NUR 255 Exam 2 Review: Units 3–5 Mental Health Nursing
1. Which age-related sensory change is characterized by the loss of ability to
hear high-frequency sounds?
A. Presbyopia
B. Otitis media
C. Presbycusis
D. Tinnitus
Answer: C
Rationale: Presbycusis is the age-related sensorineural hearing loss that specifically
affects high-pitched sounds and speech clarity.
2. According to the CDC, what is the minimum duration for a condition to be
classified as a chronic illness?
A. 1 month
B. 1 year
C. 6 months
D. 3 months
Answer: D
Rationale: Chronic illnesses are generally defined as conditions that last 3 months or
longer and may require ongoing medical attention or limit activities of daily living.
,3. A nurse is assessing an older adult for delirium. Which feature distinguishes
delirium from dementia?
A. Acute onset with fluctuating levels of consciousness
B. Irreversible cognitive decline
C. Slow, progressive onset
D. Intact attention span
Answer: A
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by an acute, rapid onset and a fluctuating course,
whereas dementia is slow and progressive.
4. Which of the following is considered an Instrumental Activity of Daily Living
(IADL)?
A. Bathing
B. Dressing
C. Managing finances
D. Transferring from bed to chair
Answer: C
Rationale: IADLs involve more complex tasks necessary for independent living, such as
managing money, shopping, and meal preparation, while ADLs involve basic self-care.
5. The ‘Beers Criteria’ is a tool primarily used for which purpose in geriatric
nursing?
A. Assessing cognitive impairment
B. Measuring physical mobility and fall risk
C. Screening for nutritional deficiencies
D. Identifying potentially inappropriate medications for older adults
Answer: D
Rationale: The Beers Criteria provides a list of medications that should be avoided or used
with caution in older adults due to high risk of adverse effects.
, 6. In the ‘Trajectory Model of Chronic Illness,’ which phase describes the period
when symptoms are under control and the patient is at home?
A. Crisis phase
B. Unstable phase
C. Downward phase
D. Stable phase
Answer: D
Rationale: The stable phase occurs when symptoms are managed and the individual can
perform daily activities within the limits of the illness.
7. What is the leading cause of injury-related deaths in adults over the age of
65?
A. Motor vehicle accidents
B. Falls
C. Poisoning
D. Fire-related injuries
Answer: B
Rationale: Falls are the leading cause of both fatal and non-fatal injuries among older
adults due to changes in gait, vision, and medications.
8. Which physiological change in the elderly increases the risk of drug toxicity?
A. Decreased hepatic blood flow and metabolism
B. Decreased total body fat
C. Increased glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
D. Increased serum albumin levels
Answer: A
Rationale: Reduced liver blood flow and kidney function in older adults slow down drug
metabolism and excretion, leading to higher drug levels in the blood.
1. Which age-related sensory change is characterized by the loss of ability to
hear high-frequency sounds?
A. Presbyopia
B. Otitis media
C. Presbycusis
D. Tinnitus
Answer: C
Rationale: Presbycusis is the age-related sensorineural hearing loss that specifically
affects high-pitched sounds and speech clarity.
2. According to the CDC, what is the minimum duration for a condition to be
classified as a chronic illness?
A. 1 month
B. 1 year
C. 6 months
D. 3 months
Answer: D
Rationale: Chronic illnesses are generally defined as conditions that last 3 months or
longer and may require ongoing medical attention or limit activities of daily living.
,3. A nurse is assessing an older adult for delirium. Which feature distinguishes
delirium from dementia?
A. Acute onset with fluctuating levels of consciousness
B. Irreversible cognitive decline
C. Slow, progressive onset
D. Intact attention span
Answer: A
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by an acute, rapid onset and a fluctuating course,
whereas dementia is slow and progressive.
4. Which of the following is considered an Instrumental Activity of Daily Living
(IADL)?
A. Bathing
B. Dressing
C. Managing finances
D. Transferring from bed to chair
Answer: C
Rationale: IADLs involve more complex tasks necessary for independent living, such as
managing money, shopping, and meal preparation, while ADLs involve basic self-care.
5. The ‘Beers Criteria’ is a tool primarily used for which purpose in geriatric
nursing?
A. Assessing cognitive impairment
B. Measuring physical mobility and fall risk
C. Screening for nutritional deficiencies
D. Identifying potentially inappropriate medications for older adults
Answer: D
Rationale: The Beers Criteria provides a list of medications that should be avoided or used
with caution in older adults due to high risk of adverse effects.
, 6. In the ‘Trajectory Model of Chronic Illness,’ which phase describes the period
when symptoms are under control and the patient is at home?
A. Crisis phase
B. Unstable phase
C. Downward phase
D. Stable phase
Answer: D
Rationale: The stable phase occurs when symptoms are managed and the individual can
perform daily activities within the limits of the illness.
7. What is the leading cause of injury-related deaths in adults over the age of
65?
A. Motor vehicle accidents
B. Falls
C. Poisoning
D. Fire-related injuries
Answer: B
Rationale: Falls are the leading cause of both fatal and non-fatal injuries among older
adults due to changes in gait, vision, and medications.
8. Which physiological change in the elderly increases the risk of drug toxicity?
A. Decreased hepatic blood flow and metabolism
B. Decreased total body fat
C. Increased glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
D. Increased serum albumin levels
Answer: A
Rationale: Reduced liver blood flow and kidney function in older adults slow down drug
metabolism and excretion, leading to higher drug levels in the blood.
