,NUR257/NUR 257 Exam 2 | Geriatric Nursing, Chronic Illness
& Mental Health | Galen College | NCLEX-Style Q & A | 2026
Edition (PDF)
**1. The nurse is assessing an older adult client using the FANCAPES mnemonic. Which component of
this assessment tool evaluates the client's ability to meet basic needs of toileting, grooming, and meal
preparation?**
A) Fluids
B) Aeration
C) Activity
D) Pain
Correct Answer: Activity
Rationale: FANCAPES is a comprehensive assessment mnemonic for frail and complex elders. Fluids
assesses hydration status, Aeration evaluates respiratory function, Nutrition examines food intake,
Communication assesses ability to express needs, Activity evaluates the ability to meet basic needs such
as toileting, grooming, and meal preparation, Pain assesses physical and psychological pain, Elimination
evaluates bladder and bowel function, and Socialization assesses ability to give and receive love and
friendship. Understanding this tool is essential for holistic geriatric assessment.
**2. The nurse is using the Fulmer SPICES tool to assess an older adult. Which of the following is a
component of this assessment tool?**
A) Sleep disorders, Problems with eating, Incontinence, Confusion, Evidence of falls, Skin breakdown
B) Safety, Pain, Infection, Confusion, Elimination, Socialization
C) Sensory, Physical, Intellectual, Communication, Emotional, Social
D) Sleep, Pain, Incontinence, Confusion, Edema, Skin tears
Correct Answer: Sleep disorders, Problems with eating, Incontinence, Confusion, Evidence of falls, Skin
breakdown
Rationale: The Fulmer SPICES tool is a quick overall assessment that focuses on common geriatric
syndromes: Sleep disorders, Problems with eating or feeding, Incontinence, Confusion, Evidence of falls,
,and Skin breakdown. It is used to identify potential problems in older adults and guide further
assessment and intervention.
**3. The nurse is assessing an older adult's cognitive function. Which assessment tool combines short-
term memory testing with a clock drawing test?**
A) Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
B) Mini-Cog
C) Global Deterioration Scale
D) Geriatric Depression Scale
Correct Answer: Mini-Cog
Rationale: The Mini-Cog combines a short-term memory test (three-word recall) with a clock drawing
test, making it a sensitive instrument for detecting cognitive impairment. The MMSE screens
orientation, memory, attention, calculation, language, and copying a figure. The Global Deterioration
Scale measures stages of dementia, and the Geriatric Depression Scale screens for depression.
**4. A nurse is assessing an older adult's functional status. Which assessment evaluates more advanced
skills such as managing finances, meal preparation, and medication administration?**
A) Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
B) Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)
C) Fulmer SPICES
D) FANCAPES
Correct Answer: Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)
Rationale: IADLs are more complex skills needed for independent living, including driving, meal
preparation, shopping, managing finances, self-administering medications, using the telephone,
housework, and travel. ADLs include basic self-care skills such as bathing, dressing, toileting,
transferring, feeding, and continence.
, **5. The nurse is collecting assessment data from an older adult with cognitive impairment. Which
approach involves asking a caregiver or family member to report their observations?**
A) Self-report
B) Report by proxy
C) Observation
D) Direct questioning
Correct Answer: Report by proxy
Rationale: When a patient is unable to provide reliable information due to cognitive impairment, the
nurse uses report by proxy—obtaining assessment information indirectly from a caregiver, family
member, or another nurse. Self-report involves direct questioning of the patient, and observation
involves watching the patient's performance.
**6. The nurse is teaching an older adult client about safe medication use. Which statement by the
client indicates correct understanding?**
A) "I can stop taking my blood pressure medication if I feel fine."
B) "I should keep a list of all my medications and bring it to every appointment."
C) "I can share my medications with my spouse if they have the same symptoms."
D) "I only need to take my medications when I have symptoms."
Correct Answer: "I should keep a list of all my medications and bring it to every appointment."
Rationale: Maintaining a current list of all medications, including over-the-counter drugs and
supplements, and bringing it to every appointment is essential for medication safety and preventing
polypharmacy. Medications should never be stopped without consulting a provider or shared with
others.
**7. The nurse is assessing an older adult for signs of depression. Which screening tool is specifically
designed for depression in older adults?**
A) Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
B) Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)
& Mental Health | Galen College | NCLEX-Style Q & A | 2026
Edition (PDF)
**1. The nurse is assessing an older adult client using the FANCAPES mnemonic. Which component of
this assessment tool evaluates the client's ability to meet basic needs of toileting, grooming, and meal
preparation?**
A) Fluids
B) Aeration
C) Activity
D) Pain
Correct Answer: Activity
Rationale: FANCAPES is a comprehensive assessment mnemonic for frail and complex elders. Fluids
assesses hydration status, Aeration evaluates respiratory function, Nutrition examines food intake,
Communication assesses ability to express needs, Activity evaluates the ability to meet basic needs such
as toileting, grooming, and meal preparation, Pain assesses physical and psychological pain, Elimination
evaluates bladder and bowel function, and Socialization assesses ability to give and receive love and
friendship. Understanding this tool is essential for holistic geriatric assessment.
**2. The nurse is using the Fulmer SPICES tool to assess an older adult. Which of the following is a
component of this assessment tool?**
A) Sleep disorders, Problems with eating, Incontinence, Confusion, Evidence of falls, Skin breakdown
B) Safety, Pain, Infection, Confusion, Elimination, Socialization
C) Sensory, Physical, Intellectual, Communication, Emotional, Social
D) Sleep, Pain, Incontinence, Confusion, Edema, Skin tears
Correct Answer: Sleep disorders, Problems with eating, Incontinence, Confusion, Evidence of falls, Skin
breakdown
Rationale: The Fulmer SPICES tool is a quick overall assessment that focuses on common geriatric
syndromes: Sleep disorders, Problems with eating or feeding, Incontinence, Confusion, Evidence of falls,
,and Skin breakdown. It is used to identify potential problems in older adults and guide further
assessment and intervention.
**3. The nurse is assessing an older adult's cognitive function. Which assessment tool combines short-
term memory testing with a clock drawing test?**
A) Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
B) Mini-Cog
C) Global Deterioration Scale
D) Geriatric Depression Scale
Correct Answer: Mini-Cog
Rationale: The Mini-Cog combines a short-term memory test (three-word recall) with a clock drawing
test, making it a sensitive instrument for detecting cognitive impairment. The MMSE screens
orientation, memory, attention, calculation, language, and copying a figure. The Global Deterioration
Scale measures stages of dementia, and the Geriatric Depression Scale screens for depression.
**4. A nurse is assessing an older adult's functional status. Which assessment evaluates more advanced
skills such as managing finances, meal preparation, and medication administration?**
A) Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
B) Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)
C) Fulmer SPICES
D) FANCAPES
Correct Answer: Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)
Rationale: IADLs are more complex skills needed for independent living, including driving, meal
preparation, shopping, managing finances, self-administering medications, using the telephone,
housework, and travel. ADLs include basic self-care skills such as bathing, dressing, toileting,
transferring, feeding, and continence.
, **5. The nurse is collecting assessment data from an older adult with cognitive impairment. Which
approach involves asking a caregiver or family member to report their observations?**
A) Self-report
B) Report by proxy
C) Observation
D) Direct questioning
Correct Answer: Report by proxy
Rationale: When a patient is unable to provide reliable information due to cognitive impairment, the
nurse uses report by proxy—obtaining assessment information indirectly from a caregiver, family
member, or another nurse. Self-report involves direct questioning of the patient, and observation
involves watching the patient's performance.
**6. The nurse is teaching an older adult client about safe medication use. Which statement by the
client indicates correct understanding?**
A) "I can stop taking my blood pressure medication if I feel fine."
B) "I should keep a list of all my medications and bring it to every appointment."
C) "I can share my medications with my spouse if they have the same symptoms."
D) "I only need to take my medications when I have symptoms."
Correct Answer: "I should keep a list of all my medications and bring it to every appointment."
Rationale: Maintaining a current list of all medications, including over-the-counter drugs and
supplements, and bringing it to every appointment is essential for medication safety and preventing
polypharmacy. Medications should never be stopped without consulting a provider or shared with
others.
**7. The nurse is assessing an older adult for signs of depression. Which screening tool is specifically
designed for depression in older adults?**
A) Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
B) Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)
