NUR 2214 / NUR2214 NURSING CARE OF THE OLDER ADULT | EXAM 1 | LATEST 2026 /
2027 – COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL-DETAILED
ANSWERS | DETAILED EXPLANATIONS AND RATIONALES | COMPLETE EXAM PREPARATION
STUDY GUIDE | PRACTICE QUESTIONS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE
• CORE DOMAINS *
1. Aging theories, demographics, and the normal aging process
2. Physical, functional, cognitive, and psychosocial changes of aging
3. Gerontological nursing assessment and health promotion
4. Ageism, communication, culture, spirituality, and psychosocial well-being
5. Safety, falls, mobility, sensory changes, and injury prevention
6. Autonomy, independence, advocacy, ethics, and legal considerations
7. Nutrition, hydration, elimination, sleep, and activities of daily living
8. Medication safety, polypharmacy, and common geriatric medication concerns
9. Chronic illness, acute illness, hospitalization, and care transitions
10. Long-term care, community resources, family caregivers, and end-of-life care
• INTRODUCTION *
This assessment is designed to strengthen knowledge and clinical reasoning related to
nursing care of the older adult. It evaluates foundational gerontological concepts, normal
aging, functional and psychosocial changes, safety, health promotion, medication
management, ethical advocacy, autonomy, and person-centered care. Multiple-choice
questions emphasize both recognition of essential concepts and application of nursing
knowledge to realistic situations. Understanding the distinction between normal aging and
illness is particularly important when caring for older adults. Questions also emphasize
assessment, prevention, communication, decision-making, interdisciplinary collaboration,
and preservation of independence. The material is structured to support preparation for
examination-style questions while encouraging clinically appropriate reasoning rather than
memorization alone.
Rasmussen University describes NUR 2214 as a course focused on care models for older
adults, attitudes and ageism, autonomy and safety in healthcare decisions, advocacy, and
application of theory in healthcare settings.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1. Which statement best describes gerontological nursing?
,A. Nursing care focused exclusively on treating acute illnesses in adults older than 65
B. Nursing care that addresses the physical, psychological, social, functional, and spiritual
needs of older adults
C. Nursing care provided only in long-term-care facilities
D. Nursing care that primarily focuses on medication administration
Correct Answer: B. Nursing care that addresses the physical, psychological, social,
functional, and spiritual needs of older adults
Explanation: Gerontological nursing uses a holistic approach to address the multiple
dimensions of health and function that influence an older adult's quality of life. It is not
limited to disease treatment or any particular healthcare setting.
Question 2. Which finding is most consistent with normal aging?
A. New-onset confusion
B. Sudden inability to perform activities of daily living
C. Gradual decrease in skin elasticity
D. Acute urinary incontinence
Correct Answer: C. Gradual decrease in skin elasticity
Explanation: Reduced skin elasticity is an expected age-related change caused by alterations
in collagen, elastin, and subcutaneous tissue. Sudden confusion, functional decline, or acute
incontinence should prompt assessment for an underlying condition.
Question 3. What is the primary purpose of distinguishing normal aging from disease?
A. To reduce the number of assessments performed
B. To prevent older adults from receiving unnecessary treatment
C. To identify pathological changes that require evaluation
D. To determine whether an older adult should live independently
Correct Answer: C. To identify pathological changes that require evaluation
Explanation: Aging produces expected physiologic changes, but significant deviations from
an individual's baseline may indicate disease. Nurses must avoid attributing abnormal
findings simply to age.
Question 4. Which nursing action best demonstrates person-centered care for an older
adult?
A. Making decisions for the client to save time
B. Following the family's preferences regardless of the client's wishes
C. Incorporating the client's values and preferences into the plan of care
D. Using the same care plan for all older adults
Correct Answer: C. Incorporating the client's values and preferences into the plan of care
, Explanation: Person-centered care recognizes the older adult as an individual with unique
goals, values, preferences, abilities, and life experiences.
Question 5. Which concept refers to negative stereotypes or discrimination based on a
person's age?
A. Autonomy
B. Ageism
C. Resilience
D. Gerontology
Correct Answer: B. Ageism
Explanation: Ageism involves stereotypes, prejudice, or discriminatory behavior related to
age. Nurses must recognize and actively challenge ageist assumptions in healthcare.
Question 6. A nurse assumes that an 82-year-old client cannot learn to use a smartphone
because of the client's age. Which concept does this behavior demonstrate?
A. Ageism
B. Advocacy
C. Beneficence
D. Autonomy
Correct Answer: A. Ageism
Explanation: Assuming inability solely because of age is an ageist stereotype. Older adults
have highly variable abilities, and nurses should assess actual functional capacity rather than
rely on assumptions.
Question 7. Which statement about aging is most accurate?
A. All older adults experience the same physiologic changes at the same rate.
B. Aging inevitably results in severe cognitive impairment.
C. Aging is a heterogeneous process with substantial individual variation.
D. Functional decline is an unavoidable consequence of chronological age.
Correct Answer: C. Aging is a heterogeneous process with substantial individual variation.
Explanation: Older adults differ considerably in health, function, cognition, social
circumstances, and adaptation. Chronological age alone does not determine an individual's
abilities or health status.
Question 8. Which assessment finding should the nurse consider most concerning in an
older adult?
A. Gray hair
B. Decreased skin turgor related to aging
2027 – COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL-DETAILED
ANSWERS | DETAILED EXPLANATIONS AND RATIONALES | COMPLETE EXAM PREPARATION
STUDY GUIDE | PRACTICE QUESTIONS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE
• CORE DOMAINS *
1. Aging theories, demographics, and the normal aging process
2. Physical, functional, cognitive, and psychosocial changes of aging
3. Gerontological nursing assessment and health promotion
4. Ageism, communication, culture, spirituality, and psychosocial well-being
5. Safety, falls, mobility, sensory changes, and injury prevention
6. Autonomy, independence, advocacy, ethics, and legal considerations
7. Nutrition, hydration, elimination, sleep, and activities of daily living
8. Medication safety, polypharmacy, and common geriatric medication concerns
9. Chronic illness, acute illness, hospitalization, and care transitions
10. Long-term care, community resources, family caregivers, and end-of-life care
• INTRODUCTION *
This assessment is designed to strengthen knowledge and clinical reasoning related to
nursing care of the older adult. It evaluates foundational gerontological concepts, normal
aging, functional and psychosocial changes, safety, health promotion, medication
management, ethical advocacy, autonomy, and person-centered care. Multiple-choice
questions emphasize both recognition of essential concepts and application of nursing
knowledge to realistic situations. Understanding the distinction between normal aging and
illness is particularly important when caring for older adults. Questions also emphasize
assessment, prevention, communication, decision-making, interdisciplinary collaboration,
and preservation of independence. The material is structured to support preparation for
examination-style questions while encouraging clinically appropriate reasoning rather than
memorization alone.
Rasmussen University describes NUR 2214 as a course focused on care models for older
adults, attitudes and ageism, autonomy and safety in healthcare decisions, advocacy, and
application of theory in healthcare settings.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1. Which statement best describes gerontological nursing?
,A. Nursing care focused exclusively on treating acute illnesses in adults older than 65
B. Nursing care that addresses the physical, psychological, social, functional, and spiritual
needs of older adults
C. Nursing care provided only in long-term-care facilities
D. Nursing care that primarily focuses on medication administration
Correct Answer: B. Nursing care that addresses the physical, psychological, social,
functional, and spiritual needs of older adults
Explanation: Gerontological nursing uses a holistic approach to address the multiple
dimensions of health and function that influence an older adult's quality of life. It is not
limited to disease treatment or any particular healthcare setting.
Question 2. Which finding is most consistent with normal aging?
A. New-onset confusion
B. Sudden inability to perform activities of daily living
C. Gradual decrease in skin elasticity
D. Acute urinary incontinence
Correct Answer: C. Gradual decrease in skin elasticity
Explanation: Reduced skin elasticity is an expected age-related change caused by alterations
in collagen, elastin, and subcutaneous tissue. Sudden confusion, functional decline, or acute
incontinence should prompt assessment for an underlying condition.
Question 3. What is the primary purpose of distinguishing normal aging from disease?
A. To reduce the number of assessments performed
B. To prevent older adults from receiving unnecessary treatment
C. To identify pathological changes that require evaluation
D. To determine whether an older adult should live independently
Correct Answer: C. To identify pathological changes that require evaluation
Explanation: Aging produces expected physiologic changes, but significant deviations from
an individual's baseline may indicate disease. Nurses must avoid attributing abnormal
findings simply to age.
Question 4. Which nursing action best demonstrates person-centered care for an older
adult?
A. Making decisions for the client to save time
B. Following the family's preferences regardless of the client's wishes
C. Incorporating the client's values and preferences into the plan of care
D. Using the same care plan for all older adults
Correct Answer: C. Incorporating the client's values and preferences into the plan of care
, Explanation: Person-centered care recognizes the older adult as an individual with unique
goals, values, preferences, abilities, and life experiences.
Question 5. Which concept refers to negative stereotypes or discrimination based on a
person's age?
A. Autonomy
B. Ageism
C. Resilience
D. Gerontology
Correct Answer: B. Ageism
Explanation: Ageism involves stereotypes, prejudice, or discriminatory behavior related to
age. Nurses must recognize and actively challenge ageist assumptions in healthcare.
Question 6. A nurse assumes that an 82-year-old client cannot learn to use a smartphone
because of the client's age. Which concept does this behavior demonstrate?
A. Ageism
B. Advocacy
C. Beneficence
D. Autonomy
Correct Answer: A. Ageism
Explanation: Assuming inability solely because of age is an ageist stereotype. Older adults
have highly variable abilities, and nurses should assess actual functional capacity rather than
rely on assumptions.
Question 7. Which statement about aging is most accurate?
A. All older adults experience the same physiologic changes at the same rate.
B. Aging inevitably results in severe cognitive impairment.
C. Aging is a heterogeneous process with substantial individual variation.
D. Functional decline is an unavoidable consequence of chronological age.
Correct Answer: C. Aging is a heterogeneous process with substantial individual variation.
Explanation: Older adults differ considerably in health, function, cognition, social
circumstances, and adaptation. Chronological age alone does not determine an individual's
abilities or health status.
Question 8. Which assessment finding should the nurse consider most concerning in an
older adult?
A. Gray hair
B. Decreased skin turgor related to aging
