NR 601 Midterm Exam: Primary Care of the Maturing and A… 2026 Update • Verified Answers
✓ VERIFIED • 2026 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NR 601 Midterm Exam: Primary Care of the Maturing
and Aged Family 2026 UPDATE
Actual Exam Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations)
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Full Rationales
Status: Verified & Updated for 2026
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 1
,NR 601 Midterm Exam: Primary Care of the Maturing and A… 2026 Update • Verified Answers
Questions & Verified Answers
1. Which physiological change in the elderly significantly affects the distribution of lipophilic
drugs?
A. Increased percentage of body fat
B. Increased total body water
C. Decreased total body fat
D. Increased serum albumin levels
Answer: A
Rationale: As people age, the percentage of body fat typically increases while total body water decreases. This
leads to a larger volume of distribution for lipophilic (fat-soluble) drugs, potentially extending their half-life.
Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate
patient education.
2. When assessing an older adult, which tool is specifically designed to screen for depression?
A. MMSE
B. MoCA
C. GDS (Geriatric Depression Scale)
D. CAGE Questionnaire
Answer: C
Rationale: The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) is a validated screening tool specifically designed for older
adults to identify depressive symptoms. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate
complications, and provide accurate patient education. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this
concept from closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
3. According to the Beers Criteria, which medication should be avoided in older adults due to
its strong anticholinergic effects?
A. Amitriptyline
B. Lisinopril
C. Metformin
D. Amlodipine
Answer: A
Rationale: Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant with significant anticholinergic side effects, which can
cause confusion, sedation, and urinary retention in the elderly. This is an important clinical concept because
selecting the correct answer (A) requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing
implications.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 2
, NR 601 Midterm Exam: Primary Care of the Maturing and A… 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. A 75-year-old patient presents with acute onset confusion and fluctuating levels of
consciousness. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Alzheimer’s Disease
B. Vascular Dementia
C. Delirium
D. Major Depressive Disorder
Answer: C
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by an acute onset, fluctuating course, and disturbances in attention and
consciousness, often triggered by an underlying medical condition. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings
supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
5. Which of the following is considered an Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL)?
A. Managing finances
B. Bathing
C. Dressing
D. Toileting
Answer: A
Rationale: IADLs are more complex tasks necessary for living independently in the community, such as
managing finances, cooking, and shopping, whereas ADLs are basic self-care tasks like bathing and dressing.
This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (A) requires understanding both the
pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
6. What is the recommended A1C target for a frail older adult with multiple chronic illnesses
and limited life expectancy?
A. Below 6.5%
B. 8.0% to 8.5%
C. Below 7.0%
D. 9.0% to 10.0%
Answer: B
Rationale: For frail elderly patients with multiple comorbidities, a less stringent A1C target (8.0-8.5%) is
recommended to avoid the risks of hypoglycemia. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care,
anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education. Exam questions often test the ability to
distinguish this concept from closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 3
✓ VERIFIED • 2026 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NR 601 Midterm Exam: Primary Care of the Maturing
and Aged Family 2026 UPDATE
Actual Exam Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations)
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Full Rationales
Status: Verified & Updated for 2026
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 1
,NR 601 Midterm Exam: Primary Care of the Maturing and A… 2026 Update • Verified Answers
Questions & Verified Answers
1. Which physiological change in the elderly significantly affects the distribution of lipophilic
drugs?
A. Increased percentage of body fat
B. Increased total body water
C. Decreased total body fat
D. Increased serum albumin levels
Answer: A
Rationale: As people age, the percentage of body fat typically increases while total body water decreases. This
leads to a larger volume of distribution for lipophilic (fat-soluble) drugs, potentially extending their half-life.
Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate
patient education.
2. When assessing an older adult, which tool is specifically designed to screen for depression?
A. MMSE
B. MoCA
C. GDS (Geriatric Depression Scale)
D. CAGE Questionnaire
Answer: C
Rationale: The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) is a validated screening tool specifically designed for older
adults to identify depressive symptoms. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate
complications, and provide accurate patient education. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this
concept from closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
3. According to the Beers Criteria, which medication should be avoided in older adults due to
its strong anticholinergic effects?
A. Amitriptyline
B. Lisinopril
C. Metformin
D. Amlodipine
Answer: A
Rationale: Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant with significant anticholinergic side effects, which can
cause confusion, sedation, and urinary retention in the elderly. This is an important clinical concept because
selecting the correct answer (A) requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing
implications.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 2
, NR 601 Midterm Exam: Primary Care of the Maturing and A… 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. A 75-year-old patient presents with acute onset confusion and fluctuating levels of
consciousness. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Alzheimer’s Disease
B. Vascular Dementia
C. Delirium
D. Major Depressive Disorder
Answer: C
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by an acute onset, fluctuating course, and disturbances in attention and
consciousness, often triggered by an underlying medical condition. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings
supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
5. Which of the following is considered an Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL)?
A. Managing finances
B. Bathing
C. Dressing
D. Toileting
Answer: A
Rationale: IADLs are more complex tasks necessary for living independently in the community, such as
managing finances, cooking, and shopping, whereas ADLs are basic self-care tasks like bathing and dressing.
This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (A) requires understanding both the
pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
6. What is the recommended A1C target for a frail older adult with multiple chronic illnesses
and limited life expectancy?
A. Below 6.5%
B. 8.0% to 8.5%
C. Below 7.0%
D. 9.0% to 10.0%
Answer: B
Rationale: For frail elderly patients with multiple comorbidities, a less stringent A1C target (8.0-8.5%) is
recommended to avoid the risks of hypoglycemia. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care,
anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education. Exam questions often test the ability to
distinguish this concept from closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 3
