U N I V E R S I T Y O F A L A B A M A AT B I R M I N G H A M · S C H O O L O F N U R S I N G
NUR 612 Final Exam
Practice Question Bank
NCLEX-Style Practice Questions with Rationales
Topic Focus: Gerontology, Pharmacology, Chronic Illness, Mental Health
Edition 1 · September 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales 2
NUR 612 · UAB Page 1
,NUR 612 PRACTICE GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
Read each stem, choose your answer, then check the rationale directly below it. The correct
option is marked, and each wrong option is explained so you understand why it's wrong — not
just that it is.
Category: Gerontology, Pharmacology, Chronic Illness, Mental Health
1 Mrs. James is 78 years old and comes to the clinic for an annual checkup. The nurse
practitioner addresses the psychosocial needs of older adults and specifically the
need for which of the following?
A Dependence
B Dignity, credibility, and respect
C Being alone
D Not being touched
Correct Answer: B — Older adults have a need for dignity, credibility, and respect in
healthcare settings.
A — Independence is valued more than dependence.
C — Social connection is important.
D — Touch and human connection are important.
,2 Mr. Slobinsky, 80 years old, is unable to leave his home due to mobility problems.
The nurse practitioner conducts a social support assessment because Mr. Slobinsky:
A May not want to see anyone
B Is not missing the cultural traditions of community activities
C Has made frequent appointments for consultation with the practitioner
D Looks forward to sharing his loneliness with the nurse practitioner
Correct Answer: C — Frequent appointments may indicate social isolation or loneliness,
warranting a social support assessment.
A — Most people want connection.
B — Cultural traditions are often missed.
D — Loneliness is not always shared.
3 Mrs. Khan is 89 years old and is reported to have bouts of agitation. The nurse
practitioner is counseling her family that these periods of agitation can be triggered
by which of the following?
A Silence and soft music
B Dim lights
C Approaches from other people
D A feeling of appetite satiety
Correct Answer: C — Approaches from other people can trigger agitation in older adults
with cognitive impairment.
A — Silence and soft music are calming.
B — Dim lights are calming.
D — Appetite satiety is not a trigger.
, 4 The nurse practitioner is considering ordering medications to help control an older
patient's agitation. She chooses which of the following?
A Psychotropic medications
B Seizure medications
C Stimulants
D Depressants
Correct Answer: A — Psychotropic medications (antipsychotics, anxiolytics) are used to
control agitation.
B — Seizure medications are not first-line for agitation.
C — Stimulants would worsen agitation.
D — Depressants are not the correct term.
5 The nurse practitioner is conducting an admitting assessment of a 69-year-old man.
He has diminished ability to ambulate and has difficulty with activities of daily living
(ADLs). In the interview, the nurse practitioner asks him if he drinks alcohol. He says,
"Yes." The practitioner follows up with a psycho-social evaluation because:
A Physiological dynamics need to be ruled out as a possible contribution
B His drinking may be a function of the environment where he lives
C Criteria from the DSM-V is the same for people of any age
D His condition could be related to a long-term usage of alcohol or a new occurrence
Correct Answer: D — Alcohol-related issues in older adults may be long-standing or new
onset due to life changes.
A — Psycho-social factors are the focus.
B — Environment is one factor but not the primary.
C — DSM-V criteria may need age-specific considerations.
NUR 612 Final Exam
Practice Question Bank
NCLEX-Style Practice Questions with Rationales
Topic Focus: Gerontology, Pharmacology, Chronic Illness, Mental Health
Edition 1 · September 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales 2
NUR 612 · UAB Page 1
,NUR 612 PRACTICE GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
Read each stem, choose your answer, then check the rationale directly below it. The correct
option is marked, and each wrong option is explained so you understand why it's wrong — not
just that it is.
Category: Gerontology, Pharmacology, Chronic Illness, Mental Health
1 Mrs. James is 78 years old and comes to the clinic for an annual checkup. The nurse
practitioner addresses the psychosocial needs of older adults and specifically the
need for which of the following?
A Dependence
B Dignity, credibility, and respect
C Being alone
D Not being touched
Correct Answer: B — Older adults have a need for dignity, credibility, and respect in
healthcare settings.
A — Independence is valued more than dependence.
C — Social connection is important.
D — Touch and human connection are important.
,2 Mr. Slobinsky, 80 years old, is unable to leave his home due to mobility problems.
The nurse practitioner conducts a social support assessment because Mr. Slobinsky:
A May not want to see anyone
B Is not missing the cultural traditions of community activities
C Has made frequent appointments for consultation with the practitioner
D Looks forward to sharing his loneliness with the nurse practitioner
Correct Answer: C — Frequent appointments may indicate social isolation or loneliness,
warranting a social support assessment.
A — Most people want connection.
B — Cultural traditions are often missed.
D — Loneliness is not always shared.
3 Mrs. Khan is 89 years old and is reported to have bouts of agitation. The nurse
practitioner is counseling her family that these periods of agitation can be triggered
by which of the following?
A Silence and soft music
B Dim lights
C Approaches from other people
D A feeling of appetite satiety
Correct Answer: C — Approaches from other people can trigger agitation in older adults
with cognitive impairment.
A — Silence and soft music are calming.
B — Dim lights are calming.
D — Appetite satiety is not a trigger.
, 4 The nurse practitioner is considering ordering medications to help control an older
patient's agitation. She chooses which of the following?
A Psychotropic medications
B Seizure medications
C Stimulants
D Depressants
Correct Answer: A — Psychotropic medications (antipsychotics, anxiolytics) are used to
control agitation.
B — Seizure medications are not first-line for agitation.
C — Stimulants would worsen agitation.
D — Depressants are not the correct term.
5 The nurse practitioner is conducting an admitting assessment of a 69-year-old man.
He has diminished ability to ambulate and has difficulty with activities of daily living
(ADLs). In the interview, the nurse practitioner asks him if he drinks alcohol. He says,
"Yes." The practitioner follows up with a psycho-social evaluation because:
A Physiological dynamics need to be ruled out as a possible contribution
B His drinking may be a function of the environment where he lives
C Criteria from the DSM-V is the same for people of any age
D His condition could be related to a long-term usage of alcohol or a new occurrence
Correct Answer: D — Alcohol-related issues in older adults may be long-standing or new
onset due to life changes.
A — Psycho-social factors are the focus.
B — Environment is one factor but not the primary.
C — DSM-V criteria may need age-specific considerations.
