U N I V E R S I T Y O F A L A B A M A AT B I R M I N G H A M · S C H O O L O F N U R S I N G
NUR 612 Exam 1
Practice Question Bank
NCLEX-Style Practice Questions with Rationales
Topic Focus: Gerontology, Hematology, Health Promotion, Pharmacology
Edition 1 · September 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales 2
NUR 612 · UAB Page 1
,NUR 612 PRACTICE GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
Read each stem, choose your answer, then check the rationale directly below it. The correct
option is marked, and each wrong option is explained so you understand why it's wrong — not
just that it is.
Category: Gerontology, Hematology, Health Promotion, Pharmacology
1 The major impact of the physiological changes that occur with aging is:
A Reduced physiological reserve
B Reduced homeostatic mechanisms
C Impaired immunological response
D All of the above
Correct Answer: D — Aging impacts all three: reduced physiological reserve, reduced
homeostatic mechanisms, and impaired immunological response.
A — Correct but incomplete.
B — Correct but incomplete.
C — Correct but incomplete.
,2 The strongest evidence regarding normal physiological aging is available through:
A Randomized controlled clinical trials
B Cross-sectional studies
C Longitudinal studies
D Case control studies
Correct Answer: C — Longitudinal studies provide the strongest evidence regarding
normal physiological aging by tracking the same individuals over time.
A — RCTs are the gold standard for interventions, not aging.
B — Cross-sectional studies compare different age groups.
D — Case control studies are retrospective.
3 All of the following statements are true about laboratory values in older adults
except:
A Reference ranges are preferable
B Abnormal findings are often due to physiological aging
C Normal ranges may not be applicable for older adults
D Reference values are not necessarily acceptable value
Correct Answer: B — Abnormal findings are NOT often due to physiological aging; they
should be investigated as potential pathology.
A — True: reference ranges are preferable.
C — True: normal ranges may not apply to older adults.
D — True: reference values are not necessarily acceptable.
, 4 Biochemical individuality is best described as:
A Each individual's variation is often much greater than that of a larger group
B The unique biochemical profile of a selected population
C The truly "normal" individual—falling within average range
D Each individual's variation is often much smaller than that of a larger group
Correct Answer: D — Biochemical individuality means each individual's variation is often
much smaller than that of a larger group.
A — This is the opposite of the definition.
B — This describes population biochemistry.
C — This does not account for individual variation.
5 Polypharmacy is best described as taking:
A More than nine medications per day
B More than five medications per day
C Even a single medication if there is not a clear indication for its use
D When a drug is given to treat the side effect of another drug
Correct Answer: C — Polypharmacy is taking even a single medication if there is not a clear
indication for its use.
A — The number of medications is not the defining factor.
B — The number of medications is not the defining factor.
D — This describes a prescribing cascade.
NUR 612 Exam 1
Practice Question Bank
NCLEX-Style Practice Questions with Rationales
Topic Focus: Gerontology, Hematology, Health Promotion, Pharmacology
Edition 1 · September 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales 2
NUR 612 · UAB Page 1
,NUR 612 PRACTICE GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
Read each stem, choose your answer, then check the rationale directly below it. The correct
option is marked, and each wrong option is explained so you understand why it's wrong — not
just that it is.
Category: Gerontology, Hematology, Health Promotion, Pharmacology
1 The major impact of the physiological changes that occur with aging is:
A Reduced physiological reserve
B Reduced homeostatic mechanisms
C Impaired immunological response
D All of the above
Correct Answer: D — Aging impacts all three: reduced physiological reserve, reduced
homeostatic mechanisms, and impaired immunological response.
A — Correct but incomplete.
B — Correct but incomplete.
C — Correct but incomplete.
,2 The strongest evidence regarding normal physiological aging is available through:
A Randomized controlled clinical trials
B Cross-sectional studies
C Longitudinal studies
D Case control studies
Correct Answer: C — Longitudinal studies provide the strongest evidence regarding
normal physiological aging by tracking the same individuals over time.
A — RCTs are the gold standard for interventions, not aging.
B — Cross-sectional studies compare different age groups.
D — Case control studies are retrospective.
3 All of the following statements are true about laboratory values in older adults
except:
A Reference ranges are preferable
B Abnormal findings are often due to physiological aging
C Normal ranges may not be applicable for older adults
D Reference values are not necessarily acceptable value
Correct Answer: B — Abnormal findings are NOT often due to physiological aging; they
should be investigated as potential pathology.
A — True: reference ranges are preferable.
C — True: normal ranges may not apply to older adults.
D — True: reference values are not necessarily acceptable.
, 4 Biochemical individuality is best described as:
A Each individual's variation is often much greater than that of a larger group
B The unique biochemical profile of a selected population
C The truly "normal" individual—falling within average range
D Each individual's variation is often much smaller than that of a larger group
Correct Answer: D — Biochemical individuality means each individual's variation is often
much smaller than that of a larger group.
A — This is the opposite of the definition.
B — This describes population biochemistry.
C — This does not account for individual variation.
5 Polypharmacy is best described as taking:
A More than nine medications per day
B More than five medications per day
C Even a single medication if there is not a clear indication for its use
D When a drug is given to treat the side effect of another drug
Correct Answer: C — Polypharmacy is taking even a single medication if there is not a clear
indication for its use.
A — The number of medications is not the defining factor.
B — The number of medications is not the defining factor.
D — This describes a prescribing cascade.
