NR 601 Week 2 (2026) – 156 Questions on Geriatrics, Cardiology, Endocrine & Preventive Care

This document contains 156 comprehensive exam-style questions with verified answers for NR 601 Week 2 (2026). It provides extensive coverage of geriatric assessment, cardiovascular disease, pulmonary conditions, endocrine disorders, rheumatologic diseases, pharmacology in aging, preventive care, and common primary care presentations in older adults. The early section of the document (pages 1–5) reviews physiological changes of aging, heart failure staging (ACC/AHA Stage A–D), 2017 ACC hypertension guidelines, valvular heart disease (aortic stenosis, aortic regurgitation), and community-acquired pneumonia in older adults. Diagnostic interpretation is emphasized, including BNP levels (100 to rule out HF), echocardiography as the gold standard for structural heart disease, spirometry interpretation (FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC ratio), and recognition of S3 in CHF. Endocrine and metabolic disorders are thoroughly addressed (pages 12–15), including hyperthyroidism (new-onset atrial fibrillation with tremor), hypothyroidism in elderly patients, levothyroxine dosing and TSH monitoring, diabetes management (metformin counseling, Charcot foot referral), insulin resistance (acanthosis nigricans), and lipid disorders (xanthelasma significance). Rheumatologic and musculoskeletal conditions include osteoarthritis characteristics, polymyalgia rheumatica (elevated ESR 50), giant cell arteritis (scalp tenderness and girdle pain), gout management (serum urate monitoring, joint aspiration confirmation, indomethacin first-line therapy), and rheumatoid arthritis early radiographic findings (soft tissue swelling). Neurocognitive and psychiatric conditions are extensively reviewed (pages 19–21), including depression in older adults, delirium versus dementia differentiation, Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) screening, SLUMS cognitive testing, Alzheimer’s pharmacotherapy (cholinesterase inhibitors), anticholinergic-induced delirium (diphenhydramine), and late-stage dementia sundowning. Preventive care concepts include primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention, TB screening protocols (two-step PPD), fall risk predictors (prior fall history), home modification and vitamin D supplementation, immunizations, chemoprophylaxis, and geriatric syndromes. Pharmacology and aging principles (pages 30–33) include pharmacokinetics versus pharmacodynamics, reduced physiological reserve, polypharmacy definition (even one medication without clear indication), Beers Criteria application (65 years), drug–drug interactions, renal dosing considerations, and longitudinal studies as the strongest evidence for normal aging. The document integrates high-yield clinical pearls such as atypical MI presentations in older adults, orthostatic hypotension syncope, antalgic gait in OA, aortic stenosis prevalence, Austin Flint murmur in aortic regurgitation, and pulmonary embolism presentation after prolonged travel. The structured Q&A format mirrors graduate-level FNP coursework and emphasizes clinical reasoning, guideline-based management, geriatric prescribing safety, and evidence-based primary care practice. This resource is particularly relevant for: NR 601 students Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) programs Adult-Gerontology NP programs Advanced Primary Care courses APRN students focusing on geriatric care Board exam preparation (AANP, ANCC adult/gero content) Keywords: NR 601 Week 2 2026, geriatric assessment exam questions, ACC AHA heart failure staging, 2017 hypertension guidelines ACC, BNP less than 100 heart failure, aortic stenosis elderly, S3 gallop CHF, FEV1 FVC spirometry interpretation, hyperthyroidism atrial fibrillation tremor, hypothyroidism elderly TSH monitoring, levothyroxine dosing older adults, polymyalgia rheumatica ESR greater than 50, giant cell arteritis scalp tenderness, gout serum urate monitoring, indomethacin acute gout flare, osteoarthritis antalgic gait, delirium vs dementia CAM, SLUMS cognitive screening, cholinesterase inhibitors Alzheimer, Beers criteria over 65, polypharmacy definition geriatrics, orthostatic hypotension syncope elderly, primary secondary tertiary prevention examples