GERO 301: Geriatric Nursing Prep with Detailed Rationales
Course Code: GERO 301
Course Name: Geriatric Nursing
Topic: Comprehensive Gerontological Health, Aging Theories, and Clinical
Interventions
Academic Year: 2026/2027
1. Question
A nurse assesses an 82-year-old patient who reports a spinning sensation and loss
of balance when turning their head. The nurse documents this finding as vertigo.
Which response by the nurse is the priority?
A. Instruct the patient to perform deep, rapid breathing to clear the sensation.
B. Assist the patient to sit down immediately and remain still.
C. Assess the patient for a complete loss of appetite.
D. Check the bilateral lower extremities for intermittent claudication.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Vertigo is characterized as the sensation of dizziness or
spinning. Because this alters spatial orientation, it poses an immediate safety risk
for falls. The priority action is ensuring safety by seating the patient. Deep
breathing does not mitigate vertigo. Loss of appetite (anorexia) [1] and
intermittent claudication [1] are unrelated to acute balance disruption.
2. Question
An older adult client experiencing a prolonged febrile illness suddenly exhibits
severe restlessness, visual illusions, and disorganized thought patterns. The nurse
recognizes that these manifestations are consistent with delirium. What is the
primary characteristic of this condition?
A. A slowly progressive decline in mental abilities over several years.
B. An irreversible damage to the peripheral nerve cells.
C. An acutely disturbed state of mind that occurs with fever or intoxication.
D. An automated breakdown of cells programmed by a biological clock.
, CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Delirium is an acutely disturbed state of mind occurring with
fever, intoxication, or other physiological stressors, presenting with restlessness,
illusions, and incoherence. It is sudden and typically reversible, distinguishing it
from dementia, which is a slowly progressive and permanent decline in cognitive
abilities.
3. Question
An 88-year-old resident in a long-term care facility has developed a localized area
of cellular necrosis over the sacrum due to prolonged pressure. The nurse should
document this lesion as decubiti. Which nursing intervention is most effective for
preventing this condition?
A. Washing the skin surfaces daily using harsh antibacterial soap.
B. Changing the patient's position every two hours or more and inspecting
skin.
C. Restricting fluid intake to decrease episodes of urinary incontinence.
D. Using alcohol-based cleansers to dry out the epidermal layers.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Decubiti refer to pressure sores caused by prolonged ischemia
to tissues. The primary preventive strategy is turning and repositioning the patient
at least every two hours to relieve pressure. Antibacterial soaps and alcohol-based
cleansers increase drying and skin breakdown, which exacerbates risk.
4. Question
A nurse is preparing a care plan for an elderly client reporting severe, distressing
skin irritation. The nurse notes pruritus [1] during the physical examination.
Which instructions should the nurse include in the client's teaching?
A. Bathe multiple times a day using hot water and antibacterial soap.
B. Apply alcohol-based lotions generously over the affected areas.
C. Implement less frequent bathing and utilize water-based cleansers.
D. Avoid using any topical moisturizers or emollient creams.
, CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Management of pruritus (intense itching) in older adults
includes less frequent bathing and using water-based, alcohol-free cleansers.
Antibacterial soaps and alcohol-based products strip the skin of natural oils,
accelerating drying and worsening the itching.
5. Question
An older adult patient reports sharp, cramping pain in the bilateral calf muscles
that consistently occurs after walking short distances but is relieved after sitting
down for 5 minutes. The nurse recognizes this condition as intermittent
claudication. What is the underlying pathophysiology?
A. Inflammation of the synovial membrane within the lower extremity joints.
B. Slower nerve impulse transmissions within the autonomic nervous system.
C. Impaired peripheral circulation resulting in muscle ischemia during
exercise.
D. Loss of structural elasticity within the cardiac valves.
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Intermittent claudication is leg muscle pain during exercise
that is relieved by rest, serving as a classic sign of peripheral vascular disease
(PVD) due to arterial narrowing. Synovial inflammation describes rheumatoid
arthritis, not a vascular ischemic muscle issue.
6. Question
A nurse reviews an electrocardiogram (ECG) of an elderly patient showing an
irregular rhythm with varying P-P intervals. The nurse documents this finding as a
dysrhythmia. Which age-related cardiac change contributes to this finding?
A. Decreased heart size and increased compliance of myocardial walls.
B. Thicker, more rigid heart valves and delayed chamber filling.
C. Rapid acceleration of heart rate recovery following an exercise session.
D. Thinning of the endocardial lining with heightened pacemaker cell output.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Age-related cardiovascular adjustments include thicker and
Course Code: GERO 301
Course Name: Geriatric Nursing
Topic: Comprehensive Gerontological Health, Aging Theories, and Clinical
Interventions
Academic Year: 2026/2027
1. Question
A nurse assesses an 82-year-old patient who reports a spinning sensation and loss
of balance when turning their head. The nurse documents this finding as vertigo.
Which response by the nurse is the priority?
A. Instruct the patient to perform deep, rapid breathing to clear the sensation.
B. Assist the patient to sit down immediately and remain still.
C. Assess the patient for a complete loss of appetite.
D. Check the bilateral lower extremities for intermittent claudication.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Vertigo is characterized as the sensation of dizziness or
spinning. Because this alters spatial orientation, it poses an immediate safety risk
for falls. The priority action is ensuring safety by seating the patient. Deep
breathing does not mitigate vertigo. Loss of appetite (anorexia) [1] and
intermittent claudication [1] are unrelated to acute balance disruption.
2. Question
An older adult client experiencing a prolonged febrile illness suddenly exhibits
severe restlessness, visual illusions, and disorganized thought patterns. The nurse
recognizes that these manifestations are consistent with delirium. What is the
primary characteristic of this condition?
A. A slowly progressive decline in mental abilities over several years.
B. An irreversible damage to the peripheral nerve cells.
C. An acutely disturbed state of mind that occurs with fever or intoxication.
D. An automated breakdown of cells programmed by a biological clock.
, CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Delirium is an acutely disturbed state of mind occurring with
fever, intoxication, or other physiological stressors, presenting with restlessness,
illusions, and incoherence. It is sudden and typically reversible, distinguishing it
from dementia, which is a slowly progressive and permanent decline in cognitive
abilities.
3. Question
An 88-year-old resident in a long-term care facility has developed a localized area
of cellular necrosis over the sacrum due to prolonged pressure. The nurse should
document this lesion as decubiti. Which nursing intervention is most effective for
preventing this condition?
A. Washing the skin surfaces daily using harsh antibacterial soap.
B. Changing the patient's position every two hours or more and inspecting
skin.
C. Restricting fluid intake to decrease episodes of urinary incontinence.
D. Using alcohol-based cleansers to dry out the epidermal layers.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Decubiti refer to pressure sores caused by prolonged ischemia
to tissues. The primary preventive strategy is turning and repositioning the patient
at least every two hours to relieve pressure. Antibacterial soaps and alcohol-based
cleansers increase drying and skin breakdown, which exacerbates risk.
4. Question
A nurse is preparing a care plan for an elderly client reporting severe, distressing
skin irritation. The nurse notes pruritus [1] during the physical examination.
Which instructions should the nurse include in the client's teaching?
A. Bathe multiple times a day using hot water and antibacterial soap.
B. Apply alcohol-based lotions generously over the affected areas.
C. Implement less frequent bathing and utilize water-based cleansers.
D. Avoid using any topical moisturizers or emollient creams.
, CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Management of pruritus (intense itching) in older adults
includes less frequent bathing and using water-based, alcohol-free cleansers.
Antibacterial soaps and alcohol-based products strip the skin of natural oils,
accelerating drying and worsening the itching.
5. Question
An older adult patient reports sharp, cramping pain in the bilateral calf muscles
that consistently occurs after walking short distances but is relieved after sitting
down for 5 minutes. The nurse recognizes this condition as intermittent
claudication. What is the underlying pathophysiology?
A. Inflammation of the synovial membrane within the lower extremity joints.
B. Slower nerve impulse transmissions within the autonomic nervous system.
C. Impaired peripheral circulation resulting in muscle ischemia during
exercise.
D. Loss of structural elasticity within the cardiac valves.
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Intermittent claudication is leg muscle pain during exercise
that is relieved by rest, serving as a classic sign of peripheral vascular disease
(PVD) due to arterial narrowing. Synovial inflammation describes rheumatoid
arthritis, not a vascular ischemic muscle issue.
6. Question
A nurse reviews an electrocardiogram (ECG) of an elderly patient showing an
irregular rhythm with varying P-P intervals. The nurse documents this finding as a
dysrhythmia. Which age-related cardiac change contributes to this finding?
A. Decreased heart size and increased compliance of myocardial walls.
B. Thicker, more rigid heart valves and delayed chamber filling.
C. Rapid acceleration of heart rate recovery following an exercise session.
D. Thinning of the endocardial lining with heightened pacemaker cell output.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Age-related cardiovascular adjustments include thicker and
