NUR 255 Exam 2 Review: Units 3–5 2026 Galen College
1. Which of the following is considered a normal age-related change in the
cardiovascular system?
A. Decreased sensitivity of baroreceptors
B. Increased cardiac output during exercise
C. Increased elasticity of the blood vessels
D. Decreased systolic blood pressure
Answer: A
Rationale: Aging leads to decreased baroreceptor sensitivity, which increases the risk of
orthostatic hypotension. Arteries become stiffer (decreased elasticity), leading to increased
systolic BP.
2. A patient is experiencing ‘sarcopenia.’ The nurse understands this term refers
to:
A. Loss of muscle mass and strength
B. Loss of cognitive function
C. Loss of bone density
D. Degeneration of joint cartilage
Answer: A
Rationale: Sarcopenia is the age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and muscle strength,
which contributes to frailty and falls.
,3. Which assessment tool is specifically designed to identify potential ‘Geriatric
Syndromes’ in older adults?
A. SPICES Tool
B. Braden Scale
C. Glasgow Coma Scale
D. Morse Fall Scale
Answer: A
Rationale: SPICES stands for Sleep disorders, Problems with eating, Incontinence,
Confusion, Evidence of falls, and Skin breakdown.
4. A nurse is caring for an elderly patient with delirium. Which characteristic
distinguishes delirium from dementia?
A. Sudden/acute onset
B. Irreversible nature
C. Slow, progressive onset
D. Intact level of consciousness
Answer: A
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by an acute, sudden onset and is usually reversible
once the underlying cause is treated. Dementia is chronic and progressive.
5. In the ‘Chronic Illness Trajectory’ model, the ‘Pretrajectory’ phase is
characterized by:
A. Onset of symptoms and diagnosis
B. Management of a life-threatening crisis
C. The patient’s death
D. Presence of genetic factors or lifestyle behaviors that place one at risk
Answer: D
Rationale: The Pretrajectory phase involves genetic or lifestyle risk factors that increase
the likelihood of developing a chronic condition.
, 6. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a disability is defined
as:
A. A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities
B. The inability to work at any job
C. The requirement of a wheelchair for mobility
D. A condition that is present from birth
Answer: A
Rationale: The ADA defines disability as a physical or mental impairment that
substantially limits one or more major life activities.
7. Which medication is most likely to cause ‘Serotonin Syndrome’ if combined
with an SSRI?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Metoprolol
C. MAOIs (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors)
D. Furosemide
Answer: C
Rationale: Combining SSRIs with MAOIs is a major risk for Serotonin Syndrome,
characterized by hyperreflexia, agitation, and autonomic instability.
8. A patient with schizophrenia states, ‘The FBI is tracking me through the TV.’
This is an example of:
A. A hallucination
B. Anhedonia
C. Avolition
D. A delusion
Answer: D
Rationale: A delusion is a fixed, false belief. Hallucinations involve sensory perceptions
without external stimuli.
1. Which of the following is considered a normal age-related change in the
cardiovascular system?
A. Decreased sensitivity of baroreceptors
B. Increased cardiac output during exercise
C. Increased elasticity of the blood vessels
D. Decreased systolic blood pressure
Answer: A
Rationale: Aging leads to decreased baroreceptor sensitivity, which increases the risk of
orthostatic hypotension. Arteries become stiffer (decreased elasticity), leading to increased
systolic BP.
2. A patient is experiencing ‘sarcopenia.’ The nurse understands this term refers
to:
A. Loss of muscle mass and strength
B. Loss of cognitive function
C. Loss of bone density
D. Degeneration of joint cartilage
Answer: A
Rationale: Sarcopenia is the age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and muscle strength,
which contributes to frailty and falls.
,3. Which assessment tool is specifically designed to identify potential ‘Geriatric
Syndromes’ in older adults?
A. SPICES Tool
B. Braden Scale
C. Glasgow Coma Scale
D. Morse Fall Scale
Answer: A
Rationale: SPICES stands for Sleep disorders, Problems with eating, Incontinence,
Confusion, Evidence of falls, and Skin breakdown.
4. A nurse is caring for an elderly patient with delirium. Which characteristic
distinguishes delirium from dementia?
A. Sudden/acute onset
B. Irreversible nature
C. Slow, progressive onset
D. Intact level of consciousness
Answer: A
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by an acute, sudden onset and is usually reversible
once the underlying cause is treated. Dementia is chronic and progressive.
5. In the ‘Chronic Illness Trajectory’ model, the ‘Pretrajectory’ phase is
characterized by:
A. Onset of symptoms and diagnosis
B. Management of a life-threatening crisis
C. The patient’s death
D. Presence of genetic factors or lifestyle behaviors that place one at risk
Answer: D
Rationale: The Pretrajectory phase involves genetic or lifestyle risk factors that increase
the likelihood of developing a chronic condition.
, 6. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a disability is defined
as:
A. A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities
B. The inability to work at any job
C. The requirement of a wheelchair for mobility
D. A condition that is present from birth
Answer: A
Rationale: The ADA defines disability as a physical or mental impairment that
substantially limits one or more major life activities.
7. Which medication is most likely to cause ‘Serotonin Syndrome’ if combined
with an SSRI?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Metoprolol
C. MAOIs (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors)
D. Furosemide
Answer: C
Rationale: Combining SSRIs with MAOIs is a major risk for Serotonin Syndrome,
characterized by hyperreflexia, agitation, and autonomic instability.
8. A patient with schizophrenia states, ‘The FBI is tracking me through the TV.’
This is an example of:
A. A hallucination
B. Anhedonia
C. Avolition
D. A delusion
Answer: D
Rationale: A delusion is a fixed, false belief. Hallucinations involve sensory perceptions
without external stimuli.
