NURS 5461 EXAM 3 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026
Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
Geriatric Syndromes and Frailty
Palliative Care and End-of-Life Decision Making
Ethics, Law, and Professional Standards
Complex Chronic Disease Management
Pharmacotherapeutics and Deprescribing
Functional Assessment and Care Transitions
Psychosocial, Cultural, and Caregiver Issues
Introduction
This examination evaluates advanced practice nursing management
of complex adult and geriatric conditions across care settings. It
emphasizes geriatric syndromes, ethical and legal decision making,
palliative care, chronic disease management, and safe prescribing.
Questions use multiple-choice and scenario-based formats to assess
clinical reasoning, prioritization, and real-world application. The
examination expects integration of evidence-based practice, patient-
centered values, and interdisciplinary coordination to improve
outcomes for older adults and their families.
Section One: Questions 1-100
, 1. Which geriatric syndrome is characterized by increased
vulnerability to stressors due to decreased physiologic reserve?
A. Sarcopenia
B. Disability
C. Frailty
D. Comorbidity
RATIONALE: Frailty is a syndrome of decreased physiologic
reserve and increased vulnerability to stressors, leading to higher
risk of adverse outcomes.
2. Which tool is most appropriate for assessing basic activities of
daily living?
A. Katz Index
B. Lawton IADL Scale
C. Mini-Mental State Examination
D. Geriatric Depression Scale
RATIONALE: The Katz Index specifically measures
independence in basic activities of daily living such as bathing,
dressing, and toileting.
3. Which finding is most suspicious for physical elder abuse?
A. A single bruise on the shin
B. Osteoarthritis of the knees
C. A healed surgical scar
D. Bruises in various healing stages on the torso or buttocks
RATIONALE: Bruises on protected body areas and in different
healing stages are highly concerning for inflicted trauma.
, 4. Which medication class is most strongly associated with
delirium in older adults?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Benzodiazepines
C. Metformin
D. Lisinopril
RATIONALE: Benzodiazepines increase sedation, cognitive
impairment, and delirium risk and are potentially inappropriate in
older adults.
5. Which statement best describes the principle of autonomy?
A. The duty to do no harm
B. The duty to act in the patient's best interest
C. The patient's right to make their own healthcare decisions
D. The fair distribution of healthcare resources
RATIONALE: Autonomy respects the patient's right to self-
determination and informed choice in medical care.
6. Which document names a person to make healthcare
decisions when the patient lacks capacity?
A. Durable power of attorney for healthcare
B. Living will
C. Financial power of attorney
D. Hospital consent form
RATIONALE: A durable power of attorney for healthcare
designates a healthcare proxy to make decisions consistent with the
patient's wishes.
, 7. Which symptom is most characteristic of delirium?
A. Gradual memory loss over years
B. Acute onset with fluctuating attention
C. Stable long-term confusion
D. Fixed delusions without inattention
RATIONALE: Delirium has an acute onset, fluctuating course,
and impaired attention and usually signals an underlying medical
problem.
8. Which condition is most consistent with an insidious,
progressive cognitive decline?
A. Delirium
B. Depression
C. Acute psychosis
D. Dementia
RATIONALE: Dementia typically has an insidious onset and
progressive decline in cognition that interferes with independence.
9. Which medication is first-line for most patients with newly
diagnosed type 2 diabetes?
A. Metformin
B. Glyburide
C. Insulin glargine
D. Pioglitazone
RATIONALE: Metformin is first-line due to efficacy, safety,
weight neutrality, and low cost when renal function is adequate.
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026
Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
Geriatric Syndromes and Frailty
Palliative Care and End-of-Life Decision Making
Ethics, Law, and Professional Standards
Complex Chronic Disease Management
Pharmacotherapeutics and Deprescribing
Functional Assessment and Care Transitions
Psychosocial, Cultural, and Caregiver Issues
Introduction
This examination evaluates advanced practice nursing management
of complex adult and geriatric conditions across care settings. It
emphasizes geriatric syndromes, ethical and legal decision making,
palliative care, chronic disease management, and safe prescribing.
Questions use multiple-choice and scenario-based formats to assess
clinical reasoning, prioritization, and real-world application. The
examination expects integration of evidence-based practice, patient-
centered values, and interdisciplinary coordination to improve
outcomes for older adults and their families.
Section One: Questions 1-100
, 1. Which geriatric syndrome is characterized by increased
vulnerability to stressors due to decreased physiologic reserve?
A. Sarcopenia
B. Disability
C. Frailty
D. Comorbidity
RATIONALE: Frailty is a syndrome of decreased physiologic
reserve and increased vulnerability to stressors, leading to higher
risk of adverse outcomes.
2. Which tool is most appropriate for assessing basic activities of
daily living?
A. Katz Index
B. Lawton IADL Scale
C. Mini-Mental State Examination
D. Geriatric Depression Scale
RATIONALE: The Katz Index specifically measures
independence in basic activities of daily living such as bathing,
dressing, and toileting.
3. Which finding is most suspicious for physical elder abuse?
A. A single bruise on the shin
B. Osteoarthritis of the knees
C. A healed surgical scar
D. Bruises in various healing stages on the torso or buttocks
RATIONALE: Bruises on protected body areas and in different
healing stages are highly concerning for inflicted trauma.
, 4. Which medication class is most strongly associated with
delirium in older adults?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Benzodiazepines
C. Metformin
D. Lisinopril
RATIONALE: Benzodiazepines increase sedation, cognitive
impairment, and delirium risk and are potentially inappropriate in
older adults.
5. Which statement best describes the principle of autonomy?
A. The duty to do no harm
B. The duty to act in the patient's best interest
C. The patient's right to make their own healthcare decisions
D. The fair distribution of healthcare resources
RATIONALE: Autonomy respects the patient's right to self-
determination and informed choice in medical care.
6. Which document names a person to make healthcare
decisions when the patient lacks capacity?
A. Durable power of attorney for healthcare
B. Living will
C. Financial power of attorney
D. Hospital consent form
RATIONALE: A durable power of attorney for healthcare
designates a healthcare proxy to make decisions consistent with the
patient's wishes.
, 7. Which symptom is most characteristic of delirium?
A. Gradual memory loss over years
B. Acute onset with fluctuating attention
C. Stable long-term confusion
D. Fixed delusions without inattention
RATIONALE: Delirium has an acute onset, fluctuating course,
and impaired attention and usually signals an underlying medical
problem.
8. Which condition is most consistent with an insidious,
progressive cognitive decline?
A. Delirium
B. Depression
C. Acute psychosis
D. Dementia
RATIONALE: Dementia typically has an insidious onset and
progressive decline in cognition that interferes with independence.
9. Which medication is first-line for most patients with newly
diagnosed type 2 diabetes?
A. Metformin
B. Glyburide
C. Insulin glargine
D. Pioglitazone
RATIONALE: Metformin is first-line due to efficacy, safety,
weight neutrality, and low cost when renal function is adequate.
