NUR257 EXAM 3 ACTUAL 2026/2027 | Aging and Chronic
Illness in Nursing Exam Review | 100% Correct | Grade A |
Galen | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Theories of Aging & Physiologic Changes
Q1: A 78-year-old patient asks the nurse why her skin has become thinner and more
fragile over the years. The nurse explains that this is primarily due to which age-related
change?
A. Increased collagen production
B. Decreased sebaceous gland activity and thinning of the dermis [CORRECT]
C. Increased melanocyte activity
D. Thickening of the epidermal layer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: That's correct because in older adults, the dermis thins and sebaceous
glands produce less oil, leading to dry, fragile skin that's more prone to injury and slower
to heal. For Exam 3 in NUR257, Grade A students remember that these integumentary
,changes increase the risk for pressure injuries and skin tears, so protective measures
are essential.
Q2: A nurse is caring for an 82-year-old patient who reports difficulty seeing objects up
close. The nurse recognizes this as which age-related change?
A. Cataracts
B. Presbyopia [CORRECT]
C. Glaucoma
D. Macular degeneration
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: That's correct because presbyopia is the normal age-related loss of lens
elasticity that makes it difficult to focus on near objects—it's why most people need
reading glasses after age 40. Remember that this is different from cataracts (clouding),
glaucoma (increased pressure), or macular degeneration (central vision loss), which are
pathological conditions, not normal aging.
Q3: Which theory of aging suggests that cumulative damage from reactive oxygen
species leads to cellular dysfunction and death?
,A. Telomere theory
B. Free radical theory [CORRECT]
C. Cross-linkage theory
D. Immunologic theory
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: That's correct because the free radical theory, proposed by Harman, proposes
that oxidative damage from reactive oxygen species accumulates over time, damaging
DNA, proteins, and lipids. For Exam 3, Grade A students remember that antioxidants and
healthy lifestyle choices may help mitigate this damage, though the theory doesn't fully
explain all aging processes.
Q4: A nurse notices that an 85-year-old patient has decreased ability to concentrate
urine and is at risk for dehydration. Which age-related renal change explains this
finding?
A. Increased GFR
B. Decreased number of nephrons and decreased concentrating ability [CORRECT]
C. Increased renal blood flow
, D. Hyperactive renin-angiotensin system
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: That's correct because by age 80, we lose about 30-50% of our nephrons, and
the remaining nephrons become less efficient at concentrating urine—this means older
adults can't conserve water as well and are prone to dehydration, especially during
illness or hot weather. Remember that GFR actually decreases with age, not increases.
Q5: A nurse is assessing an older adult's risk for falls. Which age-related
musculoskeletal change is most significant?
A. Increased bone density
B. Sarcopenia and decreased proprioception [CORRECT]
C. Increased muscle mass
D. Enhanced joint flexibility
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: That's correct because sarcopenia (age-related muscle loss) and decreased
proprioception (awareness of body position) directly impair balance, strength, and the
ability to catch oneself during a stumble. For Exam 3, remember that these changes are
Illness in Nursing Exam Review | 100% Correct | Grade A |
Galen | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Theories of Aging & Physiologic Changes
Q1: A 78-year-old patient asks the nurse why her skin has become thinner and more
fragile over the years. The nurse explains that this is primarily due to which age-related
change?
A. Increased collagen production
B. Decreased sebaceous gland activity and thinning of the dermis [CORRECT]
C. Increased melanocyte activity
D. Thickening of the epidermal layer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: That's correct because in older adults, the dermis thins and sebaceous
glands produce less oil, leading to dry, fragile skin that's more prone to injury and slower
to heal. For Exam 3 in NUR257, Grade A students remember that these integumentary
,changes increase the risk for pressure injuries and skin tears, so protective measures
are essential.
Q2: A nurse is caring for an 82-year-old patient who reports difficulty seeing objects up
close. The nurse recognizes this as which age-related change?
A. Cataracts
B. Presbyopia [CORRECT]
C. Glaucoma
D. Macular degeneration
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: That's correct because presbyopia is the normal age-related loss of lens
elasticity that makes it difficult to focus on near objects—it's why most people need
reading glasses after age 40. Remember that this is different from cataracts (clouding),
glaucoma (increased pressure), or macular degeneration (central vision loss), which are
pathological conditions, not normal aging.
Q3: Which theory of aging suggests that cumulative damage from reactive oxygen
species leads to cellular dysfunction and death?
,A. Telomere theory
B. Free radical theory [CORRECT]
C. Cross-linkage theory
D. Immunologic theory
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: That's correct because the free radical theory, proposed by Harman, proposes
that oxidative damage from reactive oxygen species accumulates over time, damaging
DNA, proteins, and lipids. For Exam 3, Grade A students remember that antioxidants and
healthy lifestyle choices may help mitigate this damage, though the theory doesn't fully
explain all aging processes.
Q4: A nurse notices that an 85-year-old patient has decreased ability to concentrate
urine and is at risk for dehydration. Which age-related renal change explains this
finding?
A. Increased GFR
B. Decreased number of nephrons and decreased concentrating ability [CORRECT]
C. Increased renal blood flow
, D. Hyperactive renin-angiotensin system
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: That's correct because by age 80, we lose about 30-50% of our nephrons, and
the remaining nephrons become less efficient at concentrating urine—this means older
adults can't conserve water as well and are prone to dehydration, especially during
illness or hot weather. Remember that GFR actually decreases with age, not increases.
Q5: A nurse is assessing an older adult's risk for falls. Which age-related
musculoskeletal change is most significant?
A. Increased bone density
B. Sarcopenia and decreased proprioception [CORRECT]
C. Increased muscle mass
D. Enhanced joint flexibility
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: That's correct because sarcopenia (age-related muscle loss) and decreased
proprioception (awareness of body position) directly impair balance, strength, and the
ability to catch oneself during a stumble. For Exam 3, remember that these changes are
