Care of The Older Adult Exam
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1.
Which physiologic change is normally associated with healthy aging?
A. Increased total body water
B. Increased renal blood flow
C. Decreased skin elasticity
D. Increased muscle mass
C. Decreased skin elasticity
Answer: C. Decreased skin elasticity.
Rationale: Aging is associated with structural and functional changes
in the skin, including reduced collagen and elastin, thinning of the
dermis, decreased subcutaneous tissue, and reduced skin elasticity.
These changes increase the risk for dryness, bruising, skin tears, and
pressure injuries. Total body water, renal blood flow, and muscle mass
generally decrease rather than increase with age.
2.
An older adult asks why bruising occurs more easily than it did when the
person was younger. Which explanation is most appropriate?
A. Age-related loss of subcutaneous tissue and increased skin
fragility contribute to bruising.
B. Older adults normally develop excessive platelet production.
,C. Aging causes the blood to become permanently thinner.
D. Bruising is always evidence of a coagulation disorder.
A. Age-related loss of subcutaneous tissue and increased skin
fragility contribute to bruising.
Rationale: Aging causes thinning of the skin and loss of supporting
subcutaneous tissue. Small blood vessels also become more fragile,
making older adults more susceptible to bruising from minor trauma.
However, extensive, unexplained, or unusual bruising should still be
assessed because medications, nutritional deficiencies, abuse, and
hematologic disorders can also contribute.
3.
Which finding is most consistent with normal age-related cardiovascular
change?
A. Severe chest pain with minimal exertion
B. New-onset atrial fibrillation
C. Persistent resting hypotension
D. Reduced cardiac reserve during exertion
D. Reduced cardiac reserve during exertion
Answer: D. Reduced cardiac reserve during exertion.
Rationale: Normal aging can reduce cardiovascular reserve. The older
heart may respond less rapidly to increased activity, resulting in
reduced ability to increase cardiac output during strenuous exercise.
Severe chest pain, new arrhythmias, or persistent hypotension are not
considered normal consequences of aging and require further
evaluation.
4.
,Which assessment finding in an older adult requires the nurse to
distinguish a normal aging change from a potentially serious condition?
A. Mild decrease in near vision
B. New confusion developing over several hours
C. Reduced skin moisture
D. Slower reaction time
B. New confusion developing over several hours
Answer: B. New confusion developing over several hours.
Rationale: Acute confusion that develops over hours is characteristic
of delirium and should never be dismissed as normal aging. Delirium
may result from infection, medications, dehydration, metabolic
disturbances, pain, hypoxia, or other acute problems. Mild changes in
vision, skin moisture, and reaction time may occur with normal aging.
5.
Which nursing intervention best promotes independence in an older
adult who has difficulty completing activities of daily living?
A. Complete all activities for the patient
B. Encourage family members to provide all personal care
C. Allow the patient adequate time to complete tasks independently
D. Discourage the patient from attempting difficult activities
C. Allow the patient adequate time to complete tasks independently
Answer: C. Allow the patient adequate time to complete tasks
independently.
Rationale: Maintaining independence is a major goal of
gerontological nursing. Older adults may require more time to process
information, move, or complete activities, but this does not mean they
, should automatically be deprived of opportunities for self-care. Nurses
should provide assistance only when needed while allowing the patient
to perform as much of the activity as safely possible.
6.
Which factor is most likely to increase an older adult's risk for adverse
drug reactions?
A. Increased total body water
B. Increased hepatic metabolism
C. Increased renal clearance
D. Decreased renal and hepatic drug clearance
D. Decreased renal and hepatic drug clearance
Answer: D. Decreased renal and hepatic drug clearance.
Rationale: Aging may reduce renal blood flow, glomerular filtration,
hepatic blood flow, and hepatic metabolic capacity. These changes can
increase drug accumulation and prolong medication effects. Older
adults also frequently take multiple medications, increasing the
potential for drug-drug interactions and adverse effects.
7.
The nurse is assessing an older adult's nutritional status. Which finding
is most concerning?
A. Preference for smaller meals
B. Occasional reduced appetite
C. Unintentional weight loss
D. Preference for softer foods
C. Unintentional weight loss
Answer: C. Unintentional weight loss.
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1.
Which physiologic change is normally associated with healthy aging?
A. Increased total body water
B. Increased renal blood flow
C. Decreased skin elasticity
D. Increased muscle mass
C. Decreased skin elasticity
Answer: C. Decreased skin elasticity.
Rationale: Aging is associated with structural and functional changes
in the skin, including reduced collagen and elastin, thinning of the
dermis, decreased subcutaneous tissue, and reduced skin elasticity.
These changes increase the risk for dryness, bruising, skin tears, and
pressure injuries. Total body water, renal blood flow, and muscle mass
generally decrease rather than increase with age.
2.
An older adult asks why bruising occurs more easily than it did when the
person was younger. Which explanation is most appropriate?
A. Age-related loss of subcutaneous tissue and increased skin
fragility contribute to bruising.
B. Older adults normally develop excessive platelet production.
,C. Aging causes the blood to become permanently thinner.
D. Bruising is always evidence of a coagulation disorder.
A. Age-related loss of subcutaneous tissue and increased skin
fragility contribute to bruising.
Rationale: Aging causes thinning of the skin and loss of supporting
subcutaneous tissue. Small blood vessels also become more fragile,
making older adults more susceptible to bruising from minor trauma.
However, extensive, unexplained, or unusual bruising should still be
assessed because medications, nutritional deficiencies, abuse, and
hematologic disorders can also contribute.
3.
Which finding is most consistent with normal age-related cardiovascular
change?
A. Severe chest pain with minimal exertion
B. New-onset atrial fibrillation
C. Persistent resting hypotension
D. Reduced cardiac reserve during exertion
D. Reduced cardiac reserve during exertion
Answer: D. Reduced cardiac reserve during exertion.
Rationale: Normal aging can reduce cardiovascular reserve. The older
heart may respond less rapidly to increased activity, resulting in
reduced ability to increase cardiac output during strenuous exercise.
Severe chest pain, new arrhythmias, or persistent hypotension are not
considered normal consequences of aging and require further
evaluation.
4.
,Which assessment finding in an older adult requires the nurse to
distinguish a normal aging change from a potentially serious condition?
A. Mild decrease in near vision
B. New confusion developing over several hours
C. Reduced skin moisture
D. Slower reaction time
B. New confusion developing over several hours
Answer: B. New confusion developing over several hours.
Rationale: Acute confusion that develops over hours is characteristic
of delirium and should never be dismissed as normal aging. Delirium
may result from infection, medications, dehydration, metabolic
disturbances, pain, hypoxia, or other acute problems. Mild changes in
vision, skin moisture, and reaction time may occur with normal aging.
5.
Which nursing intervention best promotes independence in an older
adult who has difficulty completing activities of daily living?
A. Complete all activities for the patient
B. Encourage family members to provide all personal care
C. Allow the patient adequate time to complete tasks independently
D. Discourage the patient from attempting difficult activities
C. Allow the patient adequate time to complete tasks independently
Answer: C. Allow the patient adequate time to complete tasks
independently.
Rationale: Maintaining independence is a major goal of
gerontological nursing. Older adults may require more time to process
information, move, or complete activities, but this does not mean they
, should automatically be deprived of opportunities for self-care. Nurses
should provide assistance only when needed while allowing the patient
to perform as much of the activity as safely possible.
6.
Which factor is most likely to increase an older adult's risk for adverse
drug reactions?
A. Increased total body water
B. Increased hepatic metabolism
C. Increased renal clearance
D. Decreased renal and hepatic drug clearance
D. Decreased renal and hepatic drug clearance
Answer: D. Decreased renal and hepatic drug clearance.
Rationale: Aging may reduce renal blood flow, glomerular filtration,
hepatic blood flow, and hepatic metabolic capacity. These changes can
increase drug accumulation and prolong medication effects. Older
adults also frequently take multiple medications, increasing the
potential for drug-drug interactions and adverse effects.
7.
The nurse is assessing an older adult's nutritional status. Which finding
is most concerning?
A. Preference for smaller meals
B. Occasional reduced appetite
C. Unintentional weight loss
D. Preference for softer foods
C. Unintentional weight loss
Answer: C. Unintentional weight loss.
