,Jersey College NUR202 Geriatric Nursing midterm
Exam |26/27 | Qs&As & Detailed Rationales
1. Which statement best describes gerontological nursing?
A) Nursing care limited to adults older than 85 years
B) Nursing focused exclusively on chronic disease treatment
C) Nursing that promotes optimal function, health, and quality of life throughout
later adulthood
D) Nursing concerned only with end-of-life care
Correct Answer: Nursing that promotes optimal function, health, and quality of life
throughout later adulthood
Rationale: Gerontological nursing addresses the broad health needs of older adults,
including health promotion, disease prevention, chronic illness management, functional
preservation, psychosocial well-being, safety, autonomy, and quality of life. It is not limited
to very old adults or to disease and end-of-life care.
2. Which statement correctly distinguishes life expectancy from life span?
A) Life expectancy is the maximum theoretical human age
B) Life span is the population's average age at death
C) Life expectancy estimates the average years a person or population may live
D) They mean exactly the same thing
Correct Answer: Life expectancy estimates the average years a person or population may
live
Rationale: Life expectancy is a statistical estimate of expected years of life based on factors
such as age, population, health, and mortality patterns. Life span refers to the maximum
potential duration of life for a species.
3. Which statement demonstrates ageism?
A) “I will assess this patient's ability to manage medications.”
B) “Every person over 80 is confused and should not make decisions.”
C) “Older adults may require additional time to answer questions.”
D) “I should assess hearing before assuming cognitive impairment.”
Correct Answer: “Every person over 80 is confused and should not make decisions.”
Rationale: Ageism involves stereotypes or discrimination based solely on age. Cognitive
impairment and incapacity are not inevitable consequences of aging. Individual assessment
is required.
4. Which nursing intervention most strongly promotes successful aging?
A) Performing all ADLs for the patient
, B) Encouraging safe independence and meaningful activity
C) Discouraging exercise to prevent fatigue
D) Limiting social interaction
Correct Answer: Encouraging safe independence and meaningful activity
Rationale: Successful aging is supported by preserved function, meaningful engagement,
autonomy, health-promoting behavior, and adaptation. Doing everything for a capable
older adult can accelerate dependence and deconditioning.
5. Activity theory proposes that successful aging is promoted by:
A) Withdrawal from society
B) Continued participation in meaningful roles and activities
C) Avoidance of social relationships
D) Dependence on younger family members
Correct Answer: Continued participation in meaningful roles and activities
Rationale: Activity theory suggests that continued social, intellectual, physical, and
interpersonal engagement contributes to satisfaction and adaptation in later life.
6. Which statement best reflects continuity theory?
A) Personality completely changes in later life
B) Older adults should abandon previous routines
C) People often preserve familiar values, coping styles, and patterns as they age
D) Aging requires withdrawal from previous roles
Correct Answer: People often preserve familiar values, coping styles, and patterns as they
age
Rationale: Continuity theory suggests that individuals adapt to aging by maintaining
internal characteristics and familiar patterns developed earlier in life whenever possible.
7. Disengagement theory historically proposed that:
A) Older adults should exercise more
B) Social withdrawal between the individual and society occurs with aging
C) Older adults become increasingly socially active
D) Aging is caused by free radicals
Correct Answer: Social withdrawal between the individual and society occurs with aging
Rationale: Disengagement theory proposed mutual withdrawal between the aging person
and society. The theory has been criticized because many older adults maintain strong
social engagement and derive benefit from doing so.
Exam |26/27 | Qs&As & Detailed Rationales
1. Which statement best describes gerontological nursing?
A) Nursing care limited to adults older than 85 years
B) Nursing focused exclusively on chronic disease treatment
C) Nursing that promotes optimal function, health, and quality of life throughout
later adulthood
D) Nursing concerned only with end-of-life care
Correct Answer: Nursing that promotes optimal function, health, and quality of life
throughout later adulthood
Rationale: Gerontological nursing addresses the broad health needs of older adults,
including health promotion, disease prevention, chronic illness management, functional
preservation, psychosocial well-being, safety, autonomy, and quality of life. It is not limited
to very old adults or to disease and end-of-life care.
2. Which statement correctly distinguishes life expectancy from life span?
A) Life expectancy is the maximum theoretical human age
B) Life span is the population's average age at death
C) Life expectancy estimates the average years a person or population may live
D) They mean exactly the same thing
Correct Answer: Life expectancy estimates the average years a person or population may
live
Rationale: Life expectancy is a statistical estimate of expected years of life based on factors
such as age, population, health, and mortality patterns. Life span refers to the maximum
potential duration of life for a species.
3. Which statement demonstrates ageism?
A) “I will assess this patient's ability to manage medications.”
B) “Every person over 80 is confused and should not make decisions.”
C) “Older adults may require additional time to answer questions.”
D) “I should assess hearing before assuming cognitive impairment.”
Correct Answer: “Every person over 80 is confused and should not make decisions.”
Rationale: Ageism involves stereotypes or discrimination based solely on age. Cognitive
impairment and incapacity are not inevitable consequences of aging. Individual assessment
is required.
4. Which nursing intervention most strongly promotes successful aging?
A) Performing all ADLs for the patient
, B) Encouraging safe independence and meaningful activity
C) Discouraging exercise to prevent fatigue
D) Limiting social interaction
Correct Answer: Encouraging safe independence and meaningful activity
Rationale: Successful aging is supported by preserved function, meaningful engagement,
autonomy, health-promoting behavior, and adaptation. Doing everything for a capable
older adult can accelerate dependence and deconditioning.
5. Activity theory proposes that successful aging is promoted by:
A) Withdrawal from society
B) Continued participation in meaningful roles and activities
C) Avoidance of social relationships
D) Dependence on younger family members
Correct Answer: Continued participation in meaningful roles and activities
Rationale: Activity theory suggests that continued social, intellectual, physical, and
interpersonal engagement contributes to satisfaction and adaptation in later life.
6. Which statement best reflects continuity theory?
A) Personality completely changes in later life
B) Older adults should abandon previous routines
C) People often preserve familiar values, coping styles, and patterns as they age
D) Aging requires withdrawal from previous roles
Correct Answer: People often preserve familiar values, coping styles, and patterns as they
age
Rationale: Continuity theory suggests that individuals adapt to aging by maintaining
internal characteristics and familiar patterns developed earlier in life whenever possible.
7. Disengagement theory historically proposed that:
A) Older adults should exercise more
B) Social withdrawal between the individual and society occurs with aging
C) Older adults become increasingly socially active
D) Aging is caused by free radicals
Correct Answer: Social withdrawal between the individual and society occurs with aging
Rationale: Disengagement theory proposed mutual withdrawal between the aging person
and society. The theory has been criticized because many older adults maintain strong
social engagement and derive benefit from doing so.
