1
Comprehensive Exam Bank on Geriatric
Nursing and Aging Care: Chronic Disease
Management, Functional Independence, and
Compassionate Support
Table of Contents
Topic 1: Physiological Aging Changes and Holistic Assessment in Older Adults
.........................................................................................................................2
Topic 2: Chronic Disease Management in Older Adults..................................10
Topic 3: Functional Independence, Fall Prevention, and Mobility in Geriatric
Nursing..........................................................................................................18
Topic 4: Cognitive Health, Dementia, and Psychosocial Well-being in Older
Adults.............................................................................................................26
Topic 5: Medication Management, Polypharmacy, and Pharmacologic Safety
in the Elderly..................................................................................................34
Topic 6: Nutrition, Hydration, and Metabolic Health in Aging Adults..............42
Topic 7: Cognitive Disorders and Mental Health in Aging: Dementia,
Depression, and Delirium...............................................................................49
Topic 8: End-of-Life Care, Palliative Support, and Ethical Considerations in
Geriatric Nursing............................................................................................57
Topic 9: Pharmacologic Safety, Polypharmacy, and Adverse Drug Monitoring
in Geriatric Nursing........................................................................................65
Topic 10: Health Promotion, Physical Activity, and Psychosocial Wellness in
Older Adults...................................................................................................73
, 2
Topic 1: Physiological Aging Changes and
Holistic Assessment in Older Adults
(Questions 1–20)
1. Which of the following physiological changes is commonly associated with
normal aging in the cardiovascular system?
A. Increased cardiac output during exertion
B. Decreased elasticity of blood vessels
C. Decreased blood pressure
D. Increased sensitivity to catecholamines
Correct Answer: B. Decreased elasticity of blood vessels
Rationale: Aging leads to stiffening of arterial walls due to collagen cross-
linking and reduced elastin, contributing to higher systolic blood pressure
and increased cardiac workload.
2. An older adult exhibits decreased renal clearance. What is the most
appropriate nursing action?
A. Encourage increased protein intake
B. Monitor medication dosages carefully
C. Discontinue all nephrotoxic drugs
D. Recommend daily diuretic use
Correct Answer: B. Monitor medication dosages carefully
Rationale: Decreased renal clearance affects drug metabolism and excretion,
increasing the risk of toxicity. Dosages may need adjustment based on renal
function.
, 3
3. Which sensory change is a normal part of aging?
A. Hyperacusis
B. Diplopia
C. Presbycusis
D. Photophobia
Correct Answer: C. Presbycusis
Rationale: Presbycusis is age-related hearing loss, particularly of high-
frequency sounds, commonly affecting older adults.
4. What is the best nursing approach when assessing pain in a cognitively
impaired older adult?
A. Use self-report only
B. Ignore nonverbal cues
C. Utilize observational pain assessment tools
D. Ask the family to estimate pain level
Correct Answer: C. Utilize observational pain assessment tools
Rationale: Tools such as PAINAD or FLACC help assess pain in non-verbal
patients by observing behavior and physiological indicators.
5. Which of the following statements reflects a correct understanding of
immune system aging?
A. Immunity improves with age
B. T-cell production increases
C. Older adults have a decreased febrile response to infection
D. Antibody responses are unchanged
, 4
Correct Answer: C. Older adults have a decreased febrile response to
infection
Rationale: The aging immune system has diminished response, often leading
to atypical presentations of infection without fever.
6. The nurse should include which nutritional intervention for older adults
experiencing age-related gastrointestinal changes?
A. Increase dietary fiber and fluid intake
B. Recommend low-residue diets
C. Reduce all fat intake
D. Promote complete fasting once weekly
Correct Answer: A. Increase dietary fiber and fluid intake
Rationale: Aging slows GI motility, making constipation common. Fiber and
fluids support healthy bowel function.
7. An older adult with kyphosis may have difficulty with:
A. Dressing lower extremities
B. Deep breathing and oxygenation
C. Swallowing liquids
D. Using assistive devices
Correct Answer: B. Deep breathing and oxygenation
Rationale: Kyphosis compresses the thoracic cavity, decreasing lung
expansion and potentially leading to reduced oxygenation.
8. The Mini-Cog assessment is primarily used to screen for:
A. Depression
Comprehensive Exam Bank on Geriatric
Nursing and Aging Care: Chronic Disease
Management, Functional Independence, and
Compassionate Support
Table of Contents
Topic 1: Physiological Aging Changes and Holistic Assessment in Older Adults
.........................................................................................................................2
Topic 2: Chronic Disease Management in Older Adults..................................10
Topic 3: Functional Independence, Fall Prevention, and Mobility in Geriatric
Nursing..........................................................................................................18
Topic 4: Cognitive Health, Dementia, and Psychosocial Well-being in Older
Adults.............................................................................................................26
Topic 5: Medication Management, Polypharmacy, and Pharmacologic Safety
in the Elderly..................................................................................................34
Topic 6: Nutrition, Hydration, and Metabolic Health in Aging Adults..............42
Topic 7: Cognitive Disorders and Mental Health in Aging: Dementia,
Depression, and Delirium...............................................................................49
Topic 8: End-of-Life Care, Palliative Support, and Ethical Considerations in
Geriatric Nursing............................................................................................57
Topic 9: Pharmacologic Safety, Polypharmacy, and Adverse Drug Monitoring
in Geriatric Nursing........................................................................................65
Topic 10: Health Promotion, Physical Activity, and Psychosocial Wellness in
Older Adults...................................................................................................73
, 2
Topic 1: Physiological Aging Changes and
Holistic Assessment in Older Adults
(Questions 1–20)
1. Which of the following physiological changes is commonly associated with
normal aging in the cardiovascular system?
A. Increased cardiac output during exertion
B. Decreased elasticity of blood vessels
C. Decreased blood pressure
D. Increased sensitivity to catecholamines
Correct Answer: B. Decreased elasticity of blood vessels
Rationale: Aging leads to stiffening of arterial walls due to collagen cross-
linking and reduced elastin, contributing to higher systolic blood pressure
and increased cardiac workload.
2. An older adult exhibits decreased renal clearance. What is the most
appropriate nursing action?
A. Encourage increased protein intake
B. Monitor medication dosages carefully
C. Discontinue all nephrotoxic drugs
D. Recommend daily diuretic use
Correct Answer: B. Monitor medication dosages carefully
Rationale: Decreased renal clearance affects drug metabolism and excretion,
increasing the risk of toxicity. Dosages may need adjustment based on renal
function.
, 3
3. Which sensory change is a normal part of aging?
A. Hyperacusis
B. Diplopia
C. Presbycusis
D. Photophobia
Correct Answer: C. Presbycusis
Rationale: Presbycusis is age-related hearing loss, particularly of high-
frequency sounds, commonly affecting older adults.
4. What is the best nursing approach when assessing pain in a cognitively
impaired older adult?
A. Use self-report only
B. Ignore nonverbal cues
C. Utilize observational pain assessment tools
D. Ask the family to estimate pain level
Correct Answer: C. Utilize observational pain assessment tools
Rationale: Tools such as PAINAD or FLACC help assess pain in non-verbal
patients by observing behavior and physiological indicators.
5. Which of the following statements reflects a correct understanding of
immune system aging?
A. Immunity improves with age
B. T-cell production increases
C. Older adults have a decreased febrile response to infection
D. Antibody responses are unchanged
, 4
Correct Answer: C. Older adults have a decreased febrile response to
infection
Rationale: The aging immune system has diminished response, often leading
to atypical presentations of infection without fever.
6. The nurse should include which nutritional intervention for older adults
experiencing age-related gastrointestinal changes?
A. Increase dietary fiber and fluid intake
B. Recommend low-residue diets
C. Reduce all fat intake
D. Promote complete fasting once weekly
Correct Answer: A. Increase dietary fiber and fluid intake
Rationale: Aging slows GI motility, making constipation common. Fiber and
fluids support healthy bowel function.
7. An older adult with kyphosis may have difficulty with:
A. Dressing lower extremities
B. Deep breathing and oxygenation
C. Swallowing liquids
D. Using assistive devices
Correct Answer: B. Deep breathing and oxygenation
Rationale: Kyphosis compresses the thoracic cavity, decreasing lung
expansion and potentially leading to reduced oxygenation.
8. The Mini-Cog assessment is primarily used to screen for:
A. Depression
