Gerontological Nursing
& Aging Adult Care
Examination
2026/2027
**Question 1**
The nurse is assessing an older adult client for normal age-related changes. Which finding is considered
a normal physiological change associated with aging?
,A. Decreased skin turgor and elasticity
B. Increased muscle mass and strength
C. Increased cardiac output
D. Increased gastric acid secretion
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Decreased skin turgor and elasticity are normal age-related changes due to loss
of subcutaneous tissue and collagen. Muscle mass and strength typically decrease with age (sarcopenia),
cardiac output decreases, and gastric acid secretion often decreases, increasing the risk of vitamin B12
deficiency.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: A. Decreased skin turgor and elasticity
---
**Question 2**
The nurse is assessing an older adult client for signs of polypharmacy. Which finding is most concerning
for adverse drug reactions in this population?
A. Taking 5 or more medications daily
B. Taking medications at different times of the day
C. Taking medications with food
D. Taking medications as prescribed
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Polypharmacy (taking 5 or more medications daily) significantly increases the
risk of adverse drug reactions, drug interactions, and non-adherence in older adults. Age-related
,physiological changes alter drug metabolism and elimination, increasing the risk of toxicity. A
medication review is essential for older adults.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: A. Taking 5 or more medications daily
---
**Question 3**
The nurse is assessing an older adult client for signs of depression. Which finding is most characteristic
of depression in older adults?
A. Sadness and tearfulness
B. Somatic complaints and fatigue
C. Grandiose delusions
D. Pressured speech
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Depression in older adults often presents with atypical symptoms such as
somatic complaints (e.g., pain, gastrointestinal issues), fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive
changes. Sadness and tearfulness may be less prominent. Grandiose delusions and pressured speech are
more characteristic of mania or psychosis.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B. Somatic complaints and fatigue
---
**Question 4**
, The nurse is assessing an older adult client for cognitive impairment. Which screening tool is most
commonly used to assess cognitive function in older adults?
A. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
B. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)
C. Confusion Assessment Method (CAM)
D. Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is the most commonly used
screening tool for cognitive impairment in older adults. It assesses orientation, registration, attention,
calculation, recall, and language. The Glasgow Coma Scale assesses level of consciousness, and the
Confusion Assessment Method screens for delirium.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: A. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
---
**Question 5**
The nurse is caring for an older adult client with dementia. Which nursing intervention is most
appropriate for managing sundowning syndrome?
A. Providing a stimulating environment in the evening
B. Encouraging daytime naps to prevent fatigue
C. Maintaining a consistent daily routine
D. Limiting fluid intake in the evening
& Aging Adult Care
Examination
2026/2027
**Question 1**
The nurse is assessing an older adult client for normal age-related changes. Which finding is considered
a normal physiological change associated with aging?
,A. Decreased skin turgor and elasticity
B. Increased muscle mass and strength
C. Increased cardiac output
D. Increased gastric acid secretion
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Decreased skin turgor and elasticity are normal age-related changes due to loss
of subcutaneous tissue and collagen. Muscle mass and strength typically decrease with age (sarcopenia),
cardiac output decreases, and gastric acid secretion often decreases, increasing the risk of vitamin B12
deficiency.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: A. Decreased skin turgor and elasticity
---
**Question 2**
The nurse is assessing an older adult client for signs of polypharmacy. Which finding is most concerning
for adverse drug reactions in this population?
A. Taking 5 or more medications daily
B. Taking medications at different times of the day
C. Taking medications with food
D. Taking medications as prescribed
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Polypharmacy (taking 5 or more medications daily) significantly increases the
risk of adverse drug reactions, drug interactions, and non-adherence in older adults. Age-related
,physiological changes alter drug metabolism and elimination, increasing the risk of toxicity. A
medication review is essential for older adults.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: A. Taking 5 or more medications daily
---
**Question 3**
The nurse is assessing an older adult client for signs of depression. Which finding is most characteristic
of depression in older adults?
A. Sadness and tearfulness
B. Somatic complaints and fatigue
C. Grandiose delusions
D. Pressured speech
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Depression in older adults often presents with atypical symptoms such as
somatic complaints (e.g., pain, gastrointestinal issues), fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive
changes. Sadness and tearfulness may be less prominent. Grandiose delusions and pressured speech are
more characteristic of mania or psychosis.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B. Somatic complaints and fatigue
---
**Question 4**
, The nurse is assessing an older adult client for cognitive impairment. Which screening tool is most
commonly used to assess cognitive function in older adults?
A. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
B. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)
C. Confusion Assessment Method (CAM)
D. Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is the most commonly used
screening tool for cognitive impairment in older adults. It assesses orientation, registration, attention,
calculation, recall, and language. The Glasgow Coma Scale assesses level of consciousness, and the
Confusion Assessment Method screens for delirium.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: A. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
---
**Question 5**
The nurse is caring for an older adult client with dementia. Which nursing intervention is most
appropriate for managing sundowning syndrome?
A. Providing a stimulating environment in the evening
B. Encouraging daytime naps to prevent fatigue
C. Maintaining a consistent daily routine
D. Limiting fluid intake in the evening
