Galen College NU 176 Exam 4 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Geriatric Nursing
Q&A | Geriatric Nursing
1. Which statement best describes holistic nursing care for the older adult?
A) Treating only the physical symptoms of a disease
B) Addressing the patient's physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social
needs
C) Focusing solely on the patient's spiritual well-being
D) Delegating all emotional support to a chaplain
Correct Answer: Addressing the patient's physical, mental, emotional,
spiritual, and social needs
Rationale: Holistic care encompasses all dimensions of a person—physical,
mental, emotional, spiritual, and social—to fully meet the patient's needs
rather than focusing on the disease process alone. This approach recognizes
that older adults have complex, interconnected needs that extend beyond
physiological symptoms. Distractors focus on only one aspect of care or
inappropriately delegate responsibilities.
2. According to Erikson's developmental theory, what is the primary
psychosocial task of late adulthood?
A) Generativity versus stagnation
B) Integrity versus despair
C) Identity versus role confusion
D) Intimacy versus isolation
Correct Answer: Integrity versus despair
Rationale: Erikson's final stage of development, integrity versus despair,
involves older adults reflecting on their lives and either achieving a sense of
,fulfillment and wisdom or experiencing regret and despair. Generativity
versus stagnation occurs in middle adulthood, while identity versus role
confusion and intimacy versus isolation occur in adolescence and young
adulthood, respectively.
3. What percentage of the older adult population in the United States lives
alone or with family?
A) 75%
B) 85%
C) 95%
D) 65%
Correct Answer: 95%
Rationale: Approximately 95% of older adults live either alone or with family
members, reflecting the strong social connections and living arrangements
common in this population. This statistic highlights the importance of
assessing social support systems and living situations when planning care for
geriatric patients. The other options do not reflect the accurate percentage.
4. The subculture theory of aging proposes that:
A) Aging is predetermined by genetic programming
B) Older adults form their own distinct social group with unique norms and
values
C) Aging results from the gradual wear and tear of body parts
D) Personality and behavior patterns remain unchanged throughout the
lifespan
Correct Answer: Older adults form their own distinct social group with unique
norms and values
,Rationale: The subculture theory defines older people as constituting their
own subculture, complete with distinct cultural norms, values, and social
expectations that differentiate them from younger age groups. Genetic
theory addresses predetermined lifespan, wear and tear theory focuses on
physical deterioration, and continuity theory addresses personality stability.
5. A researcher is studying the effects of nutrition on longevity. Which theory
of aging is being investigated?
A) Genetic theory
B) Wear and tear theory
C) Nutritional theory
D) Continuity theory
Correct Answer: Nutritional theory
Rationale: Nutritional theory proposes that aging and quality of life depend
on a person's nutritional intake throughout their lifespan. This theory
emphasizes the cumulative effects of dietary choices on the aging process.
Genetic theory focuses on predetermined lifespan, wear and tear theory on
physical deterioration, and continuity theory on personality stability.
6. According to the continuity theory of aging, which statement is accurate?
A) Older adults experience complete personality changes as they age
B) Physiological changes occur, but basic personality and behavior patterns
remain stable
C) Aging is entirely determined by genetic factors
D) Social isolation is an inevitable part of aging
, Correct Answer: Physiological changes occur, but basic personality and
behavior patterns remain stable
Rationale: Continuity theory holds that while people experience physiological
changes as they age, their fundamental personality traits and behavior
patterns remain consistent throughout life. This theory emphasizes stability
rather than radical change in the aging process. The other options
misrepresent the theory's core premise.
7. A nurse is assessing an older adult's ability to perform bathing, dressing,
and toileting independently. Which term best describes these activities?
A) Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)
B) Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
C) Advanced Activities of Daily Living (AADLs)
D) Functional status indicators
Correct Answer: Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
Rationale: ADLs include basic self-care tasks such as bathing, dressing,
eating, continence, toileting, and transferring. IADLs involve more complex
activities like managing finances and transportation. ADLs are the most
fundamental measure of functional status in older adults and are essential
for determining care needs.
8. Which assessment tool is most appropriate for evaluating an older adult's
cognitive function?
A) Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living
B) Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
C) Braden Scale
D) Morse Fall Scale
Q&A | Geriatric Nursing
1. Which statement best describes holistic nursing care for the older adult?
A) Treating only the physical symptoms of a disease
B) Addressing the patient's physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social
needs
C) Focusing solely on the patient's spiritual well-being
D) Delegating all emotional support to a chaplain
Correct Answer: Addressing the patient's physical, mental, emotional,
spiritual, and social needs
Rationale: Holistic care encompasses all dimensions of a person—physical,
mental, emotional, spiritual, and social—to fully meet the patient's needs
rather than focusing on the disease process alone. This approach recognizes
that older adults have complex, interconnected needs that extend beyond
physiological symptoms. Distractors focus on only one aspect of care or
inappropriately delegate responsibilities.
2. According to Erikson's developmental theory, what is the primary
psychosocial task of late adulthood?
A) Generativity versus stagnation
B) Integrity versus despair
C) Identity versus role confusion
D) Intimacy versus isolation
Correct Answer: Integrity versus despair
Rationale: Erikson's final stage of development, integrity versus despair,
involves older adults reflecting on their lives and either achieving a sense of
,fulfillment and wisdom or experiencing regret and despair. Generativity
versus stagnation occurs in middle adulthood, while identity versus role
confusion and intimacy versus isolation occur in adolescence and young
adulthood, respectively.
3. What percentage of the older adult population in the United States lives
alone or with family?
A) 75%
B) 85%
C) 95%
D) 65%
Correct Answer: 95%
Rationale: Approximately 95% of older adults live either alone or with family
members, reflecting the strong social connections and living arrangements
common in this population. This statistic highlights the importance of
assessing social support systems and living situations when planning care for
geriatric patients. The other options do not reflect the accurate percentage.
4. The subculture theory of aging proposes that:
A) Aging is predetermined by genetic programming
B) Older adults form their own distinct social group with unique norms and
values
C) Aging results from the gradual wear and tear of body parts
D) Personality and behavior patterns remain unchanged throughout the
lifespan
Correct Answer: Older adults form their own distinct social group with unique
norms and values
,Rationale: The subculture theory defines older people as constituting their
own subculture, complete with distinct cultural norms, values, and social
expectations that differentiate them from younger age groups. Genetic
theory addresses predetermined lifespan, wear and tear theory focuses on
physical deterioration, and continuity theory addresses personality stability.
5. A researcher is studying the effects of nutrition on longevity. Which theory
of aging is being investigated?
A) Genetic theory
B) Wear and tear theory
C) Nutritional theory
D) Continuity theory
Correct Answer: Nutritional theory
Rationale: Nutritional theory proposes that aging and quality of life depend
on a person's nutritional intake throughout their lifespan. This theory
emphasizes the cumulative effects of dietary choices on the aging process.
Genetic theory focuses on predetermined lifespan, wear and tear theory on
physical deterioration, and continuity theory on personality stability.
6. According to the continuity theory of aging, which statement is accurate?
A) Older adults experience complete personality changes as they age
B) Physiological changes occur, but basic personality and behavior patterns
remain stable
C) Aging is entirely determined by genetic factors
D) Social isolation is an inevitable part of aging
, Correct Answer: Physiological changes occur, but basic personality and
behavior patterns remain stable
Rationale: Continuity theory holds that while people experience physiological
changes as they age, their fundamental personality traits and behavior
patterns remain consistent throughout life. This theory emphasizes stability
rather than radical change in the aging process. The other options
misrepresent the theory's core premise.
7. A nurse is assessing an older adult's ability to perform bathing, dressing,
and toileting independently. Which term best describes these activities?
A) Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)
B) Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
C) Advanced Activities of Daily Living (AADLs)
D) Functional status indicators
Correct Answer: Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
Rationale: ADLs include basic self-care tasks such as bathing, dressing,
eating, continence, toileting, and transferring. IADLs involve more complex
activities like managing finances and transportation. ADLs are the most
fundamental measure of functional status in older adults and are essential
for determining care needs.
8. Which assessment tool is most appropriate for evaluating an older adult's
cognitive function?
A) Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living
B) Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
C) Braden Scale
D) Morse Fall Scale
