,NUR 2214 Module 5 Quiz | Nursing Care of the Older Adult
(2026) Q&A | Rasmussen College
1. Which statement best describes the primary purpose of a nurse health
assessment in older adults?
A) It determines the client's eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid services.
B) It assists the nurse in identifying an unmet need in the older adult client.
C) It primarily focuses on documenting chronic disease diagnoses for billing
purposes.
D) It is used exclusively to determine the need for long-term care placement.
Correct Answer: It assists the nurse in identifying an unmet need in the older adult
client.
Rationale: A health assessment in older adults is designed to identify unmet needs,
functional limitations, and health risks that require nursing intervention. This
comprehensive approach supports individualized care planning and health
promotion. The other options describe administrative or financial functions, not
the clinical purpose of assessment.
2. Which statement accurately reflects the function of gathering subjective and
objective data during a health assessment?
A) It determines the client's insurance coverage for rehabilitation services.
,B) It is used to formulate nursing diagnoses and to plan client care.
C) It replaces the need for a complete physical examination by the provider.
D) It is only necessary when the client has an acute illness.
Correct Answer: It is used to formulate nursing diagnoses and to plan client care.
Rationale: Subjective and objective data collection is the foundation of the nursing
process. This data is analyzed to formulate nursing diagnoses, which then guide
the development of an individualized plan of care. Assessment is an ongoing
process, not limited to acute illness or administrative purposes.
3. A nurse is preparing to conduct a health interview with an older adult client.
Which statement best describes the best approach?
A) Explain the purpose of the interview so that the individual will know what to
expect.
B) Ask primarily closed-ended questions to keep the interview brief.
C) Direct all questions to the client's family member to save time.
D) Begin with sensitive topics such as finances to establish trust quickly.
Correct Answer: Explain the purpose of the interview so that the individual will
know what to expect.
, Rationale: Explaining the purpose of the interview helps reduce anxiety and
establishes a collaborative relationship. Older adults should be given time to
process information and respond. Closed-ended questions limit information, and
directing questions to family members rather than the client can undermine
autonomy and trust.
4. A nurse is assessing an older adult client who reports feeling weak and dizzy
upon position changes. What is the best action by the nurse?
A) Assist the client to a supine position immediately.
B) Assess the client's blood pressure.
C) Administer a prescribed antiemetic.
D) Notify the healthcare provider before any assessment.
Correct Answer: Assess the client's blood pressure.
Rationale: The client's report of weakness and dizziness with position changes
suggests orthostatic hypotension. The priority is to obtain objective data by
measuring blood pressure in supine, sitting, and standing positions. Assessment
must precede intervention according to the nursing process.
5. A nurse is assessing an older adult client who has impaired mobility. Which
strategy would the nurse use to best help the client?
A) Modify the environment to reduce risks.
B) Restrict the client's activity to prevent falls.
(2026) Q&A | Rasmussen College
1. Which statement best describes the primary purpose of a nurse health
assessment in older adults?
A) It determines the client's eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid services.
B) It assists the nurse in identifying an unmet need in the older adult client.
C) It primarily focuses on documenting chronic disease diagnoses for billing
purposes.
D) It is used exclusively to determine the need for long-term care placement.
Correct Answer: It assists the nurse in identifying an unmet need in the older adult
client.
Rationale: A health assessment in older adults is designed to identify unmet needs,
functional limitations, and health risks that require nursing intervention. This
comprehensive approach supports individualized care planning and health
promotion. The other options describe administrative or financial functions, not
the clinical purpose of assessment.
2. Which statement accurately reflects the function of gathering subjective and
objective data during a health assessment?
A) It determines the client's insurance coverage for rehabilitation services.
,B) It is used to formulate nursing diagnoses and to plan client care.
C) It replaces the need for a complete physical examination by the provider.
D) It is only necessary when the client has an acute illness.
Correct Answer: It is used to formulate nursing diagnoses and to plan client care.
Rationale: Subjective and objective data collection is the foundation of the nursing
process. This data is analyzed to formulate nursing diagnoses, which then guide
the development of an individualized plan of care. Assessment is an ongoing
process, not limited to acute illness or administrative purposes.
3. A nurse is preparing to conduct a health interview with an older adult client.
Which statement best describes the best approach?
A) Explain the purpose of the interview so that the individual will know what to
expect.
B) Ask primarily closed-ended questions to keep the interview brief.
C) Direct all questions to the client's family member to save time.
D) Begin with sensitive topics such as finances to establish trust quickly.
Correct Answer: Explain the purpose of the interview so that the individual will
know what to expect.
, Rationale: Explaining the purpose of the interview helps reduce anxiety and
establishes a collaborative relationship. Older adults should be given time to
process information and respond. Closed-ended questions limit information, and
directing questions to family members rather than the client can undermine
autonomy and trust.
4. A nurse is assessing an older adult client who reports feeling weak and dizzy
upon position changes. What is the best action by the nurse?
A) Assist the client to a supine position immediately.
B) Assess the client's blood pressure.
C) Administer a prescribed antiemetic.
D) Notify the healthcare provider before any assessment.
Correct Answer: Assess the client's blood pressure.
Rationale: The client's report of weakness and dizziness with position changes
suggests orthostatic hypotension. The priority is to obtain objective data by
measuring blood pressure in supine, sitting, and standing positions. Assessment
must precede intervention according to the nursing process.
5. A nurse is assessing an older adult client who has impaired mobility. Which
strategy would the nurse use to best help the client?
A) Modify the environment to reduce risks.
B) Restrict the client's activity to prevent falls.
