Geriatric & Specialty Pharmacology Test Exam 2025/2026 With
A+ Graded Answers.
1. Why are older adults at a higher risk for drug toxicity?
A) Increased total body water
B) Decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) — [CORRECT ANSWER]
C) Increased liver size
D) Faster gastric emptying
2. According to the Beers Criteria, which class of medication should be
avoided in the elderly due to the risk of falls and confusion?
A) ACE Inhibitors
B) Benzodiazepines — [CORRECT ANSWER]
C) Statins
D) Antibiotics
3. An elderly patient is taking Diphenhydramine (Benadryl). What side effect is
of most concern?
A) Diarrhea
B) Urinary retention and confusion — [CORRECT ANSWER]
C) Increased salivation
D) Hypertension
4. Which physiological change in the elderly affects the distribution of fat-
soluble drugs?
A) Decreased body fat
B) Increased proportion of body fat — [CORRECT ANSWER]
C) Increased serum albumin
D) Increased total body water
5. A geriatric patient is prescribed an NSAID for arthritis. What is the primary
risk of long-term use?
A) Respiratory failure
B) Gastrointestinal bleeding and renal impairment — [CORRECT ANSWER]
C) Hair loss
D) Hearing gain
6. Which medication is commonly used to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s
disease?
A) Memantine — [CORRECT ANSWER]
B) Lorazepam
C) Haloperidol
D) Amitriptyline
, 7. Older adults taking diuretics should be monitored closely for which
condition?
A) Orthostatic hypotension — [CORRECT ANSWER]
C) Fluid overload
D) Increased appetite
8. Which medication is used to treat osteoporosis by inhibiting bone
resorption?
A) Prednisone
B) Alendronate (Fosamax) — [CORRECT ANSWER]
C) Levothyroxine
D) Furosemide
9. When teaching an elderly patient about Fosamax, the nurse should instruct
them to:
A) Lie down immediately after taking it
B) Sit upright for at least 30 minutes — [CORRECT ANSWER]
C) Take it with a large meal
D) Take it at bedtime
10. What is the "Start Low, Go Slow" rule in geriatric pharmacology?
A) Start with a low heart rate
B) Start with the lowest effective dose and titrate slowly — [CORRECT ANSWER]
C) Give medications only once a week
D) Use only liquid medications
11. Which lab value is the most reliable indicator of renal function in an elderly
patient?
A) Serum Creatinine
B) Creatinine Clearance — [CORRECT ANSWER]
C) BUN
D) Urine specific gravity
12. An elderly patient is on polypharmacy. This increases the risk for:
A) Drug-drug interactions — [CORRECT ANSWER]
B) Improved compliance
C) Lower healthcare costs
D) Increased appetite
13. Which medication used for urinary incontinence has significant
anticholinergic effects?
A) Oxybutynin — [CORRECT ANSWER]
B) Finasteride
A+ Graded Answers.
1. Why are older adults at a higher risk for drug toxicity?
A) Increased total body water
B) Decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) — [CORRECT ANSWER]
C) Increased liver size
D) Faster gastric emptying
2. According to the Beers Criteria, which class of medication should be
avoided in the elderly due to the risk of falls and confusion?
A) ACE Inhibitors
B) Benzodiazepines — [CORRECT ANSWER]
C) Statins
D) Antibiotics
3. An elderly patient is taking Diphenhydramine (Benadryl). What side effect is
of most concern?
A) Diarrhea
B) Urinary retention and confusion — [CORRECT ANSWER]
C) Increased salivation
D) Hypertension
4. Which physiological change in the elderly affects the distribution of fat-
soluble drugs?
A) Decreased body fat
B) Increased proportion of body fat — [CORRECT ANSWER]
C) Increased serum albumin
D) Increased total body water
5. A geriatric patient is prescribed an NSAID for arthritis. What is the primary
risk of long-term use?
A) Respiratory failure
B) Gastrointestinal bleeding and renal impairment — [CORRECT ANSWER]
C) Hair loss
D) Hearing gain
6. Which medication is commonly used to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s
disease?
A) Memantine — [CORRECT ANSWER]
B) Lorazepam
C) Haloperidol
D) Amitriptyline
, 7. Older adults taking diuretics should be monitored closely for which
condition?
A) Orthostatic hypotension — [CORRECT ANSWER]
C) Fluid overload
D) Increased appetite
8. Which medication is used to treat osteoporosis by inhibiting bone
resorption?
A) Prednisone
B) Alendronate (Fosamax) — [CORRECT ANSWER]
C) Levothyroxine
D) Furosemide
9. When teaching an elderly patient about Fosamax, the nurse should instruct
them to:
A) Lie down immediately after taking it
B) Sit upright for at least 30 minutes — [CORRECT ANSWER]
C) Take it with a large meal
D) Take it at bedtime
10. What is the "Start Low, Go Slow" rule in geriatric pharmacology?
A) Start with a low heart rate
B) Start with the lowest effective dose and titrate slowly — [CORRECT ANSWER]
C) Give medications only once a week
D) Use only liquid medications
11. Which lab value is the most reliable indicator of renal function in an elderly
patient?
A) Serum Creatinine
B) Creatinine Clearance — [CORRECT ANSWER]
C) BUN
D) Urine specific gravity
12. An elderly patient is on polypharmacy. This increases the risk for:
A) Drug-drug interactions — [CORRECT ANSWER]
B) Improved compliance
C) Lower healthcare costs
D) Increased appetite
13. Which medication used for urinary incontinence has significant
anticholinergic effects?
A) Oxybutynin — [CORRECT ANSWER]
B) Finasteride
