TEST BANK FOR ADVANCED PRACTICE
NURSING IN THE CARE OF OLDER
ADULTS 2ND EDITION BY
KENNEDY-MALONE CHAPTER
1-19|COMPLETE GUIDE 2022
Gerontology Foundations & Aging Theories (1–20)
1. The primary focus of gerontology as a discipline is to:
A. Treat chronic disease in older adults
B. Study aging and its impact on individuals and society
C. Develop medications for age-related illnesses
D. Eliminate functional decline in older adults
Answer: B
Rationale: Gerontology is the scientific study of aging and its biological, psychological, and
social aspects.
2. Which theory of aging proposes that cells have a finite number of divisions?
A. Free radical theory
B. Wear-and-tear theory
C. Programmed senescence theory
D. Disengagement theory
Answer: C
Rationale: Programmed senescence suggests cells are genetically programmed to stop
dividing after a certain point.
3. An older adult gradually reduces social involvement but reports being content. Which theory
best explains this?
A. Activity theory
B. Disengagement theory
, C. Continuity theory
D. Socioemotional selectivity theory
Answer: B
Rationale: Disengagement theory states older adults naturally withdraw from roles and
relationships.
4. Activity theory suggests successful aging is associated with:
A. Accepting social withdrawal
B. Maintaining roles and social engagement
C. Avoiding physical activity
D. Relying on family for all care
Answer: B
Rationale: Activity theory emphasizes ongoing social and productive engagement.
5. The continuity theory of aging emphasizes:
A. Sudden lifestyle changes in late life
B. Progressive social isolation
C. Consistency of internal and external structures over time
D. Biological decline as the key factor
Answer: C
Rationale: Continuity theory states people retain habits, preferences, and roles across the life
span.
6. Ageism is best defined as:
A. The study of aging
B. Negative stereotypes and discrimination based on age
C. Legal protections for older adults
D. Depression associated with aging
Answer: B
Rationale: Ageism involves prejudice and discrimination directed at individuals because of their
age.
7. A nurse practitioner advocates for flexible clinic hours to improve access for older adults. This
is an example of:
A. Ageism
B. Primary prevention
C. Systems-level advocacy
D. Paternalism
Answer: C
Rationale: Changing organizational structures to support older adults is systems-level
advocacy.
8. Which is the most accurate statement about normal aging?
A. All older adults will develop dementia
B. Mild memory retrieval slowing can be normal
, C. Blood pressure must increase with age
D. Depression is inevitable
Answer: B
Rationale: Mild slowing of recall can occur with normal aging; dementia and depression are not
inevitable.
9. A hallmark of successful aging from a gerontological perspective is:
A. Absence of all chronic disease
B. High income and education
C. Adaptation and resilience despite health changes
D. Dependence on caregivers
Answer: C
Rationale: Successful aging emphasizes adaptation, coping, and quality of life.
10. Which best represents primary aging (senescence)?
A. Osteoarthritis from years of heavy labor
B. Lung cancer from smoking
C. Presbyopia with advancing age
D. Stroke from uncontrolled hypertension
Answer: C
Rationale: Primary aging refers to intrinsic, universal age-related changes such as presbyopia.
11. The “oldest-old” category typically includes adults aged:
A. 60–69
B. 70–79
C. 80–89
D. 85 and older
Answer: D
Rationale: “Oldest-old” commonly refers to individuals 85+.
12. A key goal of advanced practice gerontologic nursing is to:
A. Focus only on disease treatment
B. Promote function, independence, and quality of life
C. Reduce health care costs above all else
D. Replace physician-led care
Answer: B
Rationale: Advanced practice nurses aim to maintain function and quality of life, not just treat
disease.
13. An example of secondary aging is:
A. Decreased renal blood flow with age
B. Wrinkling of the skin
C. Hypertension from a sedentary lifestyle
D. Graying hair
, Answer: C
Rationale: Secondary aging arises from disease and lifestyle, such as hypertension.
14. Socioemotional selectivity theory posits that as people age they:
A. Expand social networks
B. Prefer emotionally meaningful relationships
C. Avoid close relationships
D. Aim to maximize financial gain
Answer: B
Rationale: The theory suggests older adults prioritize emotionally satisfying relationships.
15. The free radical theory of aging focuses on damage caused by:
A. Programmed cell death
B. Protein cross-linking
C. Unstable oxygen molecules
D. Immune system failure
Answer: C
Rationale: Free radicals are unstable oxygen species that damage cells.
16. A nurse practitioner encouraging resistance training in older adults is primarily targeting:
A. Immune function
B. Sarcopenia
C. Cognitive decline
D. Skin integrity
Answer: B
Rationale: Resistance training helps prevent or slow loss of muscle mass (sarcopenia).
17. The concept of “compression of morbidity” means:
A. Living longer with more disability
B. Delaying the onset of disability so most of life is spent in good health
C. Accepting disability as unavoidable
D. Reducing access to health care
Answer: B
Rationale: Compression of morbidity seeks to shorten the period of disability before death.
18. One major barrier to high-quality geriatric care is:
A. Oversupply of geriatric clinicians
B. Limited evidence-based guidelines
C. Lack of interest in chronic disease
D. Under-recognition of geriatric syndromes
Answer: D
Rationale: Geriatric syndromes like frailty and delirium are often under-recognized.
19. The most influential factor in an older adult’s ability to live independently is often:
A. Education level
NURSING IN THE CARE OF OLDER
ADULTS 2ND EDITION BY
KENNEDY-MALONE CHAPTER
1-19|COMPLETE GUIDE 2022
Gerontology Foundations & Aging Theories (1–20)
1. The primary focus of gerontology as a discipline is to:
A. Treat chronic disease in older adults
B. Study aging and its impact on individuals and society
C. Develop medications for age-related illnesses
D. Eliminate functional decline in older adults
Answer: B
Rationale: Gerontology is the scientific study of aging and its biological, psychological, and
social aspects.
2. Which theory of aging proposes that cells have a finite number of divisions?
A. Free radical theory
B. Wear-and-tear theory
C. Programmed senescence theory
D. Disengagement theory
Answer: C
Rationale: Programmed senescence suggests cells are genetically programmed to stop
dividing after a certain point.
3. An older adult gradually reduces social involvement but reports being content. Which theory
best explains this?
A. Activity theory
B. Disengagement theory
, C. Continuity theory
D. Socioemotional selectivity theory
Answer: B
Rationale: Disengagement theory states older adults naturally withdraw from roles and
relationships.
4. Activity theory suggests successful aging is associated with:
A. Accepting social withdrawal
B. Maintaining roles and social engagement
C. Avoiding physical activity
D. Relying on family for all care
Answer: B
Rationale: Activity theory emphasizes ongoing social and productive engagement.
5. The continuity theory of aging emphasizes:
A. Sudden lifestyle changes in late life
B. Progressive social isolation
C. Consistency of internal and external structures over time
D. Biological decline as the key factor
Answer: C
Rationale: Continuity theory states people retain habits, preferences, and roles across the life
span.
6. Ageism is best defined as:
A. The study of aging
B. Negative stereotypes and discrimination based on age
C. Legal protections for older adults
D. Depression associated with aging
Answer: B
Rationale: Ageism involves prejudice and discrimination directed at individuals because of their
age.
7. A nurse practitioner advocates for flexible clinic hours to improve access for older adults. This
is an example of:
A. Ageism
B. Primary prevention
C. Systems-level advocacy
D. Paternalism
Answer: C
Rationale: Changing organizational structures to support older adults is systems-level
advocacy.
8. Which is the most accurate statement about normal aging?
A. All older adults will develop dementia
B. Mild memory retrieval slowing can be normal
, C. Blood pressure must increase with age
D. Depression is inevitable
Answer: B
Rationale: Mild slowing of recall can occur with normal aging; dementia and depression are not
inevitable.
9. A hallmark of successful aging from a gerontological perspective is:
A. Absence of all chronic disease
B. High income and education
C. Adaptation and resilience despite health changes
D. Dependence on caregivers
Answer: C
Rationale: Successful aging emphasizes adaptation, coping, and quality of life.
10. Which best represents primary aging (senescence)?
A. Osteoarthritis from years of heavy labor
B. Lung cancer from smoking
C. Presbyopia with advancing age
D. Stroke from uncontrolled hypertension
Answer: C
Rationale: Primary aging refers to intrinsic, universal age-related changes such as presbyopia.
11. The “oldest-old” category typically includes adults aged:
A. 60–69
B. 70–79
C. 80–89
D. 85 and older
Answer: D
Rationale: “Oldest-old” commonly refers to individuals 85+.
12. A key goal of advanced practice gerontologic nursing is to:
A. Focus only on disease treatment
B. Promote function, independence, and quality of life
C. Reduce health care costs above all else
D. Replace physician-led care
Answer: B
Rationale: Advanced practice nurses aim to maintain function and quality of life, not just treat
disease.
13. An example of secondary aging is:
A. Decreased renal blood flow with age
B. Wrinkling of the skin
C. Hypertension from a sedentary lifestyle
D. Graying hair
, Answer: C
Rationale: Secondary aging arises from disease and lifestyle, such as hypertension.
14. Socioemotional selectivity theory posits that as people age they:
A. Expand social networks
B. Prefer emotionally meaningful relationships
C. Avoid close relationships
D. Aim to maximize financial gain
Answer: B
Rationale: The theory suggests older adults prioritize emotionally satisfying relationships.
15. The free radical theory of aging focuses on damage caused by:
A. Programmed cell death
B. Protein cross-linking
C. Unstable oxygen molecules
D. Immune system failure
Answer: C
Rationale: Free radicals are unstable oxygen species that damage cells.
16. A nurse practitioner encouraging resistance training in older adults is primarily targeting:
A. Immune function
B. Sarcopenia
C. Cognitive decline
D. Skin integrity
Answer: B
Rationale: Resistance training helps prevent or slow loss of muscle mass (sarcopenia).
17. The concept of “compression of morbidity” means:
A. Living longer with more disability
B. Delaying the onset of disability so most of life is spent in good health
C. Accepting disability as unavoidable
D. Reducing access to health care
Answer: B
Rationale: Compression of morbidity seeks to shorten the period of disability before death.
18. One major barrier to high-quality geriatric care is:
A. Oversupply of geriatric clinicians
B. Limited evidence-based guidelines
C. Lack of interest in chronic disease
D. Under-recognition of geriatric syndromes
Answer: D
Rationale: Geriatric syndromes like frailty and delirium are often under-recognized.
19. The most influential factor in an older adult’s ability to live independently is often:
A. Education level
