Older Adult Exam 1 Study Guide
2026/2027 | Practice Questions and
Answers | Complete Exam Review
Description: This comprehensive study guide contains 200 multiple-choice practice
questions covering key concepts in older adult nursing, including aging theories,
physiological changes, psychosocial aspects, health promotion, chronic illness,
medication management, cognitive disorders, end-of-life care, and geriatric
syndromes. Each question includes the correct answer marked with ✅ for effective
revision.
Keywords: older adult, geriatric nursing, aging theories, physiological changes,
psychosocial aging, health promotion, chronic illness, polypharmacy, dementia, delirium,
depression, falls, elder abuse, end-of-life care, geriatric syndromes, exam review, NCLEX,
practice questions.
Section 1: Introduction to Gerontological Nursing
(Questions 1–20)
1. What is the primary focus of gerontological nursing?
A. Curative care for acute illnesses
B. Palliative care only
C. Promoting health and function in older adults ✅
D. Managing hospital units
2. Which term refers to the study of aging from a biological, psychological, and
social perspective?
A. Geriatrics
,B. Gerontology ✅
C. Gerontics
D. Geropharmacology
3. What is the fastest-growing age group in the United States?
A. 65–74 years
B. 75–84 years
C. 85 years and older ✅
D. 50–64 years
4. Which factor contributes most to the increasing older adult population?
A. Increased birth rate
B. Improved healthcare and life expectancy ✅
C. Decreased immigration
D. Higher mortality rates
5. What is the primary goal of Healthy People 2030 for older adults?
A. Reduce healthcare costs
B. Improve health, function, and quality of life ✅
C. Increase hospital admissions
D. Limit access to care
6. Which is a common myth about aging?
A. Older adults can learn new things
B. Most older adults are institutionalized ✅
C. Aging is a normal process
D. Older adults contribute to society
7. What does the term "ageism" refer to?
A. Respect for older adults
B. Discrimination against older adults ✅
C. Normal aging changes
D. Geriatric specialization
,8. Which role is essential for a gerontological nurse?
A. Only administering medications
B. Advocating for older adults ✅
C. Avoiding family involvement
D. Focusing only on physical needs
9. What is the primary purpose of the Older Americans Act?
A. Provide acute care
B. Support community-based services for older adults ✅
C. Fund nursing homes
D. Regulate medications
10. Which theory of aging suggests that aging is due to genetic programming?
A. Wear-and-tear theory
B. Programmed theory ✅
C. Free radical theory
D. Cross-linkage theory
11. Which theory proposes that aging results from cumulative damage over time?
A. Programmed theory
B. Wear-and-tear theory ✅
C. Disengagement theory
D. Activity theory
12. What is a key concept of the activity theory of aging?
A. Older adults should withdraw from society
B. Staying active leads to life satisfaction ✅
C. Aging is predetermined
D. Social roles are irrelevant
13. Which theory focuses on the mutual withdrawal of older adults from society?
A. Activity theory
B. Disengagement theory ✅
, C. Continuity theory
D. Exchange theory
14. What does the continuity theory of aging emphasize?
A. Abrupt lifestyle changes
B. Maintaining lifelong patterns and behaviors ✅
C. Disengagement from family
D. Genetic predisposition
15. Which is a biological theory of aging?
A. Disengagement theory
B. Free radical theory ✅
C. Activity theory
D. Continuity theory
16. What is the primary focus of geriatrics?
A. Social aspects of aging
B. Medical care of older adults ✅
C. Psychological aging
D. Economic issues
17. Which demographic factor is true about older adults in the U.S.?
A. Most live in nursing homes
B. Most live independently in the community ✅
C. Most are hospitalized
D. Most require assisted living
18. What is the term for prejudice against older adults?
A. Ageism ✅
B. Racism
C. Sexism
D. Classism
2026/2027 | Practice Questions and
Answers | Complete Exam Review
Description: This comprehensive study guide contains 200 multiple-choice practice
questions covering key concepts in older adult nursing, including aging theories,
physiological changes, psychosocial aspects, health promotion, chronic illness,
medication management, cognitive disorders, end-of-life care, and geriatric
syndromes. Each question includes the correct answer marked with ✅ for effective
revision.
Keywords: older adult, geriatric nursing, aging theories, physiological changes,
psychosocial aging, health promotion, chronic illness, polypharmacy, dementia, delirium,
depression, falls, elder abuse, end-of-life care, geriatric syndromes, exam review, NCLEX,
practice questions.
Section 1: Introduction to Gerontological Nursing
(Questions 1–20)
1. What is the primary focus of gerontological nursing?
A. Curative care for acute illnesses
B. Palliative care only
C. Promoting health and function in older adults ✅
D. Managing hospital units
2. Which term refers to the study of aging from a biological, psychological, and
social perspective?
A. Geriatrics
,B. Gerontology ✅
C. Gerontics
D. Geropharmacology
3. What is the fastest-growing age group in the United States?
A. 65–74 years
B. 75–84 years
C. 85 years and older ✅
D. 50–64 years
4. Which factor contributes most to the increasing older adult population?
A. Increased birth rate
B. Improved healthcare and life expectancy ✅
C. Decreased immigration
D. Higher mortality rates
5. What is the primary goal of Healthy People 2030 for older adults?
A. Reduce healthcare costs
B. Improve health, function, and quality of life ✅
C. Increase hospital admissions
D. Limit access to care
6. Which is a common myth about aging?
A. Older adults can learn new things
B. Most older adults are institutionalized ✅
C. Aging is a normal process
D. Older adults contribute to society
7. What does the term "ageism" refer to?
A. Respect for older adults
B. Discrimination against older adults ✅
C. Normal aging changes
D. Geriatric specialization
,8. Which role is essential for a gerontological nurse?
A. Only administering medications
B. Advocating for older adults ✅
C. Avoiding family involvement
D. Focusing only on physical needs
9. What is the primary purpose of the Older Americans Act?
A. Provide acute care
B. Support community-based services for older adults ✅
C. Fund nursing homes
D. Regulate medications
10. Which theory of aging suggests that aging is due to genetic programming?
A. Wear-and-tear theory
B. Programmed theory ✅
C. Free radical theory
D. Cross-linkage theory
11. Which theory proposes that aging results from cumulative damage over time?
A. Programmed theory
B. Wear-and-tear theory ✅
C. Disengagement theory
D. Activity theory
12. What is a key concept of the activity theory of aging?
A. Older adults should withdraw from society
B. Staying active leads to life satisfaction ✅
C. Aging is predetermined
D. Social roles are irrelevant
13. Which theory focuses on the mutual withdrawal of older adults from society?
A. Activity theory
B. Disengagement theory ✅
, C. Continuity theory
D. Exchange theory
14. What does the continuity theory of aging emphasize?
A. Abrupt lifestyle changes
B. Maintaining lifelong patterns and behaviors ✅
C. Disengagement from family
D. Genetic predisposition
15. Which is a biological theory of aging?
A. Disengagement theory
B. Free radical theory ✅
C. Activity theory
D. Continuity theory
16. What is the primary focus of geriatrics?
A. Social aspects of aging
B. Medical care of older adults ✅
C. Psychological aging
D. Economic issues
17. Which demographic factor is true about older adults in the U.S.?
A. Most live in nursing homes
B. Most live independently in the community ✅
C. Most are hospitalized
D. Most require assisted living
18. What is the term for prejudice against older adults?
A. Ageism ✅
B. Racism
C. Sexism
D. Classism
