CHAPTER 25 OLDER ADULT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |
CHAPTER 25 OLDER ADULT STUDY GUIDE & PRACTICE TEST
2026/2027
1. The nurse is performing a physical examination of an older adult client in an assisted living facility. On
completion of the exam, the nurse compares the results with findings expected for individuals in this age
group. Which of the following is an expected finding for this client?
a. Increased tactile responsiveness
b. Increased sensitivity to glare
c. Increased hearing acuity for higher tones
d. Increased thoracic expansion during ventilation - correct answer ✔✔ANS: B
A common physiological change in the older adult client is an increased sensitivity to glare.
Increased tactile responsiveness would not be an expected finding in the older adult client.
An expected physiological change in the older adult client is a loss of hearing acuity for high-frequency
tones (presbycusis).
The older adult has decreased thoracic expansion during ventilation because of musculoskeletal
changes.
2. A 70-year-old client must have her blood pressure checked during each shift. She asks the nurse to
explain her hypertension. Which of the following is an appropriate response by the nurse?
a. Older adult clients often experience hypertension because of vascular changes related to aging; this
affects 50% of older adults.
b. Older adult clients often experience hypertension because of a reduction in physical activity.
c. Older adult clients often experience hypertension because of ingestion of processed foods high in
sodium.
d. Older adult clients often experience hypertension because of myocardial damage and venous
insufficiency. - correct answer ✔✔ANS: A
Although hypertension is not a normal physiological change of aging, older adults often experience
hypertension because of vascular changes. Vascular changes include thickening of vessel walls,
narrowing of vessel lumen, and loss of vessel elasticity. Systolic or diastolic hypertension (systolic
pressure >140 mm Hg, diastolic >90mm Hg) is seen in 50% of older adults.
Hypertension is not caused by a reduction in physical activity.
Older adults with hypertension should be counselled on limiting fat and salt in their diets; however,
ingestion of processed foods high in salt is not the reason that older adult clients often experience
hypertension.
Myocardial damage and venous insufficiency are not the reasons that older adults commonly experience
hypertension.
3. Which one of the following statements related to cognitive functioning in the older adult client is
true?
a. Reversible systemic disorders are often implicated as a cause of delirium.
b. Cognitive deterioration is an inevitable outcome of aging.
c. Delirium is easily distinguished from irreversible dementia.
d. Intoxication from therapeutic drugs is a common cause of senile dementia. - correct answer ✔✔ANS:
A
, Delirium is a potentially reversible cognitive impairment that is often due to a physiological cause such as
an electrolyte imbalance, cerebral anoxia, hypoglycemia, medications, tumours, cerebrovascular
infection, or hemorrhage.
Cognitive deterioration is not an inevitable outcome of aging.
Delirium is not always easily distinguishable from irreversible dementia. Because of the close
resemblance between delirium and dementia, the presence of delirium must be ruled out whenever
dementia is suspected.
The cause of senile dementia is not known. Medications and drug effects can cause delirium.
4. A client has been recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. When teaching the family about the
prognosis, what must the nurse explain?
a. The disease usually progresses gradually, with a deterioration of function.
b. Many individuals can be cured if the diagnosis is made early.
c. Diet and exercise can slow the process considerably.
d. Few clients live more than three years after the diagnosis. - correct answer ✔✔ANS: A
Alzheimer's disease usually progresses gradually, with a deterioration of function.
No cure is known for Alzheimer's disease, but medications can be given to slow the progression of
symptoms.
Medications, not diet and exercise, can slow the process of Alzheimer's disease considerably.
Clients may live many years after the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.
5. For older adults, a number of health-related concerns should be addressed. The nurse incorporates
this information to meet the needs of the older adult client. Which of the following statements
accurately reflects data that the nurse should use in planning care?
a. Approximately 50% of adults older than 65 years have two chronic health problems.
b. Cancer is the most common cause of death among older adults.
c. The nutritional needs of older adults are affected by older adults' levels of activity and by clinical
conditions.
d. Adults older than 65 years make up the lowest percentage of users of prescription medications. -
correct answer ✔✔ANS: C
The nutritional needs of older adults are affected by older adults' levels of activity and by clinical
conditions. In assessing nutrition in older adults, the nurse needs to consider sedentary activity,
therapeutic diets, recovery from surgery, and dementia.
Approximately 80% of older adults living at home have at least one chronic health condition, with
arthritis, hypertension, heart disease, vision impairment, and diabetes mellitus being the most common
in non-institutionalized older adults.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in older adults.
It is untrue that adults older than 65 years make up the lowest percentage of users of prescription
medications. Older adults account for 12% of the population, but use as much as 40% of prescription
medication—they make up the highest percentage of users of prescription medication.
6. Myths exist regarding the older adult population in Canada. Which of the following is the nurse aware
is true about the majority of older adults?
a. They are forgetful and confused.
b. They live in institutional settings.
c. They are unable to care for themselves.
d. They continue to enjoy sexual relationships. - correct answer ✔✔ANS: D
It is true that older adults continue to enjoy sexual relationships.
CHAPTER 25 OLDER ADULT STUDY GUIDE & PRACTICE TEST
2026/2027
1. The nurse is performing a physical examination of an older adult client in an assisted living facility. On
completion of the exam, the nurse compares the results with findings expected for individuals in this age
group. Which of the following is an expected finding for this client?
a. Increased tactile responsiveness
b. Increased sensitivity to glare
c. Increased hearing acuity for higher tones
d. Increased thoracic expansion during ventilation - correct answer ✔✔ANS: B
A common physiological change in the older adult client is an increased sensitivity to glare.
Increased tactile responsiveness would not be an expected finding in the older adult client.
An expected physiological change in the older adult client is a loss of hearing acuity for high-frequency
tones (presbycusis).
The older adult has decreased thoracic expansion during ventilation because of musculoskeletal
changes.
2. A 70-year-old client must have her blood pressure checked during each shift. She asks the nurse to
explain her hypertension. Which of the following is an appropriate response by the nurse?
a. Older adult clients often experience hypertension because of vascular changes related to aging; this
affects 50% of older adults.
b. Older adult clients often experience hypertension because of a reduction in physical activity.
c. Older adult clients often experience hypertension because of ingestion of processed foods high in
sodium.
d. Older adult clients often experience hypertension because of myocardial damage and venous
insufficiency. - correct answer ✔✔ANS: A
Although hypertension is not a normal physiological change of aging, older adults often experience
hypertension because of vascular changes. Vascular changes include thickening of vessel walls,
narrowing of vessel lumen, and loss of vessel elasticity. Systolic or diastolic hypertension (systolic
pressure >140 mm Hg, diastolic >90mm Hg) is seen in 50% of older adults.
Hypertension is not caused by a reduction in physical activity.
Older adults with hypertension should be counselled on limiting fat and salt in their diets; however,
ingestion of processed foods high in salt is not the reason that older adult clients often experience
hypertension.
Myocardial damage and venous insufficiency are not the reasons that older adults commonly experience
hypertension.
3. Which one of the following statements related to cognitive functioning in the older adult client is
true?
a. Reversible systemic disorders are often implicated as a cause of delirium.
b. Cognitive deterioration is an inevitable outcome of aging.
c. Delirium is easily distinguished from irreversible dementia.
d. Intoxication from therapeutic drugs is a common cause of senile dementia. - correct answer ✔✔ANS:
A
, Delirium is a potentially reversible cognitive impairment that is often due to a physiological cause such as
an electrolyte imbalance, cerebral anoxia, hypoglycemia, medications, tumours, cerebrovascular
infection, or hemorrhage.
Cognitive deterioration is not an inevitable outcome of aging.
Delirium is not always easily distinguishable from irreversible dementia. Because of the close
resemblance between delirium and dementia, the presence of delirium must be ruled out whenever
dementia is suspected.
The cause of senile dementia is not known. Medications and drug effects can cause delirium.
4. A client has been recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. When teaching the family about the
prognosis, what must the nurse explain?
a. The disease usually progresses gradually, with a deterioration of function.
b. Many individuals can be cured if the diagnosis is made early.
c. Diet and exercise can slow the process considerably.
d. Few clients live more than three years after the diagnosis. - correct answer ✔✔ANS: A
Alzheimer's disease usually progresses gradually, with a deterioration of function.
No cure is known for Alzheimer's disease, but medications can be given to slow the progression of
symptoms.
Medications, not diet and exercise, can slow the process of Alzheimer's disease considerably.
Clients may live many years after the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.
5. For older adults, a number of health-related concerns should be addressed. The nurse incorporates
this information to meet the needs of the older adult client. Which of the following statements
accurately reflects data that the nurse should use in planning care?
a. Approximately 50% of adults older than 65 years have two chronic health problems.
b. Cancer is the most common cause of death among older adults.
c. The nutritional needs of older adults are affected by older adults' levels of activity and by clinical
conditions.
d. Adults older than 65 years make up the lowest percentage of users of prescription medications. -
correct answer ✔✔ANS: C
The nutritional needs of older adults are affected by older adults' levels of activity and by clinical
conditions. In assessing nutrition in older adults, the nurse needs to consider sedentary activity,
therapeutic diets, recovery from surgery, and dementia.
Approximately 80% of older adults living at home have at least one chronic health condition, with
arthritis, hypertension, heart disease, vision impairment, and diabetes mellitus being the most common
in non-institutionalized older adults.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in older adults.
It is untrue that adults older than 65 years make up the lowest percentage of users of prescription
medications. Older adults account for 12% of the population, but use as much as 40% of prescription
medication—they make up the highest percentage of users of prescription medication.
6. Myths exist regarding the older adult population in Canada. Which of the following is the nurse aware
is true about the majority of older adults?
a. They are forgetful and confused.
b. They live in institutional settings.
c. They are unable to care for themselves.
d. They continue to enjoy sexual relationships. - correct answer ✔✔ANS: D
It is true that older adults continue to enjoy sexual relationships.
