ATI: GERONTOLOGY EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED
ANSWERS
A nurse is admitting an older adult client who fell at home and was unable to get up.
The client was not discovered until 3 days later by a family member. The client is
admitted with a fractured hip, malnutrition, and dehydration. Which of the following lab
values, noted on admission, should indicate to the nurse that the malnutrition is a long
standing problem? - ANSWERSDecreased albumin
Rationale: Decreased albumin is indicative of inadequate protein intake common with
prolonged malnutrition
A nurse is caring for an older adult client who has osteoarthritis of the right hip and
lower lumbar vertebrae. Which of the following client statements should indicate to the
nurse that further instruction is necessary? - ANSWERS"I will remain consistently active
throughout the day to prevent stiffness in my joints."
A nurse is orienting a newly hired home health assistant, and explaining the assistant's
role in helping client's with their ADLs. The nurse should explain that the most common
reason older adult clients have difficulty performing ADLs is which of the following? -
ANSWERSPhysical disability
A nurse is caring for an older adult client who is on bedrest following development of
deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Which of the following food choices should the nurse
recommend to the client to help meet the goal of increased peristalsis? -
ANSWERSBran muffin
Rationale: Increased dietary fiber by adding foods like bran to diet, as well ass adequate
fluid intake promotes bowel regularity.
A nurse is preparing to admit an older adult client to the postsurgical unit. The nurse
anticipates that the client will most likely require supplemental oxygen. The nurse
should understand that hypoxemia occurs in older adult clients as a result of which of
the following physiologic changes normally associated with aging? -
ANSWERSDecreased alveolar surface area
Rationale: Aging change is an increase in the size of the alveolar ducts and respiratory
bronchioles, leading to decreased alveolar surface area = less gas exchange =
increased hypoxemia risk
, A nurse is obtaining a health history from a client admitted following a cerebrovascular
accident (CVA). The nurse notes that the client has a history of GERD. The nurse
should understand that this past medical history puts the client at increased risk of
which of the following? - ANSWERSAspiration pneumonia
A nurse in a post-surgical unit is admitting an older adult client from the recovery
department following abdominal surgery for a bowel obstruction. Of which of the
following information regarding pain management should the nurse be aware? Older
adult clients - ANSWERSare sensitive to the analgesic effect of opiates.
A nurse is writing a plan of care for a client who had a cerebrovascular accident (CVA).
Which of the following should the nurse identify as a priority goal for a client following a
CVA? - ANSWERSAirway will remain clear as evidenced by clear breath sounds.
Rationale: CVA = high risk for airway obstruction and aspiration r/t loss of muscle
control. Client should be in side-lying position
A nurse is administering an antihistamine to an older adult client. Which of the following
is an appropriate nursing statement? - ANSWERS"Antihistamines should be used
cautiously in clients who have glaucoma."
Rationale: Most antihistamines have an anticholinergic effect. Glaucoma incidence is
increased in older adult clients.
A nurse is part of a committee that is developing age-appropriate care standards. Which
of the following should the nurse know is the focus for older adult clients, based on
Erikson's developmental tasks? - ANSWERSIntegrity
Rationale: Integrity vs despair is the stage for older adults in which they reflect on their
lives and roles.
A nurse is caring for a client who has Alzheimer's disease. The client has been oriented
to name and place and is able to perform ADLs with minimal supervision. When the
client refuses to take morning anti hypertensive medications, the nurse's first action
should be to do which of the following? - ANSWERSAsk the client to express her
reasons for refusing the morning medications and document the event.
Rationale: Before intervening or making a judgement about client's competence, the
nurse should complete an assessment of the client. Perhaps the clients reason for
refusal is as simple as having a sore throat of being afraid to swallow.
A nurse working in a medical unit is caring for a male client who has dementia. The
nurse notes that the client becomes agitated and confused in his room at night. The
client, who has an unsteady gait, removes all of his clothes and wanders about naked in
his room and the hallway. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first? -
ANSWERSMove the client to a room closer to the nurse's station.
QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED
ANSWERS
A nurse is admitting an older adult client who fell at home and was unable to get up.
The client was not discovered until 3 days later by a family member. The client is
admitted with a fractured hip, malnutrition, and dehydration. Which of the following lab
values, noted on admission, should indicate to the nurse that the malnutrition is a long
standing problem? - ANSWERSDecreased albumin
Rationale: Decreased albumin is indicative of inadequate protein intake common with
prolonged malnutrition
A nurse is caring for an older adult client who has osteoarthritis of the right hip and
lower lumbar vertebrae. Which of the following client statements should indicate to the
nurse that further instruction is necessary? - ANSWERS"I will remain consistently active
throughout the day to prevent stiffness in my joints."
A nurse is orienting a newly hired home health assistant, and explaining the assistant's
role in helping client's with their ADLs. The nurse should explain that the most common
reason older adult clients have difficulty performing ADLs is which of the following? -
ANSWERSPhysical disability
A nurse is caring for an older adult client who is on bedrest following development of
deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Which of the following food choices should the nurse
recommend to the client to help meet the goal of increased peristalsis? -
ANSWERSBran muffin
Rationale: Increased dietary fiber by adding foods like bran to diet, as well ass adequate
fluid intake promotes bowel regularity.
A nurse is preparing to admit an older adult client to the postsurgical unit. The nurse
anticipates that the client will most likely require supplemental oxygen. The nurse
should understand that hypoxemia occurs in older adult clients as a result of which of
the following physiologic changes normally associated with aging? -
ANSWERSDecreased alveolar surface area
Rationale: Aging change is an increase in the size of the alveolar ducts and respiratory
bronchioles, leading to decreased alveolar surface area = less gas exchange =
increased hypoxemia risk
, A nurse is obtaining a health history from a client admitted following a cerebrovascular
accident (CVA). The nurse notes that the client has a history of GERD. The nurse
should understand that this past medical history puts the client at increased risk of
which of the following? - ANSWERSAspiration pneumonia
A nurse in a post-surgical unit is admitting an older adult client from the recovery
department following abdominal surgery for a bowel obstruction. Of which of the
following information regarding pain management should the nurse be aware? Older
adult clients - ANSWERSare sensitive to the analgesic effect of opiates.
A nurse is writing a plan of care for a client who had a cerebrovascular accident (CVA).
Which of the following should the nurse identify as a priority goal for a client following a
CVA? - ANSWERSAirway will remain clear as evidenced by clear breath sounds.
Rationale: CVA = high risk for airway obstruction and aspiration r/t loss of muscle
control. Client should be in side-lying position
A nurse is administering an antihistamine to an older adult client. Which of the following
is an appropriate nursing statement? - ANSWERS"Antihistamines should be used
cautiously in clients who have glaucoma."
Rationale: Most antihistamines have an anticholinergic effect. Glaucoma incidence is
increased in older adult clients.
A nurse is part of a committee that is developing age-appropriate care standards. Which
of the following should the nurse know is the focus for older adult clients, based on
Erikson's developmental tasks? - ANSWERSIntegrity
Rationale: Integrity vs despair is the stage for older adults in which they reflect on their
lives and roles.
A nurse is caring for a client who has Alzheimer's disease. The client has been oriented
to name and place and is able to perform ADLs with minimal supervision. When the
client refuses to take morning anti hypertensive medications, the nurse's first action
should be to do which of the following? - ANSWERSAsk the client to express her
reasons for refusing the morning medications and document the event.
Rationale: Before intervening or making a judgement about client's competence, the
nurse should complete an assessment of the client. Perhaps the clients reason for
refusal is as simple as having a sore throat of being afraid to swallow.
A nurse working in a medical unit is caring for a male client who has dementia. The
nurse notes that the client becomes agitated and confused in his room at night. The
client, who has an unsteady gait, removes all of his clothes and wanders about naked in
his room and the hallway. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first? -
ANSWERSMove the client to a room closer to the nurse's station.
