NU NUR 330 Module 7 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Nursing Care of Adults and
Older Adults I Q&A | Nursing
1. A nurse is caring for an older adult patient who has been diagnosed with a
terminal illness. The patient expresses a wish to die at home surrounded by
family. Which of the following actions best demonstrates the nurse's role in
supporting this patient's autonomy?
A) Arrange for a hospital bed to be delivered to the patient's home
B) Refer the patient to a palliative care team and a home health agency
C) Encourage the patient to reconsider staying in the hospital for better
symptom management
D) Discuss the patient's wishes with the family to ensure they agree with the
plan
Correct Answer: Refer the patient to a palliative care team and a home
health agency
Rationale: Supporting a patient's autonomy involves respecting their wishes
for end-of-life care and providing the necessary resources to facilitate that
choice. Referring the patient to palliative care and home health services
empowers them to achieve their goal of dying at home. Arranging equipment
is helpful, but coordinating comprehensive services is the primary action.
2. A nurse is providing education to a patient about advance directives.
Which statement by the patient indicates correct understanding of a durable
power of attorney for healthcare?
A) "It allows me to specify the types of medical treatments I do and do not
want."
B) "It designates a person to make healthcare decisions on my behalf if I
become incapacitated."
C) "It is a legal document that only applies if I am terminally ill."
D) "It is the same as a living will."
,Correct Answer: "It designates a person to make healthcare decisions on my
behalf if I become incapacitated."
Rationale: A durable power of attorney for healthcare appoints a surrogate
decision-maker, known as a healthcare proxy, to make medical decisions
when the patient is no longer able to do so. A living will specifies treatment
preferences; they are distinct documents.
3. A hospice nurse is assessing a patient with end-stage heart failure. Which
of the following findings is most indicative of the patient entering the active
dying phase?
A) Increased appetite and energy
B) Cheyne-Stokes respirations and cool, mottled extremities
C) Complaints of severe, unrelenting pain
D) Increased urine output and peripheral edema
Correct Answer: Cheyne-Stokes respirations and cool, mottled extremities
Rationale: Cheyne-Stokes respirations (alternating periods of apnea and deep
breathing) and cool, mottled extremities are classic signs of the active dying
phase, indicating decreased perfusion and impending death. Increased
appetite, energy, and urine output are not typical.
4. A nurse is caring for a patient who is actively dying and has noisy, wet
respirations (death rattle). Which of the following interventions is most
appropriate?
A) Administer an anticholinergic medication as prescribed
B) Suction the patient's oropharynx vigorously
C) Place the patient in a supine position
D) Encourage the patient to cough and deep breathe
,Correct Answer: Administer an anticholinergic medication as prescribed
Rationale: Noisy respirations (death rattle) are caused by the accumulation
of secretions in the upper airway. Anticholinergic medications, such as
scopolamine or glycopyrrolate, can dry these secretions and reduce the
noise. Vigorous suctioning is uncomfortable and may not be effective.
5. A nurse is assessing a patient who is experiencing grief after the death of
a spouse. Which of the following statements by the patient indicates a need
for further assessment for complicated grief?
A) "I feel sad and cry when I think about my spouse."
B) "I find comfort in looking at old photographs."
C) "I feel like I can't go on and have thought about ending my life."
D) "I have difficulty sleeping and often think about my spouse."
Correct Answer: "I feel like I can't go on and have thought about ending my
life."
Rationale: Thoughts of suicide or self-harm are not a normal part of the
grieving process and indicate complicated grief or depression requiring
immediate assessment and intervention. Sadness, comfort in memories, and
sleep disturbances are common grief responses.
6. A nurse is assessing an older adult patient's spiritual needs. Which of the
following questions is most appropriate to initiate this conversation?
A) "What gives your life meaning and purpose?"
B) "Do you attend church regularly?"
C) "What religion do you practice?"
D) "Do you believe in God?"
, Correct Answer: "What gives your life meaning and purpose?"
Rationale: This broad, open-ended question allows the patient to define
spirituality in their own terms. It is more inclusive and less presumptive than
asking about specific religious practices, and it helps the nurse understand
the patient's sources of strength and coping.
7. A nurse is caring for a patient with a chronic illness who is experiencing
powerlessness. Which of the following is an appropriate nursing intervention
to promote a sense of control?
A) Make all decisions regarding the patient's care to reduce stress
B) Encourage the patient to identify personal strengths and past coping
strategies
C) Discourage the patient from participating in care activities to prevent
fatigue
D) Avoid discussing the patient's feelings about the illness
Correct Answer: Encourage the patient to identify personal strengths and
past coping strategies
Rationale: Encouraging the patient to reflect on their strengths and past
coping strategies empowers them and can restore a sense of control.
Involving the patient in care decisions, not making all decisions, is
therapeutic.
8. A nurse is preparing a patient for discharge to home with hospice care.
Which of the following is the priority teaching point for the family?
A) How to contact the hospice team for support and symptom management
B) How to perform passive range-of-motion exercises
C) How to prepare the patient's favorite meals
Older Adults I Q&A | Nursing
1. A nurse is caring for an older adult patient who has been diagnosed with a
terminal illness. The patient expresses a wish to die at home surrounded by
family. Which of the following actions best demonstrates the nurse's role in
supporting this patient's autonomy?
A) Arrange for a hospital bed to be delivered to the patient's home
B) Refer the patient to a palliative care team and a home health agency
C) Encourage the patient to reconsider staying in the hospital for better
symptom management
D) Discuss the patient's wishes with the family to ensure they agree with the
plan
Correct Answer: Refer the patient to a palliative care team and a home
health agency
Rationale: Supporting a patient's autonomy involves respecting their wishes
for end-of-life care and providing the necessary resources to facilitate that
choice. Referring the patient to palliative care and home health services
empowers them to achieve their goal of dying at home. Arranging equipment
is helpful, but coordinating comprehensive services is the primary action.
2. A nurse is providing education to a patient about advance directives.
Which statement by the patient indicates correct understanding of a durable
power of attorney for healthcare?
A) "It allows me to specify the types of medical treatments I do and do not
want."
B) "It designates a person to make healthcare decisions on my behalf if I
become incapacitated."
C) "It is a legal document that only applies if I am terminally ill."
D) "It is the same as a living will."
,Correct Answer: "It designates a person to make healthcare decisions on my
behalf if I become incapacitated."
Rationale: A durable power of attorney for healthcare appoints a surrogate
decision-maker, known as a healthcare proxy, to make medical decisions
when the patient is no longer able to do so. A living will specifies treatment
preferences; they are distinct documents.
3. A hospice nurse is assessing a patient with end-stage heart failure. Which
of the following findings is most indicative of the patient entering the active
dying phase?
A) Increased appetite and energy
B) Cheyne-Stokes respirations and cool, mottled extremities
C) Complaints of severe, unrelenting pain
D) Increased urine output and peripheral edema
Correct Answer: Cheyne-Stokes respirations and cool, mottled extremities
Rationale: Cheyne-Stokes respirations (alternating periods of apnea and deep
breathing) and cool, mottled extremities are classic signs of the active dying
phase, indicating decreased perfusion and impending death. Increased
appetite, energy, and urine output are not typical.
4. A nurse is caring for a patient who is actively dying and has noisy, wet
respirations (death rattle). Which of the following interventions is most
appropriate?
A) Administer an anticholinergic medication as prescribed
B) Suction the patient's oropharynx vigorously
C) Place the patient in a supine position
D) Encourage the patient to cough and deep breathe
,Correct Answer: Administer an anticholinergic medication as prescribed
Rationale: Noisy respirations (death rattle) are caused by the accumulation
of secretions in the upper airway. Anticholinergic medications, such as
scopolamine or glycopyrrolate, can dry these secretions and reduce the
noise. Vigorous suctioning is uncomfortable and may not be effective.
5. A nurse is assessing a patient who is experiencing grief after the death of
a spouse. Which of the following statements by the patient indicates a need
for further assessment for complicated grief?
A) "I feel sad and cry when I think about my spouse."
B) "I find comfort in looking at old photographs."
C) "I feel like I can't go on and have thought about ending my life."
D) "I have difficulty sleeping and often think about my spouse."
Correct Answer: "I feel like I can't go on and have thought about ending my
life."
Rationale: Thoughts of suicide or self-harm are not a normal part of the
grieving process and indicate complicated grief or depression requiring
immediate assessment and intervention. Sadness, comfort in memories, and
sleep disturbances are common grief responses.
6. A nurse is assessing an older adult patient's spiritual needs. Which of the
following questions is most appropriate to initiate this conversation?
A) "What gives your life meaning and purpose?"
B) "Do you attend church regularly?"
C) "What religion do you practice?"
D) "Do you believe in God?"
, Correct Answer: "What gives your life meaning and purpose?"
Rationale: This broad, open-ended question allows the patient to define
spirituality in their own terms. It is more inclusive and less presumptive than
asking about specific religious practices, and it helps the nurse understand
the patient's sources of strength and coping.
7. A nurse is caring for a patient with a chronic illness who is experiencing
powerlessness. Which of the following is an appropriate nursing intervention
to promote a sense of control?
A) Make all decisions regarding the patient's care to reduce stress
B) Encourage the patient to identify personal strengths and past coping
strategies
C) Discourage the patient from participating in care activities to prevent
fatigue
D) Avoid discussing the patient's feelings about the illness
Correct Answer: Encourage the patient to identify personal strengths and
past coping strategies
Rationale: Encouraging the patient to reflect on their strengths and past
coping strategies empowers them and can restore a sense of control.
Involving the patient in care decisions, not making all decisions, is
therapeutic.
8. A nurse is preparing a patient for discharge to home with hospice care.
Which of the following is the priority teaching point for the family?
A) How to contact the hospice team for support and symptom management
B) How to perform passive range-of-motion exercises
C) How to prepare the patient's favorite meals
