CLTC Long-Term Care Exam Prep practice questions and answers 2026. Tap an option to test yourself — you'll see the correct answer and a plain-English explanation for every question. Free, no login.
Q11A resident with emphysema has decreased surface area for gas exchange. This pathological change primarily affects which lung structures?
✓ Correct answer: B. Alveolar walls and air sacs
Emphysema destroys the walls of alveoli, causing them to merge into larger air spaces. This reduces the total surface area available for gas exchange between air and blood, impairing oxygenation.
Q12The nurse notes a resident's serum potassium level is 6.2 mEq/L (normal 3.5-5.0 mEq/L). Understanding homeostasis, which organ system is primarily responsible for maintaining potassium balance?
✓ Correct answer: A. Renal system through filtration and excretion
The kidneys regulate potassium balance by filtering potassium from the blood and either reabsorbing it or excreting it in urine based on the body's needs. Elevated potassium (hyperkalemia) often indicates impaired kidney function.
Q13A resident with hypothyroidism reports feeling cold, fatigued, and has gained weight. These symptoms result from decreased production of thyroid hormones, which primarily regulate which body function?
✓ Correct answer: D. Metabolic rate and energy production
Thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) are the primary regulators of metabolic rate in the body. Decreased thyroid hormone production slows metabolism, leading to weight gain, cold intolerance, fatigue, and other symptoms of hypothyroidism.
Q14An elderly resident has kyphosis, causing a stooped posture. This condition primarily affects which part of the skeletal system?
✓ Correct answer: C. Thoracic vertebrae of the spine
Kyphosis is an excessive outward curvature of the thoracic spine, creating a hunched or stooped appearance. It is common in elderly individuals due to osteoporosis, vertebral compression fractures, or degenerative changes in the spine.
Q15A resident with peripheral arterial disease has decreased pedal pulses and cool lower extremities. The nurse understands this results from which circulatory problem?
✓ Correct answer: B. Decreased arterial blood flow to extremities
Peripheral arterial disease involves narrowing or blockage of arteries, usually due to atherosclerosis, which reduces blood flow to the extremities. Decreased arterial perfusion causes weak pulses, cool skin, and inadequate oxygen delivery to tissues.
Q16A resident's laboratory results show a blood urea nitrogen (BUN) of 45 mg/dL (normal 7-20 mg/dL). This elevated value most likely indicates dysfunction in which organ?
✓ Correct answer: A. Kidneys
BUN measures the amount of urea nitrogen in the blood, a waste product of protein metabolism that is normally filtered by the kidneys. Elevated BUN indicates the kidneys are not effectively filtering and excreting waste products.
Q17A resident with Alzheimer's disease has progressive memory loss and confusion. The nurse understands this neurodegenerative disease primarily affects which brain structure responsible for memory formation?
✓ Correct answer: D. Hippocampus
The hippocampus, located in the temporal lobe, is essential for forming new memories and spatial navigation. Alzheimer's disease causes atrophy and neuronal death in the hippocampus early in the disease process, leading to memory impairment.
Q18A resident with cirrhosis has abdominal distention due to ascites. This fluid accumulation occurs primarily because of which altered liver function?
✓ Correct answer: C. Decreased albumin production and portal hypertension
The liver produces albumin, a protein that helps maintain oncotic pressure to keep fluid in blood vessels. In cirrhosis, decreased albumin production and increased portal vein pressure cause fluid to leak into the abdominal cavity, forming ascites.
Q19The nurse assesses diminished breath sounds in the lower lobes of an immobile resident's lungs. Understanding respiratory anatomy, this finding suggests which complication?
✓ Correct answer: B. Atelectasis or mucus accumulation in dependent lung areas
Immobility and shallow breathing can cause mucus and fluid to accumulate in dependent lung areas (lower lobes), leading to atelectasis (partial lung collapse) or pneumonia. This results in diminished breath sounds in the affected areas.
Q20A resident with chronic venous insufficiency has brown discoloration and edema in the lower legs. The nurse understands this results from which pathophysiological change in the venous system?
✓ Correct answer: A. Incompetent venous valves causing blood pooling and increased pressure
In chronic venous insufficiency, incompetent valves in leg veins allow blood to pool rather than return efficiently to the heart. This increased venous pressure causes fluid to leak into tissues (edema) and red blood cells to break down, depositing hemosiderin that causes brown skin discoloration.
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Theory