NUR 3524 Exam 1: Adult Health - Chronic and
Transitional Care Verified & Updated Questions
and Answers - Rasmussen University
1. Which characteristic is most indicative of a chronic illness rather than an
acute illness?
A. It usually requires long-term management of symptoms.
B. It has a rapid onset and subsides quickly.
C. It is always caused by an infectious agent.
D. The primary goal is always a complete cure.
Answer: A
Explanation: Chronic illnesses are characterized by their long duration and the need for
ongoing medical management rather than a quick cure.
2. A patient with end-stage heart failure is transitioning to hospice care. What is
the primary goal of this service?
A. Restoring the patient to their previous level of function.
B. Providing curative treatments for the heart failure.
C. Promoting quality of life and providing comfort during the dying process.
D. Extending life through aggressive medical interventions.
Answer: C
Explanation: Hospice care focuses on palliative care and quality of life for terminally ill
patients rather than curative or life-extending measures.
,3. A nurse is assessing an older adult patient. Which cardiovascular change is
considered a normal part of the aging process?
A. Increased stiffness of the large arteries.
B. Decreased arterial wall thickness.
C. Increased heart rate at rest.
D. Enhanced baroreceptor sensitivity.
Answer: A
Explanation: Aging typically results in the stiffening of large arteries and the heart muscle,
often leading to increased systolic blood pressure.
4. In the Corbin and Strauss Chronic Illness Trajectory Model, the ‘Comeback’
phase is described as:
A. The period before the diagnosis is made.
B. A period of recovery from an acute exacerbation.
C. The phase where death is imminent.
D. The initial onset of symptoms.
Answer: B
Explanation: The ‘Comeback’ phase involves the period of recovery and return to an
acceptable way of life after an acute event or illness phase.
5. A nurse is teaching a patient with COPD about ‘pursed-lip breathing.’ What is
the primary purpose of this technique?
A. To prevent airway collapse and promote CO2 excretion.
B. To increase the respiratory rate.
C. To strengthen the diaphragm muscle.
D. To reduce the amount of oxygen needed.
Answer: A
Explanation: Pursed-lip breathing creates backpressure in the airways, preventing them
from collapsing and helping the patient exhale more CO2.
, 6. When performing a functional assessment on an elderly patient, the nurse
should prioritize which area?
A. The patient’s genetic history.
B. The patient’s ability to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADLs).
C. The patient’s educational level.
D. The patient’s childhood illnesses.
Answer: B
Explanation: Functional assessment focuses on the patient’s ability to perform self-care
tasks (ADLs) and instrumental tasks of daily living (IADLs).
7. Which of the following is a key component of ‘Transitional Care’ for a patient
moving from a hospital to home?
A. Limiting communication with family members.
B. Medication reconciliation to prevent errors.
C. Focusing only on the acute diagnosis.
D. Delaying discharge until the patient is 100% cured.
Answer: B
Explanation: Medication reconciliation is vital during transitions to ensure the patient has
the correct prescriptions and understands how to take them at home.
8. A patient with chronic pain is prescribed a daily opioid. Which side effect
should the nurse proactively manage?
A. Constipation
B. Diarrhea
C. Hypertension
D. Increased appetite
Answer: A
Explanation: Opioids frequently cause constipation, and unlike some other side effects,
patients usually do not develop a tolerance to this effect.
Transitional Care Verified & Updated Questions
and Answers - Rasmussen University
1. Which characteristic is most indicative of a chronic illness rather than an
acute illness?
A. It usually requires long-term management of symptoms.
B. It has a rapid onset and subsides quickly.
C. It is always caused by an infectious agent.
D. The primary goal is always a complete cure.
Answer: A
Explanation: Chronic illnesses are characterized by their long duration and the need for
ongoing medical management rather than a quick cure.
2. A patient with end-stage heart failure is transitioning to hospice care. What is
the primary goal of this service?
A. Restoring the patient to their previous level of function.
B. Providing curative treatments for the heart failure.
C. Promoting quality of life and providing comfort during the dying process.
D. Extending life through aggressive medical interventions.
Answer: C
Explanation: Hospice care focuses on palliative care and quality of life for terminally ill
patients rather than curative or life-extending measures.
,3. A nurse is assessing an older adult patient. Which cardiovascular change is
considered a normal part of the aging process?
A. Increased stiffness of the large arteries.
B. Decreased arterial wall thickness.
C. Increased heart rate at rest.
D. Enhanced baroreceptor sensitivity.
Answer: A
Explanation: Aging typically results in the stiffening of large arteries and the heart muscle,
often leading to increased systolic blood pressure.
4. In the Corbin and Strauss Chronic Illness Trajectory Model, the ‘Comeback’
phase is described as:
A. The period before the diagnosis is made.
B. A period of recovery from an acute exacerbation.
C. The phase where death is imminent.
D. The initial onset of symptoms.
Answer: B
Explanation: The ‘Comeback’ phase involves the period of recovery and return to an
acceptable way of life after an acute event or illness phase.
5. A nurse is teaching a patient with COPD about ‘pursed-lip breathing.’ What is
the primary purpose of this technique?
A. To prevent airway collapse and promote CO2 excretion.
B. To increase the respiratory rate.
C. To strengthen the diaphragm muscle.
D. To reduce the amount of oxygen needed.
Answer: A
Explanation: Pursed-lip breathing creates backpressure in the airways, preventing them
from collapsing and helping the patient exhale more CO2.
, 6. When performing a functional assessment on an elderly patient, the nurse
should prioritize which area?
A. The patient’s genetic history.
B. The patient’s ability to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADLs).
C. The patient’s educational level.
D. The patient’s childhood illnesses.
Answer: B
Explanation: Functional assessment focuses on the patient’s ability to perform self-care
tasks (ADLs) and instrumental tasks of daily living (IADLs).
7. Which of the following is a key component of ‘Transitional Care’ for a patient
moving from a hospital to home?
A. Limiting communication with family members.
B. Medication reconciliation to prevent errors.
C. Focusing only on the acute diagnosis.
D. Delaying discharge until the patient is 100% cured.
Answer: B
Explanation: Medication reconciliation is vital during transitions to ensure the patient has
the correct prescriptions and understands how to take them at home.
8. A patient with chronic pain is prescribed a daily opioid. Which side effect
should the nurse proactively manage?
A. Constipation
B. Diarrhea
C. Hypertension
D. Increased appetite
Answer: A
Explanation: Opioids frequently cause constipation, and unlike some other side effects,
patients usually do not develop a tolerance to this effect.
