Sample Test Questions

Gerontological Nursing Exam Sample Questions

The following sample questions are similar to those on the examination but do not represent
the full range of content or levels of difficulty. The answers to the sample questions are
provided after the last question. Please note: Taking these or any sample question(s) is not
a requirement to sit for an actual certification examination. Completion of these or any other
sample question(s) does not imply eligibility for certification or successful performance on
any certification examination.

To respond to the sample questions, first enter your first and last names in the boxes below
(this information will not be recorded; it is strictly for purposes of identifying your results).
Then click the button corresponding to the best answer for each question. When you are
finished, click the "Evaluate" button at the bottom of the page. A new browser window will
open, displaying your results, which you may print, if you wish.

This practice exam is not timed, and you may take it as many times as you wish. Good luck!

First name:     Last name: 

1. Which ethical principle underlies nursing actions respecting each patient's values and beliefs?

 Autonomy.
 Beneficence.
 Justice.
 Responsibility.

2. The most common symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy are:

 chills, fever, and nausea.

 dysuria, abdominal pain, and urinary retention.
 intermittency, hesitancy, and dribbling.
 nocturia, bladder spasms, and hematuria.

3. The gerontological nurse is monitoring signs of suspected abuse in an 89-year-old patient who was admitted from
home. When planning for the patient's discharge, the nurse's first action is to:
  delay discharge by informing the provider of the suspected abuse.
 enlist the help of family members with transitioning the patient home.
 notify Adult Protective Services of the patient's discharge.
 restrict the family members' access to the patient prior to discharge.

4. A resident in a nursing home requests a new room because he or she does not like the view from the current room.
While the resident is away from the home on a provider visit, the staff moves the resident's belongings to another
room with a better view. The resident and the resident's family later file a formal complaint regarding the move. Which
statement gives the best justification for the resident's complaint?

 The change was made without a provider's order.

 The resident was not included in the decision making.
 The resident's belongings were moved without his or her assistance.
 The resident's family was not included in the decision making.

5. A recently admitted nursing home resident and the resident's family only speak Spanish. One evening during a
visit, the resident and the family begin to wail and sob loudly. The gerontological nurse is unable to determine what is
wrong. The nurse's most appropriate action is to:

 ask the supervisor to get an interpreter.

 attempt to make the resident and the family comfortable.
 contact the provider for orders.
 find an escort to take the resident and the family to the chapel for privacy.

6. The gerontological nurse manager involves the nursing staff in the utilization of trend data and analysis for quality
improvement by:

 encouraging staff to volunteer for The Joint Commission's onsite surveys.

 highlighting the quality improvement work of experts in the specialty area.
 informing how data and outcomes are directly related to the staff's daily work.
 using scatter diagrams to identify the root cause of unresolved concerns.

7. An effective way to adequately provide nourishment to a patient with moderate dementia is:
  allowing the patient to choose foods from a varied menu.
 hand feeding the patient's favorite foods.
 routinely reminding the patient about the need for adequate nutrition.
 serving soup in a mug, and offering finger foods.

8. An 82-year-old patient has a painful, vesicular rash that burns over the left abdomen. The patient indicates that he
or she has tried multiple creams that have not helped. Which question does the gerontological nurse first ask?

 "Did you have the pain before the rash appeared?"

 "Do you have any food or drug allergies?"
 "Have you been around anyone with a rash?"
 "Have your grandchildren visited recently?"

9. Which question does the gerontological nurse prioritize for an 86-year-old patient with abdominal pain, muscle
weakness, and leg cramps?

 "Do you eat a lot of meat?"

 "Do you have heart problems?"
 "Do you take a diuretic?"
 "Do you walk every day?"

10. When teaching an independent older adult patient how to self-administer insulin, the most productive approach is
to:

 facilitate involvement in a small group where the skill is being taught.

 gather information about the patient's family health history.
 provide frequent, competitive skills testing to enhance learning.
 use repeated return demonstrations to promote the patient's retention of the involved tasks.

11. Signs and symptoms of age-related macular degeneration include:

 decreases in depth perception.

 deficits in peripheral vision.
 distortion of lines and print.
  reports of flashes of light.

12. A frail 80-year-old patient, who cares for a spouse at home without assistance, requires minor surgery. Lacking
any family members residing in the area, the patient expresses concern about the spouse's care while the patient is
recovering. The gerontological nurse's recommendation is:

 arranging inpatient respite care for the spouse.

 having the patient remain in the hospital during the post operative period.
 hiring around-the-clock help for two weeks.
 hospitalizing the spouse.

13. 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:

 ask the family member to answer the questions.

 ask the same questions in a louder and lower voice.
 determine if the patient knows the name of the current president.
 rephrase the questions slightly, and slowly repeat them in a lower voice.

14. The American Nurses Association's Gerontological Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice emphasizes:

 that abnormal responses to the aging process determine the appropriate nursing diagnoses.
 that the health status data of older adult patients be documented in a retrievable form.
 the role of the older adult patient as the sole decision maker in planning his or her care.
 the unchanging nature of the goals and plans of care for older adult patients.

15. A state ombudsman initiates an investigation after a complaint about the care of a nursing home resident. Which
statement about the investigation process is true?

 The ombudsman may proceed with the investigation without identifying the individual who made the complaint,
and without obtaining a court order or written consent.
 The ombudsman must identify the individual who made the complaint.
 The ombudsman must obtain a court order to review documentation, if the resident described in the complaint
does not give written permission.
 The ombudsman must obtain the written permission of the resident who is described in the complaint.
16. Which patient is at greatest risk for developing arteriosclerotic heart disease?

 A 68-year-old female patient with a triglyceride level of 135 mg/dL, and a high-density lipoprotein level of 68
mg/dL.
 A 70-year old male patient with a total cholesterol level of 181 mg/dL, and a low-density lipoprotein level of 90
mg/dL.
 A 75-year old female patient with a triglyceride level of 189 mg/dL, and a low-density lipoprotein level of 149
mg/dL.
 An 86-year-old male patient with a low-density lipoprotein level of 100 mg/dL, and a high-density lipoprotein
level of 50 mg/dL.

17. A 76-year-old male patient reports hesitancy, decreased force of the urinary flow, a sensation of incomplete
emptying of the bladder, and dribbling. The gerontological nurse first asks:

 "Have you experienced abdominal pain?"

 "Have you had a daily bowel movement?"
 "Have you had low back pain?"
 "Have you noticed blood in your urine?"

18. A 65-year-old patient exhibits symptoms of hemianopsia. The most appropriate nursing intervention is to:

 arrange the patient's meal tray so that all the food is in the patient's field of vision.
 explain all tasks thoroughly to help allay the patient's fears.
 look directly at the patient when speaking to maximize comprehension.
 minimize the operating stimuli to reduce distractions to the patient.

19. 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:

 inform the patient about the need to follow the diet.

 inquire about the patient's current food preferences and eating habits.
 list the variety of foods that are allowed on the diet.
 provide dietary instruction to the patient's spouse, who prepares the meals.

20. For older adult patients who are taking neuroleptic medication, the primary concern is the development of:
  lethargy.
 nausea.
 poor appetite.
 tardive dyskinesia.

21. The gerontological nurse works with patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes at a senior center in a
predominantly Hispanic neighborhood. The nurse demonstrates competency in collaboration by:

 assisting and educating patients on diet restrictions.

 delivering care by preserving and protecting patient autonomy.
 providing written education materials in Spanish.
 working with Hispanic groups in the community.

22. An older adult patient, who has end-stage multiple myeloma, is receiving hospice care. Which situation illustrates
that the principles of hospice care are being met?

 The caregiver asks if hospice includes weekend care.

 The caregiver has been calling the provider on his or her own.
 The patient reports enjoying daily excursions.
 The patient reports no breakthrough pain medications are needed.

23. A 79-year-old retired actor, who continues to pursue lifelong interests in swimming and singing, exemplifies which
theory of aging?

 Continuity.
 Developmental.
 Disengagement.
 Physical.

24. A 75-year-old patient, whose marriage ended in divorce after two years, has lived alone for the past 50 years.
Feeling as if life has had little meaning, the patient is terrified of living out the remaining years and of dying. The age-
related issue to be resolved is:

 disengagement vs. activity.

 ego integrity vs. despair.
  self-determination vs. resignation.
 self-esteem vs. self-actualization.

25. Three months ago, an older adult patient, who lives in an apartment in a housing complex for senior citizens,
began residing with an older adult patient from the same complex. Upon learning of the situation, the patient's adult
child expresses concern to the housing administrator, who reports that both residents have reported satisfaction with
the arrangement. When the child requests advice, the gerontological nurse's initial response is:

 "I can understand why you are upset. Has he or she ever done something like this before?"
 "Why don't we all talk to your parent to get his or her side of the story?"
 "Your parent has the right to do what he or she wants because he or she is mentally competent."
 "Your parent seems to be happy with the arrangement. Have you discussed this situation with him or her?"

  Re s e t

 Results
10/12/2021  19:03

Gerontological Nursing

Information
First Name: rosemarie
Last Name: lagran

You have made the following errors

Question 3
The right answer was notify Adult Protective Services of the patient's discharge.
Question 4
The right answer was The resident was not included in the decision making.

Question 5
The right answer was ask the supervisor to get an interpreter.

Question 6
The right answer was informing how data and outcomes are directly related to the staff's
daily work.

Question 7
The right answer was serving soup in a mug, and offering finger foods.

Question 8
The right answer was "Did you have the pain before the rash appeared?"

Question 10
The right answer was use repeated return demonstrations to promote the patient's
retention of the involved tasks.

Question 11
The right answer was distortion of lines and print.

Question 12
The right answer was arranging inpatient respite care for the spouse.

Question 13
The right answer was rephrase the questions slightly, and slowly repeat them in a lower
voice.

Question 14
The right answer was that the health status data of older adult patients be documented in a
retrievable form.

Question 15
The right answer was The ombudsman may proceed with the investigation without
identifying the individual who made the complaint, and without obtaining a court order or
written consent.

Question 16
The right answer was A 75-year old female patient with a triglyceride level of 189 mg/dL,
and a low-density lipoprotein level of 149 mg/dL.

Question 19
The right answer was inquire about the patient's current food preferences and eating habits.

Question 20
The right answer was tardive dyskinesia.

Question 21
The right answer was working with Hispanic groups in the community.
Question 22
The right answer was The patient reports no breakthrough pain medications are needed.

Question 24
The right answer was ego integrity vs. despair.

Question 25
The right answer was "Your parent seems to be happy with the arrangement. Have you
discussed this situation with him or her?"

You have made 19 errors.

Total score: 6