Page 1 of 76
ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSING IN THE CARE OF OLDER
ADULTS, 2ND EDITION (KENNEDY-MALONE) EXAM LATEST
VERSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026 EDITION
ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSING IN THE CARE OF OLDER ADULTS, 2ND EDITION
(KENNEDY-MALONE) – 250 EXAM-STYLE QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES
SECTION 1: CHANGES WITH AGING (CHAPTER 1) – Questions 1-50
1. The nurse explains that in the late 1960s, health care focus was aimed at the
older adult because:
A) Disability was viewed as unavoidable
B) Complications from disease increased mortality
C) Older adults needs are similar to those of all adults
D) Preventive health care practices increased longevity
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Increased preventive health care practices, disease control, and focus on
wellness helped people live longer. The late 1960s saw a shift in healthcare focus
toward older adults as preventive measures and disease control extended life
expectancy .
2. The nurse clarifies that in the terminology defining specific age groups, the term
"aged" refers to persons who are:
A) 55 to 64 years of age
B) 65 to 74 years of age
C) 75 to 84 years of age
D) 85 and older
Correct Answer: C
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Rationale: The term "aged" refers to persons who are 75 to 84 years of age. This age
category is distinct from "young old" (65-74) and "oldest old" (85 and older) .
3. The nurse cautions that ageism is a mindset that influences persons to:
A) Discriminate against persons solely on the basis of age
B) Fear aging
C) Be culturally sensitive to concerns of aging
D) Focus on resources for the older adult
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Ageism is a mindset that influences persons to discriminate against others
solely on the basis of age. This can lead to negative stereotypes and assumptions about
older adults .
4. What is a key difference between "geriatrics" and "gerontology"?
A) Geriatrics is the medical care of the elderly; gerontology is the broader study of aging
B) Geriatrics only involves nurses, while gerontology involves only physicians
C) Gerontology focuses only on biological aspects, while geriatrics is psychosocial
D) There is no significant difference
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Geriatrics is the branch of medicine focused on healthcare of the elderly,
while gerontology is the multidisciplinary study of the aging process and older adults
across biological, psychological, and social domains .
5. The major impact of the physiological changes that occur with aging is:
A) Reduced physiological reserve
B) Reduced homeostatic mechanisms
C) Impaired immunological response
D) All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The major impact of physiological aging includes reduced physiological
reserve, reduced homeostatic mechanisms, and impaired immunological response.
These changes increase vulnerability to illness and disease .
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6. Which theory of aging proposes that accumulated damage from free radicals
leads to cellular dysfunction?
A) Programmed Theory
B) Cross-Link Theory
C) Free Radical Theory
D) Immunological Theory
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Free Radical Theory posits that reactive oxygen species (ROS) cause
oxidative damage to cells, membranes, and DNA over time, contributing to aging and
disease .
7. The Hayflick limit refers to:
A) The maximum heart rate achievable in older adulthood
B) The finite number of times normal human cells can divide in culture
C) The limit of sensory perception in very late life
D) A theory of programmed neuroendocrine decline
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Hayflick limit describes the phenomenon where somatic cells can only
undergo a finite number of divisions (about 40-60) before entering senescence,
supporting programmed aging theories .
8. The strongest evidence regarding normal physiological aging is available
through:
A) Randomized controlled trials
B) Longitudinal studies
C) Cross-sectional studies
D) Case studies
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Longitudinal studies provide the strongest evidence regarding normal
physiological aging because they follow the same individuals over time, allowing
researchers to distinguish between age-related changes and cohort effects .
9. Which biological change is considered a normal part of aging?
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A) A significant decrease in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in all individuals
B) Development of Alzheimer's disease neuropathology
C) Loss of melanocytes leading to complete hair whitening
D) Decreased arterial elasticity (arteriosclerosis)
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Decreased arterial elasticity (arteriosclerosis) is a normal age-related
change. However, the rate and degree of change vary significantly among individuals .
10. The nurse practitioner needs to know which laboratory value before ordering
medications for a patient with renal disease?
A) CBC
B) Culture and sensitivity of the urine
C) Creatinine clearance
D) Uric acid levels
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The calculation of creatinine clearance provides an estimation of renal
function. This is essential for determining appropriate medication dosing in patients
with renal disease .
11. When considering which laboratory tests to order for an older adult, the NP
should remember the doctrine:
A) Primum non nocere—first, do no harm
B) The test is ordered for a specific purpose
C) There is no need to discuss results with the patient
D) If a test is needed, it should be ordered regardless of risk
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse practitioner should remember the doctrine "primum non
nocere"—first, do no harm. Any risks involved in laboratory testing must be considered
concerning the patient's clinical condition and weighed against the test's expected
benefits .
12. Mrs. Smith, 75 years old, reports that she is weak, has difficulty urinating, and is
dehydrated. Although she is afebrile, the nurse conducts a thorough physical
ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSING IN THE CARE OF OLDER
ADULTS, 2ND EDITION (KENNEDY-MALONE) EXAM LATEST
VERSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026 EDITION
ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSING IN THE CARE OF OLDER ADULTS, 2ND EDITION
(KENNEDY-MALONE) – 250 EXAM-STYLE QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES
SECTION 1: CHANGES WITH AGING (CHAPTER 1) – Questions 1-50
1. The nurse explains that in the late 1960s, health care focus was aimed at the
older adult because:
A) Disability was viewed as unavoidable
B) Complications from disease increased mortality
C) Older adults needs are similar to those of all adults
D) Preventive health care practices increased longevity
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Increased preventive health care practices, disease control, and focus on
wellness helped people live longer. The late 1960s saw a shift in healthcare focus
toward older adults as preventive measures and disease control extended life
expectancy .
2. The nurse clarifies that in the terminology defining specific age groups, the term
"aged" refers to persons who are:
A) 55 to 64 years of age
B) 65 to 74 years of age
C) 75 to 84 years of age
D) 85 and older
Correct Answer: C
, Page 2 of 76
Rationale: The term "aged" refers to persons who are 75 to 84 years of age. This age
category is distinct from "young old" (65-74) and "oldest old" (85 and older) .
3. The nurse cautions that ageism is a mindset that influences persons to:
A) Discriminate against persons solely on the basis of age
B) Fear aging
C) Be culturally sensitive to concerns of aging
D) Focus on resources for the older adult
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Ageism is a mindset that influences persons to discriminate against others
solely on the basis of age. This can lead to negative stereotypes and assumptions about
older adults .
4. What is a key difference between "geriatrics" and "gerontology"?
A) Geriatrics is the medical care of the elderly; gerontology is the broader study of aging
B) Geriatrics only involves nurses, while gerontology involves only physicians
C) Gerontology focuses only on biological aspects, while geriatrics is psychosocial
D) There is no significant difference
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Geriatrics is the branch of medicine focused on healthcare of the elderly,
while gerontology is the multidisciplinary study of the aging process and older adults
across biological, psychological, and social domains .
5. The major impact of the physiological changes that occur with aging is:
A) Reduced physiological reserve
B) Reduced homeostatic mechanisms
C) Impaired immunological response
D) All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The major impact of physiological aging includes reduced physiological
reserve, reduced homeostatic mechanisms, and impaired immunological response.
These changes increase vulnerability to illness and disease .
, Page 3 of 76
6. Which theory of aging proposes that accumulated damage from free radicals
leads to cellular dysfunction?
A) Programmed Theory
B) Cross-Link Theory
C) Free Radical Theory
D) Immunological Theory
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Free Radical Theory posits that reactive oxygen species (ROS) cause
oxidative damage to cells, membranes, and DNA over time, contributing to aging and
disease .
7. The Hayflick limit refers to:
A) The maximum heart rate achievable in older adulthood
B) The finite number of times normal human cells can divide in culture
C) The limit of sensory perception in very late life
D) A theory of programmed neuroendocrine decline
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Hayflick limit describes the phenomenon where somatic cells can only
undergo a finite number of divisions (about 40-60) before entering senescence,
supporting programmed aging theories .
8. The strongest evidence regarding normal physiological aging is available
through:
A) Randomized controlled trials
B) Longitudinal studies
C) Cross-sectional studies
D) Case studies
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Longitudinal studies provide the strongest evidence regarding normal
physiological aging because they follow the same individuals over time, allowing
researchers to distinguish between age-related changes and cohort effects .
9. Which biological change is considered a normal part of aging?
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A) A significant decrease in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in all individuals
B) Development of Alzheimer's disease neuropathology
C) Loss of melanocytes leading to complete hair whitening
D) Decreased arterial elasticity (arteriosclerosis)
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Decreased arterial elasticity (arteriosclerosis) is a normal age-related
change. However, the rate and degree of change vary significantly among individuals .
10. The nurse practitioner needs to know which laboratory value before ordering
medications for a patient with renal disease?
A) CBC
B) Culture and sensitivity of the urine
C) Creatinine clearance
D) Uric acid levels
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The calculation of creatinine clearance provides an estimation of renal
function. This is essential for determining appropriate medication dosing in patients
with renal disease .
11. When considering which laboratory tests to order for an older adult, the NP
should remember the doctrine:
A) Primum non nocere—first, do no harm
B) The test is ordered for a specific purpose
C) There is no need to discuss results with the patient
D) If a test is needed, it should be ordered regardless of risk
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse practitioner should remember the doctrine "primum non
nocere"—first, do no harm. Any risks involved in laboratory testing must be considered
concerning the patient's clinical condition and weighed against the test's expected
benefits .
12. Mrs. Smith, 75 years old, reports that she is weak, has difficulty urinating, and is
dehydrated. Although she is afebrile, the nurse conducts a thorough physical
