NURSING CARE OF THE OLDER ADULT
COMPREHENSIVE FINAL QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. Which of the following is the most significant factor that distinguishes palliative care from
hospice care?
A. Palliative care requires a life expectancy of less than six months.
B. Hospice care is only provided in hospital settings, while palliative care is home-based.
C. Palliative care can be provided alongside curative treatments, whereas hospice is for
terminal stages.
D. Hospice care focuses on cure, while palliative care focuses on symptom management.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Palliative care aims to improve quality of life at any stage of a
serious illness and can be used concurrently with curative treatments. Hospice is
specifically for patients with a prognosis of six months or less where curative intent is
ceased.
,2. An 80-year-old patient exhibits a sudden onset of confusion, agitation, and perceptual
disturbances. What is the most likely condition?
A. Alzheimer’s Disease
B. Delirium
C. Major Depressive Disorder
D. Normal Age-Related Cognitive Decline
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Delirium is characterized by a rapid, acute onset of confusion
and fluctuations in consciousness, often triggered by underlying medical issues, whereas
dementia (like Alzheimer’s) is progressive and slow.
3. When applying the Beers Criteria to an elderly patient, which medication class is generally
considered inappropriate due to the high risk of falls?
A. ACE Inhibitors
B. Proton Pump Inhibitors
C. Benzodiazepines
D. Statins
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Benzodiazepines increase the risk of cognitive impairment,
delirium, falls, and fractures in older adults according to the Beers Criteria.
, 4. Which of the following describes ‘presbycusis’ in the older adult population?
A. Inability to hear low-pitched sounds due to middle ear stiffening.
B. Conductive hearing loss caused by cerumen impaction.
C. Sensorineural hearing loss related to aging, typically affecting high-frequency sounds.
D. Ringing in the ears associated with aspirin toxicity.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Presbycusis is the most common type of sensorineural hearing
loss caused by the natural aging of the auditory system, primarily affecting the ability to
hear high-frequency sounds.
5. A nurse is assessing an older adult for signs of elder abuse. Which finding is most
suggestive of physical neglect?
A. Multiple bruises in different stages of healing on the torso.
B. Anxiety and withdrawal when the caregiver enters the room.
C. Unexplained disappearance of funds or valuables.
D. Pressure ulcers, poor hygiene, and untreated dehydration.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Physical neglect is characterized by the failure to provide basic
needs such as hygiene, nutrition, hydration, and medical care (e.g., pressure ulcer
prevention).
COMPREHENSIVE FINAL QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. Which of the following is the most significant factor that distinguishes palliative care from
hospice care?
A. Palliative care requires a life expectancy of less than six months.
B. Hospice care is only provided in hospital settings, while palliative care is home-based.
C. Palliative care can be provided alongside curative treatments, whereas hospice is for
terminal stages.
D. Hospice care focuses on cure, while palliative care focuses on symptom management.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Palliative care aims to improve quality of life at any stage of a
serious illness and can be used concurrently with curative treatments. Hospice is
specifically for patients with a prognosis of six months or less where curative intent is
ceased.
,2. An 80-year-old patient exhibits a sudden onset of confusion, agitation, and perceptual
disturbances. What is the most likely condition?
A. Alzheimer’s Disease
B. Delirium
C. Major Depressive Disorder
D. Normal Age-Related Cognitive Decline
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Delirium is characterized by a rapid, acute onset of confusion
and fluctuations in consciousness, often triggered by underlying medical issues, whereas
dementia (like Alzheimer’s) is progressive and slow.
3. When applying the Beers Criteria to an elderly patient, which medication class is generally
considered inappropriate due to the high risk of falls?
A. ACE Inhibitors
B. Proton Pump Inhibitors
C. Benzodiazepines
D. Statins
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Benzodiazepines increase the risk of cognitive impairment,
delirium, falls, and fractures in older adults according to the Beers Criteria.
, 4. Which of the following describes ‘presbycusis’ in the older adult population?
A. Inability to hear low-pitched sounds due to middle ear stiffening.
B. Conductive hearing loss caused by cerumen impaction.
C. Sensorineural hearing loss related to aging, typically affecting high-frequency sounds.
D. Ringing in the ears associated with aspirin toxicity.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Presbycusis is the most common type of sensorineural hearing
loss caused by the natural aging of the auditory system, primarily affecting the ability to
hear high-frequency sounds.
5. A nurse is assessing an older adult for signs of elder abuse. Which finding is most
suggestive of physical neglect?
A. Multiple bruises in different stages of healing on the torso.
B. Anxiety and withdrawal when the caregiver enters the room.
C. Unexplained disappearance of funds or valuables.
D. Pressure ulcers, poor hygiene, and untreated dehydration.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Physical neglect is characterized by the failure to provide basic
needs such as hygiene, nutrition, hydration, and medical care (e.g., pressure ulcer
prevention).
