NUR255 Exam 3 V1 | NUR 255 Aging & Mental
Health Nursing Exam Q&A | Galen College of
Nursing
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This exam preparation resource is designed to help students strengthen their understanding of
chronic illness management in older adults, end-of-life care, and psychosocial support for
aging populations. The material emphasizes compassionate nursing care, patient dignity, and
evidence-based geriatric interventions.
The questions included in this version are structured to closely mirror the actual course exam
format and level of difficulty. Detailed expert explanations are included to improve geriatric
nursing judgment and patient-centered care planning skills.
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The Exam Covers:
• Chronic disease management in aging
• End-of-life and palliative care
• Grief and loss in older adults
• Hospice nursing principles
• Psychosocial support strategies
• Pain management in elderly patients
• Family-centered geriatric care
• Ethical issues in end-of-life care
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1. Which of the following best describes the primary goal of palliative care?
A. To provide comfort and improve quality of life regardless of the stage of disease.
B. To cure the patient’s underlying chronic condition.
C. To limit care to the final six months of a patient’s life.
,D. To hasten the dying process for patients in extreme pain.
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Palliative care focuses on symptom management and quality of life
for patients with serious illnesses, and it can be provided at any stage of the disease, unlike
hospice which is specifically for the end of life.
2. An older adult patient is diagnosed with multiple chronic conditions. What is the most
important nursing intervention to prevent polypharmacy complications?
A. Encourage the patient to use different pharmacies for better pricing.
B. Instruct the patient to stop all supplements immediately.
C. Tell the patient to take medications only when they feel symptoms.
D. Perform a comprehensive medication reconciliation at every transition of care.
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Medication reconciliation is vital in geriatric care to identify potential
drug interactions, duplicates, and unnecessary medications, thereby reducing the risks
associated with polypharmacy.
3. A patient’s family is struggling with the decision to move their father into hospice care.
Which statement by the nurse demonstrates effective psychosocial support?
A. You should have done this months ago to save him the pain.
B. Hospice means you are giving up on him, but it is necessary.
, C. Don’t worry, the doctors know what is best for your father.
D. Tell me more about your concerns and what hospice care means to your family.
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Open-ended communication fosters a therapeutic relationship and
allows the nurse to address specific fears and misconceptions the family may have about
hospice care.
4. According to the Kubler-Ross model, a patient who says, ‘If I can just live long enough to
see my grandson graduate, I’ll be ready,’ is in which stage of grief?
A. Denial
B. Bargaining
C. Anger
D. Acceptance
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Bargaining involves trying to postpone the inevitable by making
deals or promises, often focused on reaching specific milestones.
5. Which assessment finding is most indicative of end-stage physiological decline in an older
adult?
A. Cheyne-Stokes respirations.
B. Increased appetite and thirst.
Health Nursing Exam Q&A | Galen College of
Nursing
────────────────────────────────────
This exam preparation resource is designed to help students strengthen their understanding of
chronic illness management in older adults, end-of-life care, and psychosocial support for
aging populations. The material emphasizes compassionate nursing care, patient dignity, and
evidence-based geriatric interventions.
The questions included in this version are structured to closely mirror the actual course exam
format and level of difficulty. Detailed expert explanations are included to improve geriatric
nursing judgment and patient-centered care planning skills.
════════════════════════════════════
The Exam Covers:
• Chronic disease management in aging
• End-of-life and palliative care
• Grief and loss in older adults
• Hospice nursing principles
• Psychosocial support strategies
• Pain management in elderly patients
• Family-centered geriatric care
• Ethical issues in end-of-life care
════════════════════════════════════
1. Which of the following best describes the primary goal of palliative care?
A. To provide comfort and improve quality of life regardless of the stage of disease.
B. To cure the patient’s underlying chronic condition.
C. To limit care to the final six months of a patient’s life.
,D. To hasten the dying process for patients in extreme pain.
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Palliative care focuses on symptom management and quality of life
for patients with serious illnesses, and it can be provided at any stage of the disease, unlike
hospice which is specifically for the end of life.
2. An older adult patient is diagnosed with multiple chronic conditions. What is the most
important nursing intervention to prevent polypharmacy complications?
A. Encourage the patient to use different pharmacies for better pricing.
B. Instruct the patient to stop all supplements immediately.
C. Tell the patient to take medications only when they feel symptoms.
D. Perform a comprehensive medication reconciliation at every transition of care.
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Medication reconciliation is vital in geriatric care to identify potential
drug interactions, duplicates, and unnecessary medications, thereby reducing the risks
associated with polypharmacy.
3. A patient’s family is struggling with the decision to move their father into hospice care.
Which statement by the nurse demonstrates effective psychosocial support?
A. You should have done this months ago to save him the pain.
B. Hospice means you are giving up on him, but it is necessary.
, C. Don’t worry, the doctors know what is best for your father.
D. Tell me more about your concerns and what hospice care means to your family.
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Open-ended communication fosters a therapeutic relationship and
allows the nurse to address specific fears and misconceptions the family may have about
hospice care.
4. According to the Kubler-Ross model, a patient who says, ‘If I can just live long enough to
see my grandson graduate, I’ll be ready,’ is in which stage of grief?
A. Denial
B. Bargaining
C. Anger
D. Acceptance
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Bargaining involves trying to postpone the inevitable by making
deals or promises, often focused on reaching specific milestones.
5. Which assessment finding is most indicative of end-stage physiological decline in an older
adult?
A. Cheyne-Stokes respirations.
B. Increased appetite and thirst.
