BCG Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield BCG facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What is an effective intervention to support emotional well-being in older adults? → Encouraging community engagement
2. What is a common cardiovascular change associated with normal aging? → Thickening of arterial walls
3. The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) is specifically designed for older adults because it: → Omits somatic symptoms that may overlap with normal aging
4. Which of the following best characterizes the 'Get Up and Go' test compared to the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test? → Get Up and Go is a qualitative observational version without timing
5. A gerontological nurse is reviewing a patient's medications and finds duplicate therapy. Which situation best exemplifies this? → A patient prescribed both naproxen and ibuprofen for pain
6. In the context of board certification in gerontology, which principle most directly governs psychosocial aspects of aging practices? → Applying evidence-based methodologies with peer-reviewed support
7. Which psychological theory emphasizes the importance of life review in older age? → Erikson's Psychosocial Theory
8. When adjusting opioid doses for older adults, the standard recommendation is to: → Start low and go slow, beginning at 25–50% of the typical adult dose
9. What is the most common mistake professionals make when implementing gerontological care planning & ethics strategies? → Developing contingency plans for high-probability risk scenarios
10. Which chronic condition is most commonly associated with vision loss in older adults? → Age-related macular degeneration
11. The Beers Criteria is used in gerontological practice primarily to: → Identify potentially inappropriate medications for older adults
12. When using the CAGE questionnaire to screen for alcohol use disorder in older adults, which consideration is most important? → Older adults may under-report use, requiring supplemental questions
13. How does aging typically affect bone health? → Decreased bone density
14. What sensory change is commonly experienced by older adults? → Presbyopia
15. In the context of board certification in gerontology, which principle most directly governs chronic illness & disease management practices? → Applying evidence-based methodologies with peer-reviewed support
16. Which cognitive change is considered a normal part of aging? → Slowed processing speed
17. Which nutritional screening tool is most commonly recommended for use with community-dwelling older adults? → Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA)
18. The cholinesterase inhibitor donepezil (Aricept) is approved for which stage(s) of Alzheimer's disease? → Mild to severe stages
19. Which symptom is a common indicator of chronic heart failure in elderly patients? → Dyspnea
20. In gerontological assessment, '5-meter gait speed' is a reliable predictor of which outcome? → Mortality, disability, and hospitalization risk
21. In gerontological practice, 'therapeutic privilege'—withholding information from a patient to prevent psychological harm—is ethically: → Generally considered a violation of patient autonomy and truth-telling obligations
22. An 80-year-old patient's creatinine is 1.0 mg/dL. What does this value indicate in the context of renal drug dosing? → Potentially significant renal impairment despite a 'normal' lab value
23. Which tool or methodology is most appropriate for analyzing chronic illness & disease management outcomes? → Maintaining professional boundaries while building collaborative relationships
24. A gerontological care manager realizes she has a personal financial interest in a home care agency she is recommending to clients. This situation represents: → A conflict of interest requiring disclosure and possibly recusal
25. When conducting a spiritual and existential assessment of an older adult, the FICA tool evaluates which domains? → Faith, Importance, Community, and Address in care
26. The ethical concept of 'fidelity' in gerontological professional relationships PRIMARILY refers to: → Keeping promises and honoring commitments made to clients
27. Why is polypharmacy a concern in older adults with chronic illnesses? → It increases risk of adverse drug events
28. The Braden Scale is used in gerontological practice to assess risk for: → Pressure ulcer development
29. Which environmental modification most effectively reduces wandering-related evasion risks for residents with dementia in a long-term care facility? → Using camouflaged door covers or visual stop signals on exit doors
30. Which behavioral symptom of dementia is best managed first through non-pharmacological interventions? → Agitation and wandering