NUR255 Final Exam V1 | NUR 255 Aging &
Mental Health Nursing Exam Q&A | Galen
College of Nursing
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This final exam preparation resource is designed to provide a comprehensive review of aging
and mental health nursing concepts, geriatric patient management, and evidence-based
elderly care interventions covered throughout the course. The material integrates major
gerontological nursing concepts into a realistic exam-style format.
The questions included in this version are structured to closely mirror actual final exam
assessments and strengthen geriatric nursing reasoning and patient-centered intervention skills.
Detailed expert explanations are included to improve concept integration and exam readiness.
════════════════════════════════════
The Exam Covers:
• Gerontological nursing foundations
• Cognitive and behavioral disorders
• Mental health nursing for seniors
• Chronic illness management
• End-of-life and palliative care
• Community healthcare resources
• Patient safety and ethical issues
• Comprehensive aging nursing review
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1. A nurse is assessing an older adult patient who presents with an acute onset of confusion
and altered level of consciousness. Which condition is the nurse most likely observing?
A. Alzheimer’s Disease
B. Delirium
,C. Vascular Dementia
D. Normal Aging
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Delirium is characterized by an acute onset and fluctuating course of
symptoms. Unlike dementia, which is progressive and irreversible, delirium is often caused
by an underlying medical condition like an infection. The nurse must identify the root cause
to treat the condition and restore the patient’s baseline mental status.
2. According to the Beer’s Criteria, which medication should a nurse question before
administering to an 80-year-old patient?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Lisinopril
C. Diphenhydramine
D. Metformin
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Diphenhydramine is included in the Beer’s Criteria as a potentially
inappropriate medication for older adults due to its strong anticholinergic effects. These
effects increase the risk of confusion, blurred vision, and urinary retention in the elderly.
The nurse should advocate for safer alternatives to minimize the risk of falls and cognitive
impairment.
, 3. An older adult patient with dementia begins to wander the halls and becomes agitated in
the late afternoon. This behavior is best described as:
A. Sun-downing
B. Aphasia
C. Psychosis
D. Presbyopia
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Sun-downing refers to the increased confusion and agitation that
many dementia patients experience during the late afternoon and evening hours. This
phenomenon can be exacerbated by fatigue, low light levels, or changes in the environment.
Nursing interventions include maintaining a consistent routine and providing adequate
lighting to reduce shadows.
4. Which Erikson stage of psychosocial development is associated with late adulthood?
A. Generativity vs. Stagnation
B. Integrity vs. Despair
C. Identity vs. Role Confusion
D. Trust vs. Mistrust
Correct Answer: B
Mental Health Nursing Exam Q&A | Galen
College of Nursing
────────────────────────────────────
This final exam preparation resource is designed to provide a comprehensive review of aging
and mental health nursing concepts, geriatric patient management, and evidence-based
elderly care interventions covered throughout the course. The material integrates major
gerontological nursing concepts into a realistic exam-style format.
The questions included in this version are structured to closely mirror actual final exam
assessments and strengthen geriatric nursing reasoning and patient-centered intervention skills.
Detailed expert explanations are included to improve concept integration and exam readiness.
════════════════════════════════════
The Exam Covers:
• Gerontological nursing foundations
• Cognitive and behavioral disorders
• Mental health nursing for seniors
• Chronic illness management
• End-of-life and palliative care
• Community healthcare resources
• Patient safety and ethical issues
• Comprehensive aging nursing review
════════════════════════════════════
1. A nurse is assessing an older adult patient who presents with an acute onset of confusion
and altered level of consciousness. Which condition is the nurse most likely observing?
A. Alzheimer’s Disease
B. Delirium
,C. Vascular Dementia
D. Normal Aging
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Delirium is characterized by an acute onset and fluctuating course of
symptoms. Unlike dementia, which is progressive and irreversible, delirium is often caused
by an underlying medical condition like an infection. The nurse must identify the root cause
to treat the condition and restore the patient’s baseline mental status.
2. According to the Beer’s Criteria, which medication should a nurse question before
administering to an 80-year-old patient?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Lisinopril
C. Diphenhydramine
D. Metformin
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Diphenhydramine is included in the Beer’s Criteria as a potentially
inappropriate medication for older adults due to its strong anticholinergic effects. These
effects increase the risk of confusion, blurred vision, and urinary retention in the elderly.
The nurse should advocate for safer alternatives to minimize the risk of falls and cognitive
impairment.
, 3. An older adult patient with dementia begins to wander the halls and becomes agitated in
the late afternoon. This behavior is best described as:
A. Sun-downing
B. Aphasia
C. Psychosis
D. Presbyopia
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Sun-downing refers to the increased confusion and agitation that
many dementia patients experience during the late afternoon and evening hours. This
phenomenon can be exacerbated by fatigue, low light levels, or changes in the environment.
Nursing interventions include maintaining a consistent routine and providing adequate
lighting to reduce shadows.
4. Which Erikson stage of psychosocial development is associated with late adulthood?
A. Generativity vs. Stagnation
B. Integrity vs. Despair
C. Identity vs. Role Confusion
D. Trust vs. Mistrust
Correct Answer: B
