NUR 255 Exam 3 Review: Units 6–8 Aging & Mental Health Nursing
2026
1. An elderly patient is admitted with acute confusion and a suspected urinary
tract infection. Which condition is the most likely cause of the confusion?
A. Alzheimer’s Disease
B. Age-related cognitive decline
C. Vascular Dementia
D. Delirium
Answer: D
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by an acute onset, fluctuating course, and is often
caused by an underlying medical condition like an infection.
2. Which physiological change of aging significantly increases the risk of drug
toxicity in older adults?
A. Decreased glomerular filtration rate
B. Increased gastric acidity
C. Increased total body water
D. Increased hepatic blood flow
Answer: A
Rationale: Reduced renal function (GFR) leads to slower excretion of medications,
increasing the risk of accumulation and toxicity.
,3. A nurse is assessing an older adult for depression. Which symptom is more
common in the elderly than in younger adults with depression?
A. Hyperactivity
B. Increased appetite
C. Somatic complaints
D. Euphoria
Answer: C
Rationale: Older adults often express psychological distress through physical (somatic)
symptoms like pain or gastrointestinal issues rather than feelings of sadness.
4. What is the primary goal of validation therapy in a patient with advanced
dementia?
A. To reorient the patient to time and place
B. To correct the patient’s false beliefs
C. To improve short-term memory
D. To acknowledge the patient’s feelings and reality
Answer: D
Rationale: Validation therapy focuses on the emotional truth of the patient’s experience
rather than forcing them to confront a reality they can no longer process.
5. A patient taking Lithium for Bipolar Disorder reports vomiting and diarrhea.
Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer the next dose as scheduled
B. Document the findings as normal side effects
C. Encourage increased fiber intake
D. Hold the medication and notify the provider
Answer: D
Rationale: Vomiting and diarrhea are early signs of lithium toxicity; the drug should be
held to prevent further accumulation.
, 6. Which statement by a patient indicates an understanding of the therapeutic
use of SSRIs?
A. I will feel much better within 24 hours of my first dose.
B. It may take 4 to 6 weeks to see the full effect.
C. I can stop taking this as soon as my mood improves.
D. I should limit my water intake while on this medication.
Answer: B
Rationale: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) have a delayed therapeutic
onset, usually requiring several weeks to reach full effectiveness.
7. A patient is experiencing a manic episode. Which nursing intervention is the
priority?
A. Provide high-calorie finger foods
B. Encourage the patient to join a group volleyball game
C. Initiate a long conversation about their feelings
D. Allow the patient to lead a community meeting
Answer: A
Rationale: Manic patients are often too active to sit for meals; finger foods provide
necessary nutrition while allowing for mobility.
8. Which finding is a hallmark symptom of Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
(NMS)?
A. Hypothermia
B. Severe muscle rigidity
C. Muscle flaccidity
D. Bradycardia
Answer: B
Rationale: NMS is a life-threatening reaction to antipsychotics characterized by high fever,
lead-pipe muscle rigidity, and autonomic instability.
2026
1. An elderly patient is admitted with acute confusion and a suspected urinary
tract infection. Which condition is the most likely cause of the confusion?
A. Alzheimer’s Disease
B. Age-related cognitive decline
C. Vascular Dementia
D. Delirium
Answer: D
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by an acute onset, fluctuating course, and is often
caused by an underlying medical condition like an infection.
2. Which physiological change of aging significantly increases the risk of drug
toxicity in older adults?
A. Decreased glomerular filtration rate
B. Increased gastric acidity
C. Increased total body water
D. Increased hepatic blood flow
Answer: A
Rationale: Reduced renal function (GFR) leads to slower excretion of medications,
increasing the risk of accumulation and toxicity.
,3. A nurse is assessing an older adult for depression. Which symptom is more
common in the elderly than in younger adults with depression?
A. Hyperactivity
B. Increased appetite
C. Somatic complaints
D. Euphoria
Answer: C
Rationale: Older adults often express psychological distress through physical (somatic)
symptoms like pain or gastrointestinal issues rather than feelings of sadness.
4. What is the primary goal of validation therapy in a patient with advanced
dementia?
A. To reorient the patient to time and place
B. To correct the patient’s false beliefs
C. To improve short-term memory
D. To acknowledge the patient’s feelings and reality
Answer: D
Rationale: Validation therapy focuses on the emotional truth of the patient’s experience
rather than forcing them to confront a reality they can no longer process.
5. A patient taking Lithium for Bipolar Disorder reports vomiting and diarrhea.
Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer the next dose as scheduled
B. Document the findings as normal side effects
C. Encourage increased fiber intake
D. Hold the medication and notify the provider
Answer: D
Rationale: Vomiting and diarrhea are early signs of lithium toxicity; the drug should be
held to prevent further accumulation.
, 6. Which statement by a patient indicates an understanding of the therapeutic
use of SSRIs?
A. I will feel much better within 24 hours of my first dose.
B. It may take 4 to 6 weeks to see the full effect.
C. I can stop taking this as soon as my mood improves.
D. I should limit my water intake while on this medication.
Answer: B
Rationale: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) have a delayed therapeutic
onset, usually requiring several weeks to reach full effectiveness.
7. A patient is experiencing a manic episode. Which nursing intervention is the
priority?
A. Provide high-calorie finger foods
B. Encourage the patient to join a group volleyball game
C. Initiate a long conversation about their feelings
D. Allow the patient to lead a community meeting
Answer: A
Rationale: Manic patients are often too active to sit for meals; finger foods provide
necessary nutrition while allowing for mobility.
8. Which finding is a hallmark symptom of Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
(NMS)?
A. Hypothermia
B. Severe muscle rigidity
C. Muscle flaccidity
D. Bradycardia
Answer: B
Rationale: NMS is a life-threatening reaction to antipsychotics characterized by high fever,
lead-pipe muscle rigidity, and autonomic instability.
