NUR 255 Exam 3 Review: Units 6–8 Aging & Mental Health Nursing
2026 Galen College
1. A nurse is assessing an elderly patient and notices a sudden, fluctuating
change in consciousness and cognition. Which condition is most likely?
A. Alzheimer’s Disease
B. Vascular Dementia
C. Major Depression
D. Delirium
Answer: D
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by an acute onset, fluctuating levels of consciousness,
and is often reversible if the underlying cause is treated.
2. Which of the following is a key difference between delirium and dementia?
A. Dementia is always reversible.
B. Delirium has a slow, progressive onset.
C. Delirium is a medical emergency; dementia is a chronic condition.
D. Dementia affects attention more than memory.
Answer: C
Rationale: Delirium is often caused by an underlying medical condition (infection, drug
toxicity) and requires immediate attention, whereas dementia is a slow, progressive
decline.
,3. A patient with Alzheimer’s disease becomes increasingly restless and agitated
in the late afternoon. This phenomenon is known as:
A. Respite syndrome
B. Sundowning
C. Aphasia
D. Confabulation
Answer: B
Rationale: Sundowning refers to the increased confusion, agitation, and restlessness that
occurs in people with dementia during the late afternoon or evening.
4. What is the primary goal of nursing care for a client with moderate-stage
Alzheimer’s disease?
A. Restoring cognitive function to baseline
B. Teaching the client new complex skills
C. Curing the underlying neurological damage
D. Maintaining safety and dignity
Answer: D
Rationale: Because Alzheimer’s is progressive and incurable, the focus shifts to
maintaining safety, maximizing functional ability, and preserving dignity.
5. A patient with dementia tells the nurse they just got back from a trip to Paris,
though they have been in the facility all day. This is an example of:
A. Agnosia
B. Apraxia
C. Hallucination
D. Confabulation
Answer: D
Rationale: Confabulation is the creation of stories or answers in place of actual memories
to maintain self-esteem and hide memory loss.
, 6. Which medication is classified as a Cholinesterase Inhibitor used to treat mild
to moderate Alzheimer’s?
A. Donepezil (Aricept)
B. Memantine (Namenda)
C. Risperidone (Risperdal)
D. Lorazepam (Ativan)
Answer: A
Rationale: Donepezil (Aricept) is a cholinesterase inhibitor that prevents the breakdown
of acetylcholine in the brain.
7. A nurse is caring for a client with Severe Anxiety. Which nursing action is
most appropriate?
A. Provide detailed teaching about their condition.
B. Leave the client alone to allow them to calm down.
C. Speak in short, simple sentences and remain calm.
D. Ask the client to explain why they feel anxious.
Answer: C
Rationale: Patients in severe or panic levels of anxiety cannot process complex
information; the nurse should use simple language and provide a quiet environment.
8. A client is diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). What is the
purpose of their rituals?
A. To get attention from staff
B. To decrease anxiety
C. To manipulate the environment
D. To express anger toward family members
Answer: B
Rationale: Compulsions (rituals) are repetitive behaviors performed to reduce the intense
anxiety caused by obsessions.
2026 Galen College
1. A nurse is assessing an elderly patient and notices a sudden, fluctuating
change in consciousness and cognition. Which condition is most likely?
A. Alzheimer’s Disease
B. Vascular Dementia
C. Major Depression
D. Delirium
Answer: D
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by an acute onset, fluctuating levels of consciousness,
and is often reversible if the underlying cause is treated.
2. Which of the following is a key difference between delirium and dementia?
A. Dementia is always reversible.
B. Delirium has a slow, progressive onset.
C. Delirium is a medical emergency; dementia is a chronic condition.
D. Dementia affects attention more than memory.
Answer: C
Rationale: Delirium is often caused by an underlying medical condition (infection, drug
toxicity) and requires immediate attention, whereas dementia is a slow, progressive
decline.
,3. A patient with Alzheimer’s disease becomes increasingly restless and agitated
in the late afternoon. This phenomenon is known as:
A. Respite syndrome
B. Sundowning
C. Aphasia
D. Confabulation
Answer: B
Rationale: Sundowning refers to the increased confusion, agitation, and restlessness that
occurs in people with dementia during the late afternoon or evening.
4. What is the primary goal of nursing care for a client with moderate-stage
Alzheimer’s disease?
A. Restoring cognitive function to baseline
B. Teaching the client new complex skills
C. Curing the underlying neurological damage
D. Maintaining safety and dignity
Answer: D
Rationale: Because Alzheimer’s is progressive and incurable, the focus shifts to
maintaining safety, maximizing functional ability, and preserving dignity.
5. A patient with dementia tells the nurse they just got back from a trip to Paris,
though they have been in the facility all day. This is an example of:
A. Agnosia
B. Apraxia
C. Hallucination
D. Confabulation
Answer: D
Rationale: Confabulation is the creation of stories or answers in place of actual memories
to maintain self-esteem and hide memory loss.
, 6. Which medication is classified as a Cholinesterase Inhibitor used to treat mild
to moderate Alzheimer’s?
A. Donepezil (Aricept)
B. Memantine (Namenda)
C. Risperidone (Risperdal)
D. Lorazepam (Ativan)
Answer: A
Rationale: Donepezil (Aricept) is a cholinesterase inhibitor that prevents the breakdown
of acetylcholine in the brain.
7. A nurse is caring for a client with Severe Anxiety. Which nursing action is
most appropriate?
A. Provide detailed teaching about their condition.
B. Leave the client alone to allow them to calm down.
C. Speak in short, simple sentences and remain calm.
D. Ask the client to explain why they feel anxious.
Answer: C
Rationale: Patients in severe or panic levels of anxiety cannot process complex
information; the nurse should use simple language and provide a quiet environment.
8. A client is diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). What is the
purpose of their rituals?
A. To get attention from staff
B. To decrease anxiety
C. To manipulate the environment
D. To express anger toward family members
Answer: B
Rationale: Compulsions (rituals) are repetitive behaviors performed to reduce the intense
anxiety caused by obsessions.
