ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSING IN THE CARE
OF OLDER ADULTS 3RD EDITION
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM SCRIPT WITH
SOLUTIONS
◉ First-line medication for treating mild persistent asthma in adults.
Answer: Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS)
◉ Common heart sound in heart failure.
Answer: S3 gallop
◉ Most common cause of community-acquired pneumonia in older
adults.
Answer: Streptococcus pneumoniae
◉ Symptom that differentiates delirium from dementia.
Answer: Acute onset and fluctuating course
◉ Class of drug to avoid in older adults due to anticholinergic
effects.
Answer: First-generation antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine)
,◉ Positive Murphy's sign indicates.
Answer: Cholecystitis
◉ Lab test to monitor lithium therapy.
Answer: Serum lithium levels
◉ Condition characterized by butterfly rash across cheeks and nose.
Answer: Systemic lupus erythematosus
◉ Pediatric illness identified by 'slapped cheek' rash.
Answer: Erythema infectiosum (Fifth disease)
◉ Gold standard diagnostic test for GERD.
Answer: 24-hour pH monitoring
◉ Vitamin commonly deficient in chronic alcohol use.
Answer: Thiamine (Vitamin B1)
◉ Recommended calcium intake for women over 50 years old.
Answer: 1200 mg daily
,◉ Most common cause of urinary tract infections.
Answer: Escherichia coli
◉ Physical exam finding consistent with otitis media.
Answer: Bulging, erythematous tympanic membrane
◉ Preferred imaging study for evaluating kidney stones.
Answer: Non-contrast CT scan of abdomen and pelvis
◉ Common side effect of amlodipine.
Answer: Peripheral edema
◉ Hallmark lab finding in Graves' disease.
Answer: Decreased TSH, elevated free T4
◉ Safest antidepressant in older adults.
Answer: Sertraline
◉ Condition suggested by microcytic, hypochromic anemia.
Answer: Iron deficiency anemia
◉ Type of skin lesion that is flat, non-palpable, and <1 cm.
, Answer: Macule
◉ Test to confirm diagnosis of mononucleosis.
Answer: Monospot (heterophile antibody test)
◉ CDC-recommended treatment for gonorrhea.
Answer: Ceftriaxone 500mg IM + doxycycline 100mg BID x 7 days (if
chlamydia not ruled out)
◉ Contraceptive method contraindicated in smokers over age 35.
Answer: Combined oral contraceptive pills
◉ Medication that can cause gingival hyperplasia.
Answer: Phenytoin
◉ Key characteristic of Alzheimer's dementia.
Answer: Progressive short-term memory loss
◉ Organism most commonly associated with cellulitis.
Answer: Streptococcus pyogenes
◉ Best treatment for acute gout.
OF OLDER ADULTS 3RD EDITION
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM SCRIPT WITH
SOLUTIONS
◉ First-line medication for treating mild persistent asthma in adults.
Answer: Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS)
◉ Common heart sound in heart failure.
Answer: S3 gallop
◉ Most common cause of community-acquired pneumonia in older
adults.
Answer: Streptococcus pneumoniae
◉ Symptom that differentiates delirium from dementia.
Answer: Acute onset and fluctuating course
◉ Class of drug to avoid in older adults due to anticholinergic
effects.
Answer: First-generation antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine)
,◉ Positive Murphy's sign indicates.
Answer: Cholecystitis
◉ Lab test to monitor lithium therapy.
Answer: Serum lithium levels
◉ Condition characterized by butterfly rash across cheeks and nose.
Answer: Systemic lupus erythematosus
◉ Pediatric illness identified by 'slapped cheek' rash.
Answer: Erythema infectiosum (Fifth disease)
◉ Gold standard diagnostic test for GERD.
Answer: 24-hour pH monitoring
◉ Vitamin commonly deficient in chronic alcohol use.
Answer: Thiamine (Vitamin B1)
◉ Recommended calcium intake for women over 50 years old.
Answer: 1200 mg daily
,◉ Most common cause of urinary tract infections.
Answer: Escherichia coli
◉ Physical exam finding consistent with otitis media.
Answer: Bulging, erythematous tympanic membrane
◉ Preferred imaging study for evaluating kidney stones.
Answer: Non-contrast CT scan of abdomen and pelvis
◉ Common side effect of amlodipine.
Answer: Peripheral edema
◉ Hallmark lab finding in Graves' disease.
Answer: Decreased TSH, elevated free T4
◉ Safest antidepressant in older adults.
Answer: Sertraline
◉ Condition suggested by microcytic, hypochromic anemia.
Answer: Iron deficiency anemia
◉ Type of skin lesion that is flat, non-palpable, and <1 cm.
, Answer: Macule
◉ Test to confirm diagnosis of mononucleosis.
Answer: Monospot (heterophile antibody test)
◉ CDC-recommended treatment for gonorrhea.
Answer: Ceftriaxone 500mg IM + doxycycline 100mg BID x 7 days (if
chlamydia not ruled out)
◉ Contraceptive method contraindicated in smokers over age 35.
Answer: Combined oral contraceptive pills
◉ Medication that can cause gingival hyperplasia.
Answer: Phenytoin
◉ Key characteristic of Alzheimer's dementia.
Answer: Progressive short-term memory loss
◉ Organism most commonly associated with cellulitis.
Answer: Streptococcus pyogenes
◉ Best treatment for acute gout.
