NUR 257 Gerontology Final Exam MCQ Questions &
Answers 2026 | Galen College of Nursing | Study
Guide
1. In a clinical setting, how would you address the physiological decline
observed in an elderly patient with multiple chronic conditions?
Advise the patient to rest and avoid physical activity.
Implement a multidisciplinary care plan focusing on rehabilitation
and management of chronic conditions.
Increase the dosage of all medications prescribed.
Focus solely on treating the most recent diagnosis.
2. Discuss why polypharmacy is a significant concern in geriatric medicine.
Polypharmacy ensures comprehensive treatment for all conditions.
Polypharmacy simplifies medication management for elderly patients.
Polypharmacy is less common in older adults due to their lower
medication needs.
Polypharmacy can lead to adverse drug interactions and increased
side effects in older adults.
3. What is one reason diabetes management is particularly difficult for older
adults?
Presence of multiple chronic conditions
Lower risk of complications
Higher insulin sensitivity
Increased physical activity levels
,4. Non-pharmacological treatment of hypertension in elderly patients is all
except:
Smoking cessation
Regular physical activity
Lowering protein intake (<1.0 g /kg/24h)
Lowering alcohol consumption (men: 2 standard portions/women: 1
standard portion)
Lowering of sodium intake (<5 g NaCl /24h)
5. In healthcare, what does the term "gerontology" primarily focus on?
The treatment of infectious diseases
Mental health care for older adults
Surgical procedures for the elderly
The study of aging and its effects on health
6. Describe how immune senescence affects the health of older adults.
Immune senescence enhances the immune response to infections.
Immune senescence has no significant impact on older adults' health.
Immune senescence improves the healing process in older adults.
Immune senescence leads to increased susceptibility to infections
and reduced vaccine efficacy.
7. Pharmacologic treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis should be
considered for women with:
Hip or spine fracture
, T-score of -2.5 or below at the spine, femoral neck, or total hip
T-score between -1.0 and -2.5 and a 10-year FRAX risk of ≥ 3% for hip
fracture or ≥ 20% for humerus, forearm, or clinical vertebral fracture
All of the above
8. What is the primary goal of conducting a multidimensional geriatric
assessment?
To provide a single treatment plan for all geriatric patients.
To assess only the psychological aspects of aging.
To evaluate the overall health and functional status of older adults.
To diagnose specific diseases in elderly patients.
9. Describe how neurologic signs in elderly patients can impact their overall
health management.
Neurologic signs such as cognitive decline can complicate health
management by affecting communication and adherence to
treatment.
Neurologic signs only affect physical health, not mental health.
Neurologic signs improve the overall health management of elderly
patients.
Neurologic signs are irrelevant to health management in older adults.
10. A 70-year-old woman comes to the emergency department with crushing
substernal chest pain for the last hour. An EKG shows ST segment elevation
in V2 to V4. The patient was given aspirin. What is the most appropriate next
step?
Oxygen
, Trops
CK-MB level
NG
Angioplasty
11. What is the first action the nurse should employ to prevent falls in an older
adult?
Suggest the use of an assistive device for an unsteady gait
Discuss the normal changes of aging that place one at risk
Encourage installation of adequate lighting throughout the home
Conduct a comprehensive risk assessment
12. Discuss the factors that contribute to the prevalence of constipation in the
elderly population.
Constipation is primarily caused by viral infections in older adults.
Older adults experience constipation due to increased fluid intake.
Constipation is unrelated to any lifestyle changes in the elderly.
Factors such as decreased physical activity, medication side
effects, and changes in diet contribute to constipation in older
adults.
13. In a scenario where a dementia patient exhibits increased agitation, how
should a healthcare provider utilize an individualized care plan?
Increase medication dosages immediately.
Adjust the care plan to include calming activities and
environmental modifications.
Answers 2026 | Galen College of Nursing | Study
Guide
1. In a clinical setting, how would you address the physiological decline
observed in an elderly patient with multiple chronic conditions?
Advise the patient to rest and avoid physical activity.
Implement a multidisciplinary care plan focusing on rehabilitation
and management of chronic conditions.
Increase the dosage of all medications prescribed.
Focus solely on treating the most recent diagnosis.
2. Discuss why polypharmacy is a significant concern in geriatric medicine.
Polypharmacy ensures comprehensive treatment for all conditions.
Polypharmacy simplifies medication management for elderly patients.
Polypharmacy is less common in older adults due to their lower
medication needs.
Polypharmacy can lead to adverse drug interactions and increased
side effects in older adults.
3. What is one reason diabetes management is particularly difficult for older
adults?
Presence of multiple chronic conditions
Lower risk of complications
Higher insulin sensitivity
Increased physical activity levels
,4. Non-pharmacological treatment of hypertension in elderly patients is all
except:
Smoking cessation
Regular physical activity
Lowering protein intake (<1.0 g /kg/24h)
Lowering alcohol consumption (men: 2 standard portions/women: 1
standard portion)
Lowering of sodium intake (<5 g NaCl /24h)
5. In healthcare, what does the term "gerontology" primarily focus on?
The treatment of infectious diseases
Mental health care for older adults
Surgical procedures for the elderly
The study of aging and its effects on health
6. Describe how immune senescence affects the health of older adults.
Immune senescence enhances the immune response to infections.
Immune senescence has no significant impact on older adults' health.
Immune senescence improves the healing process in older adults.
Immune senescence leads to increased susceptibility to infections
and reduced vaccine efficacy.
7. Pharmacologic treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis should be
considered for women with:
Hip or spine fracture
, T-score of -2.5 or below at the spine, femoral neck, or total hip
T-score between -1.0 and -2.5 and a 10-year FRAX risk of ≥ 3% for hip
fracture or ≥ 20% for humerus, forearm, or clinical vertebral fracture
All of the above
8. What is the primary goal of conducting a multidimensional geriatric
assessment?
To provide a single treatment plan for all geriatric patients.
To assess only the psychological aspects of aging.
To evaluate the overall health and functional status of older adults.
To diagnose specific diseases in elderly patients.
9. Describe how neurologic signs in elderly patients can impact their overall
health management.
Neurologic signs such as cognitive decline can complicate health
management by affecting communication and adherence to
treatment.
Neurologic signs only affect physical health, not mental health.
Neurologic signs improve the overall health management of elderly
patients.
Neurologic signs are irrelevant to health management in older adults.
10. A 70-year-old woman comes to the emergency department with crushing
substernal chest pain for the last hour. An EKG shows ST segment elevation
in V2 to V4. The patient was given aspirin. What is the most appropriate next
step?
Oxygen
, Trops
CK-MB level
NG
Angioplasty
11. What is the first action the nurse should employ to prevent falls in an older
adult?
Suggest the use of an assistive device for an unsteady gait
Discuss the normal changes of aging that place one at risk
Encourage installation of adequate lighting throughout the home
Conduct a comprehensive risk assessment
12. Discuss the factors that contribute to the prevalence of constipation in the
elderly population.
Constipation is primarily caused by viral infections in older adults.
Older adults experience constipation due to increased fluid intake.
Constipation is unrelated to any lifestyle changes in the elderly.
Factors such as decreased physical activity, medication side
effects, and changes in diet contribute to constipation in older
adults.
13. In a scenario where a dementia patient exhibits increased agitation, how
should a healthcare provider utilize an individualized care plan?
Increase medication dosages immediately.
Adjust the care plan to include calming activities and
environmental modifications.
