GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING – NU 176 GERIATRIC NURSING EXAM 4N
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
Section 1: General Concepts of Aging & Assessment (Questions 1-15)
A nurse is assessing an older adult client. Which of the following physiological changes related to aging is
most important for the nurse to consider when administering medications?
a) Decreased gastric motility
b) Increased liver function
c) Decreased body fat
d) Increased renal clearance
An 80-year-old client tells the nurse, "I don't socialize as much as I used to because I can't hear well in
large groups." This statement is most consistent with which theory of aging?
a) Disengagement theory
b) Activity theory
c) Continuity theory
d) Socioemotional selectivity theory
When assessing an older adult's functional ability, the nurse should prioritize which of the following?
a) The client's reported hobbies
,b) The client's ability to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
c) The client's financial status
d) The client's family support system
A nurse is performing a skin assessment on an older adult. Which of the following findings should the
nurse identify as a normal age-related change?
a) Petechiae
b) Decreased skin turgor
c) Jaundice
d) A new, irregularly shaped mole
The nurse understands that polypharmacy in the older adult population is a major concern primarily
because of:
a) The high cost of multiple medications.
b) The increased risk of adverse drug reactions and interactions.
c) The difficulty in remembering to take multiple pills.
d) The potential for drug diversion.
Which of the following statements by a nurse demonstrates an understanding of the concept of
"ageism"?
a) "All older adults need assistance with their medications."
b) "Older adults have a decreased ability to learn new things."
c) "It's important to assess each older adult's individual functional capacity."
d) "Most older adults are depressed and lonely."
A nurse is conducting a health history with an older adult client. To best ensure accurate information,
the nurse should:
,a) Ask the client's family member to answer the questions.
b) Speak loudly and use simple terms.
c) Allow extra time for the client to respond to questions.
d) Focus only on the current medical problem.
An older adult client is at risk for falls. Which of the following age-related changes contributes most
significantly to this risk?
a) Decreased visual acuity
b) Thinning of the skin
c) Decreased bowel motility
d) Increased sensitivity to pain
The nurse is educating a group of older adults about health promotion. Which topic should the nurse
include as a priority?
a) The importance of a low-protein diet
b) Annual influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations
c) The need to avoid all physical activity to prevent injury
d) The benefits of sunbathing for vitamin D
A nurse observes an older adult client who frequently talks about the "good old days" and past
accomplishments. The nurse should interpret this behavior as:
a) A sign of dementia.
b) A normal part of the life review process.
c) A sign of depression.
d) An attempt to manipulate the nurse.
Which of the following is the most common chronic condition affecting older adults?
, a) Cancer
b) Arthritis
c) Diabetes
d) Heart disease
The nurse is assessing an older adult for dehydration. Which of the following is a more reliable indicator
in this population?
a) Dry mucous membranes
b) Decreased skin turgor
c) Changes in mental status
d) Sunken eyes
A key principle of geriatric nursing is to focus on:
a) Curing all chronic diseases.
b) Restoring the client to their previous level of function.
c) Maximizing function and quality of life.
d) Placing the client in a long-term care facility.
An older adult client is prescribed a new medication. The nurse should teach the client to:
a) Take the medication with a glass of grapefruit juice.
b) Keep a list of all medications and dosages.
c) Stop taking the medication if they feel better.
d) Share the medication with a spouse if they have similar symptoms.
The term "iatrogenic" refers to a condition that is:
a) Present at birth.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
Section 1: General Concepts of Aging & Assessment (Questions 1-15)
A nurse is assessing an older adult client. Which of the following physiological changes related to aging is
most important for the nurse to consider when administering medications?
a) Decreased gastric motility
b) Increased liver function
c) Decreased body fat
d) Increased renal clearance
An 80-year-old client tells the nurse, "I don't socialize as much as I used to because I can't hear well in
large groups." This statement is most consistent with which theory of aging?
a) Disengagement theory
b) Activity theory
c) Continuity theory
d) Socioemotional selectivity theory
When assessing an older adult's functional ability, the nurse should prioritize which of the following?
a) The client's reported hobbies
,b) The client's ability to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
c) The client's financial status
d) The client's family support system
A nurse is performing a skin assessment on an older adult. Which of the following findings should the
nurse identify as a normal age-related change?
a) Petechiae
b) Decreased skin turgor
c) Jaundice
d) A new, irregularly shaped mole
The nurse understands that polypharmacy in the older adult population is a major concern primarily
because of:
a) The high cost of multiple medications.
b) The increased risk of adverse drug reactions and interactions.
c) The difficulty in remembering to take multiple pills.
d) The potential for drug diversion.
Which of the following statements by a nurse demonstrates an understanding of the concept of
"ageism"?
a) "All older adults need assistance with their medications."
b) "Older adults have a decreased ability to learn new things."
c) "It's important to assess each older adult's individual functional capacity."
d) "Most older adults are depressed and lonely."
A nurse is conducting a health history with an older adult client. To best ensure accurate information,
the nurse should:
,a) Ask the client's family member to answer the questions.
b) Speak loudly and use simple terms.
c) Allow extra time for the client to respond to questions.
d) Focus only on the current medical problem.
An older adult client is at risk for falls. Which of the following age-related changes contributes most
significantly to this risk?
a) Decreased visual acuity
b) Thinning of the skin
c) Decreased bowel motility
d) Increased sensitivity to pain
The nurse is educating a group of older adults about health promotion. Which topic should the nurse
include as a priority?
a) The importance of a low-protein diet
b) Annual influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations
c) The need to avoid all physical activity to prevent injury
d) The benefits of sunbathing for vitamin D
A nurse observes an older adult client who frequently talks about the "good old days" and past
accomplishments. The nurse should interpret this behavior as:
a) A sign of dementia.
b) A normal part of the life review process.
c) A sign of depression.
d) An attempt to manipulate the nurse.
Which of the following is the most common chronic condition affecting older adults?
, a) Cancer
b) Arthritis
c) Diabetes
d) Heart disease
The nurse is assessing an older adult for dehydration. Which of the following is a more reliable indicator
in this population?
a) Dry mucous membranes
b) Decreased skin turgor
c) Changes in mental status
d) Sunken eyes
A key principle of geriatric nursing is to focus on:
a) Curing all chronic diseases.
b) Restoring the client to their previous level of function.
c) Maximizing function and quality of life.
d) Placing the client in a long-term care facility.
An older adult client is prescribed a new medication. The nurse should teach the client to:
a) Take the medication with a glass of grapefruit juice.
b) Keep a list of all medications and dosages.
c) Stop taking the medication if they feel better.
d) Share the medication with a spouse if they have similar symptoms.
The term "iatrogenic" refers to a condition that is:
a) Present at birth.
