,Jersey College NUR202 Geriatric Nursing final Exam
|26/27 | Qs&As & Detailed Rationales
1. Which nursing goal best reflects the central focus of gerontological nursing?
A) Eliminate every chronic disease
B) Preserve function, independence, and quality of life
C) Prevent all use of assistive devices
D) Transfer older adults to institutional care
Correct Answer: Preserve function, independence, and quality of life
Rationale: Gerontological nursing focuses on helping older adults achieve the highest
possible level of function, adaptation, independence, safety, and quality of life. Many older
adults live with chronic diseases, so successful care is not defined by the complete absence
of illness. Assistive devices and supportive services can actually increase independence
rather than represent failure.
2. Which statement best illustrates ageism?
A) “I will assess this patient's abilities individually.”
B) “Older adults may need additional response time.”
C) “People over age 80 cannot learn new information.”
D) “Hearing impairment can interfere with communication.”
Correct Answer: “People over age 80 cannot learn new information.”
Rationale: Ageism involves stereotyping, prejudice, or discrimination based on
chronological age. Healthy older adults remain capable of learning, decision-making,
adaptation, and meaningful social participation. Teaching may need to account for sensory
changes or slower processing, but age alone does not eliminate learning ability.
3. According to activity theory, successful aging is promoted by:
A) Withdrawal from social roles
B) Continued meaningful engagement
C) Permanent dependence
D) Avoidance of new experiences
Correct Answer: Continued meaningful engagement
Rationale: Activity theory proposes that maintaining social, intellectual, physical, and
interpersonal engagement contributes to life satisfaction in older adulthood. Activities
should be meaningful and individualized rather than imposed.
4. Which concept best describes continuity theory?
A) Older adults abandon prior values
B) Personality completely changes in later life
, C) Individuals tend to maintain familiar patterns and coping styles
D) Social isolation is necessary for healthy aging
Correct Answer: Individuals tend to maintain familiar patterns and coping styles
Rationale: Continuity theory proposes that older adults often adapt to aging by preserving
established values, preferences, habits, relationships, and coping strategies. Nursing care
can support adaptation by incorporating familiar routines whenever possible.
5. Erikson identified which major developmental conflict in later adulthood?
A) Trust versus mistrust
B) Identity versus role confusion
C) Ego integrity versus despair
D) Generativity versus stagnation
Correct Answer: Ego integrity versus despair
Rationale: In later life, individuals may review and integrate their life experiences.
Acceptance, meaning, and satisfaction contribute to ego integrity, whereas profound regret
and inability to accept one's life may contribute to despair.
6. Which statement demonstrates ego integrity?
A) “Everything in my life was a failure.”
B) “I made mistakes, but my life has had meaning.”
C) “I refuse to think about the past.”
D) “Nothing I did mattered.”
Correct Answer: “I made mistakes, but my life has had meaning.”
Rationale: Ego integrity involves realistic acceptance of one's life, including both
achievements and disappointments. The person recognizes meaning and coherence rather
than focusing exclusively on regret.
7. What does gerotranscendence describe?
A) Complete cognitive decline
B) Increasing reflection, wisdom, and broader meaning in later life
C) Mandatory social withdrawal
D) Loss of independence
Correct Answer: Increasing reflection, wisdom, and broader meaning in later life
Rationale: Gerotranscendence describes a potential developmental shift toward deeper
reflection, reduced emphasis on material concerns, greater acceptance, and a broadened
perspective on life and relationships.
|26/27 | Qs&As & Detailed Rationales
1. Which nursing goal best reflects the central focus of gerontological nursing?
A) Eliminate every chronic disease
B) Preserve function, independence, and quality of life
C) Prevent all use of assistive devices
D) Transfer older adults to institutional care
Correct Answer: Preserve function, independence, and quality of life
Rationale: Gerontological nursing focuses on helping older adults achieve the highest
possible level of function, adaptation, independence, safety, and quality of life. Many older
adults live with chronic diseases, so successful care is not defined by the complete absence
of illness. Assistive devices and supportive services can actually increase independence
rather than represent failure.
2. Which statement best illustrates ageism?
A) “I will assess this patient's abilities individually.”
B) “Older adults may need additional response time.”
C) “People over age 80 cannot learn new information.”
D) “Hearing impairment can interfere with communication.”
Correct Answer: “People over age 80 cannot learn new information.”
Rationale: Ageism involves stereotyping, prejudice, or discrimination based on
chronological age. Healthy older adults remain capable of learning, decision-making,
adaptation, and meaningful social participation. Teaching may need to account for sensory
changes or slower processing, but age alone does not eliminate learning ability.
3. According to activity theory, successful aging is promoted by:
A) Withdrawal from social roles
B) Continued meaningful engagement
C) Permanent dependence
D) Avoidance of new experiences
Correct Answer: Continued meaningful engagement
Rationale: Activity theory proposes that maintaining social, intellectual, physical, and
interpersonal engagement contributes to life satisfaction in older adulthood. Activities
should be meaningful and individualized rather than imposed.
4. Which concept best describes continuity theory?
A) Older adults abandon prior values
B) Personality completely changes in later life
, C) Individuals tend to maintain familiar patterns and coping styles
D) Social isolation is necessary for healthy aging
Correct Answer: Individuals tend to maintain familiar patterns and coping styles
Rationale: Continuity theory proposes that older adults often adapt to aging by preserving
established values, preferences, habits, relationships, and coping strategies. Nursing care
can support adaptation by incorporating familiar routines whenever possible.
5. Erikson identified which major developmental conflict in later adulthood?
A) Trust versus mistrust
B) Identity versus role confusion
C) Ego integrity versus despair
D) Generativity versus stagnation
Correct Answer: Ego integrity versus despair
Rationale: In later life, individuals may review and integrate their life experiences.
Acceptance, meaning, and satisfaction contribute to ego integrity, whereas profound regret
and inability to accept one's life may contribute to despair.
6. Which statement demonstrates ego integrity?
A) “Everything in my life was a failure.”
B) “I made mistakes, but my life has had meaning.”
C) “I refuse to think about the past.”
D) “Nothing I did mattered.”
Correct Answer: “I made mistakes, but my life has had meaning.”
Rationale: Ego integrity involves realistic acceptance of one's life, including both
achievements and disappointments. The person recognizes meaning and coherence rather
than focusing exclusively on regret.
7. What does gerotranscendence describe?
A) Complete cognitive decline
B) Increasing reflection, wisdom, and broader meaning in later life
C) Mandatory social withdrawal
D) Loss of independence
Correct Answer: Increasing reflection, wisdom, and broader meaning in later life
Rationale: Gerotranscendence describes a potential developmental shift toward deeper
reflection, reduced emphasis on material concerns, greater acceptance, and a broadened
perspective on life and relationships.
