WGU Care of Older Adults Assessment VERIFIED
AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS
RATIONALES | GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST
EXAM UPDATE | EXAM PREP | STUDY GUIDE |
PRACTICE TEST
,WGU Care of Older Adults Assessment
1. Which of the following is a primary physiological change of the cardiovascular system in older adults?
A. Increased cardiac output
B. Decreased arterial stiffness
C. Decreased maximal heart rate
D. Increased baroreceptor sensitivity
Answer: C. Decreased maximal heart rate
Rationale: With aging, the heart's conduction system changes, leading to a decreased maximal heart rate and a blunted
response to stress. Arteries tend to stiffen (increased arterial stiffness), and baroreceptor sensitivity decreases, which can
lead to orthostatic hypotension.
2. An older adult patient is at highest risk for which type of medication-related problem?
A. Adverse drug reactions due to polypharmacy
B. Increased drug absorption
C. Faster drug metabolism
D. Decreased drug sensitivity
Answer: A. Adverse drug reactions due to polypharmacy
,Rationale: Older adults often take multiple medications (polypharmacy), increasing the risk of drug-drug interactions and
adverse reactions. Age-related changes in renal and hepatic function also decrease drug metabolism and excretion.
3. Which assessment finding is a normal age-related change in the respiratory system?
A. Increased vital capacity
B. Decreased residual volume
C. Decreased cough reflex
D. Increased chest wall compliance
Answer: C. Decreased cough reflex
Rationale: A decreased cough reflex, along with decreased ciliary function, increases the risk of aspiration and respiratory
infections in older adults. Vital capacity decreases, residual volume increases, and chest wall compliance decreases.
4. A nurse is assessing an older adult for dehydration. Which finding is most indicative of dehydration in this population?
A. Dry mouth
B. Tachycardia
C. Confusion
D. Decreased skin turgor
Answer: C. Confusion
, Rationale: While dry mouth and decreased skin turgor can occur with aging, acute confusion is often the first and most
sensitive indicator of dehydration or infection in an older adult.
5. What is the most common cause of urinary incontinence in older women?
A. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
B. Urinary tract infection (UTI)
C. Pelvic floor muscle weakness
D. Medications
Answer: C. Pelvic floor muscle weakness
Rationale: Pelvic floor muscle weakness, often related to childbirth and aging, is a primary cause of stress incontinence in
older women. BPH is a cause in men.
6. An older adult is prescribed a new medication. Which instruction is most important for the nurse to provide?
A. "Take this medication with a full glass of water."
B. "Keep a list of all your medications and bring it to every appointment."
C. "You can stop taking this if you feel better."
D. "Take an extra dose if you miss one."
Answer: B. "Keep a list of all your medications and bring it to every appointment."
AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS
RATIONALES | GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST
EXAM UPDATE | EXAM PREP | STUDY GUIDE |
PRACTICE TEST
,WGU Care of Older Adults Assessment
1. Which of the following is a primary physiological change of the cardiovascular system in older adults?
A. Increased cardiac output
B. Decreased arterial stiffness
C. Decreased maximal heart rate
D. Increased baroreceptor sensitivity
Answer: C. Decreased maximal heart rate
Rationale: With aging, the heart's conduction system changes, leading to a decreased maximal heart rate and a blunted
response to stress. Arteries tend to stiffen (increased arterial stiffness), and baroreceptor sensitivity decreases, which can
lead to orthostatic hypotension.
2. An older adult patient is at highest risk for which type of medication-related problem?
A. Adverse drug reactions due to polypharmacy
B. Increased drug absorption
C. Faster drug metabolism
D. Decreased drug sensitivity
Answer: A. Adverse drug reactions due to polypharmacy
,Rationale: Older adults often take multiple medications (polypharmacy), increasing the risk of drug-drug interactions and
adverse reactions. Age-related changes in renal and hepatic function also decrease drug metabolism and excretion.
3. Which assessment finding is a normal age-related change in the respiratory system?
A. Increased vital capacity
B. Decreased residual volume
C. Decreased cough reflex
D. Increased chest wall compliance
Answer: C. Decreased cough reflex
Rationale: A decreased cough reflex, along with decreased ciliary function, increases the risk of aspiration and respiratory
infections in older adults. Vital capacity decreases, residual volume increases, and chest wall compliance decreases.
4. A nurse is assessing an older adult for dehydration. Which finding is most indicative of dehydration in this population?
A. Dry mouth
B. Tachycardia
C. Confusion
D. Decreased skin turgor
Answer: C. Confusion
, Rationale: While dry mouth and decreased skin turgor can occur with aging, acute confusion is often the first and most
sensitive indicator of dehydration or infection in an older adult.
5. What is the most common cause of urinary incontinence in older women?
A. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
B. Urinary tract infection (UTI)
C. Pelvic floor muscle weakness
D. Medications
Answer: C. Pelvic floor muscle weakness
Rationale: Pelvic floor muscle weakness, often related to childbirth and aging, is a primary cause of stress incontinence in
older women. BPH is a cause in men.
6. An older adult is prescribed a new medication. Which instruction is most important for the nurse to provide?
A. "Take this medication with a full glass of water."
B. "Keep a list of all your medications and bring it to every appointment."
C. "You can stop taking this if you feel better."
D. "Take an extra dose if you miss one."
Answer: B. "Keep a list of all your medications and bring it to every appointment."
