Gerontological Nursing Certification Examination case studies
GERO-BC · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The Gerontological Nursing Certification Examination (GERO-BC) is a specialty board credential for registered nurses who care for older adults and want their gerontological expertise formally recognized. Candidates typically work in long-term care, acute geriatrics, home health, hospice, assisted living, or outpatient settings where older adults make up most of the caseload. The exam samples broadly across gerontological practice: comprehensive assessment and management of the older adult, health promotion and disease prevention, chronic illness and multimorbidity, medication management and polypharmacy, functional status and falls prevention, cognitive and mental health, palliative and end-of-life care, care coordination and transitions, and ethics, advocacy, and patient safety. Questions are multiple choice and reward applied clinical judgment more than memorized lists, so preparation should center on case-based reasoning: atypical presentations of common illnesses, deprescribing decisions, delirium versus dementia, capacity and advance care planning, and safe handoffs across settings. The GERO-BC case studies are 5 cases and about 2,445 words.
1Medication Reconciliation in a Patient with Heart Failure and CKD
J is an 82-year-old man with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF, EF 30%), chronic kidney disease stage 3b (eGFR 38 mL/min/1.73 m²), and osteoarthritis. He lives alone and manages his own medications.
416 words, about 2 min2Falls Prevention in a Cognitively Impaired Older Adult
L is an 88-year-old woman with moderate Alzheimer's disease (MMSE 18/30), hypertension, and osteoporosis. She lives with her daughter, who provides supervision.
476 words, about 2 min3Palliative Care in Advanced COPD: Symptom Management and Goals of Care
R is a 76-year-old man with severe COPD (GOLD stage IV, FEV1 28% predicted), pulmonary hypertension, and a history of two hospitalizations for exacerbations in the past year. He lives with his wife and requires 2 L/min continuous oxygen.
484 words, about 2 min4Care Transitions for a Patient with Multimorbidity After Hospitalization
K is an 80-year-old woman with type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart failure (EF 40%), and mild cognitive impairment. She was hospitalized for 5 days with a COPD exacerbation and was discharged home yesterday.
488 words, about 2 min5Ethical Decision-Making in a Patient with Dementia and Refusal of Care
B is an 85-year-old man with moderate-to-severe dementia who resides in an assisted living facility. He has a history of hypertension, atrial fibrillation (on warfarin), and osteoarthritis.
581 words, about 3 min