199+ Free GERO-BC Practice Questions

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Question 1

Score: 0/0

Which age-related change in the cardiovascular system places older adults at increased risk for orthostatic hypotension?

Increased baroreceptor sensitivity

Decreased arterial wall compliance and reduced baroreceptor response

Increased cardiac output with exercise

Decreased peripheral vascular resistance

to track

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: GERO-BC Exam

150

Total Questions

ANCC GERO-BC handbook

125

Scored Questions

ANCC GERO-BC handbook

Exam Time

ANCC GERO-BC handbook

350

Passing Score

Scaled score (100-500)

$395/$295

Non-member/Member Fee

ANCC fee schedule

5 years

Certification Validity

ANCC renewal requirements

The ANCC Gerontological Nursing Certification (GERO-BC) exam contains 150 questions (125 scored + 25 pretest) administered over 3 hours. The exam covers three domains: Assessment and Diagnosis (31%), Planning/Implementation/Evaluation (34%), and Professional Foundation (35%). The credential demonstrates expertise in gerontological nursing including geriatric syndromes, medication management using Beers Criteria, elder abuse screening, and person-centered care for older adults. Certification is valid for 5 years.

Sample GERO-BC Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your GERO-BC exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 199+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which age-related change in the cardiovascular system places older adults at increased risk for orthostatic hypotension?

A.Increased baroreceptor sensitivity

B.Decreased arterial wall compliance and reduced baroreceptor response

C.Increased cardiac output with exercise

D.Decreased peripheral vascular resistance

Explanation: With aging, arterial walls become less compliant due to collagen cross-linking and calcification. Baroreceptor sensitivity also decreases, impairing the body's ability to quickly adjust blood pressure when position changes occur.

2A nurse is assessing an 82-year-old patient and notes decreased breath sounds bilaterally at the lung bases. Which age-related pulmonary change is the most likely cause?

A.Increased alveolar surface area

B.Decreased anteroposterior chest diameter

C.Decreased elastic recoil and loss of supporting tissue for airways

D.Increased number of functional alveoli

Explanation: Aging causes loss of elastic recoil in lung tissue and weakening of connective tissue that supports small airways. This leads to premature airway closure, particularly in dependent lung zones.

3Which age-related renal change results in decreased ability to concentrate urine?

A.Increased glomerular filtration rate

B.Decreased number of functioning nephrons and reduced renal blood flow

C.Increased tubular secretion capacity

D.Decreased bladder capacity

Explanation: By age 80, approximately 30-50% of functioning nephrons are lost. The kidneys' ability to concentrate urine declines significantly, making older adults more susceptible to dehydration.

4An older adult patient has difficulty distinguishing between similar colors in dim lighting. This change is most likely due to:

A.Increased lens flexibility

B.Decreased number of rods in the retina and lens yellowing

C.Increased pupil size

D.Decreased corneal transparency

Explanation: Aging causes progressive loss of rod photoreceptors in the retina, which are responsible for vision in low light. The lens becomes increasingly yellow with age, affecting color discrimination.

5Which gastrointestinal age-related change contributes most to constipation in older adults?

A.Increased gastric acid secretion

B.Decreased peristalsis and slowed colonic transit time

C.Increased intestinal villi surface area

D.Decreased risk of diverticulosis

Explanation: Age-related decreases in neural innervation and smooth muscle function lead to reduced peristalsis and slower colonic transit time. This allows more water to be absorbed from stool.

6Which neurologic age-related change is associated with slower cognitive processing speed?

A.Increased cerebral blood flow

B.Decreased brain weight and reduced neurotransmitter production

C.Enhanced synaptic plasticity

D.Increased production of dopamine

Explanation: The aging brain experiences neuronal loss, decreased neurotransmitter production (especially acetylcholine and dopamine), and reduced cerebral blood flow. These changes contribute to slower processing speed while crystallized intelligence often remains intact.

7An 85-year-old patient has difficulty hearing high-frequency sounds. This is most consistent with:

A.Conductive hearing loss

B.Presbycusis

C.Meniere disease

D.Acoustic neuroma

Explanation: Presbycusis is age-related sensorineural hearing loss characterized by bilateral, symmetric high-frequency hearing loss. It results from degeneration of hair cells in the cochlea and changes in the auditory nerve.

8Which skin change in older adults increases the risk for pressure injury development?

A.Increased epidermal thickness

B.Flattening of the dermal-epidermal junction and reduced collagen

C.Enhanced elastin production

D.Increased sebaceous gland activity

Explanation: Aging skin experiences thinning of the epidermis, flattening of dermal papillae, reduced collagen and elastin, and decreased subcutaneous fat. These changes reduce the skin's ability to withstand pressure and shear forces.

9Which endocrine change contributes to decreased bone density in postmenopausal women?

A.Increased parathyroid hormone

B.Decreased estrogen levels leading to increased osteoclast activity

C.Increased calcitonin production

D.Enhanced vitamin D absorption

Explanation: Estrogen has a protective effect on bone by inhibiting osteoclast activity. After menopause, decreased estrogen levels lead to increased bone resorption, resulting in osteoporosis in susceptible women.

10Which immune system change increases infection risk in older adults?

A.Increased T-cell proliferation

B.Thymic involution and decreased naive T-cell production

C.Enhanced antibody response to new antigens

D.Increased natural killer cell activity

Explanation: The thymus atrophies with age (thymic involution), reducing production of naive T-cells. This immunosenescence impairs response to new pathogens and reduces vaccine effectiveness while increasing susceptibility to infections.

About the GERO-BC Exam

The ANCC Gerontological Nursing Certification (GERO-BC) validates expertise in caring for older adults across three domains: Assessment and Diagnosis (31%): age-related physiological changes, health history, physical and functional assessment, cognitive assessment, screening tools, and diagnostic testing; Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation (34%): care planning, therapeutic interventions, pharmacology and polypharmacy, fall prevention, wound care, dementia and delirium management, and palliative/end-of-life care; Professional Foundation (35%): ethics and advocacy, legal issues, cultural competence, communication, interprofessional collaboration, evidence-based practice, and quality improvement.

Questions

150 scored questions

Time Limit

3 hours

Passing Score

350 (scaled score, max 500)

Exam Fee

$395 (ANCC member $295) (ANCC (American Nurses Credentialing Center))

GERO-BC Exam Content Outline

31%

Assessment and Diagnosis

Age-related physiological changes, health history, physical assessment, functional assessment, cognitive assessment, screening tools (MMSE, MoCA, SLUMS), laboratory values, diagnostic testing, risk assessment, fall assessment, skin integrity, nutritional assessment, pain assessment, elder abuse assessment

34%

Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation

Care planning, person-centered care, therapeutic interventions, pharmacology, polypharmacy and Beers Criteria, medication administration, fall prevention, infection control, wound care, nutrition support, mobility interventions, restraint alternatives, pain management, delirium prevention, dementia care, depression care, palliative and hospice care, caregiver support, outcome evaluation

35%

Professional Foundation

Ethics, advocacy, legal issues, informed consent, advance directives, cultural competence, spiritual care, communication skills, interprofessional collaboration, care coordination, transitions of care, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, patient education, health promotion, disease prevention, professional development, scope of practice, delegation, documentation

How to Pass the GERO-BC Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 350 (scaled score, max 500)
Exam length: 150 questions
Time limit: 3 hours
Exam fee: $395 (ANCC member $295)

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

GERO-BC Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master age-related physiological changes across all body systems - know normal aging vs. pathology

2Study the Beers Criteria thoroughly - polypharmacy and medication safety are heavily tested

3Understand delirium vs dementia assessment - know the differences in onset, course, and reversibility

4Learn screening tools: MMSE, MoCA, SLUMS, Braden Scale, Morse Fall Scale, and SPICES assessment

5Review elder abuse screening protocols and mandatory reporting requirements

6Study geriatric syndromes: falls, incontinence, pressure injuries, functional decline, and frailty

7Understand palliative care principles and hospice eligibility criteria

8Practice scenario-based questions requiring clinical judgment and prioritization

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the GERO-BC exam?

The ANCC Gerontological Nursing exam contains 150 total items: 125 scored questions and 25 unscored pretest questions. Pretest questions cannot be distinguished from scored questions during the exam.

How long is the GERO-BC exam?

ANCC provides 3 hours for the Gerontological Nursing certification examination.

What score is needed to pass GERO-BC?

ANCC uses scaled scoring from 100 to 500 for the GERO-BC exam. The passing score is 350. Your raw score is converted to a scaled score to ensure consistency across different exam forms.

What are the GERO-BC eligibility requirements?

To sit for the GERO-BC exam, you must: (1) Hold a current, active RN license in the US or territory, (2) Have practiced the equivalent of 2 years full-time as an RN, and (3) Have completed 2,000 hours of clinical practice in gerontological nursing within the last 3 years, AND (4) Have completed 30 hours of continuing education in gerontological nursing within the last 3 years.

How much does GERO-BC certification cost?

The GERO-BC exam fee is $395 for non-members and $295 for ANA members. ANA membership is approximately $200/year, so joining saves money if you plan to maintain certification.

How long is GERO-BC certification valid?

GERO-BC certification is valid for 5 years. Renewal requires meeting professional development requirements including practice hours and continuing education in gerontological nursing, OR passing the exam again.

What is the Beers Criteria?

The Beers Criteria for Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults is a list of medications that should generally be avoided in older adults because the risks outweigh the benefits. It is updated periodically by the American Geriatrics Society and is essential knowledge for the GERO-BC exam.