NUR 257 Exam 3 | Galen | 120+ Q&A with Bold Answers &
Italic Rationales | Diabetes, Cardiovascular, Respiratory,
Thyroid, The 3 D's | Latest 2026 | A+ Guaranteed
Here is a comprehensive 110+ question exam bank for NUR 257 Exam 3 at Galen College of
Nursing (Concepts of Aging & Chronic Illness). Based on the latest 2026-2027 course materials, this
covers diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disorders, respiratory disorders, thyroid disease, neurocognitive
disorders (The 3 D's), and more .
Exam Overview
Feature Details
Course NUR 257 – Concepts of Aging & Chronic Illness
Institution Galen College of Nursing
Exam Exam 3
Primary Diabetes Mellitus, Cardiovascular Disorders, Respiratory
Focus Disorders, Thyroid Disease, Neurocognitive Disorders
(Delirium, Dementia, Depression), Fluids & Electrolytes
Format Multiple choice, select all that apply, priority questions
Latest 2025-2026 Academic Year
Update
Section 1: Diabetes Mellitus (Questions 1-30)
Q1. A nurse is caring for a client with type 2 diabetes. Which instruction is key to preventing
microvascular and macrovascular problems?
A) "Avoid all carbohydrates in your diet."
B) "Prevent hyperglycemia, as diet is key."
C) "Check your blood glucose only when you feel sick."
D) "Stop taking medications if you feel better."
Consistent control of blood glucose—particularly via diet in type 2 diabetes—reduces vascular
complications. Teaching older adults practical dietary strategies is fundamental .
Q2. A client with diabetes is being educated on footwear. What is the most important point the nurse
should emphasize regarding shoe fit?
, A) "Choose shoes with open toes to improve air flow."
B) "Make sure new shoes fit well, not too tight, not too loose, and show even wear patterns."
C) "Buy shoes a size larger to avoid pressure."
D) "Break in new shoes by wearing them all day immediately."
Properly fitting shoes prevent pressure points, blisters, and ulcers in neuropathic feet. Older adults with
sensory loss may not feel early injury, so fit and inspection of wear patterns are crucial .
Q3. The nurse is teaching a client with diabetes about the importance of maintaining their blood
glucose (BG) level. The nurse emphasizes that a BG level lower than 60 mg/dL is dangerous because it
can lead to:
A) Pulmonary embolism
B) Brain cells becoming energy-starved, leading to unconsciousness, coma, and death
C) Kidney failure
D) Peripheral neuropathy
*The brain requires a constant supply of glucose for energy. Severe hypoglycemia (BG < 60 mg/dL)
deprives brain cells of glucose, potentially leading to unconsciousness, coma, and death .*
Q4. A client with diabetes asks the nurse why the provider has ordered an A1C test. The nurse's best
response is that the A1C measures:
A) Current blood glucose level
B) Average blood glucose over the past 3 months
C) Insulin levels in the blood
D) Kidney function related to diabetes
*The A1C test measures average blood glucose over the prior 90 days (120-day red blood cell lifespan).
Normal A1C is < 5.7%, prediabetes 5.7-6.4%, and diabetes ≥ 6.5% .*
Q5. An older adult client is newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The nurse understands that the
cause of delayed diagnosis in the older population is:
A) Older adults always have very obvious symptoms
B) Type 2 usually has very few symptoms in older clients, so there is already organ damage
done
C) Providers screen all older adults yearly, so delay is rare
D) Older adults cannot develop type 2 diabetes
Insidious onset and nonspecific symptoms (fatigue, weight changes, blurred vision) lead to under-
recognition. By the time of diagnosis, micro- and macrovascular damage may already be present .
,Q6. A client with type 2 diabetes has an A1C of 8.5%. What is the nurse's interpretation?
A) Good glycemic control
B) Poor glycemic control over the past 3 months
C) Hypoglycemia risk is high
D) Normal glucose levels
An A1C of 8.5% is above the target of < 7% for most older adults with diabetes, indicating inadequate
glycemic control. The target may be adjusted higher for frail older adults or those with multiple
comorbidities .
Q7. The nurse is providing foot care education to a client with type 2 diabetes. Which statement is the
most important instruction to include?
A) "Soak your feet in hot water every night before bed."
B) "Walk barefoot at home to strengthen your feet."
C) "Check your feet daily, using a mirror or asking a family member for help."
D) "Trim calluses at home with a razor if they get too thick."
Daily inspection is critical to detect ulcers, cuts, or blisters early and prevent serious complications in
older adults with diabetes. Using a mirror or help compensates for decreased vision or flexibility .
Q8. A client with type 1 diabetes reports a new onset of urinary incontinence. The nurse understands
this is most likely caused by:
A) Chronic kidney failure causing anuria
B) Hyperglycemia, leading to too much glucose in the urine
C) Overuse of diuretics causing bladder irritation
D) Age-related prostate enlargement only
Excess glucose in the urine causes osmotic diuresis, polyuria, and potential urgency or incontinence.
Long-standing hyperglycemia also contributes to autonomic neuropathy affecting bladder control .
Q9. To help manage blood glucose levels, the nurse should educate a client with diabetes on which
aspect of their meal schedule?
A) Skipping breakfast to reduce calories
B) Eating whenever hungry without a schedule
C) Food should be consumed at a scheduled time each day, with snacks and meals at the same
time
D) Eating one large meal in the evening
, Regular meal timing coordinates with insulin or oral medications and helps prevent hypo- and
hyperglycemia. This structure is especially important for older adults with memory impairment .
Q10. A client with diabetes becomes acutely ill with the flu and is unable to eat. What is the priority
education for the nurse to provide?
A) "If you cannot eat, you cannot continue to take your medicine and need to call your
doctor."
B) "Stop monitoring your blood sugar until you feel better."
C) "Drink only water and avoid calling your provider."
D) "Double your usual medication doses while you are sick."
During acute illness, medications may need adjustment to prevent hypoglycemia (if not eating) or
hyperglycemia (due to stress response). The provider should be contacted for specific guidance. Never
stop monitoring during illness .
Q11. A client with type 2 diabetes has a blood glucose level of 44 mg/dL. What action by the nurse is
the priority?
A) Recheck the blood glucose in 1 hour
B) Provide an 8-ounce glass of milk to the client
C) Notify the provider and wait for orders
D) Have the client lie down and rest without intervention
*A BG of 44 mg/dL is severe hypoglycemia and requires immediate fast-acting carbohydrate. Milk
provides carbohydrate and some protein; after treatment, BG should be rechecked. If unconscious,
glucagon would be administered .*
Q12. What is the priority education for a client newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes?
A) How to perform daily foot massage only
B) What to do when a hypoglycemic episode occurs, including what they will feel like
C) How to stop medications if they feel well
D) How to avoid all carbohydrates permanently
Hypoglycemia can be life-threatening, and older adults may have atypical or blunted signs
(hypoglycemia unawareness). Teaching recognition and immediate treatment is foundational safety
education .
Q13. A client with diabetes asks the nurse why more than one injection of insulin is required each day.
What is the best response?
A) "A single dose of insulin will not match your blood insulin levels and food intake patterns
closely enough."
Italic Rationales | Diabetes, Cardiovascular, Respiratory,
Thyroid, The 3 D's | Latest 2026 | A+ Guaranteed
Here is a comprehensive 110+ question exam bank for NUR 257 Exam 3 at Galen College of
Nursing (Concepts of Aging & Chronic Illness). Based on the latest 2026-2027 course materials, this
covers diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disorders, respiratory disorders, thyroid disease, neurocognitive
disorders (The 3 D's), and more .
Exam Overview
Feature Details
Course NUR 257 – Concepts of Aging & Chronic Illness
Institution Galen College of Nursing
Exam Exam 3
Primary Diabetes Mellitus, Cardiovascular Disorders, Respiratory
Focus Disorders, Thyroid Disease, Neurocognitive Disorders
(Delirium, Dementia, Depression), Fluids & Electrolytes
Format Multiple choice, select all that apply, priority questions
Latest 2025-2026 Academic Year
Update
Section 1: Diabetes Mellitus (Questions 1-30)
Q1. A nurse is caring for a client with type 2 diabetes. Which instruction is key to preventing
microvascular and macrovascular problems?
A) "Avoid all carbohydrates in your diet."
B) "Prevent hyperglycemia, as diet is key."
C) "Check your blood glucose only when you feel sick."
D) "Stop taking medications if you feel better."
Consistent control of blood glucose—particularly via diet in type 2 diabetes—reduces vascular
complications. Teaching older adults practical dietary strategies is fundamental .
Q2. A client with diabetes is being educated on footwear. What is the most important point the nurse
should emphasize regarding shoe fit?
, A) "Choose shoes with open toes to improve air flow."
B) "Make sure new shoes fit well, not too tight, not too loose, and show even wear patterns."
C) "Buy shoes a size larger to avoid pressure."
D) "Break in new shoes by wearing them all day immediately."
Properly fitting shoes prevent pressure points, blisters, and ulcers in neuropathic feet. Older adults with
sensory loss may not feel early injury, so fit and inspection of wear patterns are crucial .
Q3. The nurse is teaching a client with diabetes about the importance of maintaining their blood
glucose (BG) level. The nurse emphasizes that a BG level lower than 60 mg/dL is dangerous because it
can lead to:
A) Pulmonary embolism
B) Brain cells becoming energy-starved, leading to unconsciousness, coma, and death
C) Kidney failure
D) Peripheral neuropathy
*The brain requires a constant supply of glucose for energy. Severe hypoglycemia (BG < 60 mg/dL)
deprives brain cells of glucose, potentially leading to unconsciousness, coma, and death .*
Q4. A client with diabetes asks the nurse why the provider has ordered an A1C test. The nurse's best
response is that the A1C measures:
A) Current blood glucose level
B) Average blood glucose over the past 3 months
C) Insulin levels in the blood
D) Kidney function related to diabetes
*The A1C test measures average blood glucose over the prior 90 days (120-day red blood cell lifespan).
Normal A1C is < 5.7%, prediabetes 5.7-6.4%, and diabetes ≥ 6.5% .*
Q5. An older adult client is newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The nurse understands that the
cause of delayed diagnosis in the older population is:
A) Older adults always have very obvious symptoms
B) Type 2 usually has very few symptoms in older clients, so there is already organ damage
done
C) Providers screen all older adults yearly, so delay is rare
D) Older adults cannot develop type 2 diabetes
Insidious onset and nonspecific symptoms (fatigue, weight changes, blurred vision) lead to under-
recognition. By the time of diagnosis, micro- and macrovascular damage may already be present .
,Q6. A client with type 2 diabetes has an A1C of 8.5%. What is the nurse's interpretation?
A) Good glycemic control
B) Poor glycemic control over the past 3 months
C) Hypoglycemia risk is high
D) Normal glucose levels
An A1C of 8.5% is above the target of < 7% for most older adults with diabetes, indicating inadequate
glycemic control. The target may be adjusted higher for frail older adults or those with multiple
comorbidities .
Q7. The nurse is providing foot care education to a client with type 2 diabetes. Which statement is the
most important instruction to include?
A) "Soak your feet in hot water every night before bed."
B) "Walk barefoot at home to strengthen your feet."
C) "Check your feet daily, using a mirror or asking a family member for help."
D) "Trim calluses at home with a razor if they get too thick."
Daily inspection is critical to detect ulcers, cuts, or blisters early and prevent serious complications in
older adults with diabetes. Using a mirror or help compensates for decreased vision or flexibility .
Q8. A client with type 1 diabetes reports a new onset of urinary incontinence. The nurse understands
this is most likely caused by:
A) Chronic kidney failure causing anuria
B) Hyperglycemia, leading to too much glucose in the urine
C) Overuse of diuretics causing bladder irritation
D) Age-related prostate enlargement only
Excess glucose in the urine causes osmotic diuresis, polyuria, and potential urgency or incontinence.
Long-standing hyperglycemia also contributes to autonomic neuropathy affecting bladder control .
Q9. To help manage blood glucose levels, the nurse should educate a client with diabetes on which
aspect of their meal schedule?
A) Skipping breakfast to reduce calories
B) Eating whenever hungry without a schedule
C) Food should be consumed at a scheduled time each day, with snacks and meals at the same
time
D) Eating one large meal in the evening
, Regular meal timing coordinates with insulin or oral medications and helps prevent hypo- and
hyperglycemia. This structure is especially important for older adults with memory impairment .
Q10. A client with diabetes becomes acutely ill with the flu and is unable to eat. What is the priority
education for the nurse to provide?
A) "If you cannot eat, you cannot continue to take your medicine and need to call your
doctor."
B) "Stop monitoring your blood sugar until you feel better."
C) "Drink only water and avoid calling your provider."
D) "Double your usual medication doses while you are sick."
During acute illness, medications may need adjustment to prevent hypoglycemia (if not eating) or
hyperglycemia (due to stress response). The provider should be contacted for specific guidance. Never
stop monitoring during illness .
Q11. A client with type 2 diabetes has a blood glucose level of 44 mg/dL. What action by the nurse is
the priority?
A) Recheck the blood glucose in 1 hour
B) Provide an 8-ounce glass of milk to the client
C) Notify the provider and wait for orders
D) Have the client lie down and rest without intervention
*A BG of 44 mg/dL is severe hypoglycemia and requires immediate fast-acting carbohydrate. Milk
provides carbohydrate and some protein; after treatment, BG should be rechecked. If unconscious,
glucagon would be administered .*
Q12. What is the priority education for a client newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes?
A) How to perform daily foot massage only
B) What to do when a hypoglycemic episode occurs, including what they will feel like
C) How to stop medications if they feel well
D) How to avoid all carbohydrates permanently
Hypoglycemia can be life-threatening, and older adults may have atypical or blunted signs
(hypoglycemia unawareness). Teaching recognition and immediate treatment is foundational safety
education .
Q13. A client with diabetes asks the nurse why more than one injection of insulin is required each day.
What is the best response?
A) "A single dose of insulin will not match your blood insulin levels and food intake patterns
closely enough."
