Galen NUR 257 Exam 3 — Exam Questions
with Correct Answers (VerifiedAnswers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant Download PDF
Question 1
A nurse is teaching an older adult with type 2 diabetes about
preventing complications. Which instruction is most important?
A. Avoid all carbohydrates.
B. Stop prescribed medications when glucose levels improve.
C. Maintain consistent blood glucose control through diet,
activity, monitoring, and prescribed therapy.
D. Check blood glucose only when symptoms of hyperglycemia
occur.
Correct answer: C. Maintain consistent blood glucose control
through diet, activity, monitoring, and prescribed therapy.
Rationale: Persistent hyperglycemia contributes to
microvascular complications such as retinopathy, nephropathy,
and neuropathy and also increases cardiovascular risk. Diabetes
management therefore requires consistent glucose control
rather than treatment only when symptoms occur. Older adults
should receive practical, individualized teaching that considers
,nutrition, activity level, medications, cognition, vision, and
ability to perform self-care. Completely eliminating
carbohydrates is unnecessary and can make a meal plan difficult
to sustain.
Question 2
Which statement by an older adult with diabetes indicates
correct understanding of diabetic foot care?
A. "I should soak my feet in hot water every night."
B. "I should inspect my feet every day for changes."
C. "I should apply lotion between my toes."
D. "I should walk barefoot at home to strengthen my feet."
Correct answer: B. "I should inspect my feet every day for
changes."
Rationale: Daily inspection allows early identification of blisters,
redness, cracks, drainage, pressure areas, or wounds before
they become serious infections. Peripheral neuropathy may
reduce the patient's ability to feel pain or injury. The patient
should avoid hot water because impaired sensation increases
burn risk, should not walk barefoot, and should generally avoid
applying lotion between the toes because excessive moisture
can promote fungal growth.
,Question 3
A client with diabetes reports numbness in both feet. Which
complication should the nurse recognize as the greatest
concern?
A. Increased visual acuity
B. Peripheral neuropathy with risk for unnoticed injury
C. Increased hearing sensitivity
D. Improved wound healing
Correct answer: B. Peripheral neuropathy with risk for
unnoticed injury
Rationale: Peripheral neuropathy can impair protective
sensation, particularly in the feet. A patient may not recognize
pressure, heat, cuts, or developing ulcers. Because diabetes can
also impair circulation and immune response, an unnoticed foot
injury may progress to infection and tissue damage. Regular
foot inspection, properly fitting footwear, glucose management,
and prompt evaluation of wounds are important preventive
measures.
Question 4
An older adult with diabetes becomes shaky, sweaty, confused,
and weak. Which condition should the nurse suspect first?
, A. Hypoglycemia
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Chronic hypoxia
Correct answer: A. Hypoglycemia
Rationale: Shakiness, sweating, weakness, confusion,
palpitations, and behavioral changes are common
manifestations of hypoglycemia. The brain depends heavily on
glucose, so worsening hypoglycemia can progress to seizures,
loss of consciousness, and potentially death. If the patient is
conscious and able to swallow, a rapidly absorbed carbohydrate
is generally appropriate according to the patient's treatment
plan. If the patient cannot safely swallow, oral intake should not
be given because of aspiration risk.
Question 5
Which finding in an older adult with diabetes requires the most
immediate nursing attention?
A. Mildly dry skin
B. A new ulcer on the plantar surface of the foot
C. Occasional hunger before meals
D. Preference for smaller meals
with Correct Answers (VerifiedAnswers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant Download PDF
Question 1
A nurse is teaching an older adult with type 2 diabetes about
preventing complications. Which instruction is most important?
A. Avoid all carbohydrates.
B. Stop prescribed medications when glucose levels improve.
C. Maintain consistent blood glucose control through diet,
activity, monitoring, and prescribed therapy.
D. Check blood glucose only when symptoms of hyperglycemia
occur.
Correct answer: C. Maintain consistent blood glucose control
through diet, activity, monitoring, and prescribed therapy.
Rationale: Persistent hyperglycemia contributes to
microvascular complications such as retinopathy, nephropathy,
and neuropathy and also increases cardiovascular risk. Diabetes
management therefore requires consistent glucose control
rather than treatment only when symptoms occur. Older adults
should receive practical, individualized teaching that considers
,nutrition, activity level, medications, cognition, vision, and
ability to perform self-care. Completely eliminating
carbohydrates is unnecessary and can make a meal plan difficult
to sustain.
Question 2
Which statement by an older adult with diabetes indicates
correct understanding of diabetic foot care?
A. "I should soak my feet in hot water every night."
B. "I should inspect my feet every day for changes."
C. "I should apply lotion between my toes."
D. "I should walk barefoot at home to strengthen my feet."
Correct answer: B. "I should inspect my feet every day for
changes."
Rationale: Daily inspection allows early identification of blisters,
redness, cracks, drainage, pressure areas, or wounds before
they become serious infections. Peripheral neuropathy may
reduce the patient's ability to feel pain or injury. The patient
should avoid hot water because impaired sensation increases
burn risk, should not walk barefoot, and should generally avoid
applying lotion between the toes because excessive moisture
can promote fungal growth.
,Question 3
A client with diabetes reports numbness in both feet. Which
complication should the nurse recognize as the greatest
concern?
A. Increased visual acuity
B. Peripheral neuropathy with risk for unnoticed injury
C. Increased hearing sensitivity
D. Improved wound healing
Correct answer: B. Peripheral neuropathy with risk for
unnoticed injury
Rationale: Peripheral neuropathy can impair protective
sensation, particularly in the feet. A patient may not recognize
pressure, heat, cuts, or developing ulcers. Because diabetes can
also impair circulation and immune response, an unnoticed foot
injury may progress to infection and tissue damage. Regular
foot inspection, properly fitting footwear, glucose management,
and prompt evaluation of wounds are important preventive
measures.
Question 4
An older adult with diabetes becomes shaky, sweaty, confused,
and weak. Which condition should the nurse suspect first?
, A. Hypoglycemia
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Chronic hypoxia
Correct answer: A. Hypoglycemia
Rationale: Shakiness, sweating, weakness, confusion,
palpitations, and behavioral changes are common
manifestations of hypoglycemia. The brain depends heavily on
glucose, so worsening hypoglycemia can progress to seizures,
loss of consciousness, and potentially death. If the patient is
conscious and able to swallow, a rapidly absorbed carbohydrate
is generally appropriate according to the patient's treatment
plan. If the patient cannot safely swallow, oral intake should not
be given because of aspiration risk.
Question 5
Which finding in an older adult with diabetes requires the most
immediate nursing attention?
A. Mildly dry skin
B. A new ulcer on the plantar surface of the foot
C. Occasional hunger before meals
D. Preference for smaller meals
