ATI RN
basic geriatric nursing test bank Questions
Question 1 of 9
Which type of exercise is most beneficial for older adults to prevent falls and maintain balance?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Yoga and tai chi. These exercises focus on balance, flexibility, and strength, which are crucial for preventing falls in older adults. Yoga and tai chi also promote mindfulness and body awareness, further enhancing balance and coordination. Swimming (choice A) is beneficial for overall fitness but may not specifically target balance and fall prevention. Weight training (choice B) is important for muscle strength but may not address balance and flexibility adequately. Running (choice D) is high-impact and may actually increase the risk of falls for older adults.
Question 2 of 9
What is the most common type of dementia in older adults?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Alzheimer's disease. It is the most common type of dementia in older adults, accounting for around 60-80% of cases. Alzheimer's is characterized by the presence of beta-amyloid plaques and tau protein tangles in the brain, leading to memory loss and cognitive decline. Vascular dementia (B) is caused by impaired blood flow to the brain, Lewy body dementia (C) is characterized by abnormal protein deposits in the brain, and Frontotemporal dementia (D) affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, leading to changes in behavior and personality. However, in older adults, Alzheimer's disease is the most prevalent form of dementia due to its widespread impact on memory and cognition.
Question 3 of 9
The nurse provides opportunities for nursing home residents to read aloud to others. Which cognitive skill is this nursing intervention most likely to improve?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Verbal fluency is the correct answer because reading aloud improves language skills, vocabulary, and verbal expression. It requires cognitive processes like word retrieval, organization, and articulation. Logical analysis (B) is not directly related to reading aloud. Object naming (C) focuses on identifying objects visually, not verbally. Visuospatial skills (D) involve understanding and manipulating visual information, not verbal expression. Reading aloud specifically targets verbal fluency by enhancing communication abilities and language processing.
Question 4 of 9
Which nursing intervention would not help a patient with xerostomia?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because increasing medications would not directly address xerostomia. Xerostomia is dry mouth, often caused by decreased saliva production. Using humidifiers (A) helps increase moisture in the air, mouth rinses/artificial saliva (B) lubricate the mouth, and sugar-free hard candies (C) stimulate saliva production. Increasing medications (D) would not target the root cause of xerostomia and may even exacerbate dry mouth symptoms.
Question 5 of 9
While testing the vision of an elderly client, the nurse finds that the client has decreased ability to accommodate (presbyopia). Which clinical implication would the nurse recognize?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Difficulty reading small print and decreased ability to focus on objects at varying distances. As people age, the lens of the eye becomes less flexible, leading to presbyopia, which results in difficulty seeing close objects clearly. This explains the client's decreased ability to accommodate. This choice is correct because presbyopia specifically affects near vision, making it harder to read small print and focus on objects up close. A: Blurring of vision due to increased intraocular pressure - This choice is incorrect because presbyopia is not related to increased intraocular pressure. C: Narrowing of field of vision-loss of peripheral vision - This choice is incorrect because presbyopia does not affect peripheral vision; it specifically impacts near vision. D: Sensitivity to light (photophobia) - This choice is incorrect because presbyopia does not cause sensitivity to light; it is solely related to difficulty in focusing on near objects.
Question 6 of 9
According to Healthy People 2020, older adults have been identified as a priority, with a goal to improve their health, function, and quality of life. Identify the targeted chronic focus areas for improvement.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Diabetes. Healthy People 2020 focuses on improving the health of older adults, and diabetes is a chronic condition prevalent in this population. It can significantly impact health, function, and quality of life if not managed properly. Diabetes can lead to complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and vision problems. By targeting diabetes, the goal is to prevent these complications and improve overall health outcomes for older adults. Summary of why other choices are incorrect: B: Arthritis - While arthritis is common in older adults, it is not a targeted chronic focus area identified by Healthy People 2020 for this population. C: Congestive heart failure - Although heart health is important, congestive heart failure is not specifically highlighted as a priority for improvement in older adults by Healthy People 2020. D: Dementia - Dementia is a serious concern in the aging population, but it is not one of the targeted chronic focus areas identified by Healthy People 202
Question 7 of 9
Which of the following is an indicator of dementia rather than normal aging?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because memory loss affecting daily functioning is a key indicator of dementia, not normal aging. Normal aging may involve some forgetfulness, but it typically does not significantly impact daily activities. Choice A is incorrect because difficulty recalling recent events can occur in both normal aging and dementia. Choice B is incorrect as increased forgetfulness is a common feature of aging and may not necessarily indicate dementia. Choice C is incorrect as forgetting names of familiar people can also be a normal part of aging and does not solely point to dementia. Memory loss affecting daily functioning is a more specific and severe symptom that strongly suggests dementia over normal aging.
Question 8 of 9
The nurse is performing an assessment on an older adult client. What assessment data would indicate a potential complication associated with the skin of this client?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Crusting. In older adults, crusting on the skin can indicate a potential complication such as infection, dermatitis, or impaired wound healing. Crusting may result from dryness, scratching, or poor circulation. It is essential for the nurse to assess and address the underlying cause promptly to prevent further complications. B: Wrinkling is a normal part of aging and not necessarily indicative of a complication unless it is severe and associated with other symptoms. C: Thinning/loss of elasticity of skin is a common age-related change and may not always indicate a complication unless it is excessive. D: Crusting is a duplicate answer.
Question 9 of 9
The nurse is teaching an older client about measures to prevent constipation. What statement made by the client indicates further teaching is needed?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because decreasing fiber in the diet can actually worsen constipation. Fiber helps promote regular bowel movements by adding bulk to the stool. Walking and staying hydrated (choices A and D) are effective strategies to prevent constipation. Having a daily bowel movement (choice C) is a positive sign of bowel health. By choosing to decrease fiber intake, the client may inadvertently reduce the effectiveness of their bowel movements, leading to constipation.