Gerontological Nursing
Comprehensive Review
for ANCC Certification
Exam
(Questions and Answers)
2026
Expert Verified
(With A+ Grades
Guarantee)
2026
,20/01/2026, 23:21 Gerontological Nursing: Age-Related Changes, Assessment, and Care Strategies Flashcards | Quizlet
What are the primary goals of Promoting quality of life and well-being, reducing
gerontological nursing? mortality, preventing chronic illness, and educating
older adults on self-care techniques.
What is the main goal of nursing To ensure that older adults are as independent as
interventions for older adults? possible.
What are age-related changes in the Minimal changes that affect cardiac performance
cardiovascular system? primarily under physiologic stress.
What happens to the myocardium It experiences slight atrophy and enlargement,
with age? leading to less effective contractility.
What changes occur in the Decreased number of pacemaker cells and
neuroconduction mechanisms of increased deposits of fat, collagen, and elastic fibers
older adults? around the SA node.
What is the function of the tunica It prevents clotting by controlling the entry of lipids
intima in arteries? and other substances from the blood into the artery
wall.
What are the effects of aging on the Increased collagen, thinning, and calcification of
tunica media of arteries? elastin fibers, resulting in increased resistance to
blood flow.
How do veins change with age? They become thicker, more dilated, and less elastic,
with valves becoming less efficient.
What is the role of baroreflex They regulate blood pressure by adjusting heart rate
mechanisms in blood pressure and peripheral vascular resistance.
regulation?
What are normal age-related changes Slight increase in respiratory rate, increased
in the respiratory system? anteroposterior diameter, and forward-leaning
posture due to kyphosis.
2026
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,20/01/2026, 23:21 Gerontological Nursing: Age-Related Changes, Assessment, and Care Strategies Flashcards | Quizlet
What happens to the upper Degenerative changes cause a retracted columella,
respiratory structures with age? diminished blood flow, and thicker mucus.
How does aging affect the chest wall Ribs and vertebrae become osteoporotic, costal
and musculoskeletal structures? cartilage calcifies, and respiratory muscles weaken.
What structural changes occur in the Loss of elasticity, enlargement of alveoli, thickening
lungs due to aging? of the mucosal bed, and decreased pulmonary
capillary blood volume.
What is immunosenescence? Age-related alterations in the immune system that
increase susceptibility to lung diseases.
What cognitive changes are Physical changes in the CNS, including diminished
associated with aging? brain volume, loss of white matter, and decreased
cerebral blood flow.
What is lipofuscin? A brownish pigment from the breakdown of
damaged blood cells, associated with aging.
What theories are being explored Theories of fluid and crystallized intelligence, and
regarding cognition and aging? the relationship between brain function and cognitive
skills.
What is duct ectasia in the context of Enlargement of the alveoli and thinning of their
aging lungs? walls, leading to increased anatomic dead space.
What are common respiratory Shortness of breath when changing position, right-
symptoms due to pathological sided pleural rub, and expiratory wheezes.
conditions in older adults?
How does aging affect the efficiency Older adults expend more energy to achieve
of respiratory function? respiratory efficiency due to structural changes.
2026
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, 20/01/2026, 23:21 Gerontological Nursing: Age-Related Changes, Assessment, and Care Strategies Flashcards | Quizlet
What is the significance of It helps understand healthy brain aging and develop
neuroimaging in studying aging? interventions to prevent neurologic disease effects.
What are the effects of aging on the The number of capillaries diminishes, affecting gas
number of capillaries in the lungs? exchange efficiency.
What happens to the laryngeal nerve They undergo atrophy, leading to blunted cough and
endings with age? laryngeal reflexes.
What is the impact of aging on the Respiratory muscles weaken, contributing to
respiratory muscles? reduced respiratory efficiency.
What are the implications of reduced It can affect cognitive function and contribute to
neurotransmitters in aging? cognitive decline.
What changes occur in the pulmonary It becomes wider, thicker, and less elastic.
artery with age?
What is the relationship between Aging increases susceptibility to pneumonia,
aging and chronic lung diseases? respiratory infections, and conditions like COVID-19.
What is the significance of It is a primary goal of gerontological nursing to
maintaining independence in older enhance the quality of life.
adults?
What cognitive changes begin around Age-related declines in some cognitive skills.
the age of 40?
What factors influence cognitive Multiple interacting factors including individual
aging? variation.
2026
https://quizlet.com/1119698682/gerontological-nursing-age-related-changes-assessment-and-care-strategies-flash-cards/ 3/47
Comprehensive Review
for ANCC Certification
Exam
(Questions and Answers)
2026
Expert Verified
(With A+ Grades
Guarantee)
2026
,20/01/2026, 23:21 Gerontological Nursing: Age-Related Changes, Assessment, and Care Strategies Flashcards | Quizlet
What are the primary goals of Promoting quality of life and well-being, reducing
gerontological nursing? mortality, preventing chronic illness, and educating
older adults on self-care techniques.
What is the main goal of nursing To ensure that older adults are as independent as
interventions for older adults? possible.
What are age-related changes in the Minimal changes that affect cardiac performance
cardiovascular system? primarily under physiologic stress.
What happens to the myocardium It experiences slight atrophy and enlargement,
with age? leading to less effective contractility.
What changes occur in the Decreased number of pacemaker cells and
neuroconduction mechanisms of increased deposits of fat, collagen, and elastic fibers
older adults? around the SA node.
What is the function of the tunica It prevents clotting by controlling the entry of lipids
intima in arteries? and other substances from the blood into the artery
wall.
What are the effects of aging on the Increased collagen, thinning, and calcification of
tunica media of arteries? elastin fibers, resulting in increased resistance to
blood flow.
How do veins change with age? They become thicker, more dilated, and less elastic,
with valves becoming less efficient.
What is the role of baroreflex They regulate blood pressure by adjusting heart rate
mechanisms in blood pressure and peripheral vascular resistance.
regulation?
What are normal age-related changes Slight increase in respiratory rate, increased
in the respiratory system? anteroposterior diameter, and forward-leaning
posture due to kyphosis.
2026
https://quizlet.com/1119698682/gerontological-nursing-age-related-changes-assessment-and-care-strategies-flash-cards/ 1/47
,20/01/2026, 23:21 Gerontological Nursing: Age-Related Changes, Assessment, and Care Strategies Flashcards | Quizlet
What happens to the upper Degenerative changes cause a retracted columella,
respiratory structures with age? diminished blood flow, and thicker mucus.
How does aging affect the chest wall Ribs and vertebrae become osteoporotic, costal
and musculoskeletal structures? cartilage calcifies, and respiratory muscles weaken.
What structural changes occur in the Loss of elasticity, enlargement of alveoli, thickening
lungs due to aging? of the mucosal bed, and decreased pulmonary
capillary blood volume.
What is immunosenescence? Age-related alterations in the immune system that
increase susceptibility to lung diseases.
What cognitive changes are Physical changes in the CNS, including diminished
associated with aging? brain volume, loss of white matter, and decreased
cerebral blood flow.
What is lipofuscin? A brownish pigment from the breakdown of
damaged blood cells, associated with aging.
What theories are being explored Theories of fluid and crystallized intelligence, and
regarding cognition and aging? the relationship between brain function and cognitive
skills.
What is duct ectasia in the context of Enlargement of the alveoli and thinning of their
aging lungs? walls, leading to increased anatomic dead space.
What are common respiratory Shortness of breath when changing position, right-
symptoms due to pathological sided pleural rub, and expiratory wheezes.
conditions in older adults?
How does aging affect the efficiency Older adults expend more energy to achieve
of respiratory function? respiratory efficiency due to structural changes.
2026
https://quizlet.com/1119698682/gerontological-nursing-age-related-changes-assessment-and-care-strategies-flash-cards/ 2/47
, 20/01/2026, 23:21 Gerontological Nursing: Age-Related Changes, Assessment, and Care Strategies Flashcards | Quizlet
What is the significance of It helps understand healthy brain aging and develop
neuroimaging in studying aging? interventions to prevent neurologic disease effects.
What are the effects of aging on the The number of capillaries diminishes, affecting gas
number of capillaries in the lungs? exchange efficiency.
What happens to the laryngeal nerve They undergo atrophy, leading to blunted cough and
endings with age? laryngeal reflexes.
What is the impact of aging on the Respiratory muscles weaken, contributing to
respiratory muscles? reduced respiratory efficiency.
What are the implications of reduced It can affect cognitive function and contribute to
neurotransmitters in aging? cognitive decline.
What changes occur in the pulmonary It becomes wider, thicker, and less elastic.
artery with age?
What is the relationship between Aging increases susceptibility to pneumonia,
aging and chronic lung diseases? respiratory infections, and conditions like COVID-19.
What is the significance of It is a primary goal of gerontological nursing to
maintaining independence in older enhance the quality of life.
adults?
What cognitive changes begin around Age-related declines in some cognitive skills.
the age of 40?
What factors influence cognitive Multiple interacting factors including individual
aging? variation.
2026
https://quizlet.com/1119698682/gerontological-nursing-age-related-changes-assessment-and-care-strategies-flash-cards/ 3/47
