Page 1 of 131
PRN1600 – GERIATRIC NURSING Exam ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE THIS
YEAR
✅ PRN1600 – GERIATRIC NURSING: KEY EXAM TOPICS
The exam focuses on the physiological, psychological, and social aspects of aging, with emphasis on the
following areas:
• Theories of Aging – Biological (wear-and-tear, free radical, genetic mutation, cross-linkage),
psychosocial (disengagement, activity, continuity, socioemotional selectivity), and
developmental (Erikson’s integrity vs. despair).
• Physiological Changes of Aging – Cardiovascular (increased rigidity, orthostatic hypotension),
respiratory (decreased elasticity, cough reflex), neurological (slower processing, decreased
reflexes), musculoskeletal (sarcopenia, bone loss), sensory (presbyopia, presbycusis).
• Common Geriatric Syndromes – Delirium vs. dementia vs. depression, polypharmacy, falls,
urinary incontinence, frailty, pressure injuries, malnutrition.
• Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment – Functional assessment (ADLs/IADLs), cognitive
screening (MMSE, MoCA), fall risk assessment (Timed Up and Go), depression screening (GDS),
medication review (Beers Criteria).
• Medication Management – Polypharmacy, Beers Criteria potentially inappropriate medications,
age-related pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic changes, deprescribing.
• Safety and Fall Prevention – Intrinsic/extrinsic risk factors, home safety assessment, assistive
devices, fall prevention protocols, post-fall assessment.
• Communication with Older Adults – Hearing/vision impairment adaptations, therapeutic
communication, cognitive impairment strategies, family/caregiver involvement.
• Nutrition and Hydration – Age-related changes affecting intake, swallowing disorders,
enteral/parenteral nutrition, hydration assessment, malnutrition screening (MNA).
• Elder Abuse and Neglect – Types of abuse, mandatory reporting requirements, risk factors,
assessment findings, legal and ethical considerations.
• End-of-Life and Palliative Care – Advance directives, hospice vs. palliative care, pain
management in older adults, symptom management, ethical decision-making, cultural
considerations.
• Legal and Ethical Issues – Informed consent, capacity vs. competency, guardianship, power of
attorney, patient rights in long-term care (OBRA ’87), restraints reduction.
• Healthcare Transitions – Hospital to home/SNF, discharge planning, readmission prevention,
medication reconciliation, transitional care models.
1. An 82-year-old male is admitted after a fall at home. His Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
score is 22/30. What is the most appropriate nursing action?
A) Document that the patient has no cognitive impairment
, Page 2 of 131
B) Notify the provider and recommend further cognitive evaluation
C) Discharge home with fall precautions only
D) Reassure the family that this is normal aging
Answer: B – An MMSE score of 22 indicates possible mild cognitive impairment or early
dementia; normal is typically 24-30, and further evaluation is warranted.
2. The nurse notes that an 88-year-old woman has lost 10% of her body weight in the past 3
months without trying. Which condition is most likely contributing?
A) Normal age-related change
B) Hyperthyroidism
C) Malnutrition – a geriatric syndrome
D) Parkinson’s disease
Answer: C – Involuntary weight loss >5% in 1 month or >10% in 6 months is a geriatric syndrome
requiring workup.
3. A nurse is assessing an 80-year-old man for delirium using the Confusion Assessment Method
(CAM). Which feature must be present for a positive diagnosis?
, Page 3 of 131
A) Acute onset and fluctuating course
B) Chronic memory loss over 2 years
C) Normal attention span
D) Absence of any medication use
Answer: A – The CAM requires acute onset and fluctuating course plus inattention plus either
disorganized thinking or altered level of consciousness for delirium diagnosis.
4. According to Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development, the primary developmental task of
late adulthood is:
A) Generativity vs. stagnation
B) Intimacy vs. isolation
C) Integrity vs. despair
D) Autonomy vs. shame and doubt
Answer: C – Erikson’s final stage (age 65+) is Integrity vs. Despair, where older adults reflect on
their lives and derive either a sense of fulfillment or regret.
, Page 4 of 131
5. An 85-year-old female is admitted with acute urinary incontinence and confusion that started 2
days ago. Her family says she was independent before. What is the most likely cause?
A) Alzheimer’s disease
B) Urinary tract infection
C) Normal age-related change
D) Parkinson’s disease
Answer: B – Sudden onset of confusion and incontinence in an older adult is highly suspicious
for a urinary tract infection or other acute medical condition, not dementia.
6. The nurse is administering medications to an 87-year-old patient. Which age-related change
most affects drug distribution?
A) Decreased liver function
B) Decreased renal blood flow
C) Increased body fat and decreased lean body mass
D) Reduced gastric emptying
Answer: C – Increased body fat and decreased lean body mass alter the volume of distribution
for fat-soluble and water-soluble drugs, affecting drug half-life.
PRN1600 – GERIATRIC NURSING Exam ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE THIS
YEAR
✅ PRN1600 – GERIATRIC NURSING: KEY EXAM TOPICS
The exam focuses on the physiological, psychological, and social aspects of aging, with emphasis on the
following areas:
• Theories of Aging – Biological (wear-and-tear, free radical, genetic mutation, cross-linkage),
psychosocial (disengagement, activity, continuity, socioemotional selectivity), and
developmental (Erikson’s integrity vs. despair).
• Physiological Changes of Aging – Cardiovascular (increased rigidity, orthostatic hypotension),
respiratory (decreased elasticity, cough reflex), neurological (slower processing, decreased
reflexes), musculoskeletal (sarcopenia, bone loss), sensory (presbyopia, presbycusis).
• Common Geriatric Syndromes – Delirium vs. dementia vs. depression, polypharmacy, falls,
urinary incontinence, frailty, pressure injuries, malnutrition.
• Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment – Functional assessment (ADLs/IADLs), cognitive
screening (MMSE, MoCA), fall risk assessment (Timed Up and Go), depression screening (GDS),
medication review (Beers Criteria).
• Medication Management – Polypharmacy, Beers Criteria potentially inappropriate medications,
age-related pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic changes, deprescribing.
• Safety and Fall Prevention – Intrinsic/extrinsic risk factors, home safety assessment, assistive
devices, fall prevention protocols, post-fall assessment.
• Communication with Older Adults – Hearing/vision impairment adaptations, therapeutic
communication, cognitive impairment strategies, family/caregiver involvement.
• Nutrition and Hydration – Age-related changes affecting intake, swallowing disorders,
enteral/parenteral nutrition, hydration assessment, malnutrition screening (MNA).
• Elder Abuse and Neglect – Types of abuse, mandatory reporting requirements, risk factors,
assessment findings, legal and ethical considerations.
• End-of-Life and Palliative Care – Advance directives, hospice vs. palliative care, pain
management in older adults, symptom management, ethical decision-making, cultural
considerations.
• Legal and Ethical Issues – Informed consent, capacity vs. competency, guardianship, power of
attorney, patient rights in long-term care (OBRA ’87), restraints reduction.
• Healthcare Transitions – Hospital to home/SNF, discharge planning, readmission prevention,
medication reconciliation, transitional care models.
1. An 82-year-old male is admitted after a fall at home. His Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
score is 22/30. What is the most appropriate nursing action?
A) Document that the patient has no cognitive impairment
, Page 2 of 131
B) Notify the provider and recommend further cognitive evaluation
C) Discharge home with fall precautions only
D) Reassure the family that this is normal aging
Answer: B – An MMSE score of 22 indicates possible mild cognitive impairment or early
dementia; normal is typically 24-30, and further evaluation is warranted.
2. The nurse notes that an 88-year-old woman has lost 10% of her body weight in the past 3
months without trying. Which condition is most likely contributing?
A) Normal age-related change
B) Hyperthyroidism
C) Malnutrition – a geriatric syndrome
D) Parkinson’s disease
Answer: C – Involuntary weight loss >5% in 1 month or >10% in 6 months is a geriatric syndrome
requiring workup.
3. A nurse is assessing an 80-year-old man for delirium using the Confusion Assessment Method
(CAM). Which feature must be present for a positive diagnosis?
, Page 3 of 131
A) Acute onset and fluctuating course
B) Chronic memory loss over 2 years
C) Normal attention span
D) Absence of any medication use
Answer: A – The CAM requires acute onset and fluctuating course plus inattention plus either
disorganized thinking or altered level of consciousness for delirium diagnosis.
4. According to Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development, the primary developmental task of
late adulthood is:
A) Generativity vs. stagnation
B) Intimacy vs. isolation
C) Integrity vs. despair
D) Autonomy vs. shame and doubt
Answer: C – Erikson’s final stage (age 65+) is Integrity vs. Despair, where older adults reflect on
their lives and derive either a sense of fulfillment or regret.
, Page 4 of 131
5. An 85-year-old female is admitted with acute urinary incontinence and confusion that started 2
days ago. Her family says she was independent before. What is the most likely cause?
A) Alzheimer’s disease
B) Urinary tract infection
C) Normal age-related change
D) Parkinson’s disease
Answer: B – Sudden onset of confusion and incontinence in an older adult is highly suspicious
for a urinary tract infection or other acute medical condition, not dementia.
6. The nurse is administering medications to an 87-year-old patient. Which age-related change
most affects drug distribution?
A) Decreased liver function
B) Decreased renal blood flow
C) Increased body fat and decreased lean body mass
D) Reduced gastric emptying
Answer: C – Increased body fat and decreased lean body mass alter the volume of distribution
for fat-soluble and water-soluble drugs, affecting drug half-life.
