BSN 425 Exam 2: Gerontological Nursing Updated
and Verified Questions and Correct Answers -
Nightingale College (Version 2)
1. Which acronym is used as a tool for assessment of general health status in
older adults?
A. SPICES
B. PICO
C. ADPIE
D. SBAR
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: SPICES stands for Sleep disorders, Problems with eating or feeding,
Incontinence, Confusion, Evidence of falls, and Skin breakdown.
2. When assessing an older adult, the nurse notes a decline in the ability to
perform activities such as managing finances and grocery shopping. These are
categorized as:
A. Basic Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
B. Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)
C. Cognitive Reserve Functions
D. Physical Performance Measures
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: IADLs involve more complex tasks like managing money, shopping, and
preparing meals, whereas ADLs refer to basic self-care like bathing.
,3. A 75-year-old patient experiences an acute onset of confusion and visual
hallucinations following surgery. The nurse suspects:
A. Alzheimer’s Disease
B. Vascular Dementia
C. Geriatric Depression
D. Delirium
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Delirium is characterized by acute onset, fluctuating course, and
disturbances in consciousness and perception, often triggered by medical conditions or
surgery.
4. The nurse understands that the ‘Beers Criteria’ is primarily used to:
A. Determine nutritional status
B. Assess for fall risk in the home
C. Evaluate cognitive function in dementia patients
D. Identify potentially inappropriate medications for older adults
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: The Beers Criteria provides a list of medications that should be avoided or
used with caution in older adults due to high risk of adverse effects.
5. Which age-related change in the renal system affects drug clearance in the
elderly?
A. Increased bladder capacity
B. Decreased Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)
C. Increased renal blood flow
D. Decreased urine specific gravity
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Age-related decline in GFR and renal blood flow leads to decreased drug
clearance, increasing the risk of toxicity.
, 6. An older adult complains of ‘dry mouth’ when eating. The nurse documents
this condition as:
A. Xerostomia
B. Dysphagia
C. Presbyopia
D. Aphasia
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Xerostomia is the medical term for dry mouth, common in older adults due to
medications or systemic diseases.
7. What is the first-line pharmacological treatment for mild to moderate chronic
pain in the older adult?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Ibuprofen
C. Oxycodone
D. Naproxen
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Acetaminophen is generally the first-line choice for chronic pain because it
has fewer side effects (like GI bleeding) compared to NSAIDs.
8. Which of the following is an age-related change in the cardiovascular system?
A. Increased heart rate response to stress
B. Increased left ventricular wall thickness
C. Decreased arterial stiffness
D. Decrease in systolic blood pressure
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Age-related changes include thickening of the left ventricular wall and
increased arterial stiffness, leading to higher systolic blood pressure.
and Verified Questions and Correct Answers -
Nightingale College (Version 2)
1. Which acronym is used as a tool for assessment of general health status in
older adults?
A. SPICES
B. PICO
C. ADPIE
D. SBAR
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: SPICES stands for Sleep disorders, Problems with eating or feeding,
Incontinence, Confusion, Evidence of falls, and Skin breakdown.
2. When assessing an older adult, the nurse notes a decline in the ability to
perform activities such as managing finances and grocery shopping. These are
categorized as:
A. Basic Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
B. Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)
C. Cognitive Reserve Functions
D. Physical Performance Measures
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: IADLs involve more complex tasks like managing money, shopping, and
preparing meals, whereas ADLs refer to basic self-care like bathing.
,3. A 75-year-old patient experiences an acute onset of confusion and visual
hallucinations following surgery. The nurse suspects:
A. Alzheimer’s Disease
B. Vascular Dementia
C. Geriatric Depression
D. Delirium
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Delirium is characterized by acute onset, fluctuating course, and
disturbances in consciousness and perception, often triggered by medical conditions or
surgery.
4. The nurse understands that the ‘Beers Criteria’ is primarily used to:
A. Determine nutritional status
B. Assess for fall risk in the home
C. Evaluate cognitive function in dementia patients
D. Identify potentially inappropriate medications for older adults
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: The Beers Criteria provides a list of medications that should be avoided or
used with caution in older adults due to high risk of adverse effects.
5. Which age-related change in the renal system affects drug clearance in the
elderly?
A. Increased bladder capacity
B. Decreased Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)
C. Increased renal blood flow
D. Decreased urine specific gravity
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Age-related decline in GFR and renal blood flow leads to decreased drug
clearance, increasing the risk of toxicity.
, 6. An older adult complains of ‘dry mouth’ when eating. The nurse documents
this condition as:
A. Xerostomia
B. Dysphagia
C. Presbyopia
D. Aphasia
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Xerostomia is the medical term for dry mouth, common in older adults due to
medications or systemic diseases.
7. What is the first-line pharmacological treatment for mild to moderate chronic
pain in the older adult?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Ibuprofen
C. Oxycodone
D. Naproxen
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Acetaminophen is generally the first-line choice for chronic pain because it
has fewer side effects (like GI bleeding) compared to NSAIDs.
8. Which of the following is an age-related change in the cardiovascular system?
A. Increased heart rate response to stress
B. Increased left ventricular wall thickness
C. Decreased arterial stiffness
D. Decrease in systolic blood pressure
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Age-related changes include thickening of the left ventricular wall and
increased arterial stiffness, leading to higher systolic blood pressure.
