Gerontological Nursing Certification (GERO-BC) case studies
GERO-BC · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The Gerontological Nursing Certification (GERO-BC) is a board credential for registered nurses who practice with older adults and want their specialty expertise independently validated rather than self-declared. It is typically pursued by nurses working in long-term care, assisted living, home health, acute geriatric units, rehabilitation, hospice, and primary care settings, and by nurses whose caseload is largely aged 65 and older even if their job title does not say "geriatric." Eligibility rests on an active RN license plus a defined combination of gerontological practice experience and continuing education; the certifying body publishes the current requirements, and candidates should verify them directly before applying. The GERO-BC case studies are 5 cases and about 4,120 words.
1Postoperative Confusion After Hip Fracture: 'Just Her Dementia'?
R is 84 and was fully independent before an ORIF of a left hip fracture 48 hours ago. She lives alone, manages her own medications, and her daughter describes 'some forgetfulness with names, but she's sharp about money.' Tonight at 21:00 she is oriented to person only, is picking at her IV and urinary catheter, and reports 'men in the closet.' Her attention drifts after two or three words during conversation.
797 words, about 4 min2Falls and Hypoglycemia in a 79-Year-Old on Thirteen Medications
T is 79, lives in assisted living, and has HFpEF, permanent AF, CKD stage 3b (eGFR 36), type 2 diabetes (A1c 6.1%), and knee osteoarthritis. His medication list: apixaban 5 mg BID, aspirin 81 mg daily, naproxen 375 mg BID, glyburide 5 mg BID, lisinopril 20 mg, metoprolol succinate 100 mg, furosemide 40 mg, atorvastatin 40 mg, omeprazole 20 mg, oxybutynin 10 mg, zolpidem 5 mg at night, diphenhydramine 25 mg at night PRN, and calcium with vitamin D.
811 words, about 4 min3Feeding Tube Request in Advanced Dementia: Surrogate, Standard, and Conflict
A is 88 with advanced Alzheimer's disease (FAST 7a), lives in a nursing home, and has had three aspiration pneumonias in five months. He is now eating about 25% of meals, is losing weight, and needs full assistance.
893 words, about 4 min4Food Insecurity, Low Literacy, and Diabetes in a Rural 72-Year-Old
K is 72, lives in a rural county 45 minutes from the clinic, and has had type 2 diabetes for 12 years, hypertension, and knee osteoarthritis. Her A1c is 9.4% and BP is 158/88.
801 words, about 4 min5Catheter-Associated Infection, Physician Resistance, and New-Grad Retention on a 32-Bed Unit
You are the nurse manager of a 32-bed medical unit. Indwelling urinary catheters are in place on 42% of patient-days, and the unit's CAUTI standardized infection ratio is 1.6 (6 infections per 1,000 catheter-days over 12 months).
818 words, about 4 min