Gerontological Nursing Certification (GERO-BC) Exam –
Complete Test Bank (Latest 2025/2026 Edition)
Questions 1–250
1. An 82-year-old patient reports difficulty hearing during conversations,
especially in crowded rooms. Which nursing action best distinguishes age-
related hearing loss from a treatable cause?
A) Refer the patient to an audiologist for hearing aid evaluation
B) Perform the whispered voice test and inspect the ear canal for cerumen
impaction
C) Schedule a comprehensive audiology assessment
D) Advise the patient to use a pocket talker device
,Answer B: Perform the whispered voice test and inspect the ear canal for
cerumen impaction
Rationale: Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) must be distinguished from
reversible causes such as cerumen impaction, which is common in older
adults.
2. An 80-year-old patient with hypertension reports dizziness when standing
up. The nurse notes a blood pressure drop from 142/88 mmHg supine to
110/72 mmHg standing. Which intervention should the nurse implement?
A) Administer a fluid bolus
B) Instruct the patient to rise slowly and dangle feet before standing
C) Increase the antihypertensive medication dose
D) Place the patient on bed rest
Answer B: Instruct the patient to rise slowly and dangle feet before standing
Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension (drop >20 mmHg systolic or >10 mmHg
diastolic) is managed with slow position changes and dangling feet before
standing.
3. Which of the following findings is most likely a normal age-related change
in the visual system?
A) Sudden loss of peripheral vision
,B) Decreased ability to accommodate near objects
C) Persistent red-green color blindness
D) Complete loss of night vision
Answer B: Decreased ability to accommodate near objects
Rationale: With aging, the lens becomes less flexible, reducing near
accommodation (presbyopia). Sudden peripheral loss suggests glaucoma.
4. An 82-year-old man presents with a gait that becomes unsteady when
turning. Which geriatric syndrome is most closely associated with this
presentation?
A) Urinary incontinence
B) Falls risk
C) Sleep apnea
D) Polypharmacy
Answer B: Falls risk
Rationale: Turning increases proprioceptive demands; instability during
turning is a classic indicator of elevated falls risk.
5. A patient's Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score is 24 out of 30.
This most likely indicates:
A) Normal cognition for age
, B) Mild cognitive impairment or early dementia
C) Severe dementia
D) Delirium
Answer B: Mild cognitive impairment or early dementia
Rationale: Scores 24–27 suggest mild cognitive impairment; <24 indicates
moderate to severe dementia.
6. Which laboratory value is expected to decline physiologically with age,
potentially leading to an overestimation of renal function if not corrected?
A) Serum potassium
B) Creatinine clearance
C) Serum calcium
D) Hemoglobin
Answer B: Creatinine clearance
Rationale: Age-related loss of muscle mass reduces serum creatinine, falsely
elevating estimated GFR; true creatinine clearance declines.
7. A frailty assessment shows unintentional weight loss, exhaustion, low
physical activity, slow gait, and weak grip strength. According to Fried's
criteria, the patient is classified as:
A) Robust
Complete Test Bank (Latest 2025/2026 Edition)
Questions 1–250
1. An 82-year-old patient reports difficulty hearing during conversations,
especially in crowded rooms. Which nursing action best distinguishes age-
related hearing loss from a treatable cause?
A) Refer the patient to an audiologist for hearing aid evaluation
B) Perform the whispered voice test and inspect the ear canal for cerumen
impaction
C) Schedule a comprehensive audiology assessment
D) Advise the patient to use a pocket talker device
,Answer B: Perform the whispered voice test and inspect the ear canal for
cerumen impaction
Rationale: Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) must be distinguished from
reversible causes such as cerumen impaction, which is common in older
adults.
2. An 80-year-old patient with hypertension reports dizziness when standing
up. The nurse notes a blood pressure drop from 142/88 mmHg supine to
110/72 mmHg standing. Which intervention should the nurse implement?
A) Administer a fluid bolus
B) Instruct the patient to rise slowly and dangle feet before standing
C) Increase the antihypertensive medication dose
D) Place the patient on bed rest
Answer B: Instruct the patient to rise slowly and dangle feet before standing
Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension (drop >20 mmHg systolic or >10 mmHg
diastolic) is managed with slow position changes and dangling feet before
standing.
3. Which of the following findings is most likely a normal age-related change
in the visual system?
A) Sudden loss of peripheral vision
,B) Decreased ability to accommodate near objects
C) Persistent red-green color blindness
D) Complete loss of night vision
Answer B: Decreased ability to accommodate near objects
Rationale: With aging, the lens becomes less flexible, reducing near
accommodation (presbyopia). Sudden peripheral loss suggests glaucoma.
4. An 82-year-old man presents with a gait that becomes unsteady when
turning. Which geriatric syndrome is most closely associated with this
presentation?
A) Urinary incontinence
B) Falls risk
C) Sleep apnea
D) Polypharmacy
Answer B: Falls risk
Rationale: Turning increases proprioceptive demands; instability during
turning is a classic indicator of elevated falls risk.
5. A patient's Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score is 24 out of 30.
This most likely indicates:
A) Normal cognition for age
, B) Mild cognitive impairment or early dementia
C) Severe dementia
D) Delirium
Answer B: Mild cognitive impairment or early dementia
Rationale: Scores 24–27 suggest mild cognitive impairment; <24 indicates
moderate to severe dementia.
6. Which laboratory value is expected to decline physiologically with age,
potentially leading to an overestimation of renal function if not corrected?
A) Serum potassium
B) Creatinine clearance
C) Serum calcium
D) Hemoglobin
Answer B: Creatinine clearance
Rationale: Age-related loss of muscle mass reduces serum creatinine, falsely
elevating estimated GFR; true creatinine clearance declines.
7. A frailty assessment shows unintentional weight loss, exhaustion, low
physical activity, slow gait, and weak grip strength. According to Fried's
criteria, the patient is classified as:
A) Robust
