ANCC GEROCNS SAMPLE TEST
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS
A 73-year-old patient reports "dizzy spells" for the past several weeks. The patient
describes three similar episodes during which the patient experienced "a swimming in
my head," loss of balance without falling, and numbness in the left arm. These episodes
lasted 10 to 30 minutes. This patient is experiencing:
carotid artery stenosis.
Ménière's disease.
postural hypotension.
transient ischemic attacks. - ✔✔transient ischemic attacks.
Which is the main principal age-related change that causes an alteration in drug
distribution in older adults?
A decrease in absorption
A decrease in total body weight
An increase in body water
An increase in the ratio of body fat to lean body mass - ✔✔An increase in the ratio of
body fat to lean body mass
An 85-year-old patient has an intestinal viral infection with severe diarrhea. Laboratory
studies are ordered. Which result confirms a diagnosis of dehydration?
Hyperchloremia and hypernatremia
Hyperglycemia and hyponatremia
Hyperkalemia and hypercapnia
Hypermagnesemia and hyponatremia - ✔✔Hyperchloremia and hypernatremia
In older women, the onset of physical discomfort and bleeding associated with sexual
intercourse often indicates:
a friable cervix with possible cellular abnormalities.
decreased distensibility and mucosal changes of the vaginal vault.
infrequent sexual activity.
thickening of the vaginal mucosa with decreased lubrication. - ✔✔decreased
distensibility and mucosal changes of the vaginal vault.
, A gerontological clinical nurse specialist is administering a mental status examination to
an 80-year-old patient. The patient answers the more complicated questions by saying,
"I don't know." Which test is included in a further assessment?
Barthel Index
Functional Independence Measure
Geriatric Depression Scale
Lawton Life Satisfaction Scale - ✔✔Geriatric Depression Scale
The most reliable means for assessing hydration in an older adult is:
mucous membrane condition.
skin texture.
skin turgor.
urinary frequency. - ✔✔mucous membrane condition
Differences between the IQ scores of a group of 20-year-old individuals and a group of
80-year-old individuals suggest:
a cortical atrophy.
an accumulation of lipofuscin.
cohort differences.
vascular changes. - ✔✔cohort differences.
Which group of older adults has the highest risk for suicide?
African-American men
African-American women
White men
White women - ✔✔White men
In a quality review of pressure ulcers among nursing home residents, appropriate
outcome criteria include the:
availability of supplies for wound care.
incidence of pressure ulcers correlated with staffing levels.
percentage of pressure ulcers that demonstrate healing each month.
rate of nurse compliance with the protocol for treating pressure ulcers. - ✔✔percentage
of pressure ulcers that demonstrate healing each month.
Ever since the death of her husband a year ago, an older woman's ability to care for
herself has significantly diminished. The older woman expresses increased feelings of
inadequacy and decreased satisfaction with life. The daughter has become the primary
caregiver for the woman and has become increasingly resentful of this role. The mother
and daughter's feelings are best explained in terms of:
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS
A 73-year-old patient reports "dizzy spells" for the past several weeks. The patient
describes three similar episodes during which the patient experienced "a swimming in
my head," loss of balance without falling, and numbness in the left arm. These episodes
lasted 10 to 30 minutes. This patient is experiencing:
carotid artery stenosis.
Ménière's disease.
postural hypotension.
transient ischemic attacks. - ✔✔transient ischemic attacks.
Which is the main principal age-related change that causes an alteration in drug
distribution in older adults?
A decrease in absorption
A decrease in total body weight
An increase in body water
An increase in the ratio of body fat to lean body mass - ✔✔An increase in the ratio of
body fat to lean body mass
An 85-year-old patient has an intestinal viral infection with severe diarrhea. Laboratory
studies are ordered. Which result confirms a diagnosis of dehydration?
Hyperchloremia and hypernatremia
Hyperglycemia and hyponatremia
Hyperkalemia and hypercapnia
Hypermagnesemia and hyponatremia - ✔✔Hyperchloremia and hypernatremia
In older women, the onset of physical discomfort and bleeding associated with sexual
intercourse often indicates:
a friable cervix with possible cellular abnormalities.
decreased distensibility and mucosal changes of the vaginal vault.
infrequent sexual activity.
thickening of the vaginal mucosa with decreased lubrication. - ✔✔decreased
distensibility and mucosal changes of the vaginal vault.
, A gerontological clinical nurse specialist is administering a mental status examination to
an 80-year-old patient. The patient answers the more complicated questions by saying,
"I don't know." Which test is included in a further assessment?
Barthel Index
Functional Independence Measure
Geriatric Depression Scale
Lawton Life Satisfaction Scale - ✔✔Geriatric Depression Scale
The most reliable means for assessing hydration in an older adult is:
mucous membrane condition.
skin texture.
skin turgor.
urinary frequency. - ✔✔mucous membrane condition
Differences between the IQ scores of a group of 20-year-old individuals and a group of
80-year-old individuals suggest:
a cortical atrophy.
an accumulation of lipofuscin.
cohort differences.
vascular changes. - ✔✔cohort differences.
Which group of older adults has the highest risk for suicide?
African-American men
African-American women
White men
White women - ✔✔White men
In a quality review of pressure ulcers among nursing home residents, appropriate
outcome criteria include the:
availability of supplies for wound care.
incidence of pressure ulcers correlated with staffing levels.
percentage of pressure ulcers that demonstrate healing each month.
rate of nurse compliance with the protocol for treating pressure ulcers. - ✔✔percentage
of pressure ulcers that demonstrate healing each month.
Ever since the death of her husband a year ago, an older woman's ability to care for
herself has significantly diminished. The older woman expresses increased feelings of
inadequacy and decreased satisfaction with life. The daughter has become the primary
caregiver for the woman and has become increasingly resentful of this role. The mother
and daughter's feelings are best explained in terms of:
