Galen NUR 257 Chronic Aging Exam 2 (2026) | 55+ NCLEX-Style Questions on Geriatric Assessment, Polypharmacy & Cognitive Disorders | Chronic Aging Nursing Exam Review | Galen College of Nursing

This comprehensive Chronic Aging Exam 2 study guide for Galen College of Nursing's NUR 257 course contains more than 55 NCLEX-style exam questions and detailed answers focused on the specialized nursing care of older adults. Designed to reinforce clinical judgment and evidence-based gerontological nursing practice, the resource reviews essential concepts related to geriatric assessment, age-related physiological changes, medication safety, cognitive screening, patient education, nutrition, elimination, and psychosocial considerations commonly evaluated on nursing examinations. The material emphasizes holistic assessment strategies for aging populations by integrating physical, cognitive, emotional, functional, and social dimensions of care. Students will strengthen their understanding of evidence-based screening tools, safe medication administration practices, nutritional challenges associated with aging, ethical considerations in end-of-life decision-making, and interventions that promote independence, safety, and quality of life among older adults. The question-and-answer format supports active recall, critical thinking, and application of nursing concepts within realistic clinical scenarios encountered in geriatric practice. Major topics covered include: • Comprehensive geriatric assessment techniques • Communication considerations when assessing older adults • Physical and psychosocial changes associated with aging • Fulmer SPICES geriatric assessment tool • FANCAPES comprehensive frailty assessment • Global Deterioration Scale and dementia staging • Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) • Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) • Mini-Cog and Clock Drawing Test screening • Geriatric Depression Scale interpretation • Barthel Index and Katz Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) • Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) • Advance directives and documentation considerations • Telehealth applications in geriatric care • Safe driving concerns in older adults • Polypharmacy and medication safety principles • Beers Criteria and potentially inappropriate medications • "Start low, go slow" medication dosing guidelines • Nutritional concerns affecting aging adults • Xerostomia and dysphagia management • Hydration and dehydration prevention strategies • Urinary and fecal incontinence assessment and interventions • Oral health considerations in older populations • Constipation prevention and bowel management • Ethical considerations involving feeding tubes • Teaching-learning principles for older adults • Teach-back method implementation • Depression screening and psychosocial health promotion • SSRI adverse effects and psychotropic medication safety • Lithium therapy considerations • Antipsychotic risks in older adults • Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome recognition • Hyperthermia prevention and environmental safety measures. This study guide is particularly relevant for: • Galen College of Nursing students enrolled in NUR 257 Chronic Aging Nursing • Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) students completing gerontological nursing coursework • Practical Nursing (PN/LPN) students transitioning into advanced adult health concepts • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students studying geriatric nursing principles • Nursing students preparing for unit examinations and comprehensive final assessments • Students seeking reinforcement of NCLEX-RN® concepts related to older adult care • Nurse educators requiring supplemental geriatric review materials for classroom instruction. Evidence-Based Academic References: Touhy, T. A., & Jett, K. F. (2024). Ebersole and Hess' Gerontological Nursing & Healthy Aging (7th ed.). Elsevier. Williams, K. N., & Hopper, P. D. (2025). Understanding Medical-Surgical Nursing (7th ed.). F.A. Davis. Halter, J. B., Ouslander, J. G., Studenski, S., High, K. P., Asthana, S., & Supiano, M. A. (2022). Hazzard's Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology (8th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education. American Geriatrics Society Beers Criteria® Update Expert Panel. (2023). "American Geriatrics Society 2023 Updated AGS Beers Criteria® for Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults." Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 71(7), 2052–2081. Folstein, M. F., Folstein, S. E., & McHugh, P. R. (1975). "Mini-Mental State: A Practical Method for Grading the Cognitive State of Patients for the Clinician." Journal of Psychiatric Research, 12(3), 189–198. The evidence-based principles highlighted throughout this resource align with contemporary gerontological nursing standards and emphasize safe, patient-centered care that promotes functional independence, dignity, and quality of life for aging populations. The structured question-and-answer format enhances knowledge retention, strengthens clinical reasoning, and supports successful preparation for nursing examinations and future professional practice. File Citation: Keywords: Galen NUR 257, Chronic Aging Exam 2, gerontological nursing, geriatric nursing exam, NCLEX-style questions, older adult assessment, Fulmer SPICES, FANCAPES, MMSE, Mini Mental State Examination, Global Deterioration Scale, Geriatric Depression Scale, Barthel Index, Lawton IADL, Katz ADL, polypharmacy, Beers Criteria, dysphagia, xerostomia, urinary incontinence, dehydration, telehealth, advance directives, teach-back method, cognitive assessment, medication safety, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, geriatric pharmacology, nursing exam review, Galen College of Nursing