Canadian Gerontological Nursing Examination

The Canadian Gerontological Nursing Examination is designed to assess the knowledge and skills required for nurses to provide optimal care to older adults. As the aging population grows, gerontological nursing plays a critical role in ensuring that older adults receive compassionate, effective, and evidence-based care. This exam covers a wide range of topics essential for nurses working in geriatric settings, including the management of chronic illnesses, cognitive disorders such as dementia, end-of-life care, and age-related physical changes.

Nurses are also tested on their ability to assess and manage issues like medication management, fall prevention, and patient mobility. In addition, the exam focuses on the importance of promoting the mental, emotional, and social well-being of older adults, as well as ethical and cultural considerations in geriatric care.

By preparing for this exam, nurses can demonstrate their expertise in providing quality care to older adults, improve their clinical practice, and ensure they are equipped to handle the complex challenges that arise in gerontological nursing. Proper preparation for this exam can help nurses enhance their patient care practices, increase their professional credibility, and excel in their careers in geriatric nursing.”For more visit: Nursing Examinations.”

Sample Questions and Answers for GNC Test

What is the most common cause of chronic pain in older adults?

A) Osteoarthritis
B) Rheumatoid arthritis
C) Diabetic neuropathy
D) Postherpetic neuralgia

Answer: A) Osteoarthritis
Explanation: Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent cause of chronic pain in older adults due to the degeneration of joint cartilage, which is common in aging populations.

Which of the following is a primary consideration when providing care to elderly patients with dementia?

A) Limiting physical activity
B) Ensuring consistent and calm environments
C) Reducing fluid intake
D) Encouraging independence at all times

Answer: B) Ensuring consistent and calm environments
Explanation: Patients with dementia benefit from routine, structured environments that help reduce confusion and anxiety, contributing to overall comfort and safety.

The Canadian guidelines for elder care stress which of the following for promoting healthy aging?

A) Focus only on physical health
B) A comprehensive approach that includes physical, mental, and social health
C) Avoid any medical interventions in older adults
D) Regular screenings every 6 months

Answer: B) A comprehensive approach that includes physical, mental, and social health
Explanation: The Canadian guidelines emphasize the importance of a holistic approach to aging that supports physical, mental, and social well-being.

What is the most appropriate nursing intervention for an elderly patient at risk of falls?

A) Increase use of restraints
B) Keep the environment well-lit and free of hazards
C) Restrict fluid intake to minimize bathroom trips
D) Encourage immobility to prevent injury

Answer: B) Keep the environment well-lit and free of hazards
Explanation: Preventing falls in the elderly requires environmental modifications, such as ensuring good lighting and removing obstacles.

What is the primary risk factor for developing pressure ulcers in older adults?

A) Age over 60
B) Reduced mobility and impaired skin integrity
C) Increased hydration
D) Hyperactivity

Answer: B) Reduced mobility and impaired skin integrity
Explanation: Older adults are at higher risk for pressure ulcers due to decreased mobility, poor nutrition, and fragile skin.

Which of the following medications is most commonly associated with causing delirium in older adults?

A) Insulin
B) Benzodiazepines
C) Statins
D) Beta-blockers

Answer: B) Benzodiazepines
Explanation: Benzodiazepines are often linked to delirium in elderly patients because they affect the central nervous system, leading to confusion and altered mental status.

What is the recommended approach to managing polypharmacy in older adults?

A) Prescribing as many medications as possible to manage conditions
B) Regular review and adjustment of medications to minimize unnecessary drugs
C) Encouraging the use of over-the-counter medications only
D) Avoiding any changes to the patient’s medication regimen

Answer: B) Regular review and adjustment of medications to minimize unnecessary drugs
Explanation: Polypharmacy can increase the risk of adverse effects. Regular medication reviews are essential to ensure that elderly patients are not taking unnecessary or harmful drugs.

When caring for a patient with advanced Alzheimer’s disease, which is the most important consideration in care planning?

A) Ensuring the patient has regular exercise
B) Managing symptoms through medications only
C) Maintaining communication and providing reassurance
D) Focusing exclusively on nutritional care

Answer: C) Maintaining communication and providing reassurance
Explanation: In advanced Alzheimer’s disease, maintaining communication, providing reassurance, and supporting emotional well-being are key to improving the patient’s quality of life.

A 70-year-old patient is admitted to the hospital with dehydration. Which symptom is most indicative of dehydration in an elderly patient?

A) Tachypnea
B) Decreased urine output and dark urine
C) Increased body temperature
D) Increased heart rate and blood pressure

Answer: B) Decreased urine output and dark urine
Explanation: Dehydration in older adults often presents with reduced urine output and darker urine, which indicates concentrated urine and low fluid levels.

The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) is used to assess which of the following in older adults?

A) Cognitive function
B) Risk of falls
C) Depression levels
D) Nutritional status

Answer: C) Depression levels
Explanation: The Geriatric Depression Scale is designed to assess depression symptoms specifically in elderly patients.

Which of the following is a common cardiovascular change associated with aging?

A) Increased cardiac output
B) Decreased peripheral vascular resistance
C) Thickening of the heart valves
D) Increased heart rate at rest

Answer: C) Thickening of the heart valves
Explanation: As people age, the heart valves can thicken and become less efficient, which can affect cardiac function.

The most effective way to prevent falls in elderly patients is:

A) Use of walking aids
B) Vitamin D supplements
C) Proper footwear
D) All of the above

Answer: D) All of the above
Explanation: A combination of interventions including proper footwear, walking aids, and vitamin D supplementation can help prevent falls by improving balance and strength.

Which condition is most commonly seen in elderly patients as a result of long-term use of corticosteroids?

A) Osteoporosis
B) Cataracts
C) Hypertension
D) Diabetes mellitus

Answer: A) Osteoporosis
Explanation: Long-term corticosteroid use can reduce bone density, leading to osteoporosis and an increased risk of fractures.

What is a key consideration when administering medication to older adults with renal impairment?

A) Increase the medication dose
B) Monitor kidney function regularly
C) Administer medications with food
D) Use medications that are metabolized in the liver

Answer: B) Monitor kidney function regularly
Explanation: In elderly patients with renal impairment, drug metabolism and excretion may be impaired, so regular monitoring of kidney function is crucial to avoid toxicity.

What is the purpose of a “do-not-resuscitate” (DNR) order?

A) To prevent all medical treatments
B) To avoid resuscitation in the event of cardiac or respiratory failure
C) To allow for organ donation
D) To withhold nutrition and fluids

Answer: B) To avoid resuscitation in the event of cardiac or respiratory failure
Explanation: A DNR order ensures that the patient will not undergo life-saving resuscitative measures if their heart stops or they stop breathing.

Which of the following is a common sensory change in the elderly?

A) Enhanced night vision
B) Loss of sense of taste
C) Improved hearing ability
D) Increased sense of smell

Answer: B) Loss of sense of taste
Explanation: Older adults often experience a decreased sense of taste and smell, which can affect their appetite and nutrition.

What is the recommended intervention for managing urinary incontinence in older adults?

A) Restricting fluid intake
B) Pelvic floor muscle exercises
C) Avoiding all medications
D) Inserting a catheter for convenience

Answer: B) Pelvic floor muscle exercises
Explanation: Pelvic floor exercises can strengthen muscles involved in bladder control and reduce urinary incontinence.

Which condition can cause an older adult to experience frequent confusion and agitation?

A) Hypothyroidism
B) Hyperglycemia
C) Urinary tract infection (UTI)
D) Hypotension

Answer: C) Urinary tract infection (UTI)
Explanation: UTIs in older adults can often manifest as confusion, agitation, and behavioral changes, rather than the typical symptoms of pain or fever.

A key nursing intervention for a patient with advanced Parkinson’s disease is:

A) Encouraging rapid movements to increase mobility
B) Assisting with balance and walking to prevent falls
C) Limiting physical exercise
D) Administering medications on an as-needed basis

Answer: B) Assisting with balance and walking to prevent falls
Explanation: Parkinson’s disease affects movement, balance, and coordination, so assistance with walking and preventing falls is crucial for patient safety.

What is the most common cause of hearing loss in the elderly?

A) Otitis media
B) Age-related changes in the auditory system (presbycusis)
C) Acoustic trauma
D) Ear infections

Answer: B) Age-related changes in the auditory system (presbycusis)
Explanation: Presbycusis is the gradual, age-related hearing loss caused by changes in the inner ear or auditory nerve.

Which of the following best describes the approach to medication administration in older adults with polypharmacy?

A) Polypharmacy should be avoided at all costs
B) Medications should be tailored to individual needs, with regular reviews
C) Only over-the-counter medications should be used
D) Medications should not be adjusted, regardless of other health changes

Answer: B) Medications should be tailored to individual needs, with regular reviews
Explanation: Regular medication reviews are essential in polypharmacy to ensure that elderly patients receive the most appropriate drugs with minimal risk of side effects.

In Canadian gerontological nursing, what is the primary focus of geriatric assessment?

A) Determining life expectancy
B) Identifying early cognitive decline
C) Providing a comprehensive review of physical, psychological, and social factors
D) Focusing only on physical ailments

Answer: C) Providing a comprehensive review of physical, psychological, and social factors
Explanation: A comprehensive geriatric assessment evaluates the full spectrum of an older adult’s health, including physical, mental, and social well-being.

What is the most significant risk factor for elder abuse in the elderly?

A) Being unmarried
B) Cognitive impairments, such as dementia
C) Low income
D) Being physically active

Answer: B) Cognitive impairments, such as dementia
Explanation: Cognitive impairments, like dementia, make older adults more vulnerable to mistreatment because they may be less able to recognize abuse or report it.

Which of the following best supports the quality of life for older adults in long-term care?

A) High levels of independence without assistance
B) Frequent changes in care routines
C) Active social engagement and participation in activities
D) Solely medical treatment for physical ailments

Answer: C) Active social engagement and participation in activities
Explanation: Social engagement and participation in activities are crucial for enhancing mental health and overall quality of life in long-term care settings.

In older adults, which condition commonly presents with symptoms of fatigue, weakness, and weight loss?

A) Anemia
B) Asthma
C) Osteoarthritis
D) Stroke

Answer: A) Anemia
Explanation: Anemia in elderly patients often leads to fatigue, weakness, and weight loss due to reduced oxygen-carrying capacity in the blood.

When assessing nutritional status in elderly patients, what is most important to monitor?

A) Body weight only
B) Hydration status and protein intake
C) Amount of salt intake
D) Amount of sugar intake

Answer: B) Hydration status and protein intake
Explanation: Older adults are at higher risk of malnutrition, so monitoring hydration and protein intake is critical to maintaining health.

Which of the following is the most common cause of dementia in older adults?

A) Alzheimer’s disease
B) Vascular dementia
C) Parkinson’s disease
D) Huntington’s disease

Answer: A) Alzheimer’s disease
Explanation: Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, characterized by progressive memory loss and cognitive decline.

What is an essential component of end-of-life care for elderly patients?

A) Avoiding discussions about death
B) Providing comfort and symptom management
C) Focusing only on curative treatments
D) Limiting family involvement

Answer: B) Providing comfort and symptom management
Explanation: Comfort and symptom management are key aspects of end-of-life care to ensure dignity and quality of life.

Which dietary adjustment is often necessary for older adults with osteoporosis?

A) Increased intake of iron-rich foods
B) Increased calcium and vitamin D intake
C) Low-fat diet only
D) High-protein diet

Answer: B) Increased calcium and vitamin D intake
Explanation: To support bone health, older adults with osteoporosis should increase their intake of calcium and vitamin D.

In Canadian gerontological nursing, which of the following is an effective intervention to promote sleep in older adults?

A) Avoiding all caffeine
B) Encouraging exercise immediately before bedtime
C) Implementing a consistent bedtime routine
D) Restricting all fluid intake

Answer: C) Implementing a consistent bedtime routine
Explanation: Consistent sleep routines can help regulate sleep patterns and improve restfulness in older adults.