NUR 257 Aging & Gerontology Exam Questions
with Correct Answers (VerifiedAnswers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant Download PDF
Question 1
A nurse is assessing an older adult who reports increasing
difficulty hearing conversations. Which finding is most
consistent with presbycusis?
A. Sudden unilateral hearing loss
B. Conductive hearing loss caused by cerumen
C. Gradual, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, especially
affecting high-frequency sounds
D. Hearing loss accompanied by severe vertigo
Rationale: Presbycusis is an age-related, progressive
sensorineural hearing loss that typically affects both ears and is
most noticeable with high-frequency sounds. Older adults may
have difficulty understanding speech, particularly when
background noise is present. Sudden or unilateral hearing loss is
not considered a normal consequence of aging and requires
further evaluation.
,Question 2
Which physiological change is expected as part of normal
aging?
A. Increased total body water
B. Increased renal blood flow
C. Increased lung elasticity
D. Decreased skin elasticity
Rationale: Normal aging is associated with decreased collagen
and elastin, resulting in thinner, less elastic skin and increased
susceptibility to bruising and skin injury. Older adults also
generally experience decreased total body water, reduced renal
blood flow, and decreased pulmonary elasticity. These changes
can influence medication distribution, hydration status, and
respiratory function.
Question 3
An older adult asks why the skin bruises more easily than it did
when the person was younger. What is the nurse's best
explanation?
A. The blood becomes more concentrated with age.
B. The skin becomes thinner and subcutaneous tissue
decreases with age.
,C. Platelet production normally stops after age 65.
D. Older adults normally develop a clotting disorder.
Rationale: Aging causes thinning of the epidermis and dermis,
reduced subcutaneous fat, and increased fragility of small blood
vessels. These changes make older adults more susceptible to
bruising and skin tears. Easy bruising should still be assessed
carefully because medications, nutritional deficiencies, liver
disease, and hematologic disorders can also contribute.
Question 4
Which cardiovascular change is commonly associated with
normal aging?
A. Increased maximum heart rate
B. Increased arterial elasticity
C. Increased arterial stiffness
D. Increased cardiac reserve
Rationale: Aging is associated with progressive stiffening of
arterial walls, which contributes to increased systolic blood
pressure and increased afterload. Maximum heart rate and
cardiac reserve generally decline with age. These changes do
not necessarily indicate cardiovascular disease, although
abnormal symptoms should always be evaluated.
, Question 5
An older adult becomes dizzy when standing after lying in bed.
Which age-related change contributes most directly to this
problem?
A. Increased baroreceptor sensitivity
B. Increased circulating blood volume
C. Reduced baroreceptor responsiveness
D. Increased venous return
Rationale: Aging decreases the sensitivity and responsiveness of
the baroreceptor system that helps regulate blood pressure
when body position changes. As a result, older adults may
experience orthostatic hypotension when moving from lying or
sitting to standing. Nurses should encourage gradual position
changes and assess medications, hydration, and fall risk.
Question 6
Which intervention is most appropriate for reducing fall risk in
an older adult?
A. Keep the room dark at night.
B. Encourage the client to remain in bed most of the day.
C. Remove environmental hazards and provide adequate
lighting.
D. Encourage the client to walk without assistive devices.
with Correct Answers (VerifiedAnswers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant Download PDF
Question 1
A nurse is assessing an older adult who reports increasing
difficulty hearing conversations. Which finding is most
consistent with presbycusis?
A. Sudden unilateral hearing loss
B. Conductive hearing loss caused by cerumen
C. Gradual, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, especially
affecting high-frequency sounds
D. Hearing loss accompanied by severe vertigo
Rationale: Presbycusis is an age-related, progressive
sensorineural hearing loss that typically affects both ears and is
most noticeable with high-frequency sounds. Older adults may
have difficulty understanding speech, particularly when
background noise is present. Sudden or unilateral hearing loss is
not considered a normal consequence of aging and requires
further evaluation.
,Question 2
Which physiological change is expected as part of normal
aging?
A. Increased total body water
B. Increased renal blood flow
C. Increased lung elasticity
D. Decreased skin elasticity
Rationale: Normal aging is associated with decreased collagen
and elastin, resulting in thinner, less elastic skin and increased
susceptibility to bruising and skin injury. Older adults also
generally experience decreased total body water, reduced renal
blood flow, and decreased pulmonary elasticity. These changes
can influence medication distribution, hydration status, and
respiratory function.
Question 3
An older adult asks why the skin bruises more easily than it did
when the person was younger. What is the nurse's best
explanation?
A. The blood becomes more concentrated with age.
B. The skin becomes thinner and subcutaneous tissue
decreases with age.
,C. Platelet production normally stops after age 65.
D. Older adults normally develop a clotting disorder.
Rationale: Aging causes thinning of the epidermis and dermis,
reduced subcutaneous fat, and increased fragility of small blood
vessels. These changes make older adults more susceptible to
bruising and skin tears. Easy bruising should still be assessed
carefully because medications, nutritional deficiencies, liver
disease, and hematologic disorders can also contribute.
Question 4
Which cardiovascular change is commonly associated with
normal aging?
A. Increased maximum heart rate
B. Increased arterial elasticity
C. Increased arterial stiffness
D. Increased cardiac reserve
Rationale: Aging is associated with progressive stiffening of
arterial walls, which contributes to increased systolic blood
pressure and increased afterload. Maximum heart rate and
cardiac reserve generally decline with age. These changes do
not necessarily indicate cardiovascular disease, although
abnormal symptoms should always be evaluated.
, Question 5
An older adult becomes dizzy when standing after lying in bed.
Which age-related change contributes most directly to this
problem?
A. Increased baroreceptor sensitivity
B. Increased circulating blood volume
C. Reduced baroreceptor responsiveness
D. Increased venous return
Rationale: Aging decreases the sensitivity and responsiveness of
the baroreceptor system that helps regulate blood pressure
when body position changes. As a result, older adults may
experience orthostatic hypotension when moving from lying or
sitting to standing. Nurses should encourage gradual position
changes and assess medications, hydration, and fall risk.
Question 6
Which intervention is most appropriate for reducing fall risk in
an older adult?
A. Keep the room dark at night.
B. Encourage the client to remain in bed most of the day.
C. Remove environmental hazards and provide adequate
lighting.
D. Encourage the client to walk without assistive devices.
