,Jersey College NUR202 Geriatric Nursing Exam 1 |26/27
| Qs&As & Detailed Rationales | Geriatric Nursing
1. A nurse is teaching nursing students about the difference between life span and life
expectancy. Which statement is correct?
A) Life span is the average number of years a population is expected to live
B) Life expectancy refers to the maximum biologically possible length of human life
C) Life expectancy is the average number of years a person or population is
expected to live
D) Life span and life expectancy are interchangeable terms
Correct Answer: Life expectancy is the average number of years a person or population is
expected to live
Rationale: Life expectancy describes the statistically estimated number of years an
individual or population is expected to live based on demographic and health data. Life
span refers more broadly to the maximum potential length of life of a species.
Improvements in sanitation, vaccination, nutrition, chronic-disease management, and
medical technology have increased average life expectancy without necessarily changing
the theoretical maximum human life span.
2. Which statement best describes the concept of compression of morbidity?
A) Chronic illness begins earlier and lasts longer
B) Disability and illness are concentrated into a shorter period near the end of life
C) Every older adult develops several chronic diseases
D) Aging inevitably causes functional dependence
Correct Answer: Disability and illness are concentrated into a shorter period near the end
of life
Rationale: Compression of morbidity proposes that healthy life can be extended so that
significant illness and disability occur later and occupy a relatively shorter portion of the
life span. The concept supports prevention, exercise, nutrition, risk-factor reduction, and
effective chronic-disease management. It directly challenges the assumption that prolonged
disability is an unavoidable consequence of becoming older.
3. Which statement by a nurse demonstrates ageism?
A) “I will assess each older adult's abilities individually.”
B) “Older adults should be encouraged to maintain independence.”
C) “People over age 80 are usually confused, so detailed teaching is unnecessary.”
D) “Sensory limitations may require modification of communication techniques.”
Correct Answer: “People over age 80 are usually confused, so detailed teaching is
unnecessary.”
,Rationale: Ageism involves stereotypes, prejudice, or discrimination based on age.
Assuming that confusion and inability to learn are normal simply because a person is older
is inaccurate and can lead to poor-quality care. Healthy aging does not normally cause
global cognitive failure, and older adults should receive individualized assessment and
education.
4. Which nursing approach best promotes healthy aging?
A) Completing all activities for the older adult
B) Focusing exclusively on diseases and limitations
C) Identifying strengths and maximizing independence
D) Discouraging activities that require effort
Correct Answer: Identifying strengths and maximizing independence
Rationale: Geriatric nursing focuses on function, adaptation, strengths, autonomy, and
quality of life rather than defining an older person by disease. Encouraging patients to
perform activities they can safely complete preserves muscle strength, confidence,
cognition, and independence. Unnecessary assistance can contribute to deconditioning and
learned dependence.
5. According to activity theory, successful aging is promoted primarily by:
A) Progressive withdrawal from social roles
B) Remaining engaged in meaningful activities
C) Avoiding interpersonal relationships
D) Limiting new experiences
Correct Answer: Remaining engaged in meaningful activities
Rationale: Activity theory proposes that continued participation in meaningful physical,
social, intellectual, and interpersonal activities promotes satisfaction and successful aging.
The specific activities should reflect the individual's interests and abilities rather than an
arbitrary expectation that every older adult remain equally active.
6. Which statement best describes continuity theory?
A) Older adults should abandon previous interests
B) Aging requires complete withdrawal from society
C) People tend to maintain established patterns, values, and coping styles as they
age
D) Personality changes completely after age 65
Correct Answer: People tend to maintain established patterns, values, and coping styles as
they age
Rationale: Continuity theory proposes that individuals generally adapt to aging by
preserving internal characteristics and familiar patterns developed earlier in life.
, Understanding a patient's lifelong preferences, routines, coping strategies, and social roles
therefore helps nurses create individualized plans that promote adjustment.
7. Which theory historically suggested that older adults and society gradually
withdraw from one another?
A) Activity theory
B) Continuity theory
C) Disengagement theory
D) Free-radical theory
Correct Answer: Disengagement theory
Rationale: Disengagement theory proposed that mutual social withdrawal was a normal
and functional part of aging. The theory has been widely criticized because many older
adults maintain or seek meaningful relationships and activities. Nurses should not use
disengagement theory to justify unnecessary isolation or loss of autonomy.
8. Erikson identified the major psychosocial conflict of later adulthood as:
A) Identity versus role confusion
B) Intimacy versus isolation
C) Generativity versus stagnation
D) Ego integrity versus despair
Correct Answer: Ego integrity versus despair
Rationale: Erikson described later adulthood as the developmental stage of ego integrity
versus despair. Ego integrity develops when a person can reflect on life with acceptance,
meaning, and a sense of wholeness. Despair can occur when life is viewed primarily with
regret, bitterness, or fear that there is insufficient time to make meaningful changes.
9. An older adult says, “I made mistakes, but overall I am satisfied with the life I
lived.” Which Eriksonian outcome does this statement demonstrate?
A) Isolation
B) Ego integrity
C) Role confusion
D) Stagnation
Correct Answer: Ego integrity
Rationale: Acceptance of one's life as meaningful despite imperfections is characteristic of
ego integrity. This developmental achievement is associated with wisdom and acceptance of
aging and mortality. The nurse can support this process through life review, reminiscence,
and respectful listening.
10. Which nursing intervention best supports an older adult conducting a life review?
A) Redirect discussion away from the past
| Qs&As & Detailed Rationales | Geriatric Nursing
1. A nurse is teaching nursing students about the difference between life span and life
expectancy. Which statement is correct?
A) Life span is the average number of years a population is expected to live
B) Life expectancy refers to the maximum biologically possible length of human life
C) Life expectancy is the average number of years a person or population is
expected to live
D) Life span and life expectancy are interchangeable terms
Correct Answer: Life expectancy is the average number of years a person or population is
expected to live
Rationale: Life expectancy describes the statistically estimated number of years an
individual or population is expected to live based on demographic and health data. Life
span refers more broadly to the maximum potential length of life of a species.
Improvements in sanitation, vaccination, nutrition, chronic-disease management, and
medical technology have increased average life expectancy without necessarily changing
the theoretical maximum human life span.
2. Which statement best describes the concept of compression of morbidity?
A) Chronic illness begins earlier and lasts longer
B) Disability and illness are concentrated into a shorter period near the end of life
C) Every older adult develops several chronic diseases
D) Aging inevitably causes functional dependence
Correct Answer: Disability and illness are concentrated into a shorter period near the end
of life
Rationale: Compression of morbidity proposes that healthy life can be extended so that
significant illness and disability occur later and occupy a relatively shorter portion of the
life span. The concept supports prevention, exercise, nutrition, risk-factor reduction, and
effective chronic-disease management. It directly challenges the assumption that prolonged
disability is an unavoidable consequence of becoming older.
3. Which statement by a nurse demonstrates ageism?
A) “I will assess each older adult's abilities individually.”
B) “Older adults should be encouraged to maintain independence.”
C) “People over age 80 are usually confused, so detailed teaching is unnecessary.”
D) “Sensory limitations may require modification of communication techniques.”
Correct Answer: “People over age 80 are usually confused, so detailed teaching is
unnecessary.”
,Rationale: Ageism involves stereotypes, prejudice, or discrimination based on age.
Assuming that confusion and inability to learn are normal simply because a person is older
is inaccurate and can lead to poor-quality care. Healthy aging does not normally cause
global cognitive failure, and older adults should receive individualized assessment and
education.
4. Which nursing approach best promotes healthy aging?
A) Completing all activities for the older adult
B) Focusing exclusively on diseases and limitations
C) Identifying strengths and maximizing independence
D) Discouraging activities that require effort
Correct Answer: Identifying strengths and maximizing independence
Rationale: Geriatric nursing focuses on function, adaptation, strengths, autonomy, and
quality of life rather than defining an older person by disease. Encouraging patients to
perform activities they can safely complete preserves muscle strength, confidence,
cognition, and independence. Unnecessary assistance can contribute to deconditioning and
learned dependence.
5. According to activity theory, successful aging is promoted primarily by:
A) Progressive withdrawal from social roles
B) Remaining engaged in meaningful activities
C) Avoiding interpersonal relationships
D) Limiting new experiences
Correct Answer: Remaining engaged in meaningful activities
Rationale: Activity theory proposes that continued participation in meaningful physical,
social, intellectual, and interpersonal activities promotes satisfaction and successful aging.
The specific activities should reflect the individual's interests and abilities rather than an
arbitrary expectation that every older adult remain equally active.
6. Which statement best describes continuity theory?
A) Older adults should abandon previous interests
B) Aging requires complete withdrawal from society
C) People tend to maintain established patterns, values, and coping styles as they
age
D) Personality changes completely after age 65
Correct Answer: People tend to maintain established patterns, values, and coping styles as
they age
Rationale: Continuity theory proposes that individuals generally adapt to aging by
preserving internal characteristics and familiar patterns developed earlier in life.
, Understanding a patient's lifelong preferences, routines, coping strategies, and social roles
therefore helps nurses create individualized plans that promote adjustment.
7. Which theory historically suggested that older adults and society gradually
withdraw from one another?
A) Activity theory
B) Continuity theory
C) Disengagement theory
D) Free-radical theory
Correct Answer: Disengagement theory
Rationale: Disengagement theory proposed that mutual social withdrawal was a normal
and functional part of aging. The theory has been widely criticized because many older
adults maintain or seek meaningful relationships and activities. Nurses should not use
disengagement theory to justify unnecessary isolation or loss of autonomy.
8. Erikson identified the major psychosocial conflict of later adulthood as:
A) Identity versus role confusion
B) Intimacy versus isolation
C) Generativity versus stagnation
D) Ego integrity versus despair
Correct Answer: Ego integrity versus despair
Rationale: Erikson described later adulthood as the developmental stage of ego integrity
versus despair. Ego integrity develops when a person can reflect on life with acceptance,
meaning, and a sense of wholeness. Despair can occur when life is viewed primarily with
regret, bitterness, or fear that there is insufficient time to make meaningful changes.
9. An older adult says, “I made mistakes, but overall I am satisfied with the life I
lived.” Which Eriksonian outcome does this statement demonstrate?
A) Isolation
B) Ego integrity
C) Role confusion
D) Stagnation
Correct Answer: Ego integrity
Rationale: Acceptance of one's life as meaningful despite imperfections is characteristic of
ego integrity. This developmental achievement is associated with wisdom and acceptance of
aging and mortality. The nurse can support this process through life review, reminiscence,
and respectful listening.
10. Which nursing intervention best supports an older adult conducting a life review?
A) Redirect discussion away from the past
