BSN 425 Exam 1: Gerontological Nursing Updated
and Verified Questions and Correct Answers -
Nightingale College (Version 3)
1. A nurse is explaining the ‘Wear and Tear’ theory of aging to a client. Which
statement best describes this stochastic theory?
A. Repeated use and injury to body parts over time leads to functional loss.
B. Aging is a preprogrammed genetic event controlled by a biological clock.
C. Free radicals damage DNA and proteins, causing cellular mutations.
D. The immune system loses its ability to distinguish self from non-self.
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The Wear and Tear theory suggests that the body is like a machine that
eventually wears out due to repeated use and stress.
2. Which developmental task is associated with Erikson’s final stage of life for
the older adult?
A. Generativity vs. Stagnation
B. Identity vs. Role Confusion
C. Intimacy vs. Isolation
D. Integrity vs. Despair
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Erikson defines the task of late adulthood as Ego Integrity vs. Despair, where
the individual reflects on their life achievements.
,3. An older adult patient reports feeling dizzy when standing up quickly. Which
age-related change most likely contributes to this?
A. Increased cardiac output
B. Decreased baroreceptor sensitivity
C. Increased elasticity of the arterial walls
D. Lowered blood glucose levels
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Decreased baroreceptor sensitivity in older adults reduces the body’s ability
to regulate blood pressure during position changes, leading to orthostatic hypotension.
4. A nurse is assessing an 80-year-old’s skin. Which finding is considered a
normal age-related change?
A. Increased subcutaneous fat
B. Thinning of the epidermal layer
C. Increased moisture and oil production
D. Increased vascularity of the dermis
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Normal aging includes the thinning of the epidermis and dermis, leading to
increased fragility and risk of skin tears.
5. Which cognitive change is considered a normal part of the aging process?
A. Sudden onset of confusion
B. Slower retrieval of information from long-term memory
C. Significant loss of long-term memory
D. Loss of language skills (aphasia)
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Slightly slower processing and retrieval of information are normal, but
significant memory loss or confusion suggests pathology.
, 6. An older adult has a decreased sense of taste. Which intervention is most
appropriate to improve nutritional intake?
A. Add extra salt to all meals
B. Provide large, high-calorie meals twice a day
C. Use herbs and spices to enhance flavor
D. Limit fluids during mealtime
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Using herbs and spices helps compensate for the loss of taste buds without
the health risks associated with excessive salt intake.
7. When assessing an older adult with presbycusis, which communication
technique should the nurse use?
A. Face the patient and speak in a lower-frequency tone
B. Shout directly into the patient’s ear
C. Speak in a high-pitched, loud voice
D. Avoid eye contact to reduce patient anxiety
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Presbycusis involves the loss of high-frequency sound perception; speaking
in a lower tone while facing the patient improves comprehension.
8. What is the primary cause of age-related changes in drug metabolism in older
adults?
A. Decreased liver mass and hepatic blood flow
B. Increased total body water
C. Increased glomerular filtration rate
D. Reduced gastric pH
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Metabolism primarily occurs in the liver; age-related decreases in liver size
and blood flow lead to slower metabolism of many drugs.
and Verified Questions and Correct Answers -
Nightingale College (Version 3)
1. A nurse is explaining the ‘Wear and Tear’ theory of aging to a client. Which
statement best describes this stochastic theory?
A. Repeated use and injury to body parts over time leads to functional loss.
B. Aging is a preprogrammed genetic event controlled by a biological clock.
C. Free radicals damage DNA and proteins, causing cellular mutations.
D. The immune system loses its ability to distinguish self from non-self.
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The Wear and Tear theory suggests that the body is like a machine that
eventually wears out due to repeated use and stress.
2. Which developmental task is associated with Erikson’s final stage of life for
the older adult?
A. Generativity vs. Stagnation
B. Identity vs. Role Confusion
C. Intimacy vs. Isolation
D. Integrity vs. Despair
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Erikson defines the task of late adulthood as Ego Integrity vs. Despair, where
the individual reflects on their life achievements.
,3. An older adult patient reports feeling dizzy when standing up quickly. Which
age-related change most likely contributes to this?
A. Increased cardiac output
B. Decreased baroreceptor sensitivity
C. Increased elasticity of the arterial walls
D. Lowered blood glucose levels
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Decreased baroreceptor sensitivity in older adults reduces the body’s ability
to regulate blood pressure during position changes, leading to orthostatic hypotension.
4. A nurse is assessing an 80-year-old’s skin. Which finding is considered a
normal age-related change?
A. Increased subcutaneous fat
B. Thinning of the epidermal layer
C. Increased moisture and oil production
D. Increased vascularity of the dermis
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Normal aging includes the thinning of the epidermis and dermis, leading to
increased fragility and risk of skin tears.
5. Which cognitive change is considered a normal part of the aging process?
A. Sudden onset of confusion
B. Slower retrieval of information from long-term memory
C. Significant loss of long-term memory
D. Loss of language skills (aphasia)
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Slightly slower processing and retrieval of information are normal, but
significant memory loss or confusion suggests pathology.
, 6. An older adult has a decreased sense of taste. Which intervention is most
appropriate to improve nutritional intake?
A. Add extra salt to all meals
B. Provide large, high-calorie meals twice a day
C. Use herbs and spices to enhance flavor
D. Limit fluids during mealtime
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Using herbs and spices helps compensate for the loss of taste buds without
the health risks associated with excessive salt intake.
7. When assessing an older adult with presbycusis, which communication
technique should the nurse use?
A. Face the patient and speak in a lower-frequency tone
B. Shout directly into the patient’s ear
C. Speak in a high-pitched, loud voice
D. Avoid eye contact to reduce patient anxiety
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Presbycusis involves the loss of high-frequency sound perception; speaking
in a lower tone while facing the patient improves comprehension.
8. What is the primary cause of age-related changes in drug metabolism in older
adults?
A. Decreased liver mass and hepatic blood flow
B. Increased total body water
C. Increased glomerular filtration rate
D. Reduced gastric pH
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Metabolism primarily occurs in the liver; age-related decreases in liver size
and blood flow lead to slower metabolism of many drugs.
