SAS 1
1. Which of the following improves attitudes toward aging and older adults?*
1 point
a. Staying away from older adults
b. Education about older adults
c. Travelling to older communities
d. Watching the portrayals of older adults in movies and on TV 1
2. What best describes nurses as a care provider?*
1 point
a. Determine client’s need
b. Provide direct nursing care
c. Help client recognize and cope with stressful psychological situation
d. Works in combined effort with all those involved in patient’s care
3. As a student nurse, you understand that it is important to study Gerontological Nursing because:*
1 point
a. it is fixed and unchanging.
b. it provides a way to understand the aging process and provide quality care to older
adults
c. it can help predict the responses that the body can do in during aging.
d. it gives positive outlook to older adults.
4. Nurse Beth told Mr. Dela Cruz about ways to decrease the risk of heart disease. What role of a
gerontologic nurse did Nurse Beth portray?*
1 point
a. Manager
b. Advocate
c. Teacher
d. Provider of Care
5. Nurse Beth explains medical and nursing procedures to Mr. Dela Cruz’s family members. What role
did Nurse Beth play in this situation?*
1 point
a. Manager
b. Advocate
c. Teacher
d. Provider of Care
6. What role involves gerontological nurses being aware of current research literature, continuing to
read and put into practice the results of reliable and valid studies?*
1 point
a. Research Consumer
b. Advocate
c. Teacher
d. Provider of Care
7. As a nurse manager, Nurse Beth knows that she needs to develop the following skills except;*
1 point
a. Time management
b. Assertiveness
c. Staff insubordination
d. Communication
8. A primary care provider’s order indicate that a consent form needs to be signed. Since the nurse
was not present when the primary care provider discussed the procedure, which statement best
illustrates the nurse fulfilled the client advocate role?*
1 point
a. “The doctor has asked that you sign this consent form.”
b. “Do you have any questions about the procedure?”
c. “What were you told about the procedure you are going to have?”
d. “Remember that you can change your mind and cancel the procedure.”
9. A nurse who reads research articles and incorporates research findings into nursing practice would
demonstrate which of the following roles?*
1 point
a. Collaborator
b. Primary Investigator
c. Producer
d. Consumer
10. The nurse clarifies to a group of clients that the field of nursing interest that specializes in disease
prevention, increasing autonomy and self-care, and maintenance of function for older adults is*
1 point
a. gerontology.
b. geriatrics.
c. developmental psychology.
d. public health.
SAS 2
1. An 80-year-old patient, who lives at home with a spouse, is instructed to follow a 2 g sodium diet.
The patient states, "I've always eaten the same way all my life, and I'm not going to change now." To
promote optimal dietary adherence, the gerontological nurse's initial approach is to:*
1 point
a. informs the patient about the need to follow the diet.
b. inquiries about the patient's current food preferences and eating habits.
c. list the variety of foods that are allowed on the diet.
d. provides dietary instruction to the patient's spouse, who prepares the meals
2. Which best describes what guides the appropriate nursing care of an aging adult?*
1 point
a. Evidence-based practice developed with ongoing research into the needs and
outcomes of older adults
b. General nursing care previously practices
c. Facility policies and procedures
d. Physician orders for patient complaints
3. When teaching an independent older adult patient how to self-administer insulin, the most
productive approach is to:*
1 point
a. facilitate involvement in a small group where the skill is being taught.
b. gathers information about the patient's family health history.
c. provides frequent, competitive skills testing to enhance learning.
d. use repeated return demonstrations to promote the patient's retention of the
involved tasks
4. A 90-year-old patient comes to the clinic with a family member. During the health history, the patient
is unable to respond to questions in a logical manner. The gerontological nurse's action is to:*
1 point
a. asks the family member to answer the questions.
b. asks the same questions in a louder and lower voice.
c. determines if the patient knows the name of the current president
d. rephrases the questions slightly, and slowly repeat them in a lower voice.
5. The American Nurses Association's Gerontological Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice
emphasizes:*
1 point
a. those abnormal responses to the aging process determine the appropriate nursing diagnoses.
b. that the health status data of older adult patients be documented in a retrievable
form.
c. the role of the older adult patient as the sole decision maker in planning his or her care.
d. the unchanging nature of the goals and plans of care for older adult patients.
6. The nurse is aware that the majority of older adults:*
1 point
a. Live alone
b. Live in institutional settings
c. Are unable to care for themselves
d. Are actively involved in their community
7. Which choice best explains the practice setting for the gerontological nurse?*
1 point
a. In the home of the client
b. Only in acute care settings
c. Clinics and long-term care facilities
d. Home of the client, acute care facilities, long-term care settings, and clinics or
anywhere clients over the age of 65 seek health care and health education
8. A 70-year-old presents to the clinic stating that his family thinks he is losing his mind and they want
to put him in a home. What would be the initial role of the gerontological nurse?*
1 point
a. Begin the process of finding a qualified nursing home
b. Do a complete history, physical, and assessment
c. Speak with the family about their concerns
d. Make light of the subject until the nurse can evaluate the situation
9. An 87-year-old man, who has been living independently, is entering a nursing home. To help him
adjust, the most effective action is to:*
1 point
a. involve him in as many activities as possible so he can meet other residents.
b. move him as quickly as possible so that he does not have time to think.
c. restrict family visits for the first two weeks to give him time to adjust.
d. suggest that he bring his favorite things from home to make his room seem familiar
10. Members of a family are caring for their father at home. Which statement by a family member
indicates a need for teaching and caregiver instruction?*
1 point
a. "Dad has gotten lazy about his bathroom habits. He blames his arthritis medication
for his toileting accidents."
b. "Dad's room is close to the bathroom and we keep a light on for him at night."
c. "It's inconvenient, but we stop other activities to remind Dad to go to the bathroom on a
regular schedule."
d. "We try to avoid coffee and tea at night, but Dad really likes a cup of coffee for breakfast."
SAS 3
1. Nurse Bianca is aware that the theory of aging most likely to explain why the older population is at
risk for autoimmune disorder is known as:*
1 point
a. cross-link theory.
b. free radical theory.
c. error theory.
d. autoimmune theory
2. The family member of a patient asks if vitamin C will prevent aging. In formulating an appropriate
response, the nurse considers what theory?*
1 point
a. free radical theory.
b. autoimmune theory.
c. wear-and-tear theory.
d. continuity theory.
3. Nurse Maria implements the concepts of the activity theory of aging when instructing the older
client with osteoarthritis to:*
1 point
a. continue her daily walking routine.
b. curtail further increases in physical activity.
c. document preferred end-of-life interventions.
d. avoid exposing herself to crowds.
4. The 45-year-old patient reports to the nurse he feels he is going through a "mid-life crisis." The
nurse recognizes this phenomenon refers to the theory developed by which psychologist?*
1 point
a. Jung
b. Erikson
c. Newman
d. Havighurst
5. The patient in the clinic tells the nurse she can "feel her biologic clock ticking." The nurse knows
the patient views aging based on which theory?*
1 point
a. Gene theory
b. Programmed theory
c. Rate of living theory
d. Somatic mutation theory
6. An 80-year-old female who enjoys good health explains to her primary provider that she attributed
her health status to her regular intake of berries, fruit, green tea, which she states “help cleanse the
damaging molecules out of my body. ”Which of the following theories of aging underlies the client’s
health behaviors?*
1 point
a. Free radical theory
b. Biogerontology
c. Disposable soma theory
d. Cross-linking theory
7. The nurse would recognize successful aging according to Jung’s theory when a long-term care
facility resident demonstrates which of the following behaviors?*
1 point
a. The resident takes special care to dress for dinner in a manner that pleases his tablemates.
b. The resident asks permission to sit on the patio with other residents.
c. The resident asks persons in his hall if his television is bothering them.
d. The resident wears a large cowboy hat at all times because he likes it.
8. The nurse in the long-term care facility who cares for primarily order adults knows these adults are
in which stage of Erikson’s developmental tasks?*
1 point
a. Trust vs mistrust
b. Integrity vs Despair
c. Industry vs Inferiority
d. Generativity vs stagnation
9. Which theory suggests that older people who have low levels of social activity have a high degree
of life satisfaction?*
1 point
a. Activity
b. Age stratification
c. Disengagement
d. Exchange
10. Based on the free theory of aging, what would be an appropriate behavior that might increase
one’s life expectancy?*
1 point
a. Exercise for 45 minutes at least three times a week.
b. Eat food rich in antioxidants.
c. Eat a low-calorie, high protein diet.
d. Do nothing. Life expectancy is determined through genetic programming.
SAS 4
1. Which is the best example of polypharmacy?*
1 point
a. Your patient is filling her medications at more than 1 drugstore.
b. Your patient is taking more than 2 medications.
c. Your patient is taking more than 9 medications.
d. Your patient is taking a potentially inappropriate combination of medicines
2. Which is the most effective method of managing polypharmacy?*
1 point
a. Review of medications at each office visit, to ensure an accurate med list.
b. Limit your patients’ medication list to no more than 4 medicines.
c. Regularly assess patient adherence to the medication regimen.
d. (a) and (c)
3. Oral drugs may be absorbed less quickly in older people because:*
1 point
a. Of increased number of receptors in the heart
b. Of increased liver metabolism
c. Of increased kidney function
d. Of decreased gastrointestinal motility
4. Enteric coated tablets are designed to avoid being dissolved in the highly acidic stomach. Instead,
they dissolve in the intestine. Knowing this and what you know about gastrointestinal changes
associated with age, what can you conclude about enteric coated tablets and older patients?*
1 point
a. The tablets will need to be given intravenously instead
b. These tablets will probably dissolve more slowly
c. The enteric coated tablets are unaffected by changes associated with age
d. These tablets may dissolve more quickly
5. In an older population we can expect that drugs will be:*
1 point
a. Absorbed more quickly
b. Metabolized more quickly
c. Excreted more rapidly by the kidneys
d. Excreted less readily
6. Which of the following is an age-related physiologic change that may affect the absorption of
drugs?*
1 point
a. Xerostomia
b. Faster stomach emptying
c. Altered pH of the stomach contents
d. Increased gastrointestinal tract motility
7. The nurse is caring for a group of older adult patients who are all receiving multiple medications.
The nurse understands that it is essential to individualize each patient's therapy. Which is the best
rationale for this practice?*
1 point
A. The percentage of drug absorbed often is decreased in older adults.
B. Most older adults have decreased body fat and increased lean mass.
C. Hepatic metabolism tends to increase in older adults, resulting in decreased drug levels.
D. Renal function declines with age, leading to decreased drug excretion.
8. When assessing for drug effects in the older adult, which phase of pharmacokinetics is the greatest
concern?*
1 point
A. Absorption
B. Distribution
C. Metabolism
D. Excretion
9. All of the following are impacts of polypharmacy EXCEPT*
1 point
a. Increased communication between care teams
b. Adverse drug events
c. Increased healthcare costs
d. Medication non-adherence
Answer: A. Increased commun
10. The single most important thing we can do as healthcare providers to prevent polypharmacy is:*
1 point
a. Encourage our patients to carry a list of home medications in their wallet
b. Tell our patient to appoint a lead doctor
c. Educate our patients on each of their new medications
d. Tell our patients to Google all of their medications
SAS 7
1.The word spirituality derives from the Latin word spiritus, which refers to breath or wind. Today,
spirituality is*
1 point
a. Awareness of one's inner self and a sense of connection to a higher being.
b. Less important than coping with the patient's illness.
c. Patient centered and has no bearing on the nurse's belief patterns.
d. Equated to formal religious practice and has a minor effect on health care.
2. The nurse is caring for a patient who claims that he does not believe in God, nor does he believe in
an "ultimate reality." The nurse realizes that this patient*
1 point
a. Is devoid of spirituality.
b. Is an atheist/agnostic.
c. Finds no meaning through relationships with others.
d. Believes that what he does is meaningless.
3. The nurse is caring for a patient who is terminally ill with very little time left to live. The patient
states, "I always believed that there was life after death. Now, I'm not so sure. Do you think there is?"
The nurse states, "I believe there is." The nurse has attempted to*
1 point
a. Strengthen the patient's religion.
b. Provide hope.
c. Support the patient's agnostic beliefs.
d. Support the horizontal dimension of spiritual well-being.
4.The nurse is admitting a patient to the hospital. The patient states that he is a very spiritual person
but does not practice any specific religion. The nurse understands that these statements*
1 point
a. Are contradictory.
b. Indicate a strong religious affiliation.
c. Indicate a lack of faith.
d. Are reasonable.
5. Which of the following statement about religion and spirituality is true?
1 point
a. Religion is a unifying theme in people's lives.
b. Spirituality is unique to the individual.
c. Spirituality encompasses religion.
d. Religion and spirituality are synonymous.
Clear selection
6.The nurse creates a referral to pastoral care when he/she realizes that the patient is in need of*
1 point
a. Psychiatric care.
b. Return to religious affiliation.
c. Spiritual care.
d. Transfer to the psychiatric unit.
7. When caring for a terminally ill, 90 yr old patient, the nurse should focus on the fact that*
1 point
a. Spiritual care is possibly the least important nursing intervention.
b. Spiritual needs often need to be sacrificed for physical care priorities.
c. The nurse's relationship with the patient allows for an understanding of patient
priorities.
d. Members of the church or synagogue play no part in the patient's plan of care.
8. The nurse is caring for an elderly patient who is in the final stages of his terminal disease. The
patient is very weak but refuses to use a bedpan, and wants to get up to use the bedside commode.
What should the nurse do?*
1 point
a. Explain to the patient that he is too weak and needs to use the bedpan.
b. Insert a rectal tube so that the patient no longer needs to actively defecate.
c. Enlist assistance from family members if possible and assist the patient to get up.
d. Put the patient on a bedpan and stay with him until he is finished.
9.When evaluating a patient's risk for spiritual crises, which of the following are part of the evaluation
process? (Select all that apply.)*
1 point
a. Review the patient's self-perception regarding spiritual health.
b. Review the patient's view of his/her purpose in life.
c. Discuss with family and associates the patient's connectedness.
d. Ask whether the patient's expectations are being met.
e. Impress on the patient that spiritual health is permanent once obtained.
10. The nurse is caring for a patient who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. The patient
states, "I just don't feel like going to work. I have no energy, and I can't eat or sleep." The patient
shows no interest in taking part in his care. The nurse should*
1 point
a. Not be concerned about self-harm because the patient has not indicated any desire toward
suicide.
b. Ignore individual patient goals until the current crisis is over.
c. Encourage the patient to purchase over-the-counter sleep aids to help him sleep.
d. Assess the potential for suicide and make appropriate referrals.
SAS 8
1. A hospice nurse is visiting with a dying patient. During the interaction, the patient is silent for some
time. What is the best response?*
1 point
A. Recognize the patient’s need for silence and sit quietly at the bedside.
B. Try distraction with the patient.
C. Change the subject and try to stimulate conversation.
D. Leave the patient alone for a period.
2. Which information obtained by the home health nurse when making a visit to an 88-year-old with
mild forgetfulness is of the most concern?*
1 point
A. The patient’s son uses a marked pillbox to set up the patient’s medications weekly.
B. The patient has lost 10 pounds (4.5 kg) during the last month.
C. The patient is cared for by a daughter during the day and stays with a son at night.
D. The patient tells the nurse that a close friend recently died.
3. Which of the following statements accurately reflects data that the nurse should use in planning
care to meet the needs of the older adult?*
1 point
A. 50% of older adults have two chronic health problems.
B. Cancer is the most common cause of death among older adults.
C. Nutritional needs for both younger and older adults are essentially the same.
D. Adults older than 65 years of age are the greatest users of prescription
medications.
4. A long-term care facility sponsors a discussion group on the administration of medications. The
participants have several questions concerning their medications. The nurse responds most
appropriately by saying:*
1 point
A. "Don't worry about the medication's name if you can identify it by its color and shape."
B. "Unless you have severe side effects, don't worry about the minor changes in the way you
feel."
C. "Feel free to ask your physician why you are receiving the medications that are
prescribed for you."
D. "Remember that the hepatic system is primarily responsible for the pharmacotherapeutics of
your medications."
5. Which of the following statements, made by the daughter of an older adult client concerning
bringing her mother home to live with her family, presents the greatest concern for the nurse?*
1 point
A. "If this doesn't work out, she can always go to live with my sister."
B. "I don't think she will react very well to me making decisions for her."
C. "I'm afraid that mom will be depressed and miss her home."
D. "My children will just have to adjust to having their grandmother with us."
6. An assisted living facility has provided its clients with an educational program on safe
administration of prescribed medications. Which statement made by an older-adult client reflects the
best understanding of safe self-administration of medications?*
1 point
A. "I don't seem to have problems with side effects, but I'll let my doctor know if something
happens."
B. "I'm lucky since my daughter is really good about keeping up with my medications."
C. "I'll be sure to read the inserts and ask the pharmacist if I don't understand
something."
D. "It shouldn't be too hard to keep it straight since I don't have any really serious health issues."
7. Of the following options, which is the greatest barrier to providing quality health care to the older-
adult client?*
1 point
A. Poor client compliance resulting from generalized diminished capacity
B. Inadequate health insurance coverage for the group as a whole
C. Insufficient research to provide a basis for effective geriatric health care
D. Preconceived assumptions regarding the lifestyles and attitudes of this group
8. A home health aide is dressing a client. Which of the following is not true regarding this care?*
1 point
A. Encourage the client to choose his or her own clothes
B. Overextend the extremities, if necessary, when undressing and dressing
C. Assist the client to don pants, shirt with sleeves, and socks
D. Never the force the extremities when undressing and dressing
9. A home health nurse is assisting a client to transfer from the bed to a wheelchair. Which of the
following is not true regarding this process?*
1 point
A. Stand in front of the client as he or she stands up to go to the wheelchair
B. If needed, when the client stands to go to the wheelchair, grasp the gait belt from underneath
at each side
C. Take large steps to a position so that the client's kneecaps are touching the front of the
wheelchair
D. On the count of three, assist the client to stand up to walk to the wheelchair
10. A client wants to wear a pair of sunglasses in the facility at nighttime. Which of the following is the
appropriate action of the home health nurse?*
1 point
A. None of the other options
B. Allow the client to wear the sunglasses since it is his or her right to do so
C. Let the client wear the sunglasses in the hopes that he or she will run into something due to
impaired vision
D. The sunglasses will impair the vision; so, the home health aide should not allow the client to
wear the sunglasses
