NR 601 Primary Care of Adults & Older Adults
Final Exam
Key Concepts: Advanced Health Assessment, Chronic Disease Management, Geriatric
Syndromes, Pharmacology, Diagnostic Testing, Preventive Care, Evidence-Based Interventions,
and Patient Education | Expert-Verified Q&A | Clinical & Exam-Ready
Introduction
This updated 2025/2026 NR 601 Final Exam resource provides 170 fully verified real exam
questions with 100% correct answers. Content covers critical aspects of adult and geriatric
primary care including comprehensive health assessment, common chronic and acute
conditions, pharmacotherapeutics, diagnostic reasoning, preventive health strategies, and
culturally competent patient-centered care. All answers are already graded A+ and ensure
complete preparation for NR 601 exam success.
Answer Format
All correct answers are highlighted in bold and green, with rationales that explain primary
care priorities, reinforce safe advanced practice, and strengthen clinical decision-making skills
for exam readiness.
1. What is the first-line treatment for uncomplicated hypertension in a
65-year-old patient with no comorbidities?
a) Atenolol
b) Hydrochlorothiazide
c) Amlodipine
d) Losartan
b) Hydrochlorothiazide
Rationale: Thiazide diuretics like hydrochlorothiazide are first-line for uncomplicated
hypertension in older adults per JNC 8 guidelines, due to efficacy and low cost.
2. Which geriatric syndrome is characterized by unintentional weight loss,
exhaustion, and low physical activity?
a) Frailty
b) Sarcopenia
c) Delirium
d) Dementia
a) Frailty
,Rationale: Frailty is defined by criteria including unintentional weight loss, exhaustion, and low
physical activity, per the Fried Frailty Phenotype.
3. What is the most common cause of chronic cough in adults?
a) Asthma
b) GERD
c) Postnasal drip
d) COPD
c) Postnasal drip
Rationale: Postnasal drip is the leading cause of chronic cough, often linked to allergic rhinitis
or sinusitis.
4. Which screening tool is most appropriate for assessing depression in
older adults?
a) PHQ-9
b) MMSE
c) MoCA
d) GAD-7
a) PHQ-9
Rationale: The PHQ-9 is validated for depression screening in older adults, focusing on mood
and functional impact.
5. What is the target A1C for a healthy 70-year-old with type 2 diabetes?
a) <6.5%
b) <7.0%
c) <7.5%
d) <8.0%
c) <7.5%
Rationale: For healthy older adults, an A1C <7.5% balances glycemic control and hypoglycemia
risk, per ADA guidelines.
6. Which medication is contraindicated in patients with a sulfa allergy?
a) Lisinopril
b) Furosemide
c) Metformin
d) Atorvastatin
b) Furosemide
Rationale: Furosemide, a loop diuretic, contains a sulfa moiety and is contraindicated in
sulfa-allergic patients.
7. What is the most appropriate diagnostic test for suspected pulmonary
embolism?
a) Chest X-ray
b) D-dimer
c) CT pulmonary angiography
d) V/Q scan
,c) CT pulmonary angiography
Rationale: CT pulmonary angiography is the gold standard for diagnosing pulmonary embolism
due to its high sensitivity and specificity.
8. Which condition is a common cause of delirium in hospitalized older
adults?
a) Hypothyroidism
b) Urinary tract infection
c) Osteoarthritis
d) Hypertension
b) Urinary tract infection
Rationale: UTIs are a frequent cause of delirium in older adults, especially in the hospital
setting.
9. What is the first-line pharmacologic treatment for osteoarthritis?
a) Ibuprofen
b) Acetaminophen
c) Celecoxib
d) Tramadol
b) Acetaminophen
Rationale: Acetaminophen is first-line for osteoarthritis due to its safety profile in older adults,
per ACR guidelines.
10. Which vaccine is recommended annually for all adults aged 65 and
older?
a) Pneumococcal
b) Influenza
c) Shingles
d) Tdap
b) Influenza
Rationale: The CDC recommends annual influenza vaccination for all adults, especially those 65
and older.
11. What is the most common cause of anemia in older adults?
a) Vitamin B12 deficiency
b) Iron deficiency
c) Anemia of chronic disease
d) Folate deficiency
c) Anemia of chronic disease
Rationale: Anemia of chronic disease is the most common cause in older adults, often linked to
chronic inflammation.
12. Which medication should be avoided in older adults due to increased
fall risk?
a) Metoprolol
b) Lorazepam
, c) Levothyroxine
d) Simvastatin
b) Lorazepam
Rationale: Lorazepam, a benzodiazepine, is on the Beers Criteria list due to increased fall risk in
older adults.
13. What is the most appropriate initial test for suspected hypothyroidism?
a) Free T4
b) TSH
c) Total T3
d) Thyroid ultrasound
b) TSH
Rationale: TSH is the most sensitive initial test for hypothyroidism, per AACE guidelines.
14. Which condition is characterized by sudden confusion, inattention, and
altered consciousness?
a) Dementia
b) Delirium
c) Depression
d) Frailty
b) Delirium
Rationale: Delirium presents with acute onset confusion and inattention, unlike the gradual
decline of dementia.
15. What is the first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes in adults?
a) Insulin
b) Metformin
c) Sulfonylureas
d) SGLT2 inhibitors
b) Metformin
Rationale: Metformin is the first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes due to its efficacy and safety,
per ADA guidelines.
16. Which tool is used to assess fall risk in older adults?
a) Timed Up and Go (TUG)
b) Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE)
c) PHQ-9
d) MoCA
a) Timed Up and Go (TUG)
Rationale: The TUG test assesses mobility and balance to predict fall risk in older adults.
17. What is the most common side effect of ACE inhibitors?
a) Hypoglycemia
b) Dry cough
c) Hyperkalemia
d) Constipation