NUR257 EXAM 3 AGING AND CHRONIC ILLNESS IN
NURSING 2026/2027 | Grade A | Galen College
Updated | Questions & Answers | Pass Guaranteed -
A+ Graded
Section 1: Biologic, Psychosocial & Cognitive Theories of Aging
- Q1-20
Q1. A 78-year-old client tells the nurse, "I've been spending more time with my
grandchildren and volunteering at the library since I retired. I feel more fulfilled
now than I did working 60 hours a week." Which theory of aging best explains this
client's behavior?
A. Disengagement Theory
B. Activity Theory
C. Continuity Theory
D. Socioemotional Selectivity Theory
B. Activity Theory [CORRECT]
Rationale: Activity Theory posits that remaining active and engaged in meaningful
activities promotes successful aging and life satisfaction. Option A suggests
withdrawal from society is natural; option C focuses on maintaining consistent
personality patterns across the lifespan; option D emphasizes narrowing social circles
to maximize emotional gain, not expanding activities.
Correct Answer: B
,Q2. According to Socioemotional Selectivity Theory, why does an 82-year-old
widow choose to spend her limited time with her closest friend rather than
attending large social gatherings?
A. She has developed social anxiety due to cognitive decline
B. She prioritizes emotionally meaningful interactions over acquiring new information
C. She is demonstrating the natural withdrawal predicted by Disengagement Theory
D. She lacks the physical stamina for large gatherings
B. She prioritizes emotionally meaningful interactions over acquiring new information
[CORRECT]
Rationale: Socioemotional Selectivity Theory states that as older adults perceive time
as limited, they prioritize emotionally meaningful goals over knowledge-acquisition
goals. Option A pathologizes normal behavior; option C confuses this theory with
Disengagement; option D focuses on physical limitation rather than motivational
shift.
Correct Answer: B
Q3. A nurse is caring for an 85-year-old client who maintains the same daily
routine he has followed for 40 years: waking at 6 AM, reading the newspaper, and
gardening in the afternoon. He states, "This is who I am, and I don't see any
reason to change." Which theory best supports this client's perspective?
A. Disengagement Theory
B. Activity Theory
C. Continuity Theory
D. Socioemotional Selectivity Theory
C. Continuity Theory [CORRECT]
Rationale: Continuity Theory emphasizes that personality, lifestyle, and relationships
remain stable throughout the aging process. Option A suggests withdrawal; option B
advocates for new activities; option D focuses on emotional goal prioritization rather
than routine maintenance.
Correct Answer: C
,Q4. According to the Free Radical Theory of aging, which nursing intervention is
most appropriate to support cellular health in an older adult?
A. Encouraging a diet rich in antioxidants
B. Prescribing hormone replacement therapy
C. Restricting caloric intake to 800 kcal/day
D. Administering prophylactic antibiotics
A. Encouraging a diet rich in antioxidants [CORRECT]
Rationale: The Free Radical Theory proposes that oxidative damage from free radicals
accelerates aging; antioxidants neutralize free radicals. Option B relates to Endocrine
Theory; option C is unsafe and relates to Caloric Restriction Theory; option D is
unrelated to free radical damage.
Correct Answer: A
Q5. A nurse is teaching a group of older adults about the Immunological Theory of
aging. Which statement by a participant indicates understanding of this theory?
A. "My immune system becomes overactive as I age, causing autoimmune diseases."
B. "My immune system declines with age, making me more susceptible to infections
and cancer."
C. "My immune system stops working completely after age 75."
D. "My immune system becomes stronger because it has memory of past infections."
B. "My immune system declines with age, making me more susceptible to infections
and cancer." [CORRECT]
Rationale: Immunological Theory describes immunosenescence—declining immune
function increasing infection and malignancy risk. Option A describes autoimmunity,
not aging immunology; option C is an extreme overstatement; option D confuses
immunological memory with enhanced function.
Correct Answer: B
, Q6. A nurse is caring for a 76-year-old client admitted with pneumonia. The nurse
notes the client has lost 15 lbs over 3 months and has poor wound healing. Which
biological theory of aging best explains these findings?
A. Cross-Linkage Theory
B. Immunological Theory
C. Programmed Theory
D. Error Theory
B. Immunological Theory [CORRECT]
Rationale: Immunosenescence (Immunological Theory) explains increased infection
susceptibility, poor wound healing, and weight loss from chronic inflammation.
Option A explains tissue stiffness; option C addresses genetic programming of cell
death; option D focuses on DNA replication errors.
Correct Answer: B
Q7. According to the Cross-Linkage Theory of aging, which age-related change
would the nurse expect to observe?
A. Increased skin elasticity and joint flexibility
B. Tissue stiffness, decreased lung compliance, and thickened blood vessel walls
C. Enhanced cognitive processing speed
D. Increased hormone production
B. Tissue stiffness, decreased lung compliance, and thickened blood vessel walls
[CORRECT]
Rationale: Cross-Linkage Theory describes how collagen and elastin fibers become
cross-linked with age, causing tissue rigidity. Option A is opposite of expected
findings; option C is unrelated; option D contradicts endocrine decline with aging.
Correct Answer: B
Q8. A nurse is applying the Psychosocial Theory of Erikson to an 80-year-old
client who is reflecting on life choices and expressing regret about missed
NURSING 2026/2027 | Grade A | Galen College
Updated | Questions & Answers | Pass Guaranteed -
A+ Graded
Section 1: Biologic, Psychosocial & Cognitive Theories of Aging
- Q1-20
Q1. A 78-year-old client tells the nurse, "I've been spending more time with my
grandchildren and volunteering at the library since I retired. I feel more fulfilled
now than I did working 60 hours a week." Which theory of aging best explains this
client's behavior?
A. Disengagement Theory
B. Activity Theory
C. Continuity Theory
D. Socioemotional Selectivity Theory
B. Activity Theory [CORRECT]
Rationale: Activity Theory posits that remaining active and engaged in meaningful
activities promotes successful aging and life satisfaction. Option A suggests
withdrawal from society is natural; option C focuses on maintaining consistent
personality patterns across the lifespan; option D emphasizes narrowing social circles
to maximize emotional gain, not expanding activities.
Correct Answer: B
,Q2. According to Socioemotional Selectivity Theory, why does an 82-year-old
widow choose to spend her limited time with her closest friend rather than
attending large social gatherings?
A. She has developed social anxiety due to cognitive decline
B. She prioritizes emotionally meaningful interactions over acquiring new information
C. She is demonstrating the natural withdrawal predicted by Disengagement Theory
D. She lacks the physical stamina for large gatherings
B. She prioritizes emotionally meaningful interactions over acquiring new information
[CORRECT]
Rationale: Socioemotional Selectivity Theory states that as older adults perceive time
as limited, they prioritize emotionally meaningful goals over knowledge-acquisition
goals. Option A pathologizes normal behavior; option C confuses this theory with
Disengagement; option D focuses on physical limitation rather than motivational
shift.
Correct Answer: B
Q3. A nurse is caring for an 85-year-old client who maintains the same daily
routine he has followed for 40 years: waking at 6 AM, reading the newspaper, and
gardening in the afternoon. He states, "This is who I am, and I don't see any
reason to change." Which theory best supports this client's perspective?
A. Disengagement Theory
B. Activity Theory
C. Continuity Theory
D. Socioemotional Selectivity Theory
C. Continuity Theory [CORRECT]
Rationale: Continuity Theory emphasizes that personality, lifestyle, and relationships
remain stable throughout the aging process. Option A suggests withdrawal; option B
advocates for new activities; option D focuses on emotional goal prioritization rather
than routine maintenance.
Correct Answer: C
,Q4. According to the Free Radical Theory of aging, which nursing intervention is
most appropriate to support cellular health in an older adult?
A. Encouraging a diet rich in antioxidants
B. Prescribing hormone replacement therapy
C. Restricting caloric intake to 800 kcal/day
D. Administering prophylactic antibiotics
A. Encouraging a diet rich in antioxidants [CORRECT]
Rationale: The Free Radical Theory proposes that oxidative damage from free radicals
accelerates aging; antioxidants neutralize free radicals. Option B relates to Endocrine
Theory; option C is unsafe and relates to Caloric Restriction Theory; option D is
unrelated to free radical damage.
Correct Answer: A
Q5. A nurse is teaching a group of older adults about the Immunological Theory of
aging. Which statement by a participant indicates understanding of this theory?
A. "My immune system becomes overactive as I age, causing autoimmune diseases."
B. "My immune system declines with age, making me more susceptible to infections
and cancer."
C. "My immune system stops working completely after age 75."
D. "My immune system becomes stronger because it has memory of past infections."
B. "My immune system declines with age, making me more susceptible to infections
and cancer." [CORRECT]
Rationale: Immunological Theory describes immunosenescence—declining immune
function increasing infection and malignancy risk. Option A describes autoimmunity,
not aging immunology; option C is an extreme overstatement; option D confuses
immunological memory with enhanced function.
Correct Answer: B
, Q6. A nurse is caring for a 76-year-old client admitted with pneumonia. The nurse
notes the client has lost 15 lbs over 3 months and has poor wound healing. Which
biological theory of aging best explains these findings?
A. Cross-Linkage Theory
B. Immunological Theory
C. Programmed Theory
D. Error Theory
B. Immunological Theory [CORRECT]
Rationale: Immunosenescence (Immunological Theory) explains increased infection
susceptibility, poor wound healing, and weight loss from chronic inflammation.
Option A explains tissue stiffness; option C addresses genetic programming of cell
death; option D focuses on DNA replication errors.
Correct Answer: B
Q7. According to the Cross-Linkage Theory of aging, which age-related change
would the nurse expect to observe?
A. Increased skin elasticity and joint flexibility
B. Tissue stiffness, decreased lung compliance, and thickened blood vessel walls
C. Enhanced cognitive processing speed
D. Increased hormone production
B. Tissue stiffness, decreased lung compliance, and thickened blood vessel walls
[CORRECT]
Rationale: Cross-Linkage Theory describes how collagen and elastin fibers become
cross-linked with age, causing tissue rigidity. Option A is opposite of expected
findings; option C is unrelated; option D contradicts endocrine decline with aging.
Correct Answer: B
Q8. A nurse is applying the Psychosocial Theory of Erikson to an 80-year-old
client who is reflecting on life choices and expressing regret about missed
