WGU Care of Older Adults Assessment ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD
PDF.
,WGU Care of Older Adults Assessment
1. A nurse is assessing an 80-year-old client. Which of the following physiological changes of aging should the nurse
expect to find?
A. Increased bladder capacity
B. Decreased cardiac output
C. Increased renal blood flow
D. Decreased systemic vascular resistance
Answer: B. Decreased cardiac output
Rationale: With aging, the heart muscle becomes less efficient, arterial walls stiffen, and the maximum heart rate
decreases, leading to a decreased cardiac output. Options A, C, and D are incorrect as bladder capacity decreases, renal
blood flow decreases, and systemic vascular resistance increases with age.
2. An older adult client is at risk for falls. Which of the following factors is the most significant contributor to this risk?
A. Decreased sense of smell
B. Orthostatic hypotension
C. Increased thirst
D. Thinning of the skin
,Answer: B. Orthostatic hypotension
Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension, a drop in blood pressure upon standing, is a major risk factor for falls in older adults
due to reduced baroreceptor sensitivity and decreased vascular tone. The other options are age-related changes but are
not direct, primary causes of falls.
3. A nurse is teaching an older adult about nutrition. Which of the following statements indicates a need for further
teaching?
A. "I should drink plenty of fluids, even if I don't feel thirsty."
B. "I need to increase my intake of calcium and vitamin D."
C. "I will eat more high-fiber foods to prevent constipation."
D. "I should reduce my protein intake to protect my kidneys."
Answer: D. "I should reduce my protein intake to protect my kidneys."
Rationale: Older adults require adequate protein to maintain muscle mass and prevent sarcopenia. Reducing protein
intake is not a standard recommendation unless specifically indicated for a medical condition like severe renal disease.
The other statements are correct.
4. Which of the following is a common, normal age-related change in the respiratory system?
A. Increased vital capacity
B. Decreased residual volume
C. Decreased chest wall compliance
, D. Increased cough reflex
Answer: C. Decreased chest wall compliance
Rationale: Aging leads to stiffening of the chest wall and calcification of costal cartilages, which decreases compliance,
making breathing more difficult. Vital capacity decreases, residual volume increases, and the cough reflex becomes
weaker.
5. A nurse is reviewing the medication list of an older adult. Which of the following is a concern related to polypharmacy?
A. Increased risk of drug-drug interactions
B. Decreased risk of adverse drug events
C. Improved adherence to the medication regimen
D. Increased renal clearance of medications
Answer: A. Increased risk of drug-drug interactions
Rationale: Polypharmacy (the use of multiple medications) significantly increases the risk of adverse drug events and
drug-drug interactions. Renal clearance typically decreases with age, and adherence can be more challenging with
complex regimens.
6. An older adult client is diagnosed with delirium. Which of the following is a priority nursing intervention?
A. Administer an antipsychotic medication immediately.
B. Identify and treat the underlying cause.
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD
PDF.
,WGU Care of Older Adults Assessment
1. A nurse is assessing an 80-year-old client. Which of the following physiological changes of aging should the nurse
expect to find?
A. Increased bladder capacity
B. Decreased cardiac output
C. Increased renal blood flow
D. Decreased systemic vascular resistance
Answer: B. Decreased cardiac output
Rationale: With aging, the heart muscle becomes less efficient, arterial walls stiffen, and the maximum heart rate
decreases, leading to a decreased cardiac output. Options A, C, and D are incorrect as bladder capacity decreases, renal
blood flow decreases, and systemic vascular resistance increases with age.
2. An older adult client is at risk for falls. Which of the following factors is the most significant contributor to this risk?
A. Decreased sense of smell
B. Orthostatic hypotension
C. Increased thirst
D. Thinning of the skin
,Answer: B. Orthostatic hypotension
Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension, a drop in blood pressure upon standing, is a major risk factor for falls in older adults
due to reduced baroreceptor sensitivity and decreased vascular tone. The other options are age-related changes but are
not direct, primary causes of falls.
3. A nurse is teaching an older adult about nutrition. Which of the following statements indicates a need for further
teaching?
A. "I should drink plenty of fluids, even if I don't feel thirsty."
B. "I need to increase my intake of calcium and vitamin D."
C. "I will eat more high-fiber foods to prevent constipation."
D. "I should reduce my protein intake to protect my kidneys."
Answer: D. "I should reduce my protein intake to protect my kidneys."
Rationale: Older adults require adequate protein to maintain muscle mass and prevent sarcopenia. Reducing protein
intake is not a standard recommendation unless specifically indicated for a medical condition like severe renal disease.
The other statements are correct.
4. Which of the following is a common, normal age-related change in the respiratory system?
A. Increased vital capacity
B. Decreased residual volume
C. Decreased chest wall compliance
, D. Increased cough reflex
Answer: C. Decreased chest wall compliance
Rationale: Aging leads to stiffening of the chest wall and calcification of costal cartilages, which decreases compliance,
making breathing more difficult. Vital capacity decreases, residual volume increases, and the cough reflex becomes
weaker.
5. A nurse is reviewing the medication list of an older adult. Which of the following is a concern related to polypharmacy?
A. Increased risk of drug-drug interactions
B. Decreased risk of adverse drug events
C. Improved adherence to the medication regimen
D. Increased renal clearance of medications
Answer: A. Increased risk of drug-drug interactions
Rationale: Polypharmacy (the use of multiple medications) significantly increases the risk of adverse drug events and
drug-drug interactions. Renal clearance typically decreases with age, and adherence can be more challenging with
complex regimens.
6. An older adult client is diagnosed with delirium. Which of the following is a priority nursing intervention?
A. Administer an antipsychotic medication immediately.
B. Identify and treat the underlying cause.
