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NURS 5461 ADULT GERONTOLOGY MANAGEMENT
ACROSS THE CONTINUUM OF CARE EXAM 2026
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED QUESTIONS DETAILED
RATIONALES GRADED A+
NURS 5461 Adult Gerontology Management Across the Continuum of Care — Questions
10-Point Exam Coverage Summary
Foundational Concepts & Health Promotion — Normal aging, health promotion,
immunizations, screening.
Pharmacokinetics, Polypharmacy & Medication Management — ADME changes in aging, drug
interactions, deprescribing.
Geriatric Syndromes (Dementia, Delirium, Depression) — Cognitive assessment, behavioral
management, safety.
Cardiovascular Disorders — ACS, heart failure, hypertension, dyslipidemia.
Respiratory Disorders — Asthma, COPD, pneumonia, cough management.
Renal Disorders & Electrolyte Imbalances — AKI, CKD, nephrotic syndrome, electrolyte
management.
Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders — Diabetes, thyroid, osteoporosis, vitamin deficiencies.
Neurological Disorders — Stroke, Parkinson's, neuropathy, seizures.
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Musculoskeletal & Integumentary Disorders — Falls, fractures, pressure injuries, skin cancer.
Gastrointestinal, Hematologic, Pain & End-of-Life Care — GI disorders, anemia, pain
management, ethics, care transitions.
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONAL CONCEPTS & HEALTH PROMOTION (Questions 1–30)
1. A 72-year-old male patient asks about the recommended frequency for the shingles (herpes
zoster) vaccine. He received the live zoster vaccine (Zostavax) five years ago. What is the most
appropriate response?
A) "You do not need another shingles vaccine as Zostavax provides lifelong immunity."
B) "You should receive the recombinant zoster vaccine (Shingrix) now, as it is recommended
regardless of prior Zostavax vaccination."
C) "You need to wait until you are 75 years old to receive the booster for Zostavax."
D) "You should receive a second dose of Zostavax to boost your immunity."
Answer: B
Rationale: The CDC recommends the recombinant zoster vaccine (Shingrix, RZV) for all adults
aged 50 years and older, including those who previously received Zostavax (the live vaccine).
Zostavax is no longer available in the US. RZV is a two-dose series (2–6 months apart) and has
higher efficacy (over 90%) compared to Zostavax .
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2. A 68-year-old African American female with a history of hypertension is in your clinic for a
wellness visit. Her blood pressure is 132/88 mmHg. According to the USPSTF guidelines on
screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), what is the appropriate recommendation?
A) Recommend a one-time abdominal ultrasound due to her age and history of hypertension.
B) No screening is indicated as her blood pressure is well-controlled.
C) Recommend a one-time abdominal ultrasound due to her age, gender, and smoking history;
however, she is a non-smoker.
D) Recommend screening every five years due to her race and age.
Answer: C
Rationale: The USPSTF recommends one-time screening for AAA with ultrasonography in men
aged 65–75 who have ever smoked. The patient is a 68-year-old female. Screening for women is
only recommended if they have a significant family history or have ever smoked. While
hypertension is a risk factor, it is not an independent indication for screening per USPSTF
guidelines .
3. A 78-year-old patient reports feeling tired and "slowing down" over the past year. Which
finding is most consistent with normal aging rather than a pathological condition?
A) Weight loss of 15 pounds without dieting
B) Increase in systolic blood pressure from 110 mmHg to 150 mmHg
C) A decrease in maximal heart rate during exercise
D) New-onset confusion and disorientation
Answer: C
Rationale: A decrease in maximal heart rate is a normal age-related change due to decreased
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responsiveness of the heart to catecholamines. Unintentional weight loss, significant
hypertension, and new-onset confusion are not normal aging and require evaluation .
4. Which of the following is a normal physiological change associated with aging?
A) Increased gastric motility
B) Decreased renal blood flow
C) Increased lung elasticity
D) Increased muscle mass
Answer: B
Rationale: Renal blood flow decreases with age due to vascular changes and loss of nephrons.
Gastric motility decreases (not increases), lung elasticity decreases, and muscle mass decreases
(sarcopenia) .
5. The geriatric syndrome "frailty" is characterized by which of the following?
A) Increased physical activity and energy
B) Unintentional weight gain and increased muscle strength
C) Decreased reserve and increased vulnerability to stressors
D) Improved cognitive function and memory
Answer: C
Rationale: Frailty is a clinical syndrome characterized by decreased physiological reserve,
increased vulnerability to stressors, and increased risk for adverse outcomes. It often includes
weight loss, exhaustion, weakness, slowness, and low physical activity .
NURS 5461 ADULT GERONTOLOGY MANAGEMENT
ACROSS THE CONTINUUM OF CARE EXAM 2026
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED QUESTIONS DETAILED
RATIONALES GRADED A+
NURS 5461 Adult Gerontology Management Across the Continuum of Care — Questions
10-Point Exam Coverage Summary
Foundational Concepts & Health Promotion — Normal aging, health promotion,
immunizations, screening.
Pharmacokinetics, Polypharmacy & Medication Management — ADME changes in aging, drug
interactions, deprescribing.
Geriatric Syndromes (Dementia, Delirium, Depression) — Cognitive assessment, behavioral
management, safety.
Cardiovascular Disorders — ACS, heart failure, hypertension, dyslipidemia.
Respiratory Disorders — Asthma, COPD, pneumonia, cough management.
Renal Disorders & Electrolyte Imbalances — AKI, CKD, nephrotic syndrome, electrolyte
management.
Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders — Diabetes, thyroid, osteoporosis, vitamin deficiencies.
Neurological Disorders — Stroke, Parkinson's, neuropathy, seizures.
,Page 2 of 116
Musculoskeletal & Integumentary Disorders — Falls, fractures, pressure injuries, skin cancer.
Gastrointestinal, Hematologic, Pain & End-of-Life Care — GI disorders, anemia, pain
management, ethics, care transitions.
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONAL CONCEPTS & HEALTH PROMOTION (Questions 1–30)
1. A 72-year-old male patient asks about the recommended frequency for the shingles (herpes
zoster) vaccine. He received the live zoster vaccine (Zostavax) five years ago. What is the most
appropriate response?
A) "You do not need another shingles vaccine as Zostavax provides lifelong immunity."
B) "You should receive the recombinant zoster vaccine (Shingrix) now, as it is recommended
regardless of prior Zostavax vaccination."
C) "You need to wait until you are 75 years old to receive the booster for Zostavax."
D) "You should receive a second dose of Zostavax to boost your immunity."
Answer: B
Rationale: The CDC recommends the recombinant zoster vaccine (Shingrix, RZV) for all adults
aged 50 years and older, including those who previously received Zostavax (the live vaccine).
Zostavax is no longer available in the US. RZV is a two-dose series (2–6 months apart) and has
higher efficacy (over 90%) compared to Zostavax .
,Page 3 of 116
2. A 68-year-old African American female with a history of hypertension is in your clinic for a
wellness visit. Her blood pressure is 132/88 mmHg. According to the USPSTF guidelines on
screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), what is the appropriate recommendation?
A) Recommend a one-time abdominal ultrasound due to her age and history of hypertension.
B) No screening is indicated as her blood pressure is well-controlled.
C) Recommend a one-time abdominal ultrasound due to her age, gender, and smoking history;
however, she is a non-smoker.
D) Recommend screening every five years due to her race and age.
Answer: C
Rationale: The USPSTF recommends one-time screening for AAA with ultrasonography in men
aged 65–75 who have ever smoked. The patient is a 68-year-old female. Screening for women is
only recommended if they have a significant family history or have ever smoked. While
hypertension is a risk factor, it is not an independent indication for screening per USPSTF
guidelines .
3. A 78-year-old patient reports feeling tired and "slowing down" over the past year. Which
finding is most consistent with normal aging rather than a pathological condition?
A) Weight loss of 15 pounds without dieting
B) Increase in systolic blood pressure from 110 mmHg to 150 mmHg
C) A decrease in maximal heart rate during exercise
D) New-onset confusion and disorientation
Answer: C
Rationale: A decrease in maximal heart rate is a normal age-related change due to decreased
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responsiveness of the heart to catecholamines. Unintentional weight loss, significant
hypertension, and new-onset confusion are not normal aging and require evaluation .
4. Which of the following is a normal physiological change associated with aging?
A) Increased gastric motility
B) Decreased renal blood flow
C) Increased lung elasticity
D) Increased muscle mass
Answer: B
Rationale: Renal blood flow decreases with age due to vascular changes and loss of nephrons.
Gastric motility decreases (not increases), lung elasticity decreases, and muscle mass decreases
(sarcopenia) .
5. The geriatric syndrome "frailty" is characterized by which of the following?
A) Increased physical activity and energy
B) Unintentional weight gain and increased muscle strength
C) Decreased reserve and increased vulnerability to stressors
D) Improved cognitive function and memory
Answer: C
Rationale: Frailty is a clinical syndrome characterized by decreased physiological reserve,
increased vulnerability to stressors, and increased risk for adverse outcomes. It often includes
weight loss, exhaustion, weakness, slowness, and low physical activity .