JOURNEY ACROSS THE LIFESPAN (7TH EDITION)
TEST BANK 2026 | POLAN & TAYLOR | COMPLETE
CHAPTERS 1–14 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES | NURSING EXAM STUDY GUIDE A+
SUCCESS
JOURNEY ACROSS THE LIFESPAN — 7TH EDITION Polan & Taylor | Chapters 1–
14
• Chapter 1 — Healthy Lifestyles
• Chapter 2 — Communication
• Chapter 3 — Culture
• Chapter 4 — The Family
• Chapter 5 — Theories of Growth and Development
• Chapter 6 — Prenatal Period to 1 Year
• Chapter 7 — Toddlerhood
• Chapter 8 — Preschool
• Chapter 9 — School Age
• Chapter 10 — Puberty and Adolescence
• Chapter 11 — Early Adulthood
• Chapter 12 — Middle Adulthood
• Chapter 13 — Late Adulthood
• Chapter 14 — Death and Dying
JOURNEY ACROSS THE LIFESPAN — 7TH EDITION | POLAN & TAYLOR
COMPLETE TEST BANK | CHAPTERS 1–14 | QUESTIONS WITH EXPERT
RATIONALE
, • This test bank covers all 14 chapters from conception to death and dying,
featuring NCLEX-style multiple-choice questions with 5 options (A–E), correct
answers highlighted, and detailed EXPERT RATIONALE to reinforce clinical
understanding.
• Use this material by reading one chapter at a time, attempting questions
before checking answers, and reviewing every EXPERT RATIONALE whether
you got the question right or wrong — this builds the deepest retention.
CHAPTER 1 — HEALTHY LIFESTYLES
1. In early civilization, what was the primary cause of illness believed to be?
A. Infectious microorganisms
B. Contaminated food and water
C. Genetic predisposition
D. Poor nutrition and hygiene
E. Natural and supernatural forces
EXPERT RATIONALE: In early civilizations, illness was attributed to natural and
supernatural forces. People believed that spirits, gods, or curses caused disease, long
before germ theory or scientific medicine was developed.
2. The first scientific understanding of disease processes occurred during
which period?
A. Early civilization
B. The Middle Ages
C. The 21st century
,D. The Renaissance
E. The 19th century
EXPERT RATIONALE: The 19th century marked the beginning of scientific medicine,
including the development of germ theory by Pasteur and Koch, which transformed how
disease was understood and treated.
3. Which term best describes the overall physical, mental, and social well-
being of an individual?
A. Illness prevention
B. Disease management
C. Health maintenance
D. Physical fitness
E. Health
EXPERT RATIONALE: According to the World Health Organization, health is defined as a
state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of
disease or infirmity.
4. Healthy People 2030 is a national initiative focused on which primary goal?
A. Reducing healthcare costs nationally
B. Improving hospital accreditation standards
C. Training more nurses and physicians
D. Standardizing electronic health records
E. Improving the health of all Americans through health promotion and
disease prevention
, EXPERT RATIONALE: Healthy People 2030 sets data-driven national objectives to
improve health and well-being over the next decade, emphasizing health promotion,
disease prevention, and elimination of health disparities.
5. Which level of prevention focuses on early detection and prompt treatment
of disease?
A. Tertiary prevention
B. Health promotion
C. Primary prevention
D. Quaternary prevention
E. Secondary prevention
EXPERT RATIONALE: Secondary prevention involves screening and early detection to
identify disease in its early stages and treat it promptly before it progresses, such as
mammograms or blood pressure screenings.
6. A nurse teaches a community class on the dangers of smoking. This is an
example of which level of prevention?
A. Tertiary prevention
B. Secondary prevention
C. Health restoration
D. Quaternary prevention
E. Primary prevention
EXPERT RATIONALE: Primary prevention aims to prevent disease before it occurs.
Teaching about the dangers of smoking reduces the risk of disease and is a classic
example of health education at the primary prevention level.
TEST BANK 2026 | POLAN & TAYLOR | COMPLETE
CHAPTERS 1–14 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES | NURSING EXAM STUDY GUIDE A+
SUCCESS
JOURNEY ACROSS THE LIFESPAN — 7TH EDITION Polan & Taylor | Chapters 1–
14
• Chapter 1 — Healthy Lifestyles
• Chapter 2 — Communication
• Chapter 3 — Culture
• Chapter 4 — The Family
• Chapter 5 — Theories of Growth and Development
• Chapter 6 — Prenatal Period to 1 Year
• Chapter 7 — Toddlerhood
• Chapter 8 — Preschool
• Chapter 9 — School Age
• Chapter 10 — Puberty and Adolescence
• Chapter 11 — Early Adulthood
• Chapter 12 — Middle Adulthood
• Chapter 13 — Late Adulthood
• Chapter 14 — Death and Dying
JOURNEY ACROSS THE LIFESPAN — 7TH EDITION | POLAN & TAYLOR
COMPLETE TEST BANK | CHAPTERS 1–14 | QUESTIONS WITH EXPERT
RATIONALE
, • This test bank covers all 14 chapters from conception to death and dying,
featuring NCLEX-style multiple-choice questions with 5 options (A–E), correct
answers highlighted, and detailed EXPERT RATIONALE to reinforce clinical
understanding.
• Use this material by reading one chapter at a time, attempting questions
before checking answers, and reviewing every EXPERT RATIONALE whether
you got the question right or wrong — this builds the deepest retention.
CHAPTER 1 — HEALTHY LIFESTYLES
1. In early civilization, what was the primary cause of illness believed to be?
A. Infectious microorganisms
B. Contaminated food and water
C. Genetic predisposition
D. Poor nutrition and hygiene
E. Natural and supernatural forces
EXPERT RATIONALE: In early civilizations, illness was attributed to natural and
supernatural forces. People believed that spirits, gods, or curses caused disease, long
before germ theory or scientific medicine was developed.
2. The first scientific understanding of disease processes occurred during
which period?
A. Early civilization
B. The Middle Ages
C. The 21st century
,D. The Renaissance
E. The 19th century
EXPERT RATIONALE: The 19th century marked the beginning of scientific medicine,
including the development of germ theory by Pasteur and Koch, which transformed how
disease was understood and treated.
3. Which term best describes the overall physical, mental, and social well-
being of an individual?
A. Illness prevention
B. Disease management
C. Health maintenance
D. Physical fitness
E. Health
EXPERT RATIONALE: According to the World Health Organization, health is defined as a
state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of
disease or infirmity.
4. Healthy People 2030 is a national initiative focused on which primary goal?
A. Reducing healthcare costs nationally
B. Improving hospital accreditation standards
C. Training more nurses and physicians
D. Standardizing electronic health records
E. Improving the health of all Americans through health promotion and
disease prevention
, EXPERT RATIONALE: Healthy People 2030 sets data-driven national objectives to
improve health and well-being over the next decade, emphasizing health promotion,
disease prevention, and elimination of health disparities.
5. Which level of prevention focuses on early detection and prompt treatment
of disease?
A. Tertiary prevention
B. Health promotion
C. Primary prevention
D. Quaternary prevention
E. Secondary prevention
EXPERT RATIONALE: Secondary prevention involves screening and early detection to
identify disease in its early stages and treat it promptly before it progresses, such as
mammograms or blood pressure screenings.
6. A nurse teaches a community class on the dangers of smoking. This is an
example of which level of prevention?
A. Tertiary prevention
B. Secondary prevention
C. Health restoration
D. Quaternary prevention
E. Primary prevention
EXPERT RATIONALE: Primary prevention aims to prevent disease before it occurs.
Teaching about the dangers of smoking reduces the risk of disease and is a classic
example of health education at the primary prevention level.
