NUR 257 • CONCEPTS OF AGING & CHRONIC ILLNESS • EXAM 4 • 2026/2027
NUR 257 Concepts of Aging & Chronic Illness Exam 4 – Galen College of
Nursing – 2026/2027 Academic Year – 50 Verified Questions and
Answers with Detailed Rationales
CONCEPTS OF AGING & CHRONIC ILLNESS
EXAM 4 PRACTICE EXAM
GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING • 2026/2027 ACADEMIC YEAR
50 Original Practice Questions • Verified Clinical Concepts • Detailed Rationales
50 AGING CHRONIC
QUESTIONS GERONTOLOGY ILLNESS
TOPIC COVERAGE
• Promoting healthy skin, rest/sleep/activity, pain and comfort.
• Bone and joint problems, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, gout, mobility, and fall-risk reduction.
• Diseases affecting vision and hearing.
• Chronic disease self-management, cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, diabetes, chronic kidney disease,
medication safety, nutrition and hydration.
• Cognitive health, depression, social support, functional assessment, person-centered care, palliative care, advance care
planning, and caregiver support.
NUR 257 Exam 4 Practice | 2026/2027 | Page 1
, NUR 257 • CONCEPTS OF AGING & CHRONIC ILLNESS • EXAM 4 • 2026/2027
50-QUESTION PRACTICE EXAM
Directions: Select the single best answer. Review the rationale after committing to your answer.
QUESTION 1 | HEALTHY AGING
Which intervention best reduces fall risk for an older adult with osteoporosis?
A. Keep throw rugs in place
B. Improve hallway lighting and remove loose rugs
C. Encourage walking barefoot
D. Limit calcium-rich foods
VERIFIED ANSWER: B
DETAILED CLINICAL RATIONALE: Environmental modifications such as adequate lighting and removal of loose
rugs reduce fall hazards. Osteoporosis increases the consequences of falls because fractures are more likely.
DISTRACTOR REVIEW: The remaining choices are less appropriate because they conflict with the nursing principle
or safety priority tested.
QUESTION 2 | HEALTHY AGING
Which statement about normal aging is most accurate?
A. All older adults develop dementia
B. Functional decline is inevitable in every older adult
C. Aging involves normal physiologic changes, but disease is not an inevitable part of aging
D. Chronic illness is always a normal aging process
VERIFIED ANSWER: C
DETAILED CLINICAL RATIONALE: Normal aging produces predictable physiologic changes, but disease and
disability should not automatically be attributed to aging.
DISTRACTOR REVIEW: The remaining choices are less appropriate because they conflict with the nursing principle
or safety priority tested.
QUESTION 3 | SKIN
Which intervention is most appropriate for an older adult with dry, fragile skin?
A. Use very hot water for bathing
B. Apply a gentle moisturizer after bathing
C. Scrub the skin vigorously
D. Use alcohol-based products on dry areas
VERIFIED ANSWER: B
DETAILED CLINICAL RATIONALE: Older skin is thinner and has reduced moisture. Gentle cleansing and
moisturizing help preserve the skin barrier.
DISTRACTOR REVIEW: The remaining choices are less appropriate because they conflict with the nursing principle
or safety priority tested.
QUESTION 4 | SKIN
Which finding in an older adult requires the most attention when assessing skin integrity?
A. Mild dryness
B. A new nonhealing skin lesion
C. Slightly decreased elasticity
D. Fine wrinkles
VERIFIED ANSWER: B
DETAILED CLINICAL RATIONALE: A new nonhealing lesion warrants evaluation because it can represent
infection, pressure injury, vascular problems, or malignancy.
NUR 257 Exam 4 Practice | 2026/2027 | Page 2
, NUR 257 • CONCEPTS OF AGING & CHRONIC ILLNESS • EXAM 4 • 2026/2027
DISTRACTOR REVIEW: The remaining choices are less appropriate because they conflict with the nursing principle
or safety priority tested.
QUESTION 5 | SLEEP
Which teaching is most appropriate for an older adult experiencing insomnia?
A. Maintain a consistent sleep-wake schedule
B. Drink caffeine before bedtime
C. Take long daytime naps every afternoon
D. Use bright screens immediately before sleep
VERIFIED ANSWER: A
DETAILED CLINICAL RATIONALE: Consistent sleep and wake times support circadian rhythm and sleep hygiene.
DISTRACTOR REVIEW: The remaining choices are less appropriate because they conflict with the nursing principle
or safety priority tested.
QUESTION 6 | SLEEP
Which change commonly occurs with normal aging?
A. Increased deep sleep throughout the night
B. More fragmented sleep and changes in sleep architecture
C. Complete loss of REM sleep
D. No change in sleep patterns
VERIFIED ANSWER: B
DETAILED CLINICAL RATIONALE: Older adults commonly experience lighter and more fragmented sleep and
changes in sleep architecture.
DISTRACTOR REVIEW: The remaining choices are less appropriate because they conflict with the nursing principle
or safety priority tested.
QUESTION 7 | ACTIVITY
Which activity is generally appropriate for promoting mobility and function in an older adult with
osteoarthritis?
A. Complete bed rest
B. Low-impact activity such as walking or swimming as tolerated
C. Daily high-impact jumping
D. Avoiding movement of painful joints permanently
VERIFIED ANSWER: B
DETAILED CLINICAL RATIONALE: Regular low-impact activity can support mobility, strength, and joint function
while reducing excessive joint stress.
DISTRACTOR REVIEW: The remaining choices are less appropriate because they conflict with the nursing principle
or safety priority tested.
QUESTION 8 | PAIN
Which principle is most appropriate when assessing pain in an older adult?
A. Assume pain is a normal part of aging
B. Use the patient's self-report whenever possible
C. Avoid asking about pain in cognitively impaired patients
D. Treat only visible signs of pain
VERIFIED ANSWER: B
DETAILED CLINICAL RATIONALE: Pain is not an inevitable part of aging, and the patient's report is the primary
source when they can communicate reliably.
DISTRACTOR REVIEW: The remaining choices are less appropriate because they conflict with the nursing principle
or safety priority tested.
NUR 257 Exam 4 Practice | 2026/2027 | Page 3
NUR 257 Concepts of Aging & Chronic Illness Exam 4 – Galen College of
Nursing – 2026/2027 Academic Year – 50 Verified Questions and
Answers with Detailed Rationales
CONCEPTS OF AGING & CHRONIC ILLNESS
EXAM 4 PRACTICE EXAM
GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING • 2026/2027 ACADEMIC YEAR
50 Original Practice Questions • Verified Clinical Concepts • Detailed Rationales
50 AGING CHRONIC
QUESTIONS GERONTOLOGY ILLNESS
TOPIC COVERAGE
• Promoting healthy skin, rest/sleep/activity, pain and comfort.
• Bone and joint problems, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, gout, mobility, and fall-risk reduction.
• Diseases affecting vision and hearing.
• Chronic disease self-management, cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, diabetes, chronic kidney disease,
medication safety, nutrition and hydration.
• Cognitive health, depression, social support, functional assessment, person-centered care, palliative care, advance care
planning, and caregiver support.
NUR 257 Exam 4 Practice | 2026/2027 | Page 1
, NUR 257 • CONCEPTS OF AGING & CHRONIC ILLNESS • EXAM 4 • 2026/2027
50-QUESTION PRACTICE EXAM
Directions: Select the single best answer. Review the rationale after committing to your answer.
QUESTION 1 | HEALTHY AGING
Which intervention best reduces fall risk for an older adult with osteoporosis?
A. Keep throw rugs in place
B. Improve hallway lighting and remove loose rugs
C. Encourage walking barefoot
D. Limit calcium-rich foods
VERIFIED ANSWER: B
DETAILED CLINICAL RATIONALE: Environmental modifications such as adequate lighting and removal of loose
rugs reduce fall hazards. Osteoporosis increases the consequences of falls because fractures are more likely.
DISTRACTOR REVIEW: The remaining choices are less appropriate because they conflict with the nursing principle
or safety priority tested.
QUESTION 2 | HEALTHY AGING
Which statement about normal aging is most accurate?
A. All older adults develop dementia
B. Functional decline is inevitable in every older adult
C. Aging involves normal physiologic changes, but disease is not an inevitable part of aging
D. Chronic illness is always a normal aging process
VERIFIED ANSWER: C
DETAILED CLINICAL RATIONALE: Normal aging produces predictable physiologic changes, but disease and
disability should not automatically be attributed to aging.
DISTRACTOR REVIEW: The remaining choices are less appropriate because they conflict with the nursing principle
or safety priority tested.
QUESTION 3 | SKIN
Which intervention is most appropriate for an older adult with dry, fragile skin?
A. Use very hot water for bathing
B. Apply a gentle moisturizer after bathing
C. Scrub the skin vigorously
D. Use alcohol-based products on dry areas
VERIFIED ANSWER: B
DETAILED CLINICAL RATIONALE: Older skin is thinner and has reduced moisture. Gentle cleansing and
moisturizing help preserve the skin barrier.
DISTRACTOR REVIEW: The remaining choices are less appropriate because they conflict with the nursing principle
or safety priority tested.
QUESTION 4 | SKIN
Which finding in an older adult requires the most attention when assessing skin integrity?
A. Mild dryness
B. A new nonhealing skin lesion
C. Slightly decreased elasticity
D. Fine wrinkles
VERIFIED ANSWER: B
DETAILED CLINICAL RATIONALE: A new nonhealing lesion warrants evaluation because it can represent
infection, pressure injury, vascular problems, or malignancy.
NUR 257 Exam 4 Practice | 2026/2027 | Page 2
, NUR 257 • CONCEPTS OF AGING & CHRONIC ILLNESS • EXAM 4 • 2026/2027
DISTRACTOR REVIEW: The remaining choices are less appropriate because they conflict with the nursing principle
or safety priority tested.
QUESTION 5 | SLEEP
Which teaching is most appropriate for an older adult experiencing insomnia?
A. Maintain a consistent sleep-wake schedule
B. Drink caffeine before bedtime
C. Take long daytime naps every afternoon
D. Use bright screens immediately before sleep
VERIFIED ANSWER: A
DETAILED CLINICAL RATIONALE: Consistent sleep and wake times support circadian rhythm and sleep hygiene.
DISTRACTOR REVIEW: The remaining choices are less appropriate because they conflict with the nursing principle
or safety priority tested.
QUESTION 6 | SLEEP
Which change commonly occurs with normal aging?
A. Increased deep sleep throughout the night
B. More fragmented sleep and changes in sleep architecture
C. Complete loss of REM sleep
D. No change in sleep patterns
VERIFIED ANSWER: B
DETAILED CLINICAL RATIONALE: Older adults commonly experience lighter and more fragmented sleep and
changes in sleep architecture.
DISTRACTOR REVIEW: The remaining choices are less appropriate because they conflict with the nursing principle
or safety priority tested.
QUESTION 7 | ACTIVITY
Which activity is generally appropriate for promoting mobility and function in an older adult with
osteoarthritis?
A. Complete bed rest
B. Low-impact activity such as walking or swimming as tolerated
C. Daily high-impact jumping
D. Avoiding movement of painful joints permanently
VERIFIED ANSWER: B
DETAILED CLINICAL RATIONALE: Regular low-impact activity can support mobility, strength, and joint function
while reducing excessive joint stress.
DISTRACTOR REVIEW: The remaining choices are less appropriate because they conflict with the nursing principle
or safety priority tested.
QUESTION 8 | PAIN
Which principle is most appropriate when assessing pain in an older adult?
A. Assume pain is a normal part of aging
B. Use the patient's self-report whenever possible
C. Avoid asking about pain in cognitively impaired patients
D. Treat only visible signs of pain
VERIFIED ANSWER: B
DETAILED CLINICAL RATIONALE: Pain is not an inevitable part of aging, and the patient's report is the primary
source when they can communicate reliably.
DISTRACTOR REVIEW: The remaining choices are less appropriate because they conflict with the nursing principle
or safety priority tested.
NUR 257 Exam 4 Practice | 2026/2027 | Page 3
