,NU176/NU 176 Exam 3 | Geriatric Nursing |
Galen College | Q & A | 2026/2027 Edition
(PDF
1. A nurse is providing education to a group of older adults about normal age-related changes. Which of
the following is a normal age-related change in the cardiovascular system?
A) Decreased cardiac output and increased blood pressure
B) Increased cardiac output and decreased blood pressure
C) Decreased peripheral vascular resistance
D) Increased maximum heart rate
Correct Answer: Decreased cardiac output and increased blood pressure
Rationale: Normal age-related cardiovascular changes include decreased cardiac output, increased
blood pressure (due to decreased elasticity of arteries), and decreased maximum heart rate. Peripheral
vascular resistance typically increases. These changes increase the risk of hypertension and heart failure.
2. A 72-year-old client asks the nurse about normal age-related changes in the respiratory system.
Which of the following should the nurse include in the response?
A) Increased lung elasticity
B) Decreased vital capacity
C) Increased vital capacity
D) Decreased residual volume
Correct Answer: Decreased vital capacity
Rationale: Normal age-related respiratory changes include decreased lung elasticity, decreased vital
capacity, increased residual volume, and decreased respiratory muscle strength. These changes increase
the risk of respiratory infections and make breathing less efficient.
,3. An older adult patient reports difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds and following conversations in
noisy environments. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Conductive hearing loss
B) Sensorineural hearing loss (presbycusis)
C) Otosclerosis
D) Cerumen impaction
Correct Answer: Sensorineural hearing loss (presbycusis)
Rationale: Presbycusis is the age-related sensorineural hearing loss characterized by bilateral, symmetric
loss of high-frequency sounds. It is the most common type of hearing loss in older adults.
4. A 78-year-old client reports difficulty reading fine print. The nurse understands that this is most likely
due to:
A) Cataracts
B) Presbyopia
C) Glaucoma
D) Macular degeneration
Correct Answer: Presbyopia
Rationale: Presbyopia is the age-related loss of the ability to focus on near objects due to decreased lens
elasticity. It typically becomes noticeable around age 40 and progresses with age.
5. A nurse is teaching a group of older adults about healthy aging. Which of the following is the most
important recommendation for maintaining cognitive health?
A) Avoid all physical activity
B) Engage in regular physical and mental activity
C) Isolate from others to reduce stress
D) Focus only on physical health
, Correct Answer: Engage in regular physical and mental activity
Rationale: Regular physical and mental activity is important for maintaining cognitive health. Physical
activity improves cardiovascular health and blood flow to the brain. Mental stimulation (reading,
puzzles, social interaction) helps maintain cognitive function.
6. Which of the following is a normal age-related cognitive change?
A) Significant memory loss interfering with daily activities
B) Difficulty finding the right word occasionally
C) Confusion about time and place
D) Inability to perform activities of daily living
Correct Answer: Difficulty finding the right word occasionally
Rationale: Normal age-related cognitive changes include mild forgetfulness, slower processing speed,
and occasional difficulty finding the right word. Significant memory loss, confusion about time and place,
and inability to perform ADLs are not normal and require further evaluation.
7. A 70-year-old female is at risk for osteoporosis. Which of the following is the most appropriate
recommendation for calcium and vitamin D intake?
A) 800 mg calcium and 400 IU vitamin D daily
B) 1000 mg calcium and 600 IU vitamin D daily
C) 1200 mg calcium and 800 IU vitamin D daily
D) 1500 mg calcium and 1000 IU vitamin D daily
Correct Answer: 1200 mg calcium and 800 IU vitamin D daily
Rationale: The Institute of Medicine recommends 1200 mg of calcium and 800 IU of vitamin D daily for
women over 50 and men over 70. Adequate calcium and vitamin D intake is essential for bone health
and prevention of osteoporosis.
Galen College | Q & A | 2026/2027 Edition
1. A nurse is providing education to a group of older adults about normal age-related changes. Which of
the following is a normal age-related change in the cardiovascular system?
A) Decreased cardiac output and increased blood pressure
B) Increased cardiac output and decreased blood pressure
C) Decreased peripheral vascular resistance
D) Increased maximum heart rate
Correct Answer: Decreased cardiac output and increased blood pressure
Rationale: Normal age-related cardiovascular changes include decreased cardiac output, increased
blood pressure (due to decreased elasticity of arteries), and decreased maximum heart rate. Peripheral
vascular resistance typically increases. These changes increase the risk of hypertension and heart failure.
2. A 72-year-old client asks the nurse about normal age-related changes in the respiratory system.
Which of the following should the nurse include in the response?
A) Increased lung elasticity
B) Decreased vital capacity
C) Increased vital capacity
D) Decreased residual volume
Correct Answer: Decreased vital capacity
Rationale: Normal age-related respiratory changes include decreased lung elasticity, decreased vital
capacity, increased residual volume, and decreased respiratory muscle strength. These changes increase
the risk of respiratory infections and make breathing less efficient.
,3. An older adult patient reports difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds and following conversations in
noisy environments. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Conductive hearing loss
B) Sensorineural hearing loss (presbycusis)
C) Otosclerosis
D) Cerumen impaction
Correct Answer: Sensorineural hearing loss (presbycusis)
Rationale: Presbycusis is the age-related sensorineural hearing loss characterized by bilateral, symmetric
loss of high-frequency sounds. It is the most common type of hearing loss in older adults.
4. A 78-year-old client reports difficulty reading fine print. The nurse understands that this is most likely
due to:
A) Cataracts
B) Presbyopia
C) Glaucoma
D) Macular degeneration
Correct Answer: Presbyopia
Rationale: Presbyopia is the age-related loss of the ability to focus on near objects due to decreased lens
elasticity. It typically becomes noticeable around age 40 and progresses with age.
5. A nurse is teaching a group of older adults about healthy aging. Which of the following is the most
important recommendation for maintaining cognitive health?
A) Avoid all physical activity
B) Engage in regular physical and mental activity
C) Isolate from others to reduce stress
D) Focus only on physical health
, Correct Answer: Engage in regular physical and mental activity
Rationale: Regular physical and mental activity is important for maintaining cognitive health. Physical
activity improves cardiovascular health and blood flow to the brain. Mental stimulation (reading,
puzzles, social interaction) helps maintain cognitive function.
6. Which of the following is a normal age-related cognitive change?
A) Significant memory loss interfering with daily activities
B) Difficulty finding the right word occasionally
C) Confusion about time and place
D) Inability to perform activities of daily living
Correct Answer: Difficulty finding the right word occasionally
Rationale: Normal age-related cognitive changes include mild forgetfulness, slower processing speed,
and occasional difficulty finding the right word. Significant memory loss, confusion about time and place,
and inability to perform ADLs are not normal and require further evaluation.
7. A 70-year-old female is at risk for osteoporosis. Which of the following is the most appropriate
recommendation for calcium and vitamin D intake?
A) 800 mg calcium and 400 IU vitamin D daily
B) 1000 mg calcium and 600 IU vitamin D daily
C) 1200 mg calcium and 800 IU vitamin D daily
D) 1500 mg calcium and 1000 IU vitamin D daily
Correct Answer: 1200 mg calcium and 800 IU vitamin D daily
Rationale: The Institute of Medicine recommends 1200 mg of calcium and 800 IU of vitamin D daily for
women over 50 and men over 70. Adequate calcium and vitamin D intake is essential for bone health
and prevention of osteoporosis.
