,NU 176/NU176 Exam 3 | Geriatric Nursing (2026)
Actual Q&A PDF | Galen College
1. An older adult with osteoporosis reports sudden severe lower back pain after
bending to pick up a newspaper. The nurse suspects:
A) Muscle strain
B) Herniated disc
C) Vertebral compression fracture
D) Spinal stenosis
Correct Answer: Vertebral compression fracture
Rationale: Osteoporosis weakens vertebrae, making them vulnerable to fracture
with minimal trauma. Acute localized back pain after bending is the hallmark of
a vertebral compression fracture. A muscle strain would be less focal, and a
herniated disc typically radiates pain.
2. Which condition is characterized by acute onset, fluctuating course, and
altered consciousness, often triggered by an underlying medical problem such
as a urinary tract infection?
A) Dementia
B) Psychosis
C) Delirium
D) Depression
Correct Answer: Delirium
,Rationale: Delirium develops suddenly, with clouded awareness and fluctuating
attention, often due to infection, medications, or dehydration. Dementia is
chronic and progressive, depression does not cause fluctuating consciousness,
and psychosis involves fixed false beliefs.
3. A patient with Type 2 diabetes has a blood glucose level of 44 mg/dL. What is
the priority nursing action?
A) Call the provider
B) Administer insulin
C) Give orange juice
D) Recheck in 15 minutes
Correct Answer: Give orange juice
Rationale: A blood glucose of 44 mg/dL indicates severe hypoglycemia. The
priority is to administer a fast-acting carbohydrate, such as orange juice, to
rapidly raise blood glucose. Insulin would further lower glucose, and delaying
treatment could lead to worsening symptoms.
4. The nurse is using the SPICES tool to screen an older adult. Which finding
corresponds to the letter "C"?
A) Sleep disturbances
B) Problems with eating
C) Incontinence
D) Confusion
Correct Answer: Confusion
, Rationale: SPICES stands for Sleep disorders, Problems with eating/feeding,
Incontinence, Confusion, Evidence of falls, Skin breakdown. "C" represents
Confusion, a common geriatric syndrome.
5. Which assessment finding indicates Class 3 heart failure in an older adult?
A) Symptoms at rest
B) Comfortable when resting but symptoms with less than ordinary activity
C) No limitations on activity
D) Symptoms only with strenuous activity
Correct Answer: Comfortable when resting but symptoms with less than
ordinary activity
Rationale: In Class 3 heart failure (NYHA), patients are comfortable at rest but
experience fatigue, palpitations, or dyspnea with less than ordinary activity.
Class 4 has symptoms at rest, Class 2 with ordinary activity, and Class 1 has no
limitations.
6. An older adult patient is found trying to climb out a first-floor window. After
assisting the patient back to bed, the nurse's priority action is to:
A) Apply restraints to prevent further attempts
B) Notify the provider immediately
C) Document the incident and continue monitoring
D) Sit down and talk to the patient to understand the reason for the behavior
Actual Q&A PDF | Galen College
1. An older adult with osteoporosis reports sudden severe lower back pain after
bending to pick up a newspaper. The nurse suspects:
A) Muscle strain
B) Herniated disc
C) Vertebral compression fracture
D) Spinal stenosis
Correct Answer: Vertebral compression fracture
Rationale: Osteoporosis weakens vertebrae, making them vulnerable to fracture
with minimal trauma. Acute localized back pain after bending is the hallmark of
a vertebral compression fracture. A muscle strain would be less focal, and a
herniated disc typically radiates pain.
2. Which condition is characterized by acute onset, fluctuating course, and
altered consciousness, often triggered by an underlying medical problem such
as a urinary tract infection?
A) Dementia
B) Psychosis
C) Delirium
D) Depression
Correct Answer: Delirium
,Rationale: Delirium develops suddenly, with clouded awareness and fluctuating
attention, often due to infection, medications, or dehydration. Dementia is
chronic and progressive, depression does not cause fluctuating consciousness,
and psychosis involves fixed false beliefs.
3. A patient with Type 2 diabetes has a blood glucose level of 44 mg/dL. What is
the priority nursing action?
A) Call the provider
B) Administer insulin
C) Give orange juice
D) Recheck in 15 minutes
Correct Answer: Give orange juice
Rationale: A blood glucose of 44 mg/dL indicates severe hypoglycemia. The
priority is to administer a fast-acting carbohydrate, such as orange juice, to
rapidly raise blood glucose. Insulin would further lower glucose, and delaying
treatment could lead to worsening symptoms.
4. The nurse is using the SPICES tool to screen an older adult. Which finding
corresponds to the letter "C"?
A) Sleep disturbances
B) Problems with eating
C) Incontinence
D) Confusion
Correct Answer: Confusion
, Rationale: SPICES stands for Sleep disorders, Problems with eating/feeding,
Incontinence, Confusion, Evidence of falls, Skin breakdown. "C" represents
Confusion, a common geriatric syndrome.
5. Which assessment finding indicates Class 3 heart failure in an older adult?
A) Symptoms at rest
B) Comfortable when resting but symptoms with less than ordinary activity
C) No limitations on activity
D) Symptoms only with strenuous activity
Correct Answer: Comfortable when resting but symptoms with less than
ordinary activity
Rationale: In Class 3 heart failure (NYHA), patients are comfortable at rest but
experience fatigue, palpitations, or dyspnea with less than ordinary activity.
Class 4 has symptoms at rest, Class 2 with ordinary activity, and Class 1 has no
limitations.
6. An older adult patient is found trying to climb out a first-floor window. After
assisting the patient back to bed, the nurse's priority action is to:
A) Apply restraints to prevent further attempts
B) Notify the provider immediately
C) Document the incident and continue monitoring
D) Sit down and talk to the patient to understand the reason for the behavior
