GERO-BC Prep: Practice Questions
plus Correct Answers for the
Gerontological Nursing Certification
Exam Already GRADED A+
Foundational Concepts & Assessment
1. Which option refers to the highest level of human functioning
according to Maslow?
a. Biological and physical integrity
b. Safety and security
c. Self-esteem
d. Self-actualization
o Correct Answer: d. Self-actualization
2. A man is terminally ill with end-stage prostate cancer. Which is the
best statement about this man's wellness?
a. Wellness is possible in the management of his medical care.
b. Wellness is unfortunately not a real option for this client.
c. Wellness is the same thing as faith healing, and if the client
would be more receptive, then he could be back at work in a few
weeks.
d. Nursing interventions can help empower a client to achieve a
higher level of wellness.
o Correct Answer: d. Nursing interventions can help
empower a client to achieve a higher level of wellness.
3. In differentiating between health and wellness in health care, which
of the following statements is true?
a. Health is a broad term encompassing attitudes and behaviors.
b. The concept of illness prevention was never considered by
previous generations.
c. Wellness and self-actualization develop through learning and
, growth.
d. Wellness is determined by the absence of disease.
o Correct Answer: c. Wellness and self-actualization
develop through learning and growth.
4. The nurse prepares for the arrival of older adults evacuated from a
hurricane to a shelter for short-term care. Which of the following is
the priority nursing intervention?
a. Demonstrate that the staff is prepared to meet their needs.
b. Use individual medical records to develop a medication plan.
c. Help older adults display family photographs and memorabilia.
d. Help older adults teach one another a new skill in the shelter.
o Correct Answer: b. Use individual medical records to
develop a medication plan.
5. According to researchers, which characteristic will most
centenarians share in the future?
a. Female
b. Demented
c. Malnourished
d. Wheelchair bound
o Correct Answer: a. Female
6. An older woman tells the nurse that she has experienced
increasing fatigue and shortness of breath over the last 2 days.
Which goal is the nurse's priority?
a. Promote safety to prevent injury.
b. Complete nutritional assessment.
c. Balance exercise and rest periods.
d. Explore the woman's complaints.
o Correct Answer: d. Explore the woman's complaints.
7. The nurse develops a community program to promote exercise for
older adults. Which should the nurse include in the exercise
program?
a. Reinforce the ease of exercising every day.
b. Use exercise to relax any dietary restrictions.
c. Describe ways to resume exercise after lapses.
d. Participate because exercise achieves wellness.
, o Correct Answer: c. Describe ways to resume exercise after
lapses.
8. Which statement describes aging in developing countries?
a. Aged dependence is likely to improve from 1:4 to 1:2.
b. The biggest problem for older adults will be the lack of food.
c. Most older adults are likely to reside in these countries.
d. Similar to fertility, life expectancy is increasing, although at a
different rate.
o Correct Answer: c. Most older adults are likely to reside
in these countries.
9. The nurse explains that in the late 1960s, health care focus was
aimed at the older adult because:
a. disability was viewed as unavoidable
b. complications from disease increased mortality
c. older adults are similar to those of all adults
d. preventive health care practices increased longevity
o Correct Answer: d. preventive health care practices
increased longevity
10. The nurse clarifies that in the terminology defining specific
age groups, the term aged refers to persons who are:
a. 55 to 64 years of age
b. 65-74 years of age
c. 75-84 years of age
d. 85 and older
o Correct Answer: c. 75-84 years of age
Clinical Assessment & Disorders
11. An older adult presents with new-onset visual changes, halos
around lights, and eye pain. Which condition is most likely?
a. Age-related macular degeneration
b. Cataract
c. Glaucoma (acute angle-closure)
d. Diabetic retinopathy
o Correct Answer: c. Glaucoma (acute angle-closure)
, 12. Which assessment tool is specifically designed to screen for
depression in older adults?
a. PHQ-9
b. Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)
c. Beck Depression Inventory
d. Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression
o Correct Answer: b. Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)
13. Which of the following is a normal age-related change in the
cardiovascular system?
a. Increased resting heart rate
b. Decreased compliance of the aorta (increased pulse wave
velocity)
c. Increased cardiac output
d. Decreased systolic blood pressure
o Correct Answer: b. Decreased compliance of the aorta
(increased stiffness)
14. A patient has hyperactive reflexes of the lower extremities.
The gerontological nurse practitioner assesses for ankle clonus by:
a. applying a low-pitched tuning fork firmly to the lateral malleolus.
b. sharply dorsiflexing and maintaining the foot in this position,
while supporting the knee.
c. striking the Achilles tendon with the percussion hammer after
flexing the leg at the knee and rotating it externally.
d. stroking the lateral aspect of the sole with the sharp end of the
percussion hammer from the heel to the ball of the foot.
o Correct Answer: b. sharply dorsiflexing and maintaining
the foot in this position, while supporting the knee.
15. Temporal arteritis requires immediate treatment in order to
prevent:
a. blindness in the affected eye.
b. facial nerve palsy.
c. transient ischemic attack.
d. trigeminal neuralgia.
o Correct Answer: a. blindness in the affected eye.
16. A 70-year-old man is seeing a nurse practitioner because he
is feeling weak and dizzy. The nurse practitioner is discussing a
plus Correct Answers for the
Gerontological Nursing Certification
Exam Already GRADED A+
Foundational Concepts & Assessment
1. Which option refers to the highest level of human functioning
according to Maslow?
a. Biological and physical integrity
b. Safety and security
c. Self-esteem
d. Self-actualization
o Correct Answer: d. Self-actualization
2. A man is terminally ill with end-stage prostate cancer. Which is the
best statement about this man's wellness?
a. Wellness is possible in the management of his medical care.
b. Wellness is unfortunately not a real option for this client.
c. Wellness is the same thing as faith healing, and if the client
would be more receptive, then he could be back at work in a few
weeks.
d. Nursing interventions can help empower a client to achieve a
higher level of wellness.
o Correct Answer: d. Nursing interventions can help
empower a client to achieve a higher level of wellness.
3. In differentiating between health and wellness in health care, which
of the following statements is true?
a. Health is a broad term encompassing attitudes and behaviors.
b. The concept of illness prevention was never considered by
previous generations.
c. Wellness and self-actualization develop through learning and
, growth.
d. Wellness is determined by the absence of disease.
o Correct Answer: c. Wellness and self-actualization
develop through learning and growth.
4. The nurse prepares for the arrival of older adults evacuated from a
hurricane to a shelter for short-term care. Which of the following is
the priority nursing intervention?
a. Demonstrate that the staff is prepared to meet their needs.
b. Use individual medical records to develop a medication plan.
c. Help older adults display family photographs and memorabilia.
d. Help older adults teach one another a new skill in the shelter.
o Correct Answer: b. Use individual medical records to
develop a medication plan.
5. According to researchers, which characteristic will most
centenarians share in the future?
a. Female
b. Demented
c. Malnourished
d. Wheelchair bound
o Correct Answer: a. Female
6. An older woman tells the nurse that she has experienced
increasing fatigue and shortness of breath over the last 2 days.
Which goal is the nurse's priority?
a. Promote safety to prevent injury.
b. Complete nutritional assessment.
c. Balance exercise and rest periods.
d. Explore the woman's complaints.
o Correct Answer: d. Explore the woman's complaints.
7. The nurse develops a community program to promote exercise for
older adults. Which should the nurse include in the exercise
program?
a. Reinforce the ease of exercising every day.
b. Use exercise to relax any dietary restrictions.
c. Describe ways to resume exercise after lapses.
d. Participate because exercise achieves wellness.
, o Correct Answer: c. Describe ways to resume exercise after
lapses.
8. Which statement describes aging in developing countries?
a. Aged dependence is likely to improve from 1:4 to 1:2.
b. The biggest problem for older adults will be the lack of food.
c. Most older adults are likely to reside in these countries.
d. Similar to fertility, life expectancy is increasing, although at a
different rate.
o Correct Answer: c. Most older adults are likely to reside
in these countries.
9. The nurse explains that in the late 1960s, health care focus was
aimed at the older adult because:
a. disability was viewed as unavoidable
b. complications from disease increased mortality
c. older adults are similar to those of all adults
d. preventive health care practices increased longevity
o Correct Answer: d. preventive health care practices
increased longevity
10. The nurse clarifies that in the terminology defining specific
age groups, the term aged refers to persons who are:
a. 55 to 64 years of age
b. 65-74 years of age
c. 75-84 years of age
d. 85 and older
o Correct Answer: c. 75-84 years of age
Clinical Assessment & Disorders
11. An older adult presents with new-onset visual changes, halos
around lights, and eye pain. Which condition is most likely?
a. Age-related macular degeneration
b. Cataract
c. Glaucoma (acute angle-closure)
d. Diabetic retinopathy
o Correct Answer: c. Glaucoma (acute angle-closure)
, 12. Which assessment tool is specifically designed to screen for
depression in older adults?
a. PHQ-9
b. Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)
c. Beck Depression Inventory
d. Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression
o Correct Answer: b. Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)
13. Which of the following is a normal age-related change in the
cardiovascular system?
a. Increased resting heart rate
b. Decreased compliance of the aorta (increased pulse wave
velocity)
c. Increased cardiac output
d. Decreased systolic blood pressure
o Correct Answer: b. Decreased compliance of the aorta
(increased stiffness)
14. A patient has hyperactive reflexes of the lower extremities.
The gerontological nurse practitioner assesses for ankle clonus by:
a. applying a low-pitched tuning fork firmly to the lateral malleolus.
b. sharply dorsiflexing and maintaining the foot in this position,
while supporting the knee.
c. striking the Achilles tendon with the percussion hammer after
flexing the leg at the knee and rotating it externally.
d. stroking the lateral aspect of the sole with the sharp end of the
percussion hammer from the heel to the ball of the foot.
o Correct Answer: b. sharply dorsiflexing and maintaining
the foot in this position, while supporting the knee.
15. Temporal arteritis requires immediate treatment in order to
prevent:
a. blindness in the affected eye.
b. facial nerve palsy.
c. transient ischemic attack.
d. trigeminal neuralgia.
o Correct Answer: a. blindness in the affected eye.
16. A 70-year-old man is seeing a nurse practitioner because he
is feeling weak and dizzy. The nurse practitioner is discussing a
