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Geriatric Nursing Exam 3 Practice Questions And
Rationale Comprehensive 2026 Questions Exam Latest
Version Solved Questions & Answers Verified 100 %
An older male patient reports waking 3-4 times nightly to urinate, a weak
stream, and feeling of incomplete emptying after voiding. He denies burning or
blood in urine. What is the most likely cause and what serious complication
could result if untreated?
✦ A) UTI — complication is pyelonephritis
✦ B) BPH — complication is hydronephrosis and renal damage
✦ C) Overflow incontinence — complication is bladder atrophy
✦ D) Urethral stricture — complication is urinary sepsis
Answer: B
◈ Rationale: Nocturia, weak stream, and incomplete emptying are classic BPH
symptoms. The prostate hypertrophies and compresses the urethra. BPH occurs in
60% of men by age 60 and 80% by age 80. If untreated, urinary retention leads to
hydronephrosis and chronic kidney disease or acute renal failure.
Get all Geriatric test banks for Exam preparation for 2026. The test banks
include comprehensive preparation for both Exam I and Exam II, and are
designed to significantly enhance your likelihood of passing all exams on the
first attempt, with a success rate of up to 97%. start preparing for your
upcoming exams email
An older female patient who underwent menopause two years ago reports
painful intercourse. The nurse correctly identifies this as which condition and
, Page 2 of 72
attributes it to which cause?
✦ A) Pelvic relaxation syndrome — caused by excessive Kegel exercises
✦ B) Dyspareunia — caused by vaginal dryness from decreased estrogen
following menopause
✦ C) Vaginismus — caused by psychological trauma
✦ D) Cervicitis — caused by bacterial infection
Answer: B
◈ Rationale: Dyspareunia (painful intercourse) is a common symptom of
menopause. Decreased estrogen causes reduced vaginal secretions, thinning and
decreased elasticity of vaginal walls, and vaginal dryness — all contributing to
painful intercourse. Pelvic relaxation syndrome is a different condition involving
descending of pelvic organs into the vagina.
What defines menopause?
✦ A) Cessation of menses for 6 months
✦ B) Cessation of menses for 12 consecutive months
✦ C) The first episode of irregular menstrual bleeding after age 50
✦ D) Cessation of menses following surgical removal of the uterus only
Answer: B
◈ Rationale: Menopause is defined as cessation of menses for a full 12 consecutive
months. Signs and symptoms include hot flashes (sensation of feeling hot), hot
flushes (visible redness — these are two distinct things), night sweats, and vaginal
dryness leading to dyspareunia.
A nurse is teaching an older adult woman about breast cancer screening.
Which schedule is most consistent with current recommendations?
✦ A) Mammograms every 5 years beginning at age 60
✦ B) Mammograms ideally beginning at age 40, every 1-2 years, continuing at
least until age 75
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✦ C) Mammograms are only needed if there is a family history
✦ D) Mammograms should stop at age 65 if all previous results were negative
Answer: B
◈ Rationale: Breast cancer occurs in 1 in 8 women and risk increases with age.
Mammograms should ideally begin at age 40, performed every 1-2 years, and
continue at least until age 75 (every 2-3 years after 75). Breast cancer is the second
leading cause of cancer death in women.
A resident is observed being physically affectionate with another resident. The
adult children want the nurses to stop it. What is the nurse's appropriate
response?
✦ A) Immediately separate the residents to respect the family's wishes.
✦ B) Ignore the situation — it is not a nursing concern.
✦ C) Facilitate a care conference with the IDT, the resident, and the family to
discuss residents' rights, intimacy needs, and the therapeutic value of
affection.
✦ D) Restrict visitation between the two residents as a compromise.
Answer: C
◈ Rationale: Every human being has the right to express sexual feelings and have
intimacy needs met. The nurse should facilitate an IDT meeting to educate the family
about residents' rights and the therapeutic value of touch and intimacy. Separating
the residents violates resident rights and autonomy. The nurse advocates for the
patient.
[SATA] Select all that apply. Which statements by older adult patients indicate
a need for further teaching about sexual health? SELECT ALL THAT APPLY.
✦ A) "I don't need to worry about HIV — that only affects young people."
✦ B) "I should use a water-based lubricant if I experience vaginal dryness."
✦ C) "I don't need condoms anymore since I went through menopause."
✦ D) "I should let my doctor know if I notice any discharge or genital lesions."
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✦ E) "Using estrogen cream as a lubricant is totally safe and has no side
effects."
Answer: A, C, E
◈ Rationale: A is incorrect — nearly 25% of HIV/AIDS cases are in individuals over
50. C is incorrect — condoms protect against STIs regardless of pregnancy risk. E is
incorrect — vaginal estrogen creams can be absorbed systemically and must be
monitored; they can also cause condom breakdown. Statements B and D are
correct.
An older adult patient with osteoarthritis asks when to take her ibuprofen. The
nurse's BEST response is:
✦ A) "Take it only when the pain becomes severe and you cannot bear it
anymore."
✦ B) "Take it before activities that typically cause you pain, so it works
preventively."
✦ C) "Take it at bedtime so it lasts through the morning stiffness."
✦ D) "Avoid ibuprofen entirely — it is on the Beers Criteria and unsafe for
older adults."
Answer: B
◈ Rationale: The key teaching point for osteoarthritis is preventive dosing — taking
NSAIDs BEFORE activity rather than waiting for pain. This provides better pain
control and allows for more function. While NSAIDs are on the Beers Criteria as
potentially inappropriate for long-term use, they are a standard OA treatment. The
nurse teaches proper timing.
During a home visit, the nurse suspects a 78-year-old patient may have
osteoporosis even though it has not been diagnosed. Which finding most
strongly supports this suspicion?
✦ A) Reports mild morning stiffness in both knees
✦ B) Sustained a wrist fracture while simply reaching for a can on a low shelf
Geriatric Nursing Exam 3 Practice Questions And
Rationale Comprehensive 2026 Questions Exam Latest
Version Solved Questions & Answers Verified 100 %
An older male patient reports waking 3-4 times nightly to urinate, a weak
stream, and feeling of incomplete emptying after voiding. He denies burning or
blood in urine. What is the most likely cause and what serious complication
could result if untreated?
✦ A) UTI — complication is pyelonephritis
✦ B) BPH — complication is hydronephrosis and renal damage
✦ C) Overflow incontinence — complication is bladder atrophy
✦ D) Urethral stricture — complication is urinary sepsis
Answer: B
◈ Rationale: Nocturia, weak stream, and incomplete emptying are classic BPH
symptoms. The prostate hypertrophies and compresses the urethra. BPH occurs in
60% of men by age 60 and 80% by age 80. If untreated, urinary retention leads to
hydronephrosis and chronic kidney disease or acute renal failure.
Get all Geriatric test banks for Exam preparation for 2026. The test banks
include comprehensive preparation for both Exam I and Exam II, and are
designed to significantly enhance your likelihood of passing all exams on the
first attempt, with a success rate of up to 97%. start preparing for your
upcoming exams email
An older female patient who underwent menopause two years ago reports
painful intercourse. The nurse correctly identifies this as which condition and
, Page 2 of 72
attributes it to which cause?
✦ A) Pelvic relaxation syndrome — caused by excessive Kegel exercises
✦ B) Dyspareunia — caused by vaginal dryness from decreased estrogen
following menopause
✦ C) Vaginismus — caused by psychological trauma
✦ D) Cervicitis — caused by bacterial infection
Answer: B
◈ Rationale: Dyspareunia (painful intercourse) is a common symptom of
menopause. Decreased estrogen causes reduced vaginal secretions, thinning and
decreased elasticity of vaginal walls, and vaginal dryness — all contributing to
painful intercourse. Pelvic relaxation syndrome is a different condition involving
descending of pelvic organs into the vagina.
What defines menopause?
✦ A) Cessation of menses for 6 months
✦ B) Cessation of menses for 12 consecutive months
✦ C) The first episode of irregular menstrual bleeding after age 50
✦ D) Cessation of menses following surgical removal of the uterus only
Answer: B
◈ Rationale: Menopause is defined as cessation of menses for a full 12 consecutive
months. Signs and symptoms include hot flashes (sensation of feeling hot), hot
flushes (visible redness — these are two distinct things), night sweats, and vaginal
dryness leading to dyspareunia.
A nurse is teaching an older adult woman about breast cancer screening.
Which schedule is most consistent with current recommendations?
✦ A) Mammograms every 5 years beginning at age 60
✦ B) Mammograms ideally beginning at age 40, every 1-2 years, continuing at
least until age 75
, Page 3 of 72
✦ C) Mammograms are only needed if there is a family history
✦ D) Mammograms should stop at age 65 if all previous results were negative
Answer: B
◈ Rationale: Breast cancer occurs in 1 in 8 women and risk increases with age.
Mammograms should ideally begin at age 40, performed every 1-2 years, and
continue at least until age 75 (every 2-3 years after 75). Breast cancer is the second
leading cause of cancer death in women.
A resident is observed being physically affectionate with another resident. The
adult children want the nurses to stop it. What is the nurse's appropriate
response?
✦ A) Immediately separate the residents to respect the family's wishes.
✦ B) Ignore the situation — it is not a nursing concern.
✦ C) Facilitate a care conference with the IDT, the resident, and the family to
discuss residents' rights, intimacy needs, and the therapeutic value of
affection.
✦ D) Restrict visitation between the two residents as a compromise.
Answer: C
◈ Rationale: Every human being has the right to express sexual feelings and have
intimacy needs met. The nurse should facilitate an IDT meeting to educate the family
about residents' rights and the therapeutic value of touch and intimacy. Separating
the residents violates resident rights and autonomy. The nurse advocates for the
patient.
[SATA] Select all that apply. Which statements by older adult patients indicate
a need for further teaching about sexual health? SELECT ALL THAT APPLY.
✦ A) "I don't need to worry about HIV — that only affects young people."
✦ B) "I should use a water-based lubricant if I experience vaginal dryness."
✦ C) "I don't need condoms anymore since I went through menopause."
✦ D) "I should let my doctor know if I notice any discharge or genital lesions."
, Page 4 of 72
✦ E) "Using estrogen cream as a lubricant is totally safe and has no side
effects."
Answer: A, C, E
◈ Rationale: A is incorrect — nearly 25% of HIV/AIDS cases are in individuals over
50. C is incorrect — condoms protect against STIs regardless of pregnancy risk. E is
incorrect — vaginal estrogen creams can be absorbed systemically and must be
monitored; they can also cause condom breakdown. Statements B and D are
correct.
An older adult patient with osteoarthritis asks when to take her ibuprofen. The
nurse's BEST response is:
✦ A) "Take it only when the pain becomes severe and you cannot bear it
anymore."
✦ B) "Take it before activities that typically cause you pain, so it works
preventively."
✦ C) "Take it at bedtime so it lasts through the morning stiffness."
✦ D) "Avoid ibuprofen entirely — it is on the Beers Criteria and unsafe for
older adults."
Answer: B
◈ Rationale: The key teaching point for osteoarthritis is preventive dosing — taking
NSAIDs BEFORE activity rather than waiting for pain. This provides better pain
control and allows for more function. While NSAIDs are on the Beers Criteria as
potentially inappropriate for long-term use, they are a standard OA treatment. The
nurse teaches proper timing.
During a home visit, the nurse suspects a 78-year-old patient may have
osteoporosis even though it has not been diagnosed. Which finding most
strongly supports this suspicion?
✦ A) Reports mild morning stiffness in both knees
✦ B) Sustained a wrist fracture while simply reaching for a can on a low shelf
