Rasmussen Univ. NUR 2214 Exam 1 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Older Adult
Q&A | Geriatric Nurs.
1. Which of the following best defines the term "ageism" as it relates to the
care of older adults?
A) The biological process of cellular aging that occurs over time
B) Stereotyping, prejudice, or discrimination based on a person's age
C) A person's perception of their own age compared to their chronological
age
D) The functional ability of an individual to perform activities of daily living
Correct Answer: Stereotyping, prejudice, or discrimination based on a
person's age
Rationale: Ageism is defined as stereotyping, prejudice, or discrimination
based on age. It can lead to poor health outcomes, reduced autonomy, and
lower quality of care for older adults. It is a social determinant of health that
nurses must actively work to identify and address in practice.
2. A nurse is preparing to discharge an 81-year-old client from the hospital.
The nurse recognizes that the majority of older adults:
A) Are dependent on others for their basic needs
B) Are capable of taking control of their own lives
C) Require long-term care placement after discharge
D) Are unable to manage their own medications
Correct Answer: Are capable of taking control of their own lives
Rationale: The majority of older adults are capable of taking control of their
own lives. This is an important concept to combat ageism and promote
,autonomy. Nurses should support older adults' independence and decision-
making capacity.
3. A nurse is completing an admission assessment on an older adult patient.
The nurse identifies which factor as a major contributor to falls in this
population?
A) Regular physical exercise
B) Polypharmacy
C) Low body mass index
D) Increased fluid intake
Correct Answer: Polypharmacy
Rationale: Polypharmacy, or the use of multiple medications, is a major risk
factor for falls in older adults. Many medications can cause dizziness,
orthostatic hypotension, or sedation, increasing fall risk. A history of falls is
the strongest predictor of future falls.
4. Which of the following statements accurately reflects data that the nurse
should use in planning care to meet the needs of the older adult population?
A) Older adults comprise the smallest group of prescription medication users
B) Adults older than 65 comprise the greatest users of prescription
medications
C) Older adults rarely require medication management
D) Prescription medication use decreases with age
Correct Answer: Adults older than 65 comprise the greatest users of
prescription medications
,Rationale: Adults older than 65 are the greatest users of prescription
medications. This highlights the importance of medication reconciliation,
polypharmacy assessment, and monitoring for adverse drug reactions in
older adult care.
5. The major risk of polypharmacy for the older adult is:
A) Increased medication effectiveness
B) Lower healthcare costs
C) Being treated by more than one physician
D) Improved health outcomes
Correct Answer: Being treated by more than one physician
Rationale: The major risk of polypharmacy in older adults is being treated by
more than one physician. This can lead to duplicate prescriptions, drug
interactions, and lack of coordination of care. Comprehensive medication
reconciliation is essential.
6. A nurse is aware that the majority of older adults:
A) Are socially isolated and withdrawn
B) Are actively involved in their community
C) Require institutional care
D) Are unable to learn new information
Correct Answer: Are actively involved in their community
Rationale: The majority of older adults are actively involved in their
community. This counters the stereotype that aging is associated with social
withdrawal. Community engagement is a component of successful aging.
, 7. Which of the following statements is true of gerontological nursing in older
adult populations?
A) Gerontological nurses only work in long-term care facilities
B) Gerontological nursing is a declining specialty
C) Nurses can expect to care for older adult clients across various care
settings at some point in their career
D) Gerontological nursing does not require specialized knowledge
Correct Answer: Nurses can expect to care for older adult clients across
various care settings at some point in their career
Rationale: Nurses can expect to care for older adult clients across various
care settings at some point in their career. The aging population ensures that
gerontological nursing knowledge is essential for all nurses, regardless of
practice setting.
8. Which of the following is the best definition of the term "geriatrics"?
A) A specialty that focuses on the healthcare of the elderly population
specific to disease and illness
B) The study of the aging process in all living organisms
C) A social movement advocating for older adult rights
D) The provision of end-of-life care for older adults
Correct Answer: A specialty that focuses on the healthcare of the elderly
population specific to disease and illness
Rationale: Geriatrics is a specialty that focuses on healthcare of the elderly
population specific to disease and illness. It is distinct from gerontology,
which is the broader study of the aging process.
Q&A | Geriatric Nurs.
1. Which of the following best defines the term "ageism" as it relates to the
care of older adults?
A) The biological process of cellular aging that occurs over time
B) Stereotyping, prejudice, or discrimination based on a person's age
C) A person's perception of their own age compared to their chronological
age
D) The functional ability of an individual to perform activities of daily living
Correct Answer: Stereotyping, prejudice, or discrimination based on a
person's age
Rationale: Ageism is defined as stereotyping, prejudice, or discrimination
based on age. It can lead to poor health outcomes, reduced autonomy, and
lower quality of care for older adults. It is a social determinant of health that
nurses must actively work to identify and address in practice.
2. A nurse is preparing to discharge an 81-year-old client from the hospital.
The nurse recognizes that the majority of older adults:
A) Are dependent on others for their basic needs
B) Are capable of taking control of their own lives
C) Require long-term care placement after discharge
D) Are unable to manage their own medications
Correct Answer: Are capable of taking control of their own lives
Rationale: The majority of older adults are capable of taking control of their
own lives. This is an important concept to combat ageism and promote
,autonomy. Nurses should support older adults' independence and decision-
making capacity.
3. A nurse is completing an admission assessment on an older adult patient.
The nurse identifies which factor as a major contributor to falls in this
population?
A) Regular physical exercise
B) Polypharmacy
C) Low body mass index
D) Increased fluid intake
Correct Answer: Polypharmacy
Rationale: Polypharmacy, or the use of multiple medications, is a major risk
factor for falls in older adults. Many medications can cause dizziness,
orthostatic hypotension, or sedation, increasing fall risk. A history of falls is
the strongest predictor of future falls.
4. Which of the following statements accurately reflects data that the nurse
should use in planning care to meet the needs of the older adult population?
A) Older adults comprise the smallest group of prescription medication users
B) Adults older than 65 comprise the greatest users of prescription
medications
C) Older adults rarely require medication management
D) Prescription medication use decreases with age
Correct Answer: Adults older than 65 comprise the greatest users of
prescription medications
,Rationale: Adults older than 65 are the greatest users of prescription
medications. This highlights the importance of medication reconciliation,
polypharmacy assessment, and monitoring for adverse drug reactions in
older adult care.
5. The major risk of polypharmacy for the older adult is:
A) Increased medication effectiveness
B) Lower healthcare costs
C) Being treated by more than one physician
D) Improved health outcomes
Correct Answer: Being treated by more than one physician
Rationale: The major risk of polypharmacy in older adults is being treated by
more than one physician. This can lead to duplicate prescriptions, drug
interactions, and lack of coordination of care. Comprehensive medication
reconciliation is essential.
6. A nurse is aware that the majority of older adults:
A) Are socially isolated and withdrawn
B) Are actively involved in their community
C) Require institutional care
D) Are unable to learn new information
Correct Answer: Are actively involved in their community
Rationale: The majority of older adults are actively involved in their
community. This counters the stereotype that aging is associated with social
withdrawal. Community engagement is a component of successful aging.
, 7. Which of the following statements is true of gerontological nursing in older
adult populations?
A) Gerontological nurses only work in long-term care facilities
B) Gerontological nursing is a declining specialty
C) Nurses can expect to care for older adult clients across various care
settings at some point in their career
D) Gerontological nursing does not require specialized knowledge
Correct Answer: Nurses can expect to care for older adult clients across
various care settings at some point in their career
Rationale: Nurses can expect to care for older adult clients across various
care settings at some point in their career. The aging population ensures that
gerontological nursing knowledge is essential for all nurses, regardless of
practice setting.
8. Which of the following is the best definition of the term "geriatrics"?
A) A specialty that focuses on the healthcare of the elderly population
specific to disease and illness
B) The study of the aging process in all living organisms
C) A social movement advocating for older adult rights
D) The provision of end-of-life care for older adults
Correct Answer: A specialty that focuses on the healthcare of the elderly
population specific to disease and illness
Rationale: Geriatrics is a specialty that focuses on healthcare of the elderly
population specific to disease and illness. It is distinct from gerontology,
which is the broader study of the aging process.
