,NU 176/NU176 Exam 3 | Geriatric Nursing (2026) Q&A |
Galen College
1. Which of the following best describes the primary physiological change that
contributes to the increased risk of hypothermia in older adults?
A) Decreased subcutaneous fat and reduced metabolic rate
B) Increased peripheral vasodilation and sweating
C) Enhanced thermoregulatory response to cold
D) Increased basal metabolic rate and muscle mass
Correct Answer: Decreased subcutaneous fat and reduced metabolic rate
Rationale: Aging is associated with a loss of subcutaneous fat, which provides
insulation, and a decrease in metabolic rate, which reduces heat production. These
changes impair the body's ability to maintain core temperature in cold
environments. The other options d escribe changes not typically seen in normal
aging.
2. Which finding would the nurse identify as a normal age - related change in skin
turgor rather than a sign of dehydration?
A) Skin that tents and remains elevated for several seconds
B) Reduced skin elasticity on the dorsal aspect of the hand
C) Skin that is warm, moist, and intact
D) Presence of dry, scaly patches on the extremities
Correct Answer: Reduced skin elasticity on the dorsal aspect of the hand
Rationale: Loss of skin elasticity is a normal age - related change due to decreased
collagen and elastin. Tenting skin that remains elevated (poor turgor) is a sign of
dehydration. While dry skin is common, it is not a reliable indicator of dehydration.
,3. Which normal age - related sensory change affects nutritional status in older
adults?
A) Enhanced sense of taste and smell
B) Diminished sense of taste and smell
C) Increased salivation and appetite
D) Improved ability to distinguish between sweet and salty
Correct Answer: Diminished sense of taste and smell
Rationale: Older adults often experience a decline in the sense of taste and smell,
which can reduce appetite and lead to poor nutritional intake. This is a normal age -
related change, although it can be exacerbated by medications or illness.
4. A nurse is educating a group of older adults about normal changes in the
respiratory system. Which statement should the nurse include?
A) "Your lung capacity will increase, allowing you to take deeper breaths."
B) "Your respiratory muscles will become stronger, making breathing easier."
C) "Your lungs become more elastic, which improves gas exchange."
D) "Your vital capacity decreases, and your residual volume increases."
Correct Answer: "Your vital capacity decreases, and your residual volume
increases."
Rationale: Aging leads to a loss of lung elasticity and weakening of respiratory
muscles, resulting in a decreased vital capacity and an increased residual volume.
This can make breathing feel more effortful and reduce gas exchange efficiency.
5. An older adult client is concerned about memory lapses. Which assessment
finding would the nurse identify as a normal age - related change rather than a sign
of dementia?
, A) Forgetting the names of close family members
B) Getting lost in familiar surroundings
C) Occasionally misplacing keys or eyeglasses
D) Unable to learn how to use a new appliance
Correct Answer: Occasionally misplacing keys or eyeglasses
Rationale: Occasional misplacement of items is a common and normal age - related
memory change. Forgetting names of close family members, getting lost in familiar
places, and difficulty learning new tasks are more indicative of cognitive impairment
or dementia.
6. Which age - related change in the renal system increases the risk of medication
toxicity in older adults?
A) Increased glomerular filtration rate
B) Decreased renal blood flow and glomerular filtration
C) Increased ability to concentrate urine
D) Enhanced tubular secretion of drugs
Correct Answer: Decreased renal blood flow and glomerular filtration
Rationale: Aging leads to a decline in renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate,
which reduces the kidneys' ability to excrete medications and their metabolites. This
can lead to drug accumulation and increased risk of toxicity.
7. A nurse is teaching an older adult about preventing constipation. Which
recommendation is most appropriate?
A) Increase intake of refined carbohydrates
B) Limit fluid intake to reduce bloating
C) Increase dietary fiber and fluid intake
Galen College
1. Which of the following best describes the primary physiological change that
contributes to the increased risk of hypothermia in older adults?
A) Decreased subcutaneous fat and reduced metabolic rate
B) Increased peripheral vasodilation and sweating
C) Enhanced thermoregulatory response to cold
D) Increased basal metabolic rate and muscle mass
Correct Answer: Decreased subcutaneous fat and reduced metabolic rate
Rationale: Aging is associated with a loss of subcutaneous fat, which provides
insulation, and a decrease in metabolic rate, which reduces heat production. These
changes impair the body's ability to maintain core temperature in cold
environments. The other options d escribe changes not typically seen in normal
aging.
2. Which finding would the nurse identify as a normal age - related change in skin
turgor rather than a sign of dehydration?
A) Skin that tents and remains elevated for several seconds
B) Reduced skin elasticity on the dorsal aspect of the hand
C) Skin that is warm, moist, and intact
D) Presence of dry, scaly patches on the extremities
Correct Answer: Reduced skin elasticity on the dorsal aspect of the hand
Rationale: Loss of skin elasticity is a normal age - related change due to decreased
collagen and elastin. Tenting skin that remains elevated (poor turgor) is a sign of
dehydration. While dry skin is common, it is not a reliable indicator of dehydration.
,3. Which normal age - related sensory change affects nutritional status in older
adults?
A) Enhanced sense of taste and smell
B) Diminished sense of taste and smell
C) Increased salivation and appetite
D) Improved ability to distinguish between sweet and salty
Correct Answer: Diminished sense of taste and smell
Rationale: Older adults often experience a decline in the sense of taste and smell,
which can reduce appetite and lead to poor nutritional intake. This is a normal age -
related change, although it can be exacerbated by medications or illness.
4. A nurse is educating a group of older adults about normal changes in the
respiratory system. Which statement should the nurse include?
A) "Your lung capacity will increase, allowing you to take deeper breaths."
B) "Your respiratory muscles will become stronger, making breathing easier."
C) "Your lungs become more elastic, which improves gas exchange."
D) "Your vital capacity decreases, and your residual volume increases."
Correct Answer: "Your vital capacity decreases, and your residual volume
increases."
Rationale: Aging leads to a loss of lung elasticity and weakening of respiratory
muscles, resulting in a decreased vital capacity and an increased residual volume.
This can make breathing feel more effortful and reduce gas exchange efficiency.
5. An older adult client is concerned about memory lapses. Which assessment
finding would the nurse identify as a normal age - related change rather than a sign
of dementia?
, A) Forgetting the names of close family members
B) Getting lost in familiar surroundings
C) Occasionally misplacing keys or eyeglasses
D) Unable to learn how to use a new appliance
Correct Answer: Occasionally misplacing keys or eyeglasses
Rationale: Occasional misplacement of items is a common and normal age - related
memory change. Forgetting names of close family members, getting lost in familiar
places, and difficulty learning new tasks are more indicative of cognitive impairment
or dementia.
6. Which age - related change in the renal system increases the risk of medication
toxicity in older adults?
A) Increased glomerular filtration rate
B) Decreased renal blood flow and glomerular filtration
C) Increased ability to concentrate urine
D) Enhanced tubular secretion of drugs
Correct Answer: Decreased renal blood flow and glomerular filtration
Rationale: Aging leads to a decline in renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate,
which reduces the kidneys' ability to excrete medications and their metabolites. This
can lead to drug accumulation and increased risk of toxicity.
7. A nurse is teaching an older adult about preventing constipation. Which
recommendation is most appropriate?
A) Increase intake of refined carbohydrates
B) Limit fluid intake to reduce bloating
C) Increase dietary fiber and fluid intake
