NU 176/ NU176 Exam 1– Geriatric Nursing Review | Galen (Latest 2026/ 2027 Update)
100% Verified Questions & Answers | Grade A – 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 and normal physiological changes
2. Comprehensive geriatric assessment and functional status
3. Cognitive health, delirium, dementia, and depression
4. Medication management, polypharmacy, and adverse drug effects
5. Falls, mobility, safety, and injury prevention
6. Nutrition, hydration, elimination, and common geriatric syndromes
7. Skin integrity, pressure injury prevention, and sensory changes
8. Chronic illness, pain, sleep, and symptom management
9. Psychosocial, ethical, cultural, and end-of-life considerations
10. Health promotion, independence, communication, and interdisciplinary care
INTRODUCTION
This 100-question practice assessment is designed to strengthen knowledge and clinical
reasoning in geriatric nursing. It emphasizes normal aging versus disease, comprehensive
assessment, functional independence, medication safety, cognition, falls, nutrition, skin
integrity, chronic illness, psychosocial needs, and ethical nursing care. Questions deliberately
progress from foundational concepts to application and clinical judgment. Effective geriatric
nursing requires more than recognizing age-related changes; nurses must interpret subtle
findings, identify preventable risks, individualize interventions, preserve autonomy, and
coordinate interdisciplinary care. Current geriatric assessment frameworks emphasize
mentation, mobility, medication management, patient priorities, and functional status.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1. Which statement best describes a normal physiological characteristic of aging?
A. Older adults normally lose all renal function by age 70.
B. Physiologic reserve generally decreases with advancing age.
C. Aging normally causes persistent confusion and disorientation.
D. Chronic disease is an unavoidable consequence of normal aging.
Correct Answer: B. Physiologic reserve generally decreases with advancing age.
,Explanation: Normal aging is associated with a gradual reduction in physiologic reserve,
meaning an older adult may have less ability to compensate for acute stressors. Confusion,
severe functional impairment, and chronic disease are not inevitable consequences of aging.
Question 2. A nurse is teaching a group of nursing students about older adults. Which
statement requires correction?
A. Older adults may have slower responses to physiologic stress.
B. Functional ability is influenced by both aging and disease.
C. Cognitive impairment should automatically be considered a normal part of aging.
D. Older adults may experience multiple chronic conditions simultaneously.
Correct Answer: C. Cognitive impairment should automatically be considered a normal
part of aging.
Explanation: Mild changes in processing speed can occur with normal aging, but significant
cognitive impairment is not considered an inevitable or normal consequence of aging. New
or progressive cognitive changes require assessment for reversible and pathological causes.
Question 3. Which nursing assessment best demonstrates a focus on functional status?
A. Asking only about the patient's diagnoses
B. Determining whether the patient can independently dress, bathe, and transfer
C. Reviewing only the patient's laboratory values
D. Determining the patient's preferred medication schedule
Correct Answer: B. Determining whether the patient can independently dress, bathe, and
transfer
Explanation: Functional assessment examines what an older adult can actually do. Activities
of daily living include bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, continence, and feeding.
Instrumental activities extend to tasks such as medication management, shopping,
transportation, and finances.
Question 4. An older adult previously managed medications independently but now
repeatedly takes the wrong dose. Which nursing action is most appropriate initially?
A. Assume the patient is developing dementia.
B. Immediately remove the patient's medication-management rights.
C. Assess cognition, vision, hearing, medication complexity, and possible reversible causes.
D. Tell the family to administer all medications permanently.
,Correct Answer: C. Assess cognition, vision, hearing, medication complexity, and possible
reversible causes.
Explanation: A change in medication management warrants comprehensive assessment
rather than an immediate assumption of dementia. Vision impairment, hearing difficulties,
cognitive changes, complicated regimens, adverse drug effects, depression, and
environmental barriers can all contribute.
Question 5. Which concept is most important when distinguishing normal aging from
disease?
A. Every physiological change is expected after age 65.
B. Older adults should be assessed according to chronological age alone.
C. Significant changes from an individual's baseline require evaluation.
D. Functional decline should always be accepted as inevitable.
Correct Answer: C. Significant changes from an individual's baseline require evaluation.
Explanation: Geriatric nursing emphasizes comparison with the individual's previous level of
function. A sudden or substantial change in cognition, mobility, nutrition, continence, or
behavior may signal acute illness even when classic symptoms are absent.
Question 6. Which finding is most concerning for an acute change rather than normal
aging?
A. Taking slightly longer to recall a familiar name
B. Gradual reduction in muscle mass
C. Sudden onset of confusion over several hours
D. Increased skin dryness
Correct Answer: C. Sudden onset of confusion over several hours
Explanation: Acute confusion with rapid onset and fluctuation is characteristic of delirium
and should prompt immediate assessment for underlying causes. Delirium is not a normal
part of aging.
Question 7. The nurse is performing a comprehensive geriatric assessment. Which
combination best reflects the multidimensional nature of the assessment?
A. Physical examination and laboratory testing only
B. Cognition, mood, mobility, nutrition, function, medications, and social circumstances
, C. Diagnosis, medication list, and vital signs only
D. Height, weight, and blood pressure only
Correct Answer: B. Cognition, mood, mobility, nutrition, function, medications, and social
circumstances
Explanation: Comprehensive geriatric assessment is multidimensional. It evaluates medical,
functional, psychological, cognitive, nutritional, medication-related, and social domains to
develop an individualized care plan.
Question 8. An older adult becomes tired during a lengthy assessment. What is the best
nursing response?
A. Continue without interruption because all findings must be collected at once.
B. Stop the assessment permanently.
C. Adapt the assessment by allowing rest periods and completing it in manageable portions.
D. Ask the family to answer all remaining questions.
Correct Answer: C. Adapt the assessment by allowing rest periods and completing it in
manageable portions.
Explanation: Older adults, particularly frail individuals, may fatigue more easily. Assessment
may need to occur in shorter sessions while preserving the patient's opportunity to provide
information directly.
Question 9. Which assessment finding most directly indicates impaired mobility?
A. Difficulty reading small print
B. Inability to rise safely from a chair without assistance
C. Decreased appetite
D. Occasional difficulty hearing conversation
Correct Answer: B. Inability to rise safely from a chair without assistance
Explanation: Mobility assessment includes gait, balance, strength, transfers, and the ability
to move safely. Difficulty rising from a chair may indicate weakness, impaired balance, or
functional decline.
Question 10. Which nursing goal is most consistent with age-friendly geriatric care?
A. Eliminate all patient decision-making.
B. Focus exclusively on disease treatment.
100% Verified Questions & Answers | Grade A – 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 and normal physiological changes
2. Comprehensive geriatric assessment and functional status
3. Cognitive health, delirium, dementia, and depression
4. Medication management, polypharmacy, and adverse drug effects
5. Falls, mobility, safety, and injury prevention
6. Nutrition, hydration, elimination, and common geriatric syndromes
7. Skin integrity, pressure injury prevention, and sensory changes
8. Chronic illness, pain, sleep, and symptom management
9. Psychosocial, ethical, cultural, and end-of-life considerations
10. Health promotion, independence, communication, and interdisciplinary care
INTRODUCTION
This 100-question practice assessment is designed to strengthen knowledge and clinical
reasoning in geriatric nursing. It emphasizes normal aging versus disease, comprehensive
assessment, functional independence, medication safety, cognition, falls, nutrition, skin
integrity, chronic illness, psychosocial needs, and ethical nursing care. Questions deliberately
progress from foundational concepts to application and clinical judgment. Effective geriatric
nursing requires more than recognizing age-related changes; nurses must interpret subtle
findings, identify preventable risks, individualize interventions, preserve autonomy, and
coordinate interdisciplinary care. Current geriatric assessment frameworks emphasize
mentation, mobility, medication management, patient priorities, and functional status.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1. Which statement best describes a normal physiological characteristic of aging?
A. Older adults normally lose all renal function by age 70.
B. Physiologic reserve generally decreases with advancing age.
C. Aging normally causes persistent confusion and disorientation.
D. Chronic disease is an unavoidable consequence of normal aging.
Correct Answer: B. Physiologic reserve generally decreases with advancing age.
,Explanation: Normal aging is associated with a gradual reduction in physiologic reserve,
meaning an older adult may have less ability to compensate for acute stressors. Confusion,
severe functional impairment, and chronic disease are not inevitable consequences of aging.
Question 2. A nurse is teaching a group of nursing students about older adults. Which
statement requires correction?
A. Older adults may have slower responses to physiologic stress.
B. Functional ability is influenced by both aging and disease.
C. Cognitive impairment should automatically be considered a normal part of aging.
D. Older adults may experience multiple chronic conditions simultaneously.
Correct Answer: C. Cognitive impairment should automatically be considered a normal
part of aging.
Explanation: Mild changes in processing speed can occur with normal aging, but significant
cognitive impairment is not considered an inevitable or normal consequence of aging. New
or progressive cognitive changes require assessment for reversible and pathological causes.
Question 3. Which nursing assessment best demonstrates a focus on functional status?
A. Asking only about the patient's diagnoses
B. Determining whether the patient can independently dress, bathe, and transfer
C. Reviewing only the patient's laboratory values
D. Determining the patient's preferred medication schedule
Correct Answer: B. Determining whether the patient can independently dress, bathe, and
transfer
Explanation: Functional assessment examines what an older adult can actually do. Activities
of daily living include bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, continence, and feeding.
Instrumental activities extend to tasks such as medication management, shopping,
transportation, and finances.
Question 4. An older adult previously managed medications independently but now
repeatedly takes the wrong dose. Which nursing action is most appropriate initially?
A. Assume the patient is developing dementia.
B. Immediately remove the patient's medication-management rights.
C. Assess cognition, vision, hearing, medication complexity, and possible reversible causes.
D. Tell the family to administer all medications permanently.
,Correct Answer: C. Assess cognition, vision, hearing, medication complexity, and possible
reversible causes.
Explanation: A change in medication management warrants comprehensive assessment
rather than an immediate assumption of dementia. Vision impairment, hearing difficulties,
cognitive changes, complicated regimens, adverse drug effects, depression, and
environmental barriers can all contribute.
Question 5. Which concept is most important when distinguishing normal aging from
disease?
A. Every physiological change is expected after age 65.
B. Older adults should be assessed according to chronological age alone.
C. Significant changes from an individual's baseline require evaluation.
D. Functional decline should always be accepted as inevitable.
Correct Answer: C. Significant changes from an individual's baseline require evaluation.
Explanation: Geriatric nursing emphasizes comparison with the individual's previous level of
function. A sudden or substantial change in cognition, mobility, nutrition, continence, or
behavior may signal acute illness even when classic symptoms are absent.
Question 6. Which finding is most concerning for an acute change rather than normal
aging?
A. Taking slightly longer to recall a familiar name
B. Gradual reduction in muscle mass
C. Sudden onset of confusion over several hours
D. Increased skin dryness
Correct Answer: C. Sudden onset of confusion over several hours
Explanation: Acute confusion with rapid onset and fluctuation is characteristic of delirium
and should prompt immediate assessment for underlying causes. Delirium is not a normal
part of aging.
Question 7. The nurse is performing a comprehensive geriatric assessment. Which
combination best reflects the multidimensional nature of the assessment?
A. Physical examination and laboratory testing only
B. Cognition, mood, mobility, nutrition, function, medications, and social circumstances
, C. Diagnosis, medication list, and vital signs only
D. Height, weight, and blood pressure only
Correct Answer: B. Cognition, mood, mobility, nutrition, function, medications, and social
circumstances
Explanation: Comprehensive geriatric assessment is multidimensional. It evaluates medical,
functional, psychological, cognitive, nutritional, medication-related, and social domains to
develop an individualized care plan.
Question 8. An older adult becomes tired during a lengthy assessment. What is the best
nursing response?
A. Continue without interruption because all findings must be collected at once.
B. Stop the assessment permanently.
C. Adapt the assessment by allowing rest periods and completing it in manageable portions.
D. Ask the family to answer all remaining questions.
Correct Answer: C. Adapt the assessment by allowing rest periods and completing it in
manageable portions.
Explanation: Older adults, particularly frail individuals, may fatigue more easily. Assessment
may need to occur in shorter sessions while preserving the patient's opportunity to provide
information directly.
Question 9. Which assessment finding most directly indicates impaired mobility?
A. Difficulty reading small print
B. Inability to rise safely from a chair without assistance
C. Decreased appetite
D. Occasional difficulty hearing conversation
Correct Answer: B. Inability to rise safely from a chair without assistance
Explanation: Mobility assessment includes gait, balance, strength, transfers, and the ability
to move safely. Difficulty rising from a chair may indicate weakness, impaired balance, or
functional decline.
Question 10. Which nursing goal is most consistent with age-friendly geriatric care?
A. Eliminate all patient decision-making.
B. Focus exclusively on disease treatment.
