NURS 5461 EXAM 1 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026
Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning
Geriatric Pharmacotherapeutics and Polypharmacy
Functional Assessment and Fall Prevention
Ethical, Legal, and Professional Standards
Management of Chronic and Acute Geriatric Conditions
Palliative Care, Hospice, and Transitional Care
Health Promotion, Disease Prevention, and Aging Theories
Introduction
This examination assesses advanced practice nursing knowledge in adult
gerontology across the continuum of care. It evaluates foundational aging
theory, comprehensive assessment, pharmacology, ethics, regulatory
compliance, and management of complex geriatric syndromes. Questions use
multiple-choice and scenario-based formats to test clinical reasoning, safety,
and real-world decision-making. The examination emphasizes application of
evidence-based practice, patient-centered care, and interdisciplinary
coordination for older adults in diverse healthcare settings.
Section One: Questions 1-100
1. Which theory of aging proposes that aging results from the cumulative
effects of random damage over time?
A. Programmed theory
B. Immunological theory
,C. Stochastic theory
D. Cross-linkage theory
RATIONALE: Stochastic theories view aging as the result of random
errors and cumulative damage to cells and tissues over time, rather than a
predetermined genetic timetable.
2. Which age group is currently the fastest growing segment of the older
adult population?
A. 45 to 54 years
B. 85 years and older
C. 65 to 74 years
D. 75 to 84 years
RATIONALE: The population aged 85 years and older, often called the
oldest old, is the fastest growing demographic group in many countries due to
advances in healthcare and longevity.
3. Which of the following best describes the role of the nurse practitioner
in geriatric care?
A. Providing comprehensive primary care, managing chronic conditions,
and coordinating interdisciplinary services
B. Performing only routine annual physical examinations
C. Limiting practice to hospital-based acute care
D. Focusing solely on medication prescribing
RATIONALE: Nurse practitioners in geriatrics provide comprehensive
primary and acute care, manage chronic illnesses, prescribe medications, and
coordinate care across settings to optimize function and quality of life.
4. Which domain is essential to a comprehensive geriatric assessment?
A. Only cardiovascular status
B. Functional status, cognition, mood, nutrition, and social support
,C. Chief complaint alone
D. Diagnostic imaging only
RATIONALE: A comprehensive geriatric assessment is multidimensional
and includes functional, cognitive, psychological, nutritional, and social
domains in addition to medical evaluation.
5. Which laboratory change is commonly associated with normal aging?
A. Increased glomerular filtration rate
B. Increased hepatic blood flow
C. Decreased glomerular filtration rate
D. Increased total body water
RATIONALE: Glomerular filtration rate declines with age, reducing renal
clearance of many medications and increasing the risk of drug accumulation
and toxicity.
6. Which screening tool is most appropriate for assessing cognitive
function in an older adult?
A. Katz Index
B. Lawton IADL Scale
C. Morse Fall Scale
D. Mini-Mental State Examination
RATIONALE: The Mini-Mental State Examination is a widely used
standardized tool for assessing orientation, memory, attention, language, and
visuospatial skills in older adults.
7. Which of the following is an instrumental activity of daily living?
A. Bathing
B. Dressing
C. Managing finances
D. Toileting
, RATIONALE: Instrumental activities of daily living include more complex
tasks such as managing finances, shopping, preparing meals, using
transportation, and managing medications.
8. The Katz Index is specifically designed to assess which area?
A. Depression
B. Basic activities of daily living
C. Cognitive impairment
D. Fall risk
RATIONALE: The Katz Index evaluates independence in six basic
activities of daily living: bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, continence,
and feeding.
9. The Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale assesses which
of the following?
A. Ability to use the telephone and manage medications
B. Ability to feed oneself
C. Ability to ambulate independently
D. Ability to control bowel and bladder function
RATIONALE: The Lawton IADL Scale assesses higher-level functional
tasks necessary for independent community living, including telephone use,
shopping, food preparation, housekeeping, laundry, transportation,
medication management, and finances.
10. The Timed Up and Go test is used primarily to assess which of the
following?
A. Cognitive decline
B. Depression severity
C. Mobility and fall risk
D. Nutritional status
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026
Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning
Geriatric Pharmacotherapeutics and Polypharmacy
Functional Assessment and Fall Prevention
Ethical, Legal, and Professional Standards
Management of Chronic and Acute Geriatric Conditions
Palliative Care, Hospice, and Transitional Care
Health Promotion, Disease Prevention, and Aging Theories
Introduction
This examination assesses advanced practice nursing knowledge in adult
gerontology across the continuum of care. It evaluates foundational aging
theory, comprehensive assessment, pharmacology, ethics, regulatory
compliance, and management of complex geriatric syndromes. Questions use
multiple-choice and scenario-based formats to test clinical reasoning, safety,
and real-world decision-making. The examination emphasizes application of
evidence-based practice, patient-centered care, and interdisciplinary
coordination for older adults in diverse healthcare settings.
Section One: Questions 1-100
1. Which theory of aging proposes that aging results from the cumulative
effects of random damage over time?
A. Programmed theory
B. Immunological theory
,C. Stochastic theory
D. Cross-linkage theory
RATIONALE: Stochastic theories view aging as the result of random
errors and cumulative damage to cells and tissues over time, rather than a
predetermined genetic timetable.
2. Which age group is currently the fastest growing segment of the older
adult population?
A. 45 to 54 years
B. 85 years and older
C. 65 to 74 years
D. 75 to 84 years
RATIONALE: The population aged 85 years and older, often called the
oldest old, is the fastest growing demographic group in many countries due to
advances in healthcare and longevity.
3. Which of the following best describes the role of the nurse practitioner
in geriatric care?
A. Providing comprehensive primary care, managing chronic conditions,
and coordinating interdisciplinary services
B. Performing only routine annual physical examinations
C. Limiting practice to hospital-based acute care
D. Focusing solely on medication prescribing
RATIONALE: Nurse practitioners in geriatrics provide comprehensive
primary and acute care, manage chronic illnesses, prescribe medications, and
coordinate care across settings to optimize function and quality of life.
4. Which domain is essential to a comprehensive geriatric assessment?
A. Only cardiovascular status
B. Functional status, cognition, mood, nutrition, and social support
,C. Chief complaint alone
D. Diagnostic imaging only
RATIONALE: A comprehensive geriatric assessment is multidimensional
and includes functional, cognitive, psychological, nutritional, and social
domains in addition to medical evaluation.
5. Which laboratory change is commonly associated with normal aging?
A. Increased glomerular filtration rate
B. Increased hepatic blood flow
C. Decreased glomerular filtration rate
D. Increased total body water
RATIONALE: Glomerular filtration rate declines with age, reducing renal
clearance of many medications and increasing the risk of drug accumulation
and toxicity.
6. Which screening tool is most appropriate for assessing cognitive
function in an older adult?
A. Katz Index
B. Lawton IADL Scale
C. Morse Fall Scale
D. Mini-Mental State Examination
RATIONALE: The Mini-Mental State Examination is a widely used
standardized tool for assessing orientation, memory, attention, language, and
visuospatial skills in older adults.
7. Which of the following is an instrumental activity of daily living?
A. Bathing
B. Dressing
C. Managing finances
D. Toileting
, RATIONALE: Instrumental activities of daily living include more complex
tasks such as managing finances, shopping, preparing meals, using
transportation, and managing medications.
8. The Katz Index is specifically designed to assess which area?
A. Depression
B. Basic activities of daily living
C. Cognitive impairment
D. Fall risk
RATIONALE: The Katz Index evaluates independence in six basic
activities of daily living: bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, continence,
and feeding.
9. The Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale assesses which
of the following?
A. Ability to use the telephone and manage medications
B. Ability to feed oneself
C. Ability to ambulate independently
D. Ability to control bowel and bladder function
RATIONALE: The Lawton IADL Scale assesses higher-level functional
tasks necessary for independent community living, including telephone use,
shopping, food preparation, housekeeping, laundry, transportation,
medication management, and finances.
10. The Timed Up and Go test is used primarily to assess which of the
following?
A. Cognitive decline
B. Depression severity
C. Mobility and fall risk
D. Nutritional status
