NU 217 Gerontological Nursing
Complete Final Exam (Qns & Ans)
2025
1. Scenario: A 78‐year‐old woman with a history of falls and
osteoarthritis is admitted after a minor fall at home. During the
assessment, the nurse notes decreased lower extremity strength
and impaired balance. Which intervention is most appropriate to
prevent future falls?
Options:
A) Provide bed confinement to limit movement.
B) Arrange a referral for a physical therapy evaluation focused
on strength and balance training.
C) Increase the dose of her pain medication to promote sleep.
D) Educate the patient solely on the use of assistive devices.
©2025
, ANS: B) Arrange a referral for a physical therapy evaluation
focused on strength and balance training.
Rationale: Physical therapy interventions that improve
strength and balance can reduce fall risk by addressing the
underlying geriatric syndromes rather than limiting mobility or
relying solely on assistive devices.
2. Scenario: A 82‐year‐old man experiences progressive
memory loss and difficulty with orientation. During his
assessment, he is noted to have short-term memory deficits and
impaired judgment. Which approach best aligns with caring for
older adults with suspected dementia?
Options:
A) Use a rapid-fire questioning technique to gather information.
B) Involve family members in history collection and provide a
calm, structured environment.
C) Limit communication to only yes/no questions.
D) Avoid involving the family to prevent bias.
ANS: B) Involve family members in history collection and
provide a calm, structured environment.
Rationale: In gerontological nursing, obtaining collateral
information from family and ensuring an environment that
reduces confusion are essential for accurately assessing and
supporting patients with dementia.
©2025
,3. Scenario: A 75‐year‐old resident in a long-term care facility
is noted to have reddened, non-blanchable skin over the sacral
area. What should be the nurse’s immediate response?
Options:
A) Document the finding as a common part of aging.
B) Reposition the resident, assess for pain, and initiate a
pressure injury prevention protocol.
C) Apply a moisturizing lotion to the area without further
intervention.
D) Schedule a wound consultation after the next routine
evaluation.
ANS: B) Reposition the resident, assess for pain, and initiate
a pressure injury prevention protocol.
Rationale: Early signs of pressure injury (non-blanchable
erythema) require immediate interventions such as repositioning
and using pressure-relieving devices to prevent worsening tissue
damage.
4. Scenario: An 80‐year‐old patient presents with a history of
polypharmacy and reports episodes of dizziness and confusion.
Which careful consideration is most important when reviewing
his medication regimen?
Options:
©2025
, A) Determines if evidence-based guidelines support the current
prescriptions.
B) Ensure that all medications are continued regardless of side
effects.
C) Evaluate for potential drug–drug interactions and adverse
effects due to age-related pharmacokinetic changes.
D) Only focus on medications prescribed by the geriatrician.
ANS: C) Evaluate for potential drug–drug interactions and
adverse effects due to age-related pharmacokinetic changes.
Rationale: Older adults are at increased risk for adverse
effects and interactions because of altered pharmacodynamics and
pharmacokinetics; medication review (deprescribing when
indicated) is critical.
5. Scenario: A geriatric patient in the hospital is noted to be
dehydrated. Which objective measure is most reliable in assessing
dehydration in older adults?
Options:
A) Weight change over a week
B) Skin turgor assessment
C) Mucous membrane dryness
D) Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)-to-creatinine ratio
©2025
Complete Final Exam (Qns & Ans)
2025
1. Scenario: A 78‐year‐old woman with a history of falls and
osteoarthritis is admitted after a minor fall at home. During the
assessment, the nurse notes decreased lower extremity strength
and impaired balance. Which intervention is most appropriate to
prevent future falls?
Options:
A) Provide bed confinement to limit movement.
B) Arrange a referral for a physical therapy evaluation focused
on strength and balance training.
C) Increase the dose of her pain medication to promote sleep.
D) Educate the patient solely on the use of assistive devices.
©2025
, ANS: B) Arrange a referral for a physical therapy evaluation
focused on strength and balance training.
Rationale: Physical therapy interventions that improve
strength and balance can reduce fall risk by addressing the
underlying geriatric syndromes rather than limiting mobility or
relying solely on assistive devices.
2. Scenario: A 82‐year‐old man experiences progressive
memory loss and difficulty with orientation. During his
assessment, he is noted to have short-term memory deficits and
impaired judgment. Which approach best aligns with caring for
older adults with suspected dementia?
Options:
A) Use a rapid-fire questioning technique to gather information.
B) Involve family members in history collection and provide a
calm, structured environment.
C) Limit communication to only yes/no questions.
D) Avoid involving the family to prevent bias.
ANS: B) Involve family members in history collection and
provide a calm, structured environment.
Rationale: In gerontological nursing, obtaining collateral
information from family and ensuring an environment that
reduces confusion are essential for accurately assessing and
supporting patients with dementia.
©2025
,3. Scenario: A 75‐year‐old resident in a long-term care facility
is noted to have reddened, non-blanchable skin over the sacral
area. What should be the nurse’s immediate response?
Options:
A) Document the finding as a common part of aging.
B) Reposition the resident, assess for pain, and initiate a
pressure injury prevention protocol.
C) Apply a moisturizing lotion to the area without further
intervention.
D) Schedule a wound consultation after the next routine
evaluation.
ANS: B) Reposition the resident, assess for pain, and initiate
a pressure injury prevention protocol.
Rationale: Early signs of pressure injury (non-blanchable
erythema) require immediate interventions such as repositioning
and using pressure-relieving devices to prevent worsening tissue
damage.
4. Scenario: An 80‐year‐old patient presents with a history of
polypharmacy and reports episodes of dizziness and confusion.
Which careful consideration is most important when reviewing
his medication regimen?
Options:
©2025
, A) Determines if evidence-based guidelines support the current
prescriptions.
B) Ensure that all medications are continued regardless of side
effects.
C) Evaluate for potential drug–drug interactions and adverse
effects due to age-related pharmacokinetic changes.
D) Only focus on medications prescribed by the geriatrician.
ANS: C) Evaluate for potential drug–drug interactions and
adverse effects due to age-related pharmacokinetic changes.
Rationale: Older adults are at increased risk for adverse
effects and interactions because of altered pharmacodynamics and
pharmacokinetics; medication review (deprescribing when
indicated) is critical.
5. Scenario: A geriatric patient in the hospital is noted to be
dehydrated. Which objective measure is most reliable in assessing
dehydration in older adults?
Options:
A) Weight change over a week
B) Skin turgor assessment
C) Mucous membrane dryness
D) Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)-to-creatinine ratio
©2025
