NUR 257 EXAM 1- UNIT 2 QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS WELL ELABORATED
2026
What are the most common conditions classified under the "Geriatric Syndrome"?
✔✔ The primary conditions include gait instability and falls, general frailty,
acute delirium, urinary incontinence, sleep disturbances, pressure ulcers,
nutritional deficiencies, and sarcopenia (the age-related decline in muscle
mass and physical strength often accelerated by inactivity).
How are the stages of the chronic illness trajectory defined along with their
corresponding clinical phases? ✔✔ The trajectory spans eight distinct phases:
Pretrajectory: The preventative stage occurring before disease onset, where
no signs or symptoms are present.
Trajectory Onset: The initial appearance of symptoms, encompassing the
formal diagnostic workup.
Crisis: A critical, life-threatening emergency requiring immediate
intervention.
Acute: An active flare-up or complication phase that necessitates hospital-
based care for effective stabilization.
Stable: A phase where symptoms and disease progression are well-managed
by the current therapeutic plan.
Unstable: A state where symptoms are inadequately controlled by
treatment, yet hospitalization is not immediately required or elected.
Downward: A period of continuous physical or mental deterioration marked
by escalating functional disability and symptom burden.
Dying: The final active decline occurring in the immediate weeks, days, or
hours leading up to death.
Characteristics of successful chronic illness management models
- interdisciplinary team of health care professionals, often led by a nurse
, - ability to conduct initial and intermitten comprehensive assessments
- skill in the development of a comprehensive care plan that is individualized,
incorporates evidence based protocols, and is culturally appropriate
- adequate funding to implement the plan over time
- actively engages the patient and family caregivers in care
- proactive monitoring of the pt's clinical status and ability and willingness to
modify the care plan as needed
- success in facilitating transitions across settings
- facilitation of the pt's access to community resources
Reducing caregiver stress
- educate yourself about the disease/med condition
- contact appropriate disease-related organization to learn about resources and edu
and support groups to help you adapt to the challenges you encounter
- find a health care professional who understands the disease
- consult w/ other experts to help plan for the future (legal, financial)
- tap your social resources for assistance
- take time for relaxation and exercise
- use community resources
- maitain your sense of humor
- explore religious beliefs and spiritual values
- participate in pleasant, nurturing activites such as reading a good book, taking a
warm bath
- seek supportive counseling when you need it
- identify and acknowledge your feelings; you have a right to all of them
- set realistic goals
AND ANSWERS WELL ELABORATED
2026
What are the most common conditions classified under the "Geriatric Syndrome"?
✔✔ The primary conditions include gait instability and falls, general frailty,
acute delirium, urinary incontinence, sleep disturbances, pressure ulcers,
nutritional deficiencies, and sarcopenia (the age-related decline in muscle
mass and physical strength often accelerated by inactivity).
How are the stages of the chronic illness trajectory defined along with their
corresponding clinical phases? ✔✔ The trajectory spans eight distinct phases:
Pretrajectory: The preventative stage occurring before disease onset, where
no signs or symptoms are present.
Trajectory Onset: The initial appearance of symptoms, encompassing the
formal diagnostic workup.
Crisis: A critical, life-threatening emergency requiring immediate
intervention.
Acute: An active flare-up or complication phase that necessitates hospital-
based care for effective stabilization.
Stable: A phase where symptoms and disease progression are well-managed
by the current therapeutic plan.
Unstable: A state where symptoms are inadequately controlled by
treatment, yet hospitalization is not immediately required or elected.
Downward: A period of continuous physical or mental deterioration marked
by escalating functional disability and symptom burden.
Dying: The final active decline occurring in the immediate weeks, days, or
hours leading up to death.
Characteristics of successful chronic illness management models
- interdisciplinary team of health care professionals, often led by a nurse
, - ability to conduct initial and intermitten comprehensive assessments
- skill in the development of a comprehensive care plan that is individualized,
incorporates evidence based protocols, and is culturally appropriate
- adequate funding to implement the plan over time
- actively engages the patient and family caregivers in care
- proactive monitoring of the pt's clinical status and ability and willingness to
modify the care plan as needed
- success in facilitating transitions across settings
- facilitation of the pt's access to community resources
Reducing caregiver stress
- educate yourself about the disease/med condition
- contact appropriate disease-related organization to learn about resources and edu
and support groups to help you adapt to the challenges you encounter
- find a health care professional who understands the disease
- consult w/ other experts to help plan for the future (legal, financial)
- tap your social resources for assistance
- take time for relaxation and exercise
- use community resources
- maitain your sense of humor
- explore religious beliefs and spiritual values
- participate in pleasant, nurturing activites such as reading a good book, taking a
warm bath
- seek supportive counseling when you need it
- identify and acknowledge your feelings; you have a right to all of them
- set realistic goals
