NURS 5120 Adult Gerontology Final Assessment Lab
Practice Questions and Answers
1. Cardiovascular Assessment
Q: When auscultating heart sounds in an older adult, which finding is most consistent
with age-related changes rather than pathology?
A. S3 gallop
• B. Systolic murmur due to aortic sclerosis
C. Diastolic murmur
D. Loud S4
Rationale: Aortic sclerosis is common in geriatric patients and often produces a benign
systolic murmur. Pathologic murmurs (like diastolic) warrant further evaluation.
2. Respiratory Assessment
Q: Which physical exam finding is most concerning in an elderly patient with COPD?
A. Barrel chest
B. Prolonged expiratory phase
• C. Use of accessory muscles at rest
D. Diminished breath sounds
Rationale: Accessory muscle use at rest indicates severe respiratory compromise,
unlike barrel chest or prolonged expiration which are chronic adaptations.
3. Neurological Assessment
Q: During a geriatric neuro exam, which finding is considered normal age-related
change?
A. Resting tremor
• B. Decreased vibratory sense in ankles
C. Pronator drift
D. Hemiparesis
Rationale: Peripheral neuropathy with reduced vibratory sensation is common in older
adults. Resting tremor or drift suggests pathology (e.g., Parkinson’s, stroke).
4. Functional Assessment
Q: Which tool best evaluates independence in activities of daily living (ADLs)?
A. Mini-Mental State Exam
• B. Katz Index of Independence in ADLs
C. Geriatric Depression Scale
D. Braden Scale
Rationale: Katz Index specifically measures ADL independence, while MMSE assesses
cognition, GDS screens for depression, and Braden evaluates skin risk.
5. Integumentary Assessment
, Q: What skin finding in an elderly patient is benign and requires no intervention?
A. Actinic keratosis
• B. Seborrheic keratosis
C. Suspicious pigmented lesion
D. Non-healing ulcer
Rationale: Seborrheic keratoses are benign age-related lesions. Actinic keratoses are
precancerous and require treatment.
6. Musculoskeletal Assessment
Q: Which finding is most consistent with osteoarthritis in older adults?
A. Symmetric joint swelling
• B. Heberden’s nodes on distal interphalangeal joints
C. Ulnar deviation of fingers
D. Morning stiffness >1 hour
Rationale: Heberden’s nodes are classic for OA. Symmetry and prolonged stiffness
suggest rheumatoid arthritis.
7. Cognitive Assessment
Q: Which screening tool is most appropriate for detecting mild cognitive impairment in
older adults?
A. PHQ-9
• B. Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
C. Katz Index
D. Braden Scale
Rationale: MoCA is sensitive for mild cognitive impairment, unlike MMSE which misses
early changes.
8. Nutrition Assessment
Q: Which lab value best reflects protein status in elderly patients?
A. Hemoglobin
B. Albumin
• C. Prealbumin
D. Calcium
Rationale: Prealbumin reflects short-term protein status; albumin changes slowly and is
affected by hydration.
9. Endocrine Assessment
Q: Which finding is most consistent with hypothyroidism in older adults?
A. Heat intolerance
• B. Bradycardia and dry skin
C. Tremor
D. Exophthalmos
Rationale: Hypothyroidism presents with bradycardia, dry skin, constipation, and
fatigue. Exophthalmos is hyperthyroidism.
10. Renal Assessment
Practice Questions and Answers
1. Cardiovascular Assessment
Q: When auscultating heart sounds in an older adult, which finding is most consistent
with age-related changes rather than pathology?
A. S3 gallop
• B. Systolic murmur due to aortic sclerosis
C. Diastolic murmur
D. Loud S4
Rationale: Aortic sclerosis is common in geriatric patients and often produces a benign
systolic murmur. Pathologic murmurs (like diastolic) warrant further evaluation.
2. Respiratory Assessment
Q: Which physical exam finding is most concerning in an elderly patient with COPD?
A. Barrel chest
B. Prolonged expiratory phase
• C. Use of accessory muscles at rest
D. Diminished breath sounds
Rationale: Accessory muscle use at rest indicates severe respiratory compromise,
unlike barrel chest or prolonged expiration which are chronic adaptations.
3. Neurological Assessment
Q: During a geriatric neuro exam, which finding is considered normal age-related
change?
A. Resting tremor
• B. Decreased vibratory sense in ankles
C. Pronator drift
D. Hemiparesis
Rationale: Peripheral neuropathy with reduced vibratory sensation is common in older
adults. Resting tremor or drift suggests pathology (e.g., Parkinson’s, stroke).
4. Functional Assessment
Q: Which tool best evaluates independence in activities of daily living (ADLs)?
A. Mini-Mental State Exam
• B. Katz Index of Independence in ADLs
C. Geriatric Depression Scale
D. Braden Scale
Rationale: Katz Index specifically measures ADL independence, while MMSE assesses
cognition, GDS screens for depression, and Braden evaluates skin risk.
5. Integumentary Assessment
, Q: What skin finding in an elderly patient is benign and requires no intervention?
A. Actinic keratosis
• B. Seborrheic keratosis
C. Suspicious pigmented lesion
D. Non-healing ulcer
Rationale: Seborrheic keratoses are benign age-related lesions. Actinic keratoses are
precancerous and require treatment.
6. Musculoskeletal Assessment
Q: Which finding is most consistent with osteoarthritis in older adults?
A. Symmetric joint swelling
• B. Heberden’s nodes on distal interphalangeal joints
C. Ulnar deviation of fingers
D. Morning stiffness >1 hour
Rationale: Heberden’s nodes are classic for OA. Symmetry and prolonged stiffness
suggest rheumatoid arthritis.
7. Cognitive Assessment
Q: Which screening tool is most appropriate for detecting mild cognitive impairment in
older adults?
A. PHQ-9
• B. Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
C. Katz Index
D. Braden Scale
Rationale: MoCA is sensitive for mild cognitive impairment, unlike MMSE which misses
early changes.
8. Nutrition Assessment
Q: Which lab value best reflects protein status in elderly patients?
A. Hemoglobin
B. Albumin
• C. Prealbumin
D. Calcium
Rationale: Prealbumin reflects short-term protein status; albumin changes slowly and is
affected by hydration.
9. Endocrine Assessment
Q: Which finding is most consistent with hypothyroidism in older adults?
A. Heat intolerance
• B. Bradycardia and dry skin
C. Tremor
D. Exophthalmos
Rationale: Hypothyroidism presents with bradycardia, dry skin, constipation, and
fatigue. Exophthalmos is hyperthyroidism.
10. Renal Assessment
