NUR 255 Exam 1 Review: Aging, Chronic Illness & Mental Health 2026
Galen College
1. According to Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development, which stage is
associated with the older adult (65+ years)?
A. Generativity vs. Stagnation
B. Intimacy vs. Isolation
C. Identity vs. Role Confusion
D. Integrity vs. Despair
Answer: D
Rationale: Integrity vs. Despair is the developmental stage for older adults where they
reflect on their lives and feel either a sense of satisfaction or failure.
2. Which of the following is an acute, fluctuating change in mental status often
characterized by inattention and disorganized thinking?
A. Delirium
B. Depression
C. Dementia
D. Alzheimer’s Disease
Answer: A
Rationale: Delirium is an acute, reversible state of confusion that fluctuates, unlike
dementia which is chronic and progressive.
,3. The Beers Criteria is primarily used by healthcare professionals to:
A. Determine the level of dementia in elderly patients
B. Identify potentially inappropriate medications for older adults
C. Assess the risk of falls in a clinical setting
D. Diagnose major depressive disorder in the elderly
Answer: B
Rationale: The Beers Criteria provides a list of medications that should generally be
avoided or used with caution in older adults due to high risk of adverse effects.
4. A patient with a chronic illness experiences a sudden worsening of symptoms
requiring hospitalization. According to the Chronic Illness Trajectory Model, this
is known as:
A. Stable phase
B. Comeback phase
C. Crisis phase
D. Downward phase
Answer: C
Rationale: The crisis phase involves a life-threatening situation or an acute emergency
requiring immediate intervention or hospitalization.
5. Which age-related change in the cardiovascular system increases the risk of
orthostatic hypotension in older adults?
A. Decreased baroreceptor sensitivity
B. Increased baroreceptor sensitivity
C. Increased cardiac output
D. Increased elasticity of blood vessels
Answer: A
Rationale: Decreased baroreceptor sensitivity makes it harder for the body to regulate
blood pressure quickly when changing positions, leading to orthostatic hypotension.
, 6. Which screening tool is most appropriate for assessing a patient’s risk for
falls?
A. Katz Index
B. GDS (Geriatric Depression Scale)
C. Morse Fall Scale
D. CAM (Confusion Assessment Method)
Answer: C
Rationale: The Morse Fall Scale is a widely used clinical tool to assess a patient’s risk for
falling based on history, gait, and secondary diagnoses.
7. A nurse identifies that an older patient takes 12 different medications daily.
This clinical situation is known as:
A. Therapeutic adherence
B. Polypharmacy
C. Medication reconciliation
D. Pharmacokinetics
Answer: B
Rationale: Polypharmacy is the concurrent use of multiple medications by a patient, which
increases the risk of drug interactions and adverse effects.
8. Which of the following is considered an Instrumental Activity of Daily Living
(IADL)?
A. Bathing
B. Managing finances
C. Toileting
D. Feeding oneself
Answer: B
Rationale: IADLs involve complex skills needed for independent living, such as managing
finances or shopping; basic ADLs include bathing and feeding.
Galen College
1. According to Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development, which stage is
associated with the older adult (65+ years)?
A. Generativity vs. Stagnation
B. Intimacy vs. Isolation
C. Identity vs. Role Confusion
D. Integrity vs. Despair
Answer: D
Rationale: Integrity vs. Despair is the developmental stage for older adults where they
reflect on their lives and feel either a sense of satisfaction or failure.
2. Which of the following is an acute, fluctuating change in mental status often
characterized by inattention and disorganized thinking?
A. Delirium
B. Depression
C. Dementia
D. Alzheimer’s Disease
Answer: A
Rationale: Delirium is an acute, reversible state of confusion that fluctuates, unlike
dementia which is chronic and progressive.
,3. The Beers Criteria is primarily used by healthcare professionals to:
A. Determine the level of dementia in elderly patients
B. Identify potentially inappropriate medications for older adults
C. Assess the risk of falls in a clinical setting
D. Diagnose major depressive disorder in the elderly
Answer: B
Rationale: The Beers Criteria provides a list of medications that should generally be
avoided or used with caution in older adults due to high risk of adverse effects.
4. A patient with a chronic illness experiences a sudden worsening of symptoms
requiring hospitalization. According to the Chronic Illness Trajectory Model, this
is known as:
A. Stable phase
B. Comeback phase
C. Crisis phase
D. Downward phase
Answer: C
Rationale: The crisis phase involves a life-threatening situation or an acute emergency
requiring immediate intervention or hospitalization.
5. Which age-related change in the cardiovascular system increases the risk of
orthostatic hypotension in older adults?
A. Decreased baroreceptor sensitivity
B. Increased baroreceptor sensitivity
C. Increased cardiac output
D. Increased elasticity of blood vessels
Answer: A
Rationale: Decreased baroreceptor sensitivity makes it harder for the body to regulate
blood pressure quickly when changing positions, leading to orthostatic hypotension.
, 6. Which screening tool is most appropriate for assessing a patient’s risk for
falls?
A. Katz Index
B. GDS (Geriatric Depression Scale)
C. Morse Fall Scale
D. CAM (Confusion Assessment Method)
Answer: C
Rationale: The Morse Fall Scale is a widely used clinical tool to assess a patient’s risk for
falling based on history, gait, and secondary diagnoses.
7. A nurse identifies that an older patient takes 12 different medications daily.
This clinical situation is known as:
A. Therapeutic adherence
B. Polypharmacy
C. Medication reconciliation
D. Pharmacokinetics
Answer: B
Rationale: Polypharmacy is the concurrent use of multiple medications by a patient, which
increases the risk of drug interactions and adverse effects.
8. Which of the following is considered an Instrumental Activity of Daily Living
(IADL)?
A. Bathing
B. Managing finances
C. Toileting
D. Feeding oneself
Answer: B
Rationale: IADLs involve complex skills needed for independent living, such as managing
finances or shopping; basic ADLs include bathing and feeding.
