NSG 3160 EXAM REVIEW:
GERONTOLOGICAL NURSING
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS AND
EXPLANATIONS
1. A 78-year-old patient presents with a sudden onset of confusion and agitation following
surgery. The nurse notes the symptoms fluctuate throughout the day. Which condition is
most likely?
A. Alzheimer’s Disease
B. Vascular Dementia
C. Major Depressive Disorder
D. Delirium
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Delirium is characterized by an acute onset, fluctuating course,
and disturbances in attention, often triggered by physiological stressors like surgery or
infection.
,2. According to Erikson’s developmental stages, which conflict is primary for the older adult
population?
A. Generativity vs. Stagnation
B. Identity vs. Role Confusion
C. Integrity vs. Despair
D. Trust vs. Mistrust
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Integrity vs. Despair is the final stage of Erikson’s theory, where
older adults reflect on their lives and either achieve a sense of fulfillment or regret.
3. Which physiological change of aging increases the risk of drug toxicity in older adults?
A. Increased total body water
B. Increased glomerular filtration rate
C. Decreased hepatic blood flow
D. Decreased body fat percentage
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Decreased hepatic blood flow and reduced renal clearance lead
to prolonged half-lives of drugs, increasing the risk of toxicity.
, 4. An older adult reports difficulty reading small print and needing more light to see. This age-
related change is known as:
A. Cataracts
B. Glaucoma
C. Macular Degeneration
D. Presbyopia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Presbyopia is the age-related loss of the eye’s ability to focus on
close objects due to decreased elasticity of the lens.
5. Which assessment tool is specifically designed to screen for depression in the geriatric
population?
A. Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE)
B. Confusion Assessment Method (CAM)
C. Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)
D. Braden Scale
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The GDS is a validated tool for screening depression in older
adults, focusing on psychological rather than somatic symptoms.
GERONTOLOGICAL NURSING
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS AND
EXPLANATIONS
1. A 78-year-old patient presents with a sudden onset of confusion and agitation following
surgery. The nurse notes the symptoms fluctuate throughout the day. Which condition is
most likely?
A. Alzheimer’s Disease
B. Vascular Dementia
C. Major Depressive Disorder
D. Delirium
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Delirium is characterized by an acute onset, fluctuating course,
and disturbances in attention, often triggered by physiological stressors like surgery or
infection.
,2. According to Erikson’s developmental stages, which conflict is primary for the older adult
population?
A. Generativity vs. Stagnation
B. Identity vs. Role Confusion
C. Integrity vs. Despair
D. Trust vs. Mistrust
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Integrity vs. Despair is the final stage of Erikson’s theory, where
older adults reflect on their lives and either achieve a sense of fulfillment or regret.
3. Which physiological change of aging increases the risk of drug toxicity in older adults?
A. Increased total body water
B. Increased glomerular filtration rate
C. Decreased hepatic blood flow
D. Decreased body fat percentage
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Decreased hepatic blood flow and reduced renal clearance lead
to prolonged half-lives of drugs, increasing the risk of toxicity.
, 4. An older adult reports difficulty reading small print and needing more light to see. This age-
related change is known as:
A. Cataracts
B. Glaucoma
C. Macular Degeneration
D. Presbyopia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Presbyopia is the age-related loss of the eye’s ability to focus on
close objects due to decreased elasticity of the lens.
5. Which assessment tool is specifically designed to screen for depression in the geriatric
population?
A. Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE)
B. Confusion Assessment Method (CAM)
C. Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)
D. Braden Scale
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The GDS is a validated tool for screening depression in older
adults, focusing on psychological rather than somatic symptoms.
