Gerontological Nursing - 2026 Fall Prevention & Frailty:
Midterm Exam (Units 1-7) - Questions with Correct Answers
100 questions
1. The concept of intrinsic capacity, used by the WHO, refers to:
A. Income
B. The combination of an individual's physical and mental capacities
C. Housing
D. Family size
Correct Answer: B. The combination of an individual's physical and mental capacities
Rationale: WHO's ICOPE approach monitors intrinsic capacity. Declines can be addressed early.
2. Normal aging of the nervous system includes:
A. Loss of memory to the point of dementia
B. Personality change
C. Slower reaction time and processing speed
D. Delirium
Correct Answer: C. Slower reaction time and processing speed
Rationale: Dementia and delirium are not normal aging. Slower reaction time affects fall
recovery.
3. Age-related changes in renal function mean that:
A. Glomerular filtration declines, so many drugs require dose adjustment
B. Creatinine always rises with age
C. Drug clearance increases
D. Fluid needs increase significantly
Correct Answer: A. Glomerular filtration declines, so many drugs require dose adjustment
Rationale: Serum creatinine may stay normal because of reduced muscle mass. Estimated GFR
guides dosing.
,4. Elderspeak, such as calling an older adult "sweetie," is:
A. Respectful
B. Required
C. Therapeutic
D. Patronizing and associated with resistance to care
Correct Answer: D. Patronizing and associated with resistance to care
Rationale: It conveys incompetence. Respectful address uses the preferred name.
5. Ageism refers to:
A. Normal physiologic aging
B. A disease of older adults
C. Stereotyping and discrimination against people based on age
D. Respect for elders
Correct Answer: C. Stereotyping and discrimination against people based on age
Rationale: Ageism can lead clinicians to dismiss treatable problems as old age. It harms health
outcomes.
6. Erikson's final developmental stage for older adults is:
A. Generativity versus stagnation
B. Integrity versus despair
C. Intimacy versus isolation
D. Industry versus inferiority
Correct Answer: B. Integrity versus despair
Rationale: Life review supports integrity. Generativity is middle adulthood.
,7. Teaching older adults is most effective when the nurse:
A. Allows extra time, minimizes distractions and connects to prior experience
B. Rushes through information
C. Uses only written materials
D. Teaches in noisy areas
Correct Answer: A. Allows extra time, minimizes distractions and connects to prior experience
Rationale: Processing speed may be slower but learning ability remains. Relevance improves
retention.
8. Body composition changes with aging include:
A. Decreased fat
B. Increased fat and decreased total body water
C. Increased total body water
D. Increased lean mass
Correct Answer: B. Increased fat and decreased total body water
Rationale: These changes alter drug distribution. Fat-soluble drugs last longer and
water-soluble drugs reach higher concentrations.
9. Age-related changes in hepatic drug metabolism mainly reduce:
A. Phase II conjugation dramatically
B. Bile production to zero
C. Phase I (oxidative) metabolism, prolonging the action of drugs such as diazepam
D. Absorption of all drugs
Correct Answer: C. Phase I (oxidative) metabolism, prolonging the action of drugs such as
diazepam
Rationale: Reduced liver mass and blood flow slow oxidative metabolism. Long-acting
benzodiazepines therefore accumulate in older adults.
, 10. Gait changes commonly seen in older adults include:
A. Longer strides
B. Shorter steps, slower speed and wider base of support
C. Faster walking
D. Narrower stance
Correct Answer: B. Shorter steps, slower speed and wider base of support
Rationale: Some changes are adaptive. Marked abnormalities suggest disease.
11. Loneliness and social isolation in older adults are associated with:
A. Better health
B. Lower dementia risk
C. No effects
D. Higher mortality, depression and functional decline
Correct Answer: D. Higher mortality, depression and functional decline
Rationale: The US Surgeon General has highlighted isolation as a public health concern.
Connection supports health.
12. Thirst sensation in older adults is:
A. Increased
B. Unchanged
C. Diminished, increasing the risk of dehydration
D. Only affected by diabetes
Correct Answer: C. Diminished, increasing the risk of dehydration
Rationale: Dehydration contributes to orthostatic hypotension and falls. Scheduled fluids help.
Midterm Exam (Units 1-7) - Questions with Correct Answers
100 questions
1. The concept of intrinsic capacity, used by the WHO, refers to:
A. Income
B. The combination of an individual's physical and mental capacities
C. Housing
D. Family size
Correct Answer: B. The combination of an individual's physical and mental capacities
Rationale: WHO's ICOPE approach monitors intrinsic capacity. Declines can be addressed early.
2. Normal aging of the nervous system includes:
A. Loss of memory to the point of dementia
B. Personality change
C. Slower reaction time and processing speed
D. Delirium
Correct Answer: C. Slower reaction time and processing speed
Rationale: Dementia and delirium are not normal aging. Slower reaction time affects fall
recovery.
3. Age-related changes in renal function mean that:
A. Glomerular filtration declines, so many drugs require dose adjustment
B. Creatinine always rises with age
C. Drug clearance increases
D. Fluid needs increase significantly
Correct Answer: A. Glomerular filtration declines, so many drugs require dose adjustment
Rationale: Serum creatinine may stay normal because of reduced muscle mass. Estimated GFR
guides dosing.
,4. Elderspeak, such as calling an older adult "sweetie," is:
A. Respectful
B. Required
C. Therapeutic
D. Patronizing and associated with resistance to care
Correct Answer: D. Patronizing and associated with resistance to care
Rationale: It conveys incompetence. Respectful address uses the preferred name.
5. Ageism refers to:
A. Normal physiologic aging
B. A disease of older adults
C. Stereotyping and discrimination against people based on age
D. Respect for elders
Correct Answer: C. Stereotyping and discrimination against people based on age
Rationale: Ageism can lead clinicians to dismiss treatable problems as old age. It harms health
outcomes.
6. Erikson's final developmental stage for older adults is:
A. Generativity versus stagnation
B. Integrity versus despair
C. Intimacy versus isolation
D. Industry versus inferiority
Correct Answer: B. Integrity versus despair
Rationale: Life review supports integrity. Generativity is middle adulthood.
,7. Teaching older adults is most effective when the nurse:
A. Allows extra time, minimizes distractions and connects to prior experience
B. Rushes through information
C. Uses only written materials
D. Teaches in noisy areas
Correct Answer: A. Allows extra time, minimizes distractions and connects to prior experience
Rationale: Processing speed may be slower but learning ability remains. Relevance improves
retention.
8. Body composition changes with aging include:
A. Decreased fat
B. Increased fat and decreased total body water
C. Increased total body water
D. Increased lean mass
Correct Answer: B. Increased fat and decreased total body water
Rationale: These changes alter drug distribution. Fat-soluble drugs last longer and
water-soluble drugs reach higher concentrations.
9. Age-related changes in hepatic drug metabolism mainly reduce:
A. Phase II conjugation dramatically
B. Bile production to zero
C. Phase I (oxidative) metabolism, prolonging the action of drugs such as diazepam
D. Absorption of all drugs
Correct Answer: C. Phase I (oxidative) metabolism, prolonging the action of drugs such as
diazepam
Rationale: Reduced liver mass and blood flow slow oxidative metabolism. Long-acting
benzodiazepines therefore accumulate in older adults.
, 10. Gait changes commonly seen in older adults include:
A. Longer strides
B. Shorter steps, slower speed and wider base of support
C. Faster walking
D. Narrower stance
Correct Answer: B. Shorter steps, slower speed and wider base of support
Rationale: Some changes are adaptive. Marked abnormalities suggest disease.
11. Loneliness and social isolation in older adults are associated with:
A. Better health
B. Lower dementia risk
C. No effects
D. Higher mortality, depression and functional decline
Correct Answer: D. Higher mortality, depression and functional decline
Rationale: The US Surgeon General has highlighted isolation as a public health concern.
Connection supports health.
12. Thirst sensation in older adults is:
A. Increased
B. Unchanged
C. Diminished, increasing the risk of dehydration
D. Only affected by diabetes
Correct Answer: C. Diminished, increasing the risk of dehydration
Rationale: Dehydration contributes to orthostatic hypotension and falls. Scheduled fluids help.
