NUR163/NUR 163 Exam 2 V1 | Concepts of
Practical Nursing in the Care of Elderly
Patients Q&A with Rationale | Hondros
College of Nursing
1. An elderly patient presents with a sudden onset of confusion, altered level of
consciousness, and hallucinations. Which condition does the nurse suspect?
A. Alzheimer’s Disease
B. Delirium
C. Depression
D. Vascular Dementia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by an acute and sudden change in mental status, often
triggered by an underlying medical issue such as an infection. Unlike dementia, delirium is
typically reversible once the primary cause is treated. The nurse must prioritize identifying
the physiological trigger to ensure patient safety and recovery.
2. Which visual change is considered a normal part of the aging process in the elderly?
A. Total Blindness
B. Macular Degeneration
C. Presbyopia
,D. Retinal Detachment
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Presbyopia is the age-related loss of the eye’s ability to focus on nearby objects
due to decreased lens elasticity. This is a normal physiological change rather than a disease
state like glaucoma or macular degeneration. Nurses should educate patients that needing
reading glasses is a standard progression of aging.
3. When assessing an elderly patient’s skin, the nurse notes thin, fragile skin and a loss of
subcutaneous fat. This puts the patient at risk for:
A. Increased vitamin D synthesis
B. Impaired thermoregulation
C. Improved wound healing
D. Resistance to pressure ulcers
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The loss of subcutaneous fat in the elderly significantly reduces the body’s
natural insulation against cold temperatures. This physiological change impairs
thermoregulation and increases the risk of hypothermia even in mildly cool environments.
Nurses must monitor environmental temperatures and provide appropriate clothing or
blankets.
, 4. A nurse is teaching a student about the ‘Beers Criteria.’ What is the primary purpose of this
tool?
A. To identify medications that are potentially inappropriate for older adults
B. To determine the nutritional needs of patients with dementia
C. To calculate the dosage of pediatric medications
D. To assess the risk of skin breakdown using a numerical scale
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The Beers Criteria is a standardized list of medications that should generally be
avoided or used with caution in the geriatric population. These medications carry a higher
risk of adverse effects, such as falls or cognitive impairment, relative to their benefits.
Understanding this list is critical for nurses to prevent polypharmacy-related
complications.
5. Which of the following is the most common cause of unintentional injury-related deaths in
the elderly?
A. Motor vehicle accidents
B. Choking
C. Falls
D. Poisoning
Correct Answer: C
Practical Nursing in the Care of Elderly
Patients Q&A with Rationale | Hondros
College of Nursing
1. An elderly patient presents with a sudden onset of confusion, altered level of
consciousness, and hallucinations. Which condition does the nurse suspect?
A. Alzheimer’s Disease
B. Delirium
C. Depression
D. Vascular Dementia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by an acute and sudden change in mental status, often
triggered by an underlying medical issue such as an infection. Unlike dementia, delirium is
typically reversible once the primary cause is treated. The nurse must prioritize identifying
the physiological trigger to ensure patient safety and recovery.
2. Which visual change is considered a normal part of the aging process in the elderly?
A. Total Blindness
B. Macular Degeneration
C. Presbyopia
,D. Retinal Detachment
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Presbyopia is the age-related loss of the eye’s ability to focus on nearby objects
due to decreased lens elasticity. This is a normal physiological change rather than a disease
state like glaucoma or macular degeneration. Nurses should educate patients that needing
reading glasses is a standard progression of aging.
3. When assessing an elderly patient’s skin, the nurse notes thin, fragile skin and a loss of
subcutaneous fat. This puts the patient at risk for:
A. Increased vitamin D synthesis
B. Impaired thermoregulation
C. Improved wound healing
D. Resistance to pressure ulcers
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The loss of subcutaneous fat in the elderly significantly reduces the body’s
natural insulation against cold temperatures. This physiological change impairs
thermoregulation and increases the risk of hypothermia even in mildly cool environments.
Nurses must monitor environmental temperatures and provide appropriate clothing or
blankets.
, 4. A nurse is teaching a student about the ‘Beers Criteria.’ What is the primary purpose of this
tool?
A. To identify medications that are potentially inappropriate for older adults
B. To determine the nutritional needs of patients with dementia
C. To calculate the dosage of pediatric medications
D. To assess the risk of skin breakdown using a numerical scale
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The Beers Criteria is a standardized list of medications that should generally be
avoided or used with caution in the geriatric population. These medications carry a higher
risk of adverse effects, such as falls or cognitive impairment, relative to their benefits.
Understanding this list is critical for nurses to prevent polypharmacy-related
complications.
5. Which of the following is the most common cause of unintentional injury-related deaths in
the elderly?
A. Motor vehicle accidents
B. Choking
C. Falls
D. Poisoning
Correct Answer: C
