative
disorder characterized by worsening memory and other cognitive
abilities, eventually affecting functional independence.
, 8. Which nursing intervention is appropriate for a client with
moderate dementia?
A. Frequently test the client's memory
B. Maintain a consistent daily routine
C. Encourage multiple simultaneous activities
D. Correct every inaccurate statement immediately
Answer: B. Maintain a consistent daily routine
Rationale: Predictable routines reduce anxiety and confusion in
clients with dementia. Excessive testing, overstimulation, and constant
correction may increase distress.
9. Which communication technique is best when speaking with an
older adult who has hearing impairment?
A. Shout directly into the client's ear
B. Speak rapidly
C. Face the client and speak clearly
D. Cover the mouth while speaking
Answer: C. Face the client and speak clearly
Rationale: Facing the client permits use of visual cues and lip-
reading. The nurse should speak clearly at a moderate pace without
shouting.
10. Which intervention best promotes safety for an older adult at
risk for falls?
A. Keep the bed at its highest position
B. Remove frequently used items from reach
C. Ensure adequate lighting and clear pathways
D. Encourage walking without assistive devices
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. Which physiological change is commonly associated with normal
aging?
A. Increased total body water
B. Increased renal blood flow
C. Decreased skin elasticity
D. Increased lung elasticity
Answer: C. Decreased skin elasticity
Rationale: Aging normally causes loss of collagen and elastin,
resulting in thinner, less elastic skin. Total body water, renal blood
flow, and pulmonary elasticity generally decrease rather than increase
with aging.
2. Which finding in an older adult is most consistent with normal
aging?
A. New confusion
B. Mild slowing of information processing
C. Sudden inability to perform activities of daily living
D. New-onset hallucinations
Answer: B. Mild slowing of information processing
Rationale: Normal aging may involve slower processing speed and
increased time needed to learn unfamiliar information. Acute
,confusion, hallucinations, and sudden functional decline require
further assessment.
3. Which assessment finding requires the nurse to distinguish
delirium from dementia?
A. Gradual memory loss over several years
B. Stable cognitive impairment
C. Acute onset of fluctuating confusion
D. Progressive difficulty with problem solving
Answer: C. Acute onset of fluctuating confusion
Rationale: Delirium typically develops suddenly and fluctuates during
the day. Dementia is usually progressive and develops over a longer
period.
4. Which factor places an older adult at greatest risk for delirium?
A. Wearing eyeglasses
B. Acute infection
C. Regular exercise
D. Stable chronic arthritis
Answer: B. Acute infection
Rationale: Infection is a common precipitating factor for delirium in
older adults. Other contributors include medications, dehydration,
metabolic disturbances, pain, surgery, and environmental changes.
5. Which intervention is most appropriate for an older adult
experiencing delirium?
A. Place the client in a dark room
B. Frequently change caregivers
,C. Provide a calm, familiar environment
D. Encourage prolonged daytime sleeping
Answer: C. Provide a calm, familiar environment
Rationale: Familiar surroundings, consistent caregivers, adequate
lighting, orientation cues, and minimizing unnecessary stimulation
can help reduce delirium.
6. Which statement about dementia is correct?
A. Dementia always develops suddenly
B. Dementia is usually characterized by progressive cognitive decline
C. Dementia is always reversible
D. Dementia is synonymous with delirium
Answer: B. Dementia is usually characterized by progressive
cognitive decline
Rationale: Dementia involves acquired and usually progressive
impairment in cognitive functioning that interferes with independence.
Delirium is typically acute and potentially reversible.
7. Which finding is most characteristic of Alzheimer disease?
A. Progressive impairment of memory and cognition
B. Sudden paralysis after trauma
C. Acute fever and disorientation
D. Reversible confusion after hypoglycemia
Answer: A. Progressive impairment of memory and cognition
Rationale: Alzheimer disease is a progressive neurodegenerative
disorder characterized by worsening memory and other cognitive
abilities, eventually affecting functional independence.
, 8. Which nursing intervention is appropriate for a client with
moderate dementia?
A. Frequently test the client's memory
B. Maintain a consistent daily routine
C. Encourage multiple simultaneous activities
D. Correct every inaccurate statement immediately
Answer: B. Maintain a consistent daily routine
Rationale: Predictable routines reduce anxiety and confusion in
clients with dementia. Excessive testing, overstimulation, and constant
correction may increase distress.
9. Which communication technique is best when speaking with an
older adult who has hearing impairment?
A. Shout directly into the client's ear
B. Speak rapidly
C. Face the client and speak clearly
D. Cover the mouth while speaking
Answer: C. Face the client and speak clearly
Rationale: Facing the client permits use of visual cues and lip-
reading. The nurse should speak clearly at a moderate pace without
shouting.
10. Which intervention best promotes safety for an older adult at
risk for falls?
A. Keep the bed at its highest position
B. Remove frequently used items from reach
C. Ensure adequate lighting and clear pathways
D. Encourage walking without assistive devices
