NSG 3160 GERONTOLOGICAL NURSING EXAM REVIEW: 200
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES (2026/2027 UPDATE)
1. Which theory of aging suggests that aging is caused by
accumulated damage from metabolic processes?
A. Disengagement theory
B. Free radical theory
C. Activity theory
D. Continuity theory
Answer: B
Rationale: The free radical theory posits that aging results from
the accumulation of oxidative damage caused by free radicals over
time.
2. A nurse is assessing an 80-year-old patient. Which physical
change is considered a normal part of aging?
A. Decreased heart rate
B. Increased lung elasticity
C. Decreased renal blood flow
D. Increased bladder capacity
Answer: C
Rationale: Renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate naturally
decrease with age, affecting drug clearance.
3. Which assessment finding is most indicative of delirium rather
than dementia?
A. Gradual onset over months
, B. Fluctuating level of consciousness
C. Stable cognitive decline
D. Loss of recent memory
Answer: B
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by an acute onset and a
fluctuating course, whereas dementia is typically gradual and
progressive.
4. An older adult is prescribed a new medication. Which factor
increases the risk for adverse drug reactions in this population?
A. Increased gastric motility
B. Increased body water percentage
C. Decreased serum albumin
D. Increased hepatic enzyme activity
Answer: C
Rationale: Decreased serum albumin leads to higher levels of
unbound active drug in the bloodstream, increasing the risk of
toxicity.
5. What is the most common cause of injury-related hospitalization
in older adults?
A. Burns
B. Falls
C. Motor vehicle accidents
D. Poisoning
Answer: B
Rationale: Falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal
injuries among adults aged 65 and older.
,6. A patient with dementia frequently wanders at night. Which
nursing intervention is most appropriate initially?
A. Apply physical restraints
B. Administer a sedative
C. Provide a nightlight and structured routine
D. Place the patient in a locked room
Answer: C
Rationale: Non-pharmacological interventions like maintaining a
structured routine, reducing noise, and providing adequate
lighting are first-line strategies for managing wandering.
7. Which type of incontinence is characterized by a sudden, strong
urge to urinate followed by an involuntary loss of urine?
A. Stress incontinence
B. Urge incontinence
C. Overflow incontinence
D. Functional incontinence
Answer: B
Rationale: Urge incontinence is caused by involuntary bladder
contractions and is associated with a sudden, intense urge to void.
8. A nurse is teaching an older adult about nutrition. Which age-
related change affects nutritional status?
A. Increased taste and smell
B. Decreased gastric acid secretion
C. Increased caloric needs
D. Faster gastric emptying
Answer: B
Rationale: Decreased gastric acid secretion can impair the
absorption of nutrients like calcium, iron, and vitamin B12.
, 9. Which medication is most likely to be prescribed as a first-line
treatment for hypertension in an older adult?
A. Thiazide diuretic
B. Alpha-blocker
C. Beta-blocker
D. Central alpha-agonist
Answer: A
Rationale: Thiazide diuretics are often the first-line therapy for
hypertension in older adults due to their efficacy and safety
profile.
10. What is the primary goal of palliative care?
A. To cure the underlying disease
B. To prolong life at all costs
C. To relieve suffering and improve quality of life
D. To transition the patient to hospice care
Answer: C
Rationale: Palliative care focuses on providing relief from the
symptoms, pain, and stress of a serious illness, regardless of the
diagnosis or prognosis.
11. Which assessment finding indicates that an older adult may
be experiencing elder abuse?
A. Bruises in various stages of healing
B. Decreased range of motion
C. Occasional forgetfulness
D. Mild dehydration
Answer: A
Rationale: Unexplained bruises in different stages of healing,
especially in protected areas, are red flags for physical abuse.
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES (2026/2027 UPDATE)
1. Which theory of aging suggests that aging is caused by
accumulated damage from metabolic processes?
A. Disengagement theory
B. Free radical theory
C. Activity theory
D. Continuity theory
Answer: B
Rationale: The free radical theory posits that aging results from
the accumulation of oxidative damage caused by free radicals over
time.
2. A nurse is assessing an 80-year-old patient. Which physical
change is considered a normal part of aging?
A. Decreased heart rate
B. Increased lung elasticity
C. Decreased renal blood flow
D. Increased bladder capacity
Answer: C
Rationale: Renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate naturally
decrease with age, affecting drug clearance.
3. Which assessment finding is most indicative of delirium rather
than dementia?
A. Gradual onset over months
, B. Fluctuating level of consciousness
C. Stable cognitive decline
D. Loss of recent memory
Answer: B
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by an acute onset and a
fluctuating course, whereas dementia is typically gradual and
progressive.
4. An older adult is prescribed a new medication. Which factor
increases the risk for adverse drug reactions in this population?
A. Increased gastric motility
B. Increased body water percentage
C. Decreased serum albumin
D. Increased hepatic enzyme activity
Answer: C
Rationale: Decreased serum albumin leads to higher levels of
unbound active drug in the bloodstream, increasing the risk of
toxicity.
5. What is the most common cause of injury-related hospitalization
in older adults?
A. Burns
B. Falls
C. Motor vehicle accidents
D. Poisoning
Answer: B
Rationale: Falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal
injuries among adults aged 65 and older.
,6. A patient with dementia frequently wanders at night. Which
nursing intervention is most appropriate initially?
A. Apply physical restraints
B. Administer a sedative
C. Provide a nightlight and structured routine
D. Place the patient in a locked room
Answer: C
Rationale: Non-pharmacological interventions like maintaining a
structured routine, reducing noise, and providing adequate
lighting are first-line strategies for managing wandering.
7. Which type of incontinence is characterized by a sudden, strong
urge to urinate followed by an involuntary loss of urine?
A. Stress incontinence
B. Urge incontinence
C. Overflow incontinence
D. Functional incontinence
Answer: B
Rationale: Urge incontinence is caused by involuntary bladder
contractions and is associated with a sudden, intense urge to void.
8. A nurse is teaching an older adult about nutrition. Which age-
related change affects nutritional status?
A. Increased taste and smell
B. Decreased gastric acid secretion
C. Increased caloric needs
D. Faster gastric emptying
Answer: B
Rationale: Decreased gastric acid secretion can impair the
absorption of nutrients like calcium, iron, and vitamin B12.
, 9. Which medication is most likely to be prescribed as a first-line
treatment for hypertension in an older adult?
A. Thiazide diuretic
B. Alpha-blocker
C. Beta-blocker
D. Central alpha-agonist
Answer: A
Rationale: Thiazide diuretics are often the first-line therapy for
hypertension in older adults due to their efficacy and safety
profile.
10. What is the primary goal of palliative care?
A. To cure the underlying disease
B. To prolong life at all costs
C. To relieve suffering and improve quality of life
D. To transition the patient to hospice care
Answer: C
Rationale: Palliative care focuses on providing relief from the
symptoms, pain, and stress of a serious illness, regardless of the
diagnosis or prognosis.
11. Which assessment finding indicates that an older adult may
be experiencing elder abuse?
A. Bruises in various stages of healing
B. Decreased range of motion
C. Occasional forgetfulness
D. Mild dehydration
Answer: A
Rationale: Unexplained bruises in different stages of healing,
especially in protected areas, are red flags for physical abuse.
