NUR 255 Exam 2: Aging & Mental Health Nursing (Units 3-5) 2026
Galen College
1. A 72-year-old client is reflecting on their life achievements and regrets.
According to Erikson, which developmental stage is this client experiencing?
A. Generativity vs. Stagnation
B. Integrity vs. Despair
C. Identity vs. Role Confusion
D. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
Answer: B
Rationale: In late adulthood (65+), individuals undergo Integrity vs. Despair, where they
reflect on life’s meaning and accomplishments.
2. Which therapeutic communication technique is being used when the nurse
states, ‘Tell me more about the voices you are hearing’?
A. Reflecting
B. Exploring
C. Restating
D. Summarizing
Answer: B
Rationale: Exploring encourages the client to provide more detail or depth about a specific
topic or experience.
,3. A patient with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations and says,
‘The devil is telling me I am bad.’ What is the nurse’s best response?
A. I don’t hear the devil, but I understand that it is scary for you.
B. The devil is not real; you are just having a hallucination.
C. Why would the devil say that to you?
D. I’ll leave you alone until the voices stop.
Answer: A
Rationale: Acknowledging the client’s feelings while presenting reality without arguing is
the therapeutic approach for hallucinations.
4. Which of the following is a key difference between Delirium and Dementia?
A. Dementia is always reversible.
B. Delirium is an acute, temporary state of confusion.
C. Delirium has a slow, insidious onset.
D. Dementia is caused by an underlying medical infection.
Answer: B
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by an acute onset and is usually reversible if the
underlying cause is treated, whereas Dementia is chronic and progressive.
5. A client is prescribed Lithium for Bipolar Disorder. The nurse should educate
the client to maintain a consistent intake of which substance?
A. Potassium
B. Vitamin K
C. Calcium
D. Sodium
Answer: D
Rationale: Lithium is a salt; low sodium levels can cause the kidneys to retain lithium,
leading to toxicity.
, 6. A nurse is caring for a client with Severe Anxiety. What is the priority nursing
intervention?
A. Teach the client new coping mechanisms.
B. Encourage the client to discuss the cause of the anxiety.
C. Provide a detailed explanation of the hospital rules.
D. Stay with the client and use short, simple sentences.
Answer: D
Rationale: During severe anxiety, a person cannot process complex information; staying
with them and using simple language provides safety and reduces stimulation.
7. Which side effect of first-generation antipsychotics is characterized by
involuntary movements of the tongue and face?
A. Akathisia
B. Tardive Dyskinesia
C. Pseudoparkinsonism
D. Dystonia
Answer: B
Rationale: Tardive Dyskinesia involves late-appearing involuntary movements such as
tongue thrusting, lip-smacking, and facial grimacing.
8. A nurse is assessing an older adult for depression. Which symptom is often
mistaken for dementia in this population?
A. Aphasia
B. Pseudodementia
C. Sundowning
D. Confabulation
Answer: B
Rationale: Pseudodementia refers to cognitive impairment secondary to depression in the
elderly, which improves when the depression is treated.
Galen College
1. A 72-year-old client is reflecting on their life achievements and regrets.
According to Erikson, which developmental stage is this client experiencing?
A. Generativity vs. Stagnation
B. Integrity vs. Despair
C. Identity vs. Role Confusion
D. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
Answer: B
Rationale: In late adulthood (65+), individuals undergo Integrity vs. Despair, where they
reflect on life’s meaning and accomplishments.
2. Which therapeutic communication technique is being used when the nurse
states, ‘Tell me more about the voices you are hearing’?
A. Reflecting
B. Exploring
C. Restating
D. Summarizing
Answer: B
Rationale: Exploring encourages the client to provide more detail or depth about a specific
topic or experience.
,3. A patient with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations and says,
‘The devil is telling me I am bad.’ What is the nurse’s best response?
A. I don’t hear the devil, but I understand that it is scary for you.
B. The devil is not real; you are just having a hallucination.
C. Why would the devil say that to you?
D. I’ll leave you alone until the voices stop.
Answer: A
Rationale: Acknowledging the client’s feelings while presenting reality without arguing is
the therapeutic approach for hallucinations.
4. Which of the following is a key difference between Delirium and Dementia?
A. Dementia is always reversible.
B. Delirium is an acute, temporary state of confusion.
C. Delirium has a slow, insidious onset.
D. Dementia is caused by an underlying medical infection.
Answer: B
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by an acute onset and is usually reversible if the
underlying cause is treated, whereas Dementia is chronic and progressive.
5. A client is prescribed Lithium for Bipolar Disorder. The nurse should educate
the client to maintain a consistent intake of which substance?
A. Potassium
B. Vitamin K
C. Calcium
D. Sodium
Answer: D
Rationale: Lithium is a salt; low sodium levels can cause the kidneys to retain lithium,
leading to toxicity.
, 6. A nurse is caring for a client with Severe Anxiety. What is the priority nursing
intervention?
A. Teach the client new coping mechanisms.
B. Encourage the client to discuss the cause of the anxiety.
C. Provide a detailed explanation of the hospital rules.
D. Stay with the client and use short, simple sentences.
Answer: D
Rationale: During severe anxiety, a person cannot process complex information; staying
with them and using simple language provides safety and reduces stimulation.
7. Which side effect of first-generation antipsychotics is characterized by
involuntary movements of the tongue and face?
A. Akathisia
B. Tardive Dyskinesia
C. Pseudoparkinsonism
D. Dystonia
Answer: B
Rationale: Tardive Dyskinesia involves late-appearing involuntary movements such as
tongue thrusting, lip-smacking, and facial grimacing.
8. A nurse is assessing an older adult for depression. Which symptom is often
mistaken for dementia in this population?
A. Aphasia
B. Pseudodementia
C. Sundowning
D. Confabulation
Answer: B
Rationale: Pseudodementia refers to cognitive impairment secondary to depression in the
elderly, which improves when the depression is treated.
