EBERSOLE AND HESS GERONTOLOGICAL NURSING TEST
BANK 2026/2027 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
CORE DOMAINS
Theories of Aging and Healthy Aging Principles
Age-Related Physiological Changes and Assessment
Geriatric Syndromes: Falls, Frailty, and Delirium
Chronic Illness Management and Polypharmacy
Cognitive Impairment, Dementia, and Mental Health
Nutrition, Hydration, and Skin Integrity
Functional Decline and Activities of Daily Living
Psychosocial, Cultural, and Family Care
Ethics, Advance Care Planning, and End-of-Life Care
Safety, Restraints, and Elder Mistreatment
INTRODUCTION
,The Ebersole and Hess Gerontological Nursing Test Bank
assesses the clinical judgment and foundational knowledge
required for safe, competent nursing care of older adults. The
examination evaluates aging physiology, comprehensive
assessment, geriatric syndromes, chronic disease
management, medication safety, psychosocial care, and
ethical decision-making. Items are structured as multiple-
choice and scenario-based questions that require
prioritization, critical thinking, and application of evidence-
informed gerontological standards. The assessment reflects
real-world clinical practice, regulatory compliance, and
professional accountability essential for entry-level nursing
practice with older adults.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A nurse is assessing an 82-year-old client who becomes
dizzy when rising from a supine position. Which age-related
change is the primary cause of this finding?
A. Increased arterial wall elasticity
B. Blunting of the baroreceptor reflex
C. Left ventricular hypertrophy
D. Overactive parasympathetic response
,🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Blunting of the baroreceptor reflex impairs
the body's ability to rapidly vasoconstrict and increase heart
rate upon standing, resulting in orthostatic hypotension. Left
ventricular hypertrophy affects diastolic filling but not
positional blood pressure regulation.
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a 90-year-old client prescribed a renally
excreted antibiotic. Which physiological change of aging
necessitates a dose reduction?
A. Increased renal blood flow
B. Hyperplasia of the nephrons
C. Decreased glomerular filtration rate
D. Increased bladder capacity
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: A progressive decline in glomerular
filtration rate reduces the kidneys' ability to clear
medications, increasing the risk of drug toxicity. Renal blood
flow and nephron mass both decrease with age, not
increase.
Question 3
, A nurse is reviewing the medication list for a 72-year-old
client with heart failure and osteoarthritis who reports using
diphenhydramine nightly for sleep. Which response by the
nurse is appropriate?
A. "That is a safe and effective sleep aid for older adults."
B. "You should take it with a full glass of water."
C. "Diphenhydramine can cause confusion and memory
problems in older adults."
D. "You can continue taking it every other night."
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Diphenhydramine is a first-generation
antihistamine with strong anticholinergic properties and is
listed in the Beers Criteria as potentially inappropriate for
older adults due to risks of confusion, delirium, urinary
retention, and falls.
Question 4
A nurse is assessing a 78-year-old client who coughs weakly
during meals and clears the throat repeatedly. Which age-
related change most directly increases this client's risk for
silent aspiration?
A. Increased forced expiratory volume
B. Decreased alveolar surface area
BANK 2026/2027 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
CORE DOMAINS
Theories of Aging and Healthy Aging Principles
Age-Related Physiological Changes and Assessment
Geriatric Syndromes: Falls, Frailty, and Delirium
Chronic Illness Management and Polypharmacy
Cognitive Impairment, Dementia, and Mental Health
Nutrition, Hydration, and Skin Integrity
Functional Decline and Activities of Daily Living
Psychosocial, Cultural, and Family Care
Ethics, Advance Care Planning, and End-of-Life Care
Safety, Restraints, and Elder Mistreatment
INTRODUCTION
,The Ebersole and Hess Gerontological Nursing Test Bank
assesses the clinical judgment and foundational knowledge
required for safe, competent nursing care of older adults. The
examination evaluates aging physiology, comprehensive
assessment, geriatric syndromes, chronic disease
management, medication safety, psychosocial care, and
ethical decision-making. Items are structured as multiple-
choice and scenario-based questions that require
prioritization, critical thinking, and application of evidence-
informed gerontological standards. The assessment reflects
real-world clinical practice, regulatory compliance, and
professional accountability essential for entry-level nursing
practice with older adults.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A nurse is assessing an 82-year-old client who becomes
dizzy when rising from a supine position. Which age-related
change is the primary cause of this finding?
A. Increased arterial wall elasticity
B. Blunting of the baroreceptor reflex
C. Left ventricular hypertrophy
D. Overactive parasympathetic response
,🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Blunting of the baroreceptor reflex impairs
the body's ability to rapidly vasoconstrict and increase heart
rate upon standing, resulting in orthostatic hypotension. Left
ventricular hypertrophy affects diastolic filling but not
positional blood pressure regulation.
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a 90-year-old client prescribed a renally
excreted antibiotic. Which physiological change of aging
necessitates a dose reduction?
A. Increased renal blood flow
B. Hyperplasia of the nephrons
C. Decreased glomerular filtration rate
D. Increased bladder capacity
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: A progressive decline in glomerular
filtration rate reduces the kidneys' ability to clear
medications, increasing the risk of drug toxicity. Renal blood
flow and nephron mass both decrease with age, not
increase.
Question 3
, A nurse is reviewing the medication list for a 72-year-old
client with heart failure and osteoarthritis who reports using
diphenhydramine nightly for sleep. Which response by the
nurse is appropriate?
A. "That is a safe and effective sleep aid for older adults."
B. "You should take it with a full glass of water."
C. "Diphenhydramine can cause confusion and memory
problems in older adults."
D. "You can continue taking it every other night."
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Diphenhydramine is a first-generation
antihistamine with strong anticholinergic properties and is
listed in the Beers Criteria as potentially inappropriate for
older adults due to risks of confusion, delirium, urinary
retention, and falls.
Question 4
A nurse is assessing a 78-year-old client who coughs weakly
during meals and clears the throat repeatedly. Which age-
related change most directly increases this client's risk for
silent aspiration?
A. Increased forced expiratory volume
B. Decreased alveolar surface area
