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Gerontological Nursing & Healthy Aging Advanced
Practice Exam 2026–2027 | Comprehensive
Gerontological Nursing Questions with Verified
Answers & Detailed Rationales | Older Adult Care,
Healthy Aging & Advanced Nursing Practice
Description:
This comprehensive examination is designed to assess the knowledge
and clinical reasoning skills of nursing students and professionals in
the care of older adults. It integrates principles of healthy aging,
theories of aging, physiological and psychosocial changes, health
promotion, chronic illness management, pharmacotherapeutics, and
end-of-life care as applied to gerontological nursing practice. This
exam aligns with the official syllabus for Ebersole and Hess'
Gerontological Nursing and Healthy Aging, 6th Edition, focusing on
clinical judgment, diagnostic reasoning, evidence-based interventions,
and patient-centered care for the aging population. The scenario-based
questions are designed to test recall, application, and critical decision-
making expected of a competent gerontological nurse.
Ebersole and Hess Gerontological Nursing and Healthy Aging 6th
Edition Test Bank
Section 1 Questions 1 to 50
1. 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' needs are similar to those of all adults.
D. preventive health care practices increased longevity.
Correct Answer: D
,2|Page
Rationale: Increased preventive health care practices, disease control,
and focus on wellness helped people live longer, shifting the health
care focus toward the aging population. This is supported by
foundational gerontological nursing texts.
2. 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 to 74 years of age.
C. 75 to 84 years of age.
D. 85 and older.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The term "aged" specifically refers to individuals between
75 and 84 years of age. The "young-old" are 65-74, the "old-old" are
85 and older, and those 55-64 are considered "pre-aged" or "middle-
aged."
3. The nurse cautions that ageism is a mindset that influences persons
to:
A. discriminate against persons solely on the basis of age.
B. fear aging.
C. be culturally sensitive to concerns of aging.
D. focus on resources for the older adult.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Ageism is a negative belief pattern that leads individuals to
discriminate against others solely based on age, which can result in
destructive behaviors and stereotypes toward older adults.
4. The nurse points out that the most beneficial legislation that has
influenced health care for the older adult is:
A. Medicare and Medicaid.
B. elimination of the mandatory retirement age.
C. the Americans with Disabilities Act.
D. the Drug Benefit Program.
Correct Answer: A
,3|Page
Rationale: Medicare and Medicaid provide the broadest and most
impactful health care coverage for older adults, addressing both
hospital and medical needs.
5. The nurse clarifies that a housing option for the older adult that
offers the privacy of an apartment with restaurant-style meals and
some medical and personal care services is the:
A. government-subsidized housing.
B. long-term care facility.
C. assisted-living center.
D. group housing plan.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Assisted living facilities offer a balance of independence
and support, providing private apartments, meals, and limited medical
and personal care services.
6. The 75-year-old man who has been hospitalized following a severe
case of pneumonia is concerned about his mounting hospital bill and
asks if his Medicare coverage will pay for his care. The nurse's most
helpful response is: "Yes, Medicare:
A. pays 100% of all medical costs for persons older than 65."
B. Part B pays hospital costs and physician fees."
C. Part A pays for inpatient hospital costs."
D. Part D pays 80% of the charges made by physicians."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Medicare Part A is specifically designed to cover inpatient
hospital costs, including stays in acute care hospitals and skilled
nursing facilities.
7. The daughter of a patient who has been diagnosed with terminal
cancer asks which documents are required to allow her to make health
care decisions for her parent. The nurse's most informative response
is:
A. "Advance directives indicate the degree of intervention desired by
the patient."
B. "A Do Not Resuscitate document signed by the patient transfers
authority to the next of kin."
, 4|Page
C. "A durable power of attorney for health care transfers decision-
making authority for health care to a designated person."
D. "A living will transfers authority to the physician."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A durable power of attorney for health care is the legal
document that specifically designates a person to make health care
decisions on behalf of the patient if they become incapacitated.
8. The daughter of a resident in a long-term care facility is frustrated
with her 80-year-old mother's refusal to eat. The nurse explains that
the refusal to eat is a behavior that is an:
A. effort to maintain a portion of independence and self direction.
B. indication of approaching Alzheimer disease.
C. effort to gain attention.
D. indication of depression.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Refusing to eat can be a way for older adults to assert
control and maintain independence, especially in an environment
where many decisions are made for them.
9. The nurse is caring for an older adult client who is experiencing a
loss of appetite. Which factor is a common age-related physical
change that contributes to decreased nutritional intake?
A. Increased number of taste buds.
B. Increased secretion of cholecystokinin.
C. Enhanced sense of smell.
D. Decreased gastric motility.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Decreased gastric motility is a common age-related change
that can lead to early satiety and reduced food intake. A small number
of taste buds are lost, cholecystokinin secretion may increase, and
sense of smell typically decreases.
10. Which of the following is a true statement about nutrition for
older adults?
A. The older person should be encouraged to practice strict controls
on cholesterol intake to ensure protection against heart disease.
Gerontological Nursing & Healthy Aging Advanced
Practice Exam 2026–2027 | Comprehensive
Gerontological Nursing Questions with Verified
Answers & Detailed Rationales | Older Adult Care,
Healthy Aging & Advanced Nursing Practice
Description:
This comprehensive examination is designed to assess the knowledge
and clinical reasoning skills of nursing students and professionals in
the care of older adults. It integrates principles of healthy aging,
theories of aging, physiological and psychosocial changes, health
promotion, chronic illness management, pharmacotherapeutics, and
end-of-life care as applied to gerontological nursing practice. This
exam aligns with the official syllabus for Ebersole and Hess'
Gerontological Nursing and Healthy Aging, 6th Edition, focusing on
clinical judgment, diagnostic reasoning, evidence-based interventions,
and patient-centered care for the aging population. The scenario-based
questions are designed to test recall, application, and critical decision-
making expected of a competent gerontological nurse.
Ebersole and Hess Gerontological Nursing and Healthy Aging 6th
Edition Test Bank
Section 1 Questions 1 to 50
1. 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' needs are similar to those of all adults.
D. preventive health care practices increased longevity.
Correct Answer: D
,2|Page
Rationale: Increased preventive health care practices, disease control,
and focus on wellness helped people live longer, shifting the health
care focus toward the aging population. This is supported by
foundational gerontological nursing texts.
2. 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 to 74 years of age.
C. 75 to 84 years of age.
D. 85 and older.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The term "aged" specifically refers to individuals between
75 and 84 years of age. The "young-old" are 65-74, the "old-old" are
85 and older, and those 55-64 are considered "pre-aged" or "middle-
aged."
3. The nurse cautions that ageism is a mindset that influences persons
to:
A. discriminate against persons solely on the basis of age.
B. fear aging.
C. be culturally sensitive to concerns of aging.
D. focus on resources for the older adult.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Ageism is a negative belief pattern that leads individuals to
discriminate against others solely based on age, which can result in
destructive behaviors and stereotypes toward older adults.
4. The nurse points out that the most beneficial legislation that has
influenced health care for the older adult is:
A. Medicare and Medicaid.
B. elimination of the mandatory retirement age.
C. the Americans with Disabilities Act.
D. the Drug Benefit Program.
Correct Answer: A
,3|Page
Rationale: Medicare and Medicaid provide the broadest and most
impactful health care coverage for older adults, addressing both
hospital and medical needs.
5. The nurse clarifies that a housing option for the older adult that
offers the privacy of an apartment with restaurant-style meals and
some medical and personal care services is the:
A. government-subsidized housing.
B. long-term care facility.
C. assisted-living center.
D. group housing plan.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Assisted living facilities offer a balance of independence
and support, providing private apartments, meals, and limited medical
and personal care services.
6. The 75-year-old man who has been hospitalized following a severe
case of pneumonia is concerned about his mounting hospital bill and
asks if his Medicare coverage will pay for his care. The nurse's most
helpful response is: "Yes, Medicare:
A. pays 100% of all medical costs for persons older than 65."
B. Part B pays hospital costs and physician fees."
C. Part A pays for inpatient hospital costs."
D. Part D pays 80% of the charges made by physicians."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Medicare Part A is specifically designed to cover inpatient
hospital costs, including stays in acute care hospitals and skilled
nursing facilities.
7. The daughter of a patient who has been diagnosed with terminal
cancer asks which documents are required to allow her to make health
care decisions for her parent. The nurse's most informative response
is:
A. "Advance directives indicate the degree of intervention desired by
the patient."
B. "A Do Not Resuscitate document signed by the patient transfers
authority to the next of kin."
, 4|Page
C. "A durable power of attorney for health care transfers decision-
making authority for health care to a designated person."
D. "A living will transfers authority to the physician."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A durable power of attorney for health care is the legal
document that specifically designates a person to make health care
decisions on behalf of the patient if they become incapacitated.
8. The daughter of a resident in a long-term care facility is frustrated
with her 80-year-old mother's refusal to eat. The nurse explains that
the refusal to eat is a behavior that is an:
A. effort to maintain a portion of independence and self direction.
B. indication of approaching Alzheimer disease.
C. effort to gain attention.
D. indication of depression.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Refusing to eat can be a way for older adults to assert
control and maintain independence, especially in an environment
where many decisions are made for them.
9. The nurse is caring for an older adult client who is experiencing a
loss of appetite. Which factor is a common age-related physical
change that contributes to decreased nutritional intake?
A. Increased number of taste buds.
B. Increased secretion of cholecystokinin.
C. Enhanced sense of smell.
D. Decreased gastric motility.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Decreased gastric motility is a common age-related change
that can lead to early satiety and reduced food intake. A small number
of taste buds are lost, cholecystokinin secretion may increase, and
sense of smell typically decreases.
10. Which of the following is a true statement about nutrition for
older adults?
A. The older person should be encouraged to practice strict controls
on cholesterol intake to ensure protection against heart disease.
