NUR 255 Exam 2 Review: Aging, Chronic Illness & Mental Health 2026
Galen College
1. A nurse is assessing an 80-year-old client for signs of delirium. Which finding
is most characteristic of this condition?
A. Gradual loss of memory over several years
B. Acute onset of confusion and altered level of consciousness
C. Consistent difficulty with word-finding
D. Presence of neurofibrillary tangles on imaging
Answer: B
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by an acute, rapid onset of confusion and fluctuations
in consciousness, whereas dementia is gradual and progressive.
2. Which age-related change in the cardiovascular system increases the risk of
orthostatic hypotension in older adults?
A. Increased cardiac output
B. Decreased peripheral vascular resistance
C. Increased elasticity of the aorta
D. Decreased sensitivity of baroreceptors
Answer: D
Rationale: The decreased sensitivity of baroreceptors in older adults means the heart and
blood vessels do not respond as quickly to changes in position, leading to drops in blood
pressure.
,3. According to the Chronic Illness Trajectory Model, the ‘Crisis’ phase is
characterized by which of the following?
A. A life-threatening situation requiring emergency care
B. A period where symptoms are controlled by a medical regimen
C. The initial appearance of signs and symptoms
D. Gradual decline in physical and mental status
Answer: A
Rationale: The Crisis phase in the trajectory model involves a life-threatening situation or
emergency that requires immediate intervention.
4. A nurse is teaching a group of older adults about health promotion. Which
immunization should be recommended for adults aged 65 and older?
A. HPV vaccine
B. Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23)
C. Meningococcal vaccine
D. Rotavirus vaccine
Answer: B
Rationale: The CDC recommends the pneumococcal vaccine for adults 65 and older to
prevent pneumonia and related complications.
5. Which of the following is considered an Instrumental Activity of Daily Living
(IADL)?
A. Bathing
B. Feeding oneself
C. Managing finances
D. Toileting
Answer: C
Rationale: IADLs involve more complex tasks needed for independent living, such as
managing finances, shopping, or using a phone; bathing and feeding are basic ADLs.
, 6. An older adult client presents with confusion, tachypnea, and a low-grade
fever. The nurse suspects a UTI. Why is this presentation typical for an older
adult?
A. Older adults always have high fevers with infections
B. Older adults have enhanced immune responses
C. UTIs do not cause confusion in the elderly
D. Atypical presentation of infection is common in older adults
Answer: D
Rationale: Older adults often present with atypical signs of infection, such as confusion
(delirium) or falls, rather than the classic high fever and elevated WBC count.
7. Which psychological theory of aging suggests that older adults remain active
and engaged to maintain life satisfaction?
A. Activity Theory
B. Continuity Theory
C. Disengagement Theory
D. Gerotranscendence
Answer: A
Rationale: Activity Theory posits that staying active and maintaining social roles leads to
successful aging and higher life satisfaction.
8. A client with chronic COPD is learning self-management techniques. What is
the primary goal of self-management in chronic illness?
A. To cure the underlying disease
B. To transfer care entirely to the family
C. To empower the client to manage symptoms and prevent complications
D. To reduce the need for any medication
Answer: C
Galen College
1. A nurse is assessing an 80-year-old client for signs of delirium. Which finding
is most characteristic of this condition?
A. Gradual loss of memory over several years
B. Acute onset of confusion and altered level of consciousness
C. Consistent difficulty with word-finding
D. Presence of neurofibrillary tangles on imaging
Answer: B
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by an acute, rapid onset of confusion and fluctuations
in consciousness, whereas dementia is gradual and progressive.
2. Which age-related change in the cardiovascular system increases the risk of
orthostatic hypotension in older adults?
A. Increased cardiac output
B. Decreased peripheral vascular resistance
C. Increased elasticity of the aorta
D. Decreased sensitivity of baroreceptors
Answer: D
Rationale: The decreased sensitivity of baroreceptors in older adults means the heart and
blood vessels do not respond as quickly to changes in position, leading to drops in blood
pressure.
,3. According to the Chronic Illness Trajectory Model, the ‘Crisis’ phase is
characterized by which of the following?
A. A life-threatening situation requiring emergency care
B. A period where symptoms are controlled by a medical regimen
C. The initial appearance of signs and symptoms
D. Gradual decline in physical and mental status
Answer: A
Rationale: The Crisis phase in the trajectory model involves a life-threatening situation or
emergency that requires immediate intervention.
4. A nurse is teaching a group of older adults about health promotion. Which
immunization should be recommended for adults aged 65 and older?
A. HPV vaccine
B. Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23)
C. Meningococcal vaccine
D. Rotavirus vaccine
Answer: B
Rationale: The CDC recommends the pneumococcal vaccine for adults 65 and older to
prevent pneumonia and related complications.
5. Which of the following is considered an Instrumental Activity of Daily Living
(IADL)?
A. Bathing
B. Feeding oneself
C. Managing finances
D. Toileting
Answer: C
Rationale: IADLs involve more complex tasks needed for independent living, such as
managing finances, shopping, or using a phone; bathing and feeding are basic ADLs.
, 6. An older adult client presents with confusion, tachypnea, and a low-grade
fever. The nurse suspects a UTI. Why is this presentation typical for an older
adult?
A. Older adults always have high fevers with infections
B. Older adults have enhanced immune responses
C. UTIs do not cause confusion in the elderly
D. Atypical presentation of infection is common in older adults
Answer: D
Rationale: Older adults often present with atypical signs of infection, such as confusion
(delirium) or falls, rather than the classic high fever and elevated WBC count.
7. Which psychological theory of aging suggests that older adults remain active
and engaged to maintain life satisfaction?
A. Activity Theory
B. Continuity Theory
C. Disengagement Theory
D. Gerotranscendence
Answer: A
Rationale: Activity Theory posits that staying active and maintaining social roles leads to
successful aging and higher life satisfaction.
8. A client with chronic COPD is learning self-management techniques. What is
the primary goal of self-management in chronic illness?
A. To cure the underlying disease
B. To transfer care entirely to the family
C. To empower the client to manage symptoms and prevent complications
D. To reduce the need for any medication
Answer: C
