NUR 255 Final Exam Study Guide (2026) | Units 9–12 | Aging & Mental
Health Nursing Galen College
1. Which of the following is considered a normal age-related change in the
sensory system of an older adult?
A. Enhanced ability to hear high-frequency sounds
B. Increased sensitivity to glare
C. Increased pupil size and dilation speed
D. Heightened sense of smell and taste
Answer: B
Rationale: Normal aging causes the lens to become more opaque and less flexible, leading
to increased sensitivity to glare. Presbycusis (loss of high-frequency hearing) and
decreased pupil size are also standard changes.
2. When assessing an older patient for delirium, which characteristic most
distinguishes it from dementia?
A. Slow, progressive memory loss
B. Absence of physical illness as a cause
C. Permanent impairment of cognitive function
D. Sudden onset and fluctuating level of consciousness
Answer: D
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by an acute, sudden onset and changes in
consciousness or attention, whereas dementia is chronic, slow, and progressive.
,3. A nurse is caring for a patient with Alzheimer’s disease who is experiencing
agnosia. Which behavior demonstrates this?
A. The patient is unable to speak in full sentences.
B. The patient is unable to perform motor tasks like dressing.
C. The patient is unable to recognize familiar objects like a toothbrush.
D. The patient creates stories to fill in memory gaps.
Answer: C
Rationale: Agnosia is the inability to recognize familiar objects or people despite intact
sensory function. Aphasia relates to speech, and apraxia relates to motor tasks.
4. Which medication is most commonly associated with a risk of
agranulocytosis, requiring frequent WBC monitoring?
A. Haloperidol
B. Clozapine
C. Risperidone
D. Olanzapine
Answer: B
Rationale: Clozapine is an atypical antipsychotic that carries a black box warning for
agranulocytosis, a severe reduction in white blood cell count.
5. A patient taking Lithium Carbonate for Bipolar Disorder reports blurred vision
and severe diarrhea. What is the nurse’s priority?
A. Administer the next dose as scheduled.
B. Advise the patient to increase salt intake.
C. Encourage the patient to rest and drink water.
D. Hold the medication and request a serum lithium level.
Answer: D
Rationale: Blurred vision and diarrhea are signs of lithium toxicity. The nurse must hold
the dose and check blood levels immediately.
, 6. According to Erikson’s stages of development, what is the primary
developmental task for older adults?
A. Generativity vs. Stagnation
B. Integrity vs. Despair
C. Identity vs. Role Confusion
D. Intimacy vs. Isolation
Answer: B
Rationale: Erikson defines the stage for older adults (65+) as Integrity vs. Despair, where
individuals reflect on their life achievements and failures.
7. A nurse is preparing to administer an SSRI to an elderly patient. Which side
effect is of greatest concern regarding safety?
A. Dry mouth
B. Mild nausea
C. Weight gain
D. Hyponatremia
Answer: D
Rationale: Older adults taking Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are at a
higher risk for hyponatremia due to Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone
(SIADH).
8. Which of the following is a symptom of the manic phase of Bipolar I disorder?
A. Increased need for sleep
B. Flight of ideas and pressured speech
C. Psychomotor retardation
D. Anhedonia and social withdrawal
Answer: B
Rationale: Mania is characterized by high energy, flight of ideas, rapid speech, and a
decreased need for sleep.
Health Nursing Galen College
1. Which of the following is considered a normal age-related change in the
sensory system of an older adult?
A. Enhanced ability to hear high-frequency sounds
B. Increased sensitivity to glare
C. Increased pupil size and dilation speed
D. Heightened sense of smell and taste
Answer: B
Rationale: Normal aging causes the lens to become more opaque and less flexible, leading
to increased sensitivity to glare. Presbycusis (loss of high-frequency hearing) and
decreased pupil size are also standard changes.
2. When assessing an older patient for delirium, which characteristic most
distinguishes it from dementia?
A. Slow, progressive memory loss
B. Absence of physical illness as a cause
C. Permanent impairment of cognitive function
D. Sudden onset and fluctuating level of consciousness
Answer: D
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by an acute, sudden onset and changes in
consciousness or attention, whereas dementia is chronic, slow, and progressive.
,3. A nurse is caring for a patient with Alzheimer’s disease who is experiencing
agnosia. Which behavior demonstrates this?
A. The patient is unable to speak in full sentences.
B. The patient is unable to perform motor tasks like dressing.
C. The patient is unable to recognize familiar objects like a toothbrush.
D. The patient creates stories to fill in memory gaps.
Answer: C
Rationale: Agnosia is the inability to recognize familiar objects or people despite intact
sensory function. Aphasia relates to speech, and apraxia relates to motor tasks.
4. Which medication is most commonly associated with a risk of
agranulocytosis, requiring frequent WBC monitoring?
A. Haloperidol
B. Clozapine
C. Risperidone
D. Olanzapine
Answer: B
Rationale: Clozapine is an atypical antipsychotic that carries a black box warning for
agranulocytosis, a severe reduction in white blood cell count.
5. A patient taking Lithium Carbonate for Bipolar Disorder reports blurred vision
and severe diarrhea. What is the nurse’s priority?
A. Administer the next dose as scheduled.
B. Advise the patient to increase salt intake.
C. Encourage the patient to rest and drink water.
D. Hold the medication and request a serum lithium level.
Answer: D
Rationale: Blurred vision and diarrhea are signs of lithium toxicity. The nurse must hold
the dose and check blood levels immediately.
, 6. According to Erikson’s stages of development, what is the primary
developmental task for older adults?
A. Generativity vs. Stagnation
B. Integrity vs. Despair
C. Identity vs. Role Confusion
D. Intimacy vs. Isolation
Answer: B
Rationale: Erikson defines the stage for older adults (65+) as Integrity vs. Despair, where
individuals reflect on their life achievements and failures.
7. A nurse is preparing to administer an SSRI to an elderly patient. Which side
effect is of greatest concern regarding safety?
A. Dry mouth
B. Mild nausea
C. Weight gain
D. Hyponatremia
Answer: D
Rationale: Older adults taking Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are at a
higher risk for hyponatremia due to Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone
(SIADH).
8. Which of the following is a symptom of the manic phase of Bipolar I disorder?
A. Increased need for sleep
B. Flight of ideas and pressured speech
C. Psychomotor retardation
D. Anhedonia and social withdrawal
Answer: B
Rationale: Mania is characterized by high energy, flight of ideas, rapid speech, and a
decreased need for sleep.
