Geriatric Nursing Final Exam Part 2|
Questions with Verified Answers and
Explanations 2025
1. The nurse is aware the theory of aging most likely to explain why the older population is
at risk for autoimmune disorder is known as:
a) Cross-link theory
b) Free radical theory
c) Error theory
d) Autoimmune theory
Correct Answer: d) Autoimmune theory
Explanation: The autoimmune theory explains that cellular errors in the immune system lead to
an auto-aggressive phenomenon where normal cells are misidentified as foreign and attacked,
increasing the risk of autoimmune disorders with age. The cross-link theory focuses on protein
stiffening, the free radical theory on random damage from free radicals, and the error theory on
DNA/RNA synthesis errors.
2. A 66-year-old retired professional basketball player is admitted to the hospital for a total
knee replacement due to osteoarthritis. In preparing preoperative teaching for this patient,
the nurse includes which theory of aging to help him understand how the disease has
progressed?
a) Free radical theory
b) Wear-and-tear theory
c) Gene theory
d) Cross-link theory
Correct Answer: b) Wear-and-tear theory
Explanation: Osteoarthritis results from joint degeneration due to repeated use, aligning with
the wear-and-tear theory, which posits that cumulative stress on body systems leads to aging and
disease. The free radical theory involves oxygen radical damage, the gene theory focuses on
cellular mortality, and the cross-link theory addresses protein cross-linking.
,3. A married couple retired to a life care community after the husband had heart surgery.
The wife has always been physically and socially active and joined an aerobic class, knitting
groups, and a book club shortly after moving to the community. She walks on a daily basis
and swims twice a week. Her husband spends his days reading and watching television. He
was never a social person and enjoys being by himself. Which of the sociological theories of
aging best describes the couple?
a) Role theory
b) Disengagement theory
c) Continuity theory
d) Personality theory
Correct Answer: c) Continuity theory
Explanation: Continuity theory posits that individuals maintain consistent behavior patterns as
they age. The wife’s continued social and physical activity and the husband’s preference for
solitary activities reflect their lifelong patterns. Role theory focuses on age-appropriate roles,
disengagement theory on withdrawal from society, and personality theory is not a sociological
theory of aging.
4. A community health nurse provides an annual flu prevention workshop at a local senior
center. The activities include a lecture on preventing infections, which includes hand
washing and limiting exposure to individuals who are ill, as well as an influenza
immunization clinic. The nurse is basing her activities on what theory of aging?
a) Wear and tear
b) Oxidative stress
c) Autoimmune
d) Free radical
Correct Answer: c) Autoimmune
Explanation: The autoimmune theory highlights age-related immune system changes that
increase infection susceptibility, justifying infection prevention strategies like hand washing and
vaccinations. Wear-and-tear, oxidative stress, and free radical theories do not directly address
infection prevention.
5. The nurse implements the concepts of the activity theory of aging when instructing the
older client with osteoarthritis to:
, a) Continue her daily walking routine
b) Curtail further increases in physical activity
c) Document preferred end-of-life interventions
d) Avoid exposing herself to crowds
Correct Answer: a) Continue her daily walking routine
Explanation: The activity theory posits that staying active promotes successful aging.
Encouraging a daily walking routine aligns with this theory, unlike curtailing activity,
documenting end-of-life preferences, or avoiding crowds, which are unrelated to maintaining
productivity.
6. The family member of a patient asks if vitamin C will prevent aging. In formulating an
appropriate response, the nurse considers the:
a) Free radical theory
b) Autoimmune theory
c) Wear-and-tear theory
d) Continuity theory
Correct Answer: a) Free radical theory
Explanation: The free radical theory suggests aging results from damage by free radicals, and
antioxidants like vitamin C were once thought to mitigate this, though evidence now suggests
supplemental antioxidants may be harmful. The other theories do not relate to antioxidants.
7. A nurse plans programs for older adults in a senior center. She organizes a series of
exercise programs. She sets one up for clients ages 65-74, one for clients 74-85, and one for
clients over age 85. The nurse is utilizing which theory of aging?
a) Gerotranscendence
b) Activity theory
c) Age-stratification theory
d) Continuity theory
Correct Answer: c) Age-stratification theory
Explanation: Age-stratification theory groups individuals by age cohorts, recognizing
similarities within each group. Tailoring exercise programs to specific age ranges reflects this
theory. Activity theory emphasizes general activity, continuity theory consistent behavior, and
gerotranscendence withdrawal for self-reflection.
Questions with Verified Answers and
Explanations 2025
1. The nurse is aware the theory of aging most likely to explain why the older population is
at risk for autoimmune disorder is known as:
a) Cross-link theory
b) Free radical theory
c) Error theory
d) Autoimmune theory
Correct Answer: d) Autoimmune theory
Explanation: The autoimmune theory explains that cellular errors in the immune system lead to
an auto-aggressive phenomenon where normal cells are misidentified as foreign and attacked,
increasing the risk of autoimmune disorders with age. The cross-link theory focuses on protein
stiffening, the free radical theory on random damage from free radicals, and the error theory on
DNA/RNA synthesis errors.
2. A 66-year-old retired professional basketball player is admitted to the hospital for a total
knee replacement due to osteoarthritis. In preparing preoperative teaching for this patient,
the nurse includes which theory of aging to help him understand how the disease has
progressed?
a) Free radical theory
b) Wear-and-tear theory
c) Gene theory
d) Cross-link theory
Correct Answer: b) Wear-and-tear theory
Explanation: Osteoarthritis results from joint degeneration due to repeated use, aligning with
the wear-and-tear theory, which posits that cumulative stress on body systems leads to aging and
disease. The free radical theory involves oxygen radical damage, the gene theory focuses on
cellular mortality, and the cross-link theory addresses protein cross-linking.
,3. A married couple retired to a life care community after the husband had heart surgery.
The wife has always been physically and socially active and joined an aerobic class, knitting
groups, and a book club shortly after moving to the community. She walks on a daily basis
and swims twice a week. Her husband spends his days reading and watching television. He
was never a social person and enjoys being by himself. Which of the sociological theories of
aging best describes the couple?
a) Role theory
b) Disengagement theory
c) Continuity theory
d) Personality theory
Correct Answer: c) Continuity theory
Explanation: Continuity theory posits that individuals maintain consistent behavior patterns as
they age. The wife’s continued social and physical activity and the husband’s preference for
solitary activities reflect their lifelong patterns. Role theory focuses on age-appropriate roles,
disengagement theory on withdrawal from society, and personality theory is not a sociological
theory of aging.
4. A community health nurse provides an annual flu prevention workshop at a local senior
center. The activities include a lecture on preventing infections, which includes hand
washing and limiting exposure to individuals who are ill, as well as an influenza
immunization clinic. The nurse is basing her activities on what theory of aging?
a) Wear and tear
b) Oxidative stress
c) Autoimmune
d) Free radical
Correct Answer: c) Autoimmune
Explanation: The autoimmune theory highlights age-related immune system changes that
increase infection susceptibility, justifying infection prevention strategies like hand washing and
vaccinations. Wear-and-tear, oxidative stress, and free radical theories do not directly address
infection prevention.
5. The nurse implements the concepts of the activity theory of aging when instructing the
older client with osteoarthritis to:
, a) Continue her daily walking routine
b) Curtail further increases in physical activity
c) Document preferred end-of-life interventions
d) Avoid exposing herself to crowds
Correct Answer: a) Continue her daily walking routine
Explanation: The activity theory posits that staying active promotes successful aging.
Encouraging a daily walking routine aligns with this theory, unlike curtailing activity,
documenting end-of-life preferences, or avoiding crowds, which are unrelated to maintaining
productivity.
6. The family member of a patient asks if vitamin C will prevent aging. In formulating an
appropriate response, the nurse considers the:
a) Free radical theory
b) Autoimmune theory
c) Wear-and-tear theory
d) Continuity theory
Correct Answer: a) Free radical theory
Explanation: The free radical theory suggests aging results from damage by free radicals, and
antioxidants like vitamin C were once thought to mitigate this, though evidence now suggests
supplemental antioxidants may be harmful. The other theories do not relate to antioxidants.
7. A nurse plans programs for older adults in a senior center. She organizes a series of
exercise programs. She sets one up for clients ages 65-74, one for clients 74-85, and one for
clients over age 85. The nurse is utilizing which theory of aging?
a) Gerotranscendence
b) Activity theory
c) Age-stratification theory
d) Continuity theory
Correct Answer: c) Age-stratification theory
Explanation: Age-stratification theory groups individuals by age cohorts, recognizing
similarities within each group. Tailoring exercise programs to specific age ranges reflects this
theory. Activity theory emphasizes general activity, continuity theory consistent behavior, and
gerotranscendence withdrawal for self-reflection.
