Nightingale College BSN 425 Final Exam (pdf) | 2026/2027 |
Gerontology Q&A | Gerontological Nursing
1. Which theory of aging suggests that the body is like a machine that
eventually wears out due to repeated use and stress?
A) Free Radical Theory
B) Cross-linkage Theory
C) Programmed Longevity Theory
D) Wear-and-Tear Theory
Correct Answer: Wear-and-Tear Theory
Rationale: The Wear-and-Tear theory posits that cells and tissues have vital
parts that wear out over time, leading to aging and death. The Free Radical
Theory involves cellular damage from unstable molecules, Cross-linkage
Theory involves binding of proteins, and Programmed Longevity Theory
suggests aging follows a biological timetable. [8†L14-L18]
2. According to the Programmed Longevity Theory of aging, which factor
primarily determines the aging process?
A) Cumulative environmental damage
B) The body's genetic clock
C) The rate of free radical production
D) Cross-linking of collagen fibers
Correct Answer: The body's genetic clock
Rationale: Programmed Longevity Theory proposes that aging follows a
biological timetable, regulated by genes that determine the lifespan of an
organism. Genetic inheritance plays a central role in this theory,
,distinguishing it from theories focused on environmental damage or wear-
and-tear.
3. When assessing an older adult, which finding is considered a normal age-
related change in the respiratory system?
A) Increased elastic recoil of the lungs
B) Increased diameter of the bronchioles
C) Increased vital capacity
D) Decreased chest wall compliance
Correct Answer: Decreased chest wall compliance
Rationale: Normal aging involves calcification of costal cartilage and changes
in the shape of the rib cage, leading to decreased chest wall compliance.
This reduces the efficiency of breathing but is not pathological. Elastic recoil
typically decreases with age, not increases. [8†L23-L24]
4. An older adult experiences urinary leakage when coughing or sneezing.
Which type of incontinence is this?
A) Stress incontinence
B) Functional incontinence
C) Overflow incontinence
D) Urge incontinence
Correct Answer: Stress incontinence
Rationale: Stress incontinence occurs when physical movement or activity
such as coughing, sneezing, or lifting puts pressure on the bladder, causing
leakage. Urge incontinence involves a sudden, intense urge to urinate, and
,overflow incontinence occurs when the bladder does not empty completely.
[8†L27-L29]
5. Which screening tool is most appropriate for a nurse to use to evaluate an
older adult's risk for skin breakdown?
A) Morse Fall Scale
B) Glasgow Coma Scale
C) Braden Scale
D) Geriatric Depression Scale
Correct Answer: Braden Scale
Rationale: The Braden Scale is the standard tool used to assess a patient's
risk of developing pressure injuries. It evaluates six subscales: sensory
perception, moisture, activity, mobility, nutrition, and friction/shear. The
Morse Fall Scale assesses fall risk, and the Geriatric Depression Scale
assesses depression. [8†L31-L34]
6. An older adult presents with sudden onset of confusion, agitation, and
perceptual disturbances. Which diagnosis is most likely?
A) Dementia
B) Delirium
C) Depression
D) Alzheimer's Disease
Correct Answer: Delirium
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by an acute, fluctuating onset of
confusion, altered consciousness, and perceptual disturbances, often
triggered by an underlying medical condition such as infection, medication
, change, or metabolic imbalance. Dementia has a gradual, progressive onset,
distinguishing it from delirium. [8†L36-L39]
7. What is the most common cause of vision loss in older adults worldwide?
A) Glaucoma
B) Macular degeneration
C) Retinal detachment
D) Cataracts
Correct Answer: Cataracts
Rationale: Cataracts, or clouding of the lens of the eye, are the leading cause
of vision loss and blindness globally in the aging population. While glaucoma,
macular degeneration, and retinal detachment are also significant causes of
vision loss in older adults, cataracts are the most common. [8†L44-L47]
8. Which nutritional deficiency is most commonly associated with cognitive
impairment and peripheral neuropathy in the elderly?
A) Vitamin B12
B) Vitamin D
C) Vitamin C
D) Vitamin K
Correct Answer: Vitamin B12
Rationale: Vitamin B12 deficiency is common in older adults due to
decreased absorption from the gastrointestinal tract. This deficiency can lead
to cognitive impairment, peripheral neuropathy, and megaloblastic anemia.
Vitamin D deficiency is associated with bone health, while vitamins C and K
deficiencies have other primary effects. [8†L48-L50]
Gerontology Q&A | Gerontological Nursing
1. Which theory of aging suggests that the body is like a machine that
eventually wears out due to repeated use and stress?
A) Free Radical Theory
B) Cross-linkage Theory
C) Programmed Longevity Theory
D) Wear-and-Tear Theory
Correct Answer: Wear-and-Tear Theory
Rationale: The Wear-and-Tear theory posits that cells and tissues have vital
parts that wear out over time, leading to aging and death. The Free Radical
Theory involves cellular damage from unstable molecules, Cross-linkage
Theory involves binding of proteins, and Programmed Longevity Theory
suggests aging follows a biological timetable. [8†L14-L18]
2. According to the Programmed Longevity Theory of aging, which factor
primarily determines the aging process?
A) Cumulative environmental damage
B) The body's genetic clock
C) The rate of free radical production
D) Cross-linking of collagen fibers
Correct Answer: The body's genetic clock
Rationale: Programmed Longevity Theory proposes that aging follows a
biological timetable, regulated by genes that determine the lifespan of an
organism. Genetic inheritance plays a central role in this theory,
,distinguishing it from theories focused on environmental damage or wear-
and-tear.
3. When assessing an older adult, which finding is considered a normal age-
related change in the respiratory system?
A) Increased elastic recoil of the lungs
B) Increased diameter of the bronchioles
C) Increased vital capacity
D) Decreased chest wall compliance
Correct Answer: Decreased chest wall compliance
Rationale: Normal aging involves calcification of costal cartilage and changes
in the shape of the rib cage, leading to decreased chest wall compliance.
This reduces the efficiency of breathing but is not pathological. Elastic recoil
typically decreases with age, not increases. [8†L23-L24]
4. An older adult experiences urinary leakage when coughing or sneezing.
Which type of incontinence is this?
A) Stress incontinence
B) Functional incontinence
C) Overflow incontinence
D) Urge incontinence
Correct Answer: Stress incontinence
Rationale: Stress incontinence occurs when physical movement or activity
such as coughing, sneezing, or lifting puts pressure on the bladder, causing
leakage. Urge incontinence involves a sudden, intense urge to urinate, and
,overflow incontinence occurs when the bladder does not empty completely.
[8†L27-L29]
5. Which screening tool is most appropriate for a nurse to use to evaluate an
older adult's risk for skin breakdown?
A) Morse Fall Scale
B) Glasgow Coma Scale
C) Braden Scale
D) Geriatric Depression Scale
Correct Answer: Braden Scale
Rationale: The Braden Scale is the standard tool used to assess a patient's
risk of developing pressure injuries. It evaluates six subscales: sensory
perception, moisture, activity, mobility, nutrition, and friction/shear. The
Morse Fall Scale assesses fall risk, and the Geriatric Depression Scale
assesses depression. [8†L31-L34]
6. An older adult presents with sudden onset of confusion, agitation, and
perceptual disturbances. Which diagnosis is most likely?
A) Dementia
B) Delirium
C) Depression
D) Alzheimer's Disease
Correct Answer: Delirium
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by an acute, fluctuating onset of
confusion, altered consciousness, and perceptual disturbances, often
triggered by an underlying medical condition such as infection, medication
, change, or metabolic imbalance. Dementia has a gradual, progressive onset,
distinguishing it from delirium. [8†L36-L39]
7. What is the most common cause of vision loss in older adults worldwide?
A) Glaucoma
B) Macular degeneration
C) Retinal detachment
D) Cataracts
Correct Answer: Cataracts
Rationale: Cataracts, or clouding of the lens of the eye, are the leading cause
of vision loss and blindness globally in the aging population. While glaucoma,
macular degeneration, and retinal detachment are also significant causes of
vision loss in older adults, cataracts are the most common. [8†L44-L47]
8. Which nutritional deficiency is most commonly associated with cognitive
impairment and peripheral neuropathy in the elderly?
A) Vitamin B12
B) Vitamin D
C) Vitamin C
D) Vitamin K
Correct Answer: Vitamin B12
Rationale: Vitamin B12 deficiency is common in older adults due to
decreased absorption from the gastrointestinal tract. This deficiency can lead
to cognitive impairment, peripheral neuropathy, and megaloblastic anemia.
Vitamin D deficiency is associated with bone health, while vitamins C and K
deficiencies have other primary effects. [8†L48-L50]
