Galen College NU 176 Exam 1 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Geriatric Nursing
Q&A | Geriatric Nursing
1. Which cardiovascular change is a normal age-related finding in older
adults?
A) Increased baroreceptor sensitivity
B) Orthostatic hypotension
C) Increased maximal heart rate
D) Decreased arterial stiffness
Correct Answer: Orthostatic hypotension
Rationale: Decreased baroreceptor sensitivity and arterial stiffness with
aging lead to orthostatic hypotension, a common finding in older adults.
Increased maximal heart rate and sensitivity do not occur; arterial stiffness
actually increases. This predisposes older adults to falls.
2. An older adult patient is admitted with suspected pneumonia but has no
fever or cough. Which presentation is most likely?
A) Productive cough with green sputum
B) Altered mental status and lethargy
C) Chest pain and tachypnea
D) Hypertension and tachycardia
Correct Answer: Altered mental status and lethargy
Rationale: Older adults often present with atypical symptoms of infection,
such as confusion, lethargy, and falls, rather than classic fever and cough.
This is due to blunted immune response and decreased physiologic reserve.
,3. The nurse is evaluating a patient's risk for falls. Which normal age-related
change contributes most directly to orthostatic hypotension?
A) Increased heart rate
B) Decreased baroreceptor sensitivity
C) Increased cardiac output
D) Decreased peripheral resistance
Correct Answer: Decreased baroreceptor sensitivity
Rationale: Baroreceptors detect blood pressure changes; with aging, their
sensitivity declines, delaying vasoconstriction and heart rate adjustments
upon position changes. This directly contributes to orthostatic hypotension
and fall risk.
4. A nurse is caring for an older adult client who wants to improve their
respiratory and cardiac function. Which type of activity should the nurse
recommend?
A) Strength training
B) Endurance activity
C) Flexibility exercises
D) Balance training
Correct Answer: Endurance activity
Rationale: Endurance activities, such as walking, swimming, or cycling, are
most effective for improving respiratory and cardiac function in older adults.
These activities strengthen the heart and lungs and improve overall stamina.
5. Which of the following is a risk factor for malnutrition in older adults?
,A) Increased appetite
B) Physical immobility
C) Enhanced sense of taste
D) Increased metabolic rate
Correct Answer: Physical immobility
Rationale: Physical immobility is a significant risk factor for malnutrition in
older adults, as it can limit access to food, reduce appetite, and contribute to
social isolation. Sensory changes (including decreased taste and smell) and
other factors also contribute.
6. The nurse is assessing an older adult's renal function. Which finding is
expected due to normal aging?
A) Increased glomerular filtration rate
B) Decreased ability to concentrate urine
C) Increased renal blood flow
D) Enhanced drug excretion
Correct Answer: Decreased ability to concentrate urine
Rationale: With aging, the kidneys lose their ability to concentrate urine
effectively. This can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.
Glomerular filtration rate decreases with age, and drug excretion is impaired.
7. An older adult client presents with sudden severe back pain. The nurse
suspects which condition?
A) Muscle strain
B) Vertebral compression fracture
, C) Sciatica
D) Kidney stones
Correct Answer: Vertebral compression fracture
Rationale: Osteoporosis causes brittle bones; minimal trauma can cause a
vertebral compression fracture. Sudden severe pain in an older adult,
especially a postmenopausal woman, is suspicious for this condition.
8. What is osteoporosis?
A) Increased bone density
B) Loss of calcium leading to brittle bones
C) Excessive bone formation
D) Inflammation of the joints
Correct Answer: Loss of calcium leading to brittle bones
Rationale: Osteoporosis is characterized by loss of bone density due to
calcium depletion, leading to brittle bones and increased risk for falls and
fractures. It is a common age-related condition.
9. Is osteoporosis considered a normal part of aging?
A) Yes, it is an expected age-related change
B) No, it is always pathological
C) Only in men
D) Only in women after menopause
Correct Answer: Yes, it is an expected age-related change
Q&A | Geriatric Nursing
1. Which cardiovascular change is a normal age-related finding in older
adults?
A) Increased baroreceptor sensitivity
B) Orthostatic hypotension
C) Increased maximal heart rate
D) Decreased arterial stiffness
Correct Answer: Orthostatic hypotension
Rationale: Decreased baroreceptor sensitivity and arterial stiffness with
aging lead to orthostatic hypotension, a common finding in older adults.
Increased maximal heart rate and sensitivity do not occur; arterial stiffness
actually increases. This predisposes older adults to falls.
2. An older adult patient is admitted with suspected pneumonia but has no
fever or cough. Which presentation is most likely?
A) Productive cough with green sputum
B) Altered mental status and lethargy
C) Chest pain and tachypnea
D) Hypertension and tachycardia
Correct Answer: Altered mental status and lethargy
Rationale: Older adults often present with atypical symptoms of infection,
such as confusion, lethargy, and falls, rather than classic fever and cough.
This is due to blunted immune response and decreased physiologic reserve.
,3. The nurse is evaluating a patient's risk for falls. Which normal age-related
change contributes most directly to orthostatic hypotension?
A) Increased heart rate
B) Decreased baroreceptor sensitivity
C) Increased cardiac output
D) Decreased peripheral resistance
Correct Answer: Decreased baroreceptor sensitivity
Rationale: Baroreceptors detect blood pressure changes; with aging, their
sensitivity declines, delaying vasoconstriction and heart rate adjustments
upon position changes. This directly contributes to orthostatic hypotension
and fall risk.
4. A nurse is caring for an older adult client who wants to improve their
respiratory and cardiac function. Which type of activity should the nurse
recommend?
A) Strength training
B) Endurance activity
C) Flexibility exercises
D) Balance training
Correct Answer: Endurance activity
Rationale: Endurance activities, such as walking, swimming, or cycling, are
most effective for improving respiratory and cardiac function in older adults.
These activities strengthen the heart and lungs and improve overall stamina.
5. Which of the following is a risk factor for malnutrition in older adults?
,A) Increased appetite
B) Physical immobility
C) Enhanced sense of taste
D) Increased metabolic rate
Correct Answer: Physical immobility
Rationale: Physical immobility is a significant risk factor for malnutrition in
older adults, as it can limit access to food, reduce appetite, and contribute to
social isolation. Sensory changes (including decreased taste and smell) and
other factors also contribute.
6. The nurse is assessing an older adult's renal function. Which finding is
expected due to normal aging?
A) Increased glomerular filtration rate
B) Decreased ability to concentrate urine
C) Increased renal blood flow
D) Enhanced drug excretion
Correct Answer: Decreased ability to concentrate urine
Rationale: With aging, the kidneys lose their ability to concentrate urine
effectively. This can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.
Glomerular filtration rate decreases with age, and drug excretion is impaired.
7. An older adult client presents with sudden severe back pain. The nurse
suspects which condition?
A) Muscle strain
B) Vertebral compression fracture
, C) Sciatica
D) Kidney stones
Correct Answer: Vertebral compression fracture
Rationale: Osteoporosis causes brittle bones; minimal trauma can cause a
vertebral compression fracture. Sudden severe pain in an older adult,
especially a postmenopausal woman, is suspicious for this condition.
8. What is osteoporosis?
A) Increased bone density
B) Loss of calcium leading to brittle bones
C) Excessive bone formation
D) Inflammation of the joints
Correct Answer: Loss of calcium leading to brittle bones
Rationale: Osteoporosis is characterized by loss of bone density due to
calcium depletion, leading to brittle bones and increased risk for falls and
fractures. It is a common age-related condition.
9. Is osteoporosis considered a normal part of aging?
A) Yes, it is an expected age-related change
B) No, it is always pathological
C) Only in men
D) Only in women after menopause
Correct Answer: Yes, it is an expected age-related change
