NSG 306 — Gerontological Nursing exam
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1. Which physiological change is commonly associated with normal
aging?
A. Increased renal blood flow
B. Increased lung elasticity
C. Decreased skin elasticity
D. Increased cardiac output
Answer: C. Decreased skin elasticity
Rationale: Aging is associated with structural and functional changes
in multiple body systems. The skin becomes thinner and loses collagen
and elastin, resulting in decreased elasticity, increased wrinkling, and
greater susceptibility to injury. Renal blood flow, lung elasticity, and
cardiac reserve generally decrease rather than increase with age.
, 2. Which assessment finding in an older adult is most consistent
with normal aging?
A. New-onset confusion
B. Decreased visual acuity
C. Sudden urinary incontinence
D. Loss of ability to perform familiar activities
Answer: B. Decreased visual acuity
Rationale: Gradual changes in vision, including reduced
accommodation and difficulty seeing in dim light, can occur with
normal aging. New confusion, sudden incontinence, or loss of
functional abilities should not automatically be attributed to aging
and requires further assessment.
3. Which age-related change increases an older adult's risk for
dehydration?
A. Increased total body water
B. Increased thirst sensation
C. Decreased total body water
D. Increased renal concentrating ability
Answer: C. Decreased total body water
,Rationale: Older adults have a lower proportion of total body water
than younger adults. In addition, thirst sensation and renal
concentrating ability may decline. These changes increase the risk of
dehydration, particularly during illness, hot weather, or periods of
inadequate fluid intake.
4. An older adult reports difficulty hearing conversations when
several people are speaking simultaneously. Which condition is
most likely responsible?
A. Presbycusis
B. Tinnitus
C. Otitis media
D. Ménière disease
Answer: A. Presbycusis
Rationale: Presbycusis is age-related sensorineural hearing loss. It
commonly affects high-frequency sounds and makes it difficult for
older adults to distinguish speech from background noise. Nurses
should communicate clearly, face the patient, reduce background
noise, and verify understanding.
5. Which intervention is most appropriate when communicating
with an older adult who has hearing impairment?
, A. Speak rapidly and loudly
B. Face the patient while speaking
C. Shout directly into the patient's ear
D. Speak only to the patient's family member
Answer: B. Face the patient while speaking
Rationale: Facing the patient allows the older adult to use visual cues
such as lip movements and facial expressions. The nurse should speak
clearly at a normal or slightly slower pace and reduce environmental
noise. Shouting can distort sounds and does not necessarily improve
comprehension.
6. Which finding should the nurse recognize as most concerning for
delirium?
A. Gradual decline in memory over several years
B. Stable difficulty recalling names
C. Acute onset of fluctuating confusion
D. Long-standing difficulty with complex tasks
Answer: C. Acute onset of fluctuating confusion
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by an acute change in attention
and cognition that often fluctuates during the day. It frequently
results from an underlying medical condition, infection, medication
Questions and Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationale 2027 Q&A| Instant
Download Pdf
1. Which physiological change is commonly associated with normal
aging?
A. Increased renal blood flow
B. Increased lung elasticity
C. Decreased skin elasticity
D. Increased cardiac output
Answer: C. Decreased skin elasticity
Rationale: Aging is associated with structural and functional changes
in multiple body systems. The skin becomes thinner and loses collagen
and elastin, resulting in decreased elasticity, increased wrinkling, and
greater susceptibility to injury. Renal blood flow, lung elasticity, and
cardiac reserve generally decrease rather than increase with age.
, 2. Which assessment finding in an older adult is most consistent
with normal aging?
A. New-onset confusion
B. Decreased visual acuity
C. Sudden urinary incontinence
D. Loss of ability to perform familiar activities
Answer: B. Decreased visual acuity
Rationale: Gradual changes in vision, including reduced
accommodation and difficulty seeing in dim light, can occur with
normal aging. New confusion, sudden incontinence, or loss of
functional abilities should not automatically be attributed to aging
and requires further assessment.
3. Which age-related change increases an older adult's risk for
dehydration?
A. Increased total body water
B. Increased thirst sensation
C. Decreased total body water
D. Increased renal concentrating ability
Answer: C. Decreased total body water
,Rationale: Older adults have a lower proportion of total body water
than younger adults. In addition, thirst sensation and renal
concentrating ability may decline. These changes increase the risk of
dehydration, particularly during illness, hot weather, or periods of
inadequate fluid intake.
4. An older adult reports difficulty hearing conversations when
several people are speaking simultaneously. Which condition is
most likely responsible?
A. Presbycusis
B. Tinnitus
C. Otitis media
D. Ménière disease
Answer: A. Presbycusis
Rationale: Presbycusis is age-related sensorineural hearing loss. It
commonly affects high-frequency sounds and makes it difficult for
older adults to distinguish speech from background noise. Nurses
should communicate clearly, face the patient, reduce background
noise, and verify understanding.
5. Which intervention is most appropriate when communicating
with an older adult who has hearing impairment?
, A. Speak rapidly and loudly
B. Face the patient while speaking
C. Shout directly into the patient's ear
D. Speak only to the patient's family member
Answer: B. Face the patient while speaking
Rationale: Facing the patient allows the older adult to use visual cues
such as lip movements and facial expressions. The nurse should speak
clearly at a normal or slightly slower pace and reduce environmental
noise. Shouting can distort sounds and does not necessarily improve
comprehension.
6. Which finding should the nurse recognize as most concerning for
delirium?
A. Gradual decline in memory over several years
B. Stable difficulty recalling names
C. Acute onset of fluctuating confusion
D. Long-standing difficulty with complex tasks
Answer: C. Acute onset of fluctuating confusion
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by an acute change in attention
and cognition that often fluctuates during the day. It frequently
results from an underlying medical condition, infection, medication
