NUR 255 Final Exam Study Guide (2026) | Units 9–12 | Aging & Mental
Health Nursing Galen College
1. A nurse is caring for an older adult patient who suddenly becomes confused
and agitated. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Alzheimer’s Disease
B. Major Depressive Disorder
C. Delirium
D. Vascular Dementia
Answer: C
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by an acute, sudden onset of confusion and
fluctuations in consciousness, whereas dementias are typically slow and progressive.
2. According to Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development, which stage
applies to the older adult population?
A. Generativity vs. Stagnation
B. Identity vs. Role Confusion
C. Ego Integrity vs. Despair
D. Intimacy vs. Isolation
Answer: C
Rationale: Older adults (typically 65+) are in the stage of Ego Integrity vs. Despair, where
they reflect on their lives and either feel a sense of fulfillment or regret.
,3. Which physiological change in the cardiovascular system is considered a
normal part of aging?
A. Increased heart rate at rest
B. Decreased maximum cardiac output during exercise
C. Increased compliance of the left ventricle
D. Decreased arterial stiffness
Answer: B
Rationale: Aging causes decreased maximum heart rate and decreased stroke volume
during stress or exercise, leading to an overall decrease in maximum cardiac output.
4. A nurse is assessing an 80-year-old for depression. Which tool is specifically
designed for this population?
A. Glasgow Coma Scale
B. PHQ-9
C. Braden Scale
D. Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)
Answer: D
Rationale: The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) is a validated screening tool specifically
designed to identify depression in older adults.
5. What is the primary goal of palliative care?
A. To cure the underlying disease
B. To improve quality of life and manage symptoms
C. To provide care only in the last 6 months of life
D. To assist with physician-aided suicide
Answer: B
Rationale: Palliative care focuses on symptom management, relief from pain, and
improving the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses, regardless of prognosis.
, 6. Which sensory change is commonly referred to as the age-related loss of near
vision?
A. Presbyopia
B. Presbycusis
C. Cataracts
D. Glaucoma
Answer: A
Rationale: Presbyopia is the loss of elasticity in the lens of the eye, making it difficult to
focus on close objects, a common condition as people age.
7. An older adult patient is prescribed multiple medications by different
providers. This practice is known as:
A. Polypharmacy
B. Pharmacokinetics
C. Therapeutic duplication
D. Drug-drug interaction
Answer: A
Rationale: Polypharmacy is the use of multiple medications by a patient, which increases
the risk of adverse drug reactions and interactions in older adults.
8. Which of the following is a classic sign of ‘Sundowning’ in a patient with
dementia?
A. Improved clarity in the evening
B. A sudden spike in blood pressure at night
C. Excessive daytime sleepiness
D. Increased confusion and agitation late in the afternoon
Answer: D
Rationale: Sundowning refers to a state of increased confusion, anxiety, and aggression
that occurs in the late afternoon or evening for those with cognitive impairment.
Health Nursing Galen College
1. A nurse is caring for an older adult patient who suddenly becomes confused
and agitated. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Alzheimer’s Disease
B. Major Depressive Disorder
C. Delirium
D. Vascular Dementia
Answer: C
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by an acute, sudden onset of confusion and
fluctuations in consciousness, whereas dementias are typically slow and progressive.
2. According to Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development, which stage
applies to the older adult population?
A. Generativity vs. Stagnation
B. Identity vs. Role Confusion
C. Ego Integrity vs. Despair
D. Intimacy vs. Isolation
Answer: C
Rationale: Older adults (typically 65+) are in the stage of Ego Integrity vs. Despair, where
they reflect on their lives and either feel a sense of fulfillment or regret.
,3. Which physiological change in the cardiovascular system is considered a
normal part of aging?
A. Increased heart rate at rest
B. Decreased maximum cardiac output during exercise
C. Increased compliance of the left ventricle
D. Decreased arterial stiffness
Answer: B
Rationale: Aging causes decreased maximum heart rate and decreased stroke volume
during stress or exercise, leading to an overall decrease in maximum cardiac output.
4. A nurse is assessing an 80-year-old for depression. Which tool is specifically
designed for this population?
A. Glasgow Coma Scale
B. PHQ-9
C. Braden Scale
D. Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)
Answer: D
Rationale: The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) is a validated screening tool specifically
designed to identify depression in older adults.
5. What is the primary goal of palliative care?
A. To cure the underlying disease
B. To improve quality of life and manage symptoms
C. To provide care only in the last 6 months of life
D. To assist with physician-aided suicide
Answer: B
Rationale: Palliative care focuses on symptom management, relief from pain, and
improving the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses, regardless of prognosis.
, 6. Which sensory change is commonly referred to as the age-related loss of near
vision?
A. Presbyopia
B. Presbycusis
C. Cataracts
D. Glaucoma
Answer: A
Rationale: Presbyopia is the loss of elasticity in the lens of the eye, making it difficult to
focus on close objects, a common condition as people age.
7. An older adult patient is prescribed multiple medications by different
providers. This practice is known as:
A. Polypharmacy
B. Pharmacokinetics
C. Therapeutic duplication
D. Drug-drug interaction
Answer: A
Rationale: Polypharmacy is the use of multiple medications by a patient, which increases
the risk of adverse drug reactions and interactions in older adults.
8. Which of the following is a classic sign of ‘Sundowning’ in a patient with
dementia?
A. Improved clarity in the evening
B. A sudden spike in blood pressure at night
C. Excessive daytime sleepiness
D. Increased confusion and agitation late in the afternoon
Answer: D
Rationale: Sundowning refers to a state of increased confusion, anxiety, and aggression
that occurs in the late afternoon or evening for those with cognitive impairment.
