Jersey College NUR202 Geriatric Nursing Final
Exam Review | 80 Questions with Answers &
Rationales | 2026/2027.
Jersey College NUR202 Geriatric Nursing Final Exam Practice Questions
Section 1: Gerontological Concepts & Theories
1. What does gerotranscendence refer to?
A) Physical decline associated with aging
B) Aging with wisdom, reflection, and life satisfaction
C) The process of becoming frail
D) Loss of independence
Answer: B. Aging with wisdom, reflection, and life satisfaction
Rationale: Gerotranscendence is a theory that describes aging as a process of
gaining wisdom, engaging in reflection, and achieving life satisfaction .
2. What is the illness/wellness continuum?
A) A model that only focuses on disease
B) Health exists on a continuum from illness to wellness, focusing on improving
wellness even if disease is present
C) A scale that measures only physical health
D) A theory that illness is inevitable
Answer: B. Health exists on a continuum from illness to wellness, focusing on
improving wellness even if disease is present
Rationale: The illness/wellness continuum emphasizes that health is not merely
the absence of disease but exists on a spectrum, and wellness can be improved
even when chronic disease is present .
,3. What is the biologic clock theory of aging?
A) Cells are programmed to live a certain amount of time, then break down and
die
B) Aging is caused by external factors only
C) The body wears out like a machine
D) The immune system attacks itself
Answer: A. Cells are programmed to live a certain amount of time, then break
down and die
Rationale: The biologic clock theory suggests that cells have a predetermined
lifespan and are genetically programmed to deteriorate and die after a certain
number of divisions .
4. What is the free-radical theory of aging?
A) Aging is programmed by genetics
B) Oxygen molecules with an unstable electron move around the cell, damaging
cell structures as they go
C) The body wears out from overuse
D) The immune system loses its ability to protect the body
Answer: B. Oxygen molecules with an unstable electron move around the cell,
damaging cell structures as they go
Rationale: The free-radical theory proposes that aging results from cumulative
damage caused by free radicals—unstable oxygen molecules that damage cellular
structures .
5. What is ageism?
A) A normal part of aging
B) Discrimination based on age
C) A geriatric syndrome
D) A type of dementia
Answer: B. Discrimination based on age
Rationale: Ageism refers to prejudice or discrimination against individuals based
on their age .
, Section 2: Common Chronic Conditions & Management
6. What are some common chronic diseases in older adults?
A) Arthritis, hypertension, heart disease, dementia, and hearing loss
B) Only diabetes and cancer
C) Only infectious diseases
D) Only mental health conditions
Answer: A. Arthritis, hypertension, heart disease, dementia, and hearing loss
Rationale: The most common chronic conditions in older adults include arthritis,
hypertension, heart disease, dementia, and hearing loss .
7. What is the primary goal of managing chronic illnesses in older adults?
A) Complete cure of all diseases
B) To preserve activities of daily living (ADLs) and independence
C) To reduce medication use to zero
D) To prevent all hospitalizations
Answer: B. To preserve activities of daily living (ADLs) and independence
Rationale: The primary goal of chronic illness management in geriatric care is
maintaining functional independence and quality of life .
8. How does aging affect metabolism and nutrition?
A) Metabolism speeds up, increasing appetite
B) Metabolism slows, and taste and smell decrease, affecting appetite
C) Metabolism remains unchanged
D) Nutrition is not affected by aging
Answer: B. Metabolism slows, and taste and smell decrease, affecting appetite
Rationale: Aging is associated with a slower metabolic rate and diminished senses
of taste and smell, which can lead to decreased appetite and nutritional risks .
9. The most common cause of chronic pain in older adults is:
A) Cancer
B) Arthritis
C) Neuropathy
D) Fractures
Exam Review | 80 Questions with Answers &
Rationales | 2026/2027.
Jersey College NUR202 Geriatric Nursing Final Exam Practice Questions
Section 1: Gerontological Concepts & Theories
1. What does gerotranscendence refer to?
A) Physical decline associated with aging
B) Aging with wisdom, reflection, and life satisfaction
C) The process of becoming frail
D) Loss of independence
Answer: B. Aging with wisdom, reflection, and life satisfaction
Rationale: Gerotranscendence is a theory that describes aging as a process of
gaining wisdom, engaging in reflection, and achieving life satisfaction .
2. What is the illness/wellness continuum?
A) A model that only focuses on disease
B) Health exists on a continuum from illness to wellness, focusing on improving
wellness even if disease is present
C) A scale that measures only physical health
D) A theory that illness is inevitable
Answer: B. Health exists on a continuum from illness to wellness, focusing on
improving wellness even if disease is present
Rationale: The illness/wellness continuum emphasizes that health is not merely
the absence of disease but exists on a spectrum, and wellness can be improved
even when chronic disease is present .
,3. What is the biologic clock theory of aging?
A) Cells are programmed to live a certain amount of time, then break down and
die
B) Aging is caused by external factors only
C) The body wears out like a machine
D) The immune system attacks itself
Answer: A. Cells are programmed to live a certain amount of time, then break
down and die
Rationale: The biologic clock theory suggests that cells have a predetermined
lifespan and are genetically programmed to deteriorate and die after a certain
number of divisions .
4. What is the free-radical theory of aging?
A) Aging is programmed by genetics
B) Oxygen molecules with an unstable electron move around the cell, damaging
cell structures as they go
C) The body wears out from overuse
D) The immune system loses its ability to protect the body
Answer: B. Oxygen molecules with an unstable electron move around the cell,
damaging cell structures as they go
Rationale: The free-radical theory proposes that aging results from cumulative
damage caused by free radicals—unstable oxygen molecules that damage cellular
structures .
5. What is ageism?
A) A normal part of aging
B) Discrimination based on age
C) A geriatric syndrome
D) A type of dementia
Answer: B. Discrimination based on age
Rationale: Ageism refers to prejudice or discrimination against individuals based
on their age .
, Section 2: Common Chronic Conditions & Management
6. What are some common chronic diseases in older adults?
A) Arthritis, hypertension, heart disease, dementia, and hearing loss
B) Only diabetes and cancer
C) Only infectious diseases
D) Only mental health conditions
Answer: A. Arthritis, hypertension, heart disease, dementia, and hearing loss
Rationale: The most common chronic conditions in older adults include arthritis,
hypertension, heart disease, dementia, and hearing loss .
7. What is the primary goal of managing chronic illnesses in older adults?
A) Complete cure of all diseases
B) To preserve activities of daily living (ADLs) and independence
C) To reduce medication use to zero
D) To prevent all hospitalizations
Answer: B. To preserve activities of daily living (ADLs) and independence
Rationale: The primary goal of chronic illness management in geriatric care is
maintaining functional independence and quality of life .
8. How does aging affect metabolism and nutrition?
A) Metabolism speeds up, increasing appetite
B) Metabolism slows, and taste and smell decrease, affecting appetite
C) Metabolism remains unchanged
D) Nutrition is not affected by aging
Answer: B. Metabolism slows, and taste and smell decrease, affecting appetite
Rationale: Aging is associated with a slower metabolic rate and diminished senses
of taste and smell, which can lead to decreased appetite and nutritional risks .
9. The most common cause of chronic pain in older adults is:
A) Cancer
B) Arthritis
C) Neuropathy
D) Fractures
