NU 176 Exam 1 (The Aging Experience) Practice
Questions & Answers (Verified Update)
This comprehensive study guide covers the foundational
concepts tested on NU 176 Exam 1: The Aging Experience at
Galen College of Nursing. It includes original practice questions
with detailed rationales, organized by the core exam domains:
Psychosocial Theories of Aging, Ageism, The SPICES
Framework, Communication & Assessment, and Foundations
of Gerontological Nursing.
Exam Overview:
Parameter Details
Exam Format Multiple-choice, select-all-that-apply, and NGN-style case study questions
Content Areas Psychosocial theories, ageism, SPICES framework, normal aging changes, communication
Erikson's Integrity vs. Despair, SPICES assessment, culturally competent care, person-centered
2026 Focus
approaches
Exam Blueprint (Based on NU 176 Content Outline):
,Content Area Key Focus
Psychosocial Theories of Aging Erikson, Activity, Disengagement, Continuity, Socioemotional Selectivity
Ageism Stereotypes, discrimination, nursing implications, advocacy
Sleep, Problems with Eating, Incontinence, Confusion, Evidence of Falls,
SPICES Framework
Skin Breakdown
Therapeutic communication, hearing/vision impairment, functional
Communication & Assessment
assessment
Foundations of Gerontological
Normal aging changes, demographics, health promotion
Nursing
Section 1: Psychosocial Theories of Aging
1.1 Erikson's Integrity vs. Despair
1.2
Q1. According to Erik Erikson's stages of psychosocial
development, which stage is expected for an 80-year-old client?
A) Generativity vs. Stagnation
B) Integrity vs. Despair
C) Intimacy vs. Isolation
D) Identity vs. Role Confusion
,Answer: B
Rationale: Erikson's stage of Integrity vs. Despair typically
occurs during late adulthood, generally age 65 and older. In this
stage, individuals reflect on their lives and either develop a
sense of satisfaction and integrity or experience despair and
regret. An 80-year-old client falls into this stage.
Q2. A nurse is conducting a health history with an 80-year-old
client. According to Erikson's theory, which is the primary task
the nurse should expect the client to be working on?
A) Establishing intimate relationships
B) Contributing to society through work and family
C) Reflecting on life with acceptance and fulfillment
D) Developing a sense of identity
Answer: C
Rationale: The primary task in Erikson's Integrity vs. Despair
stage is life review—reflecting on one's life to develop a sense
of integrity (acceptance and fulfillment) or despair (regret and
dissatisfaction).
Q3. An 80-year-old man describes himself as "useless" since he
can no longer help his adult children with their yard and garden
work. According to Erikson, which situation does this most
clearly indicate?
A) Successful resolution of integrity
B) Risk for disappointment and despair
, C) Generativity vs. stagnation crisis
D) Normal adaptation to aging
Answer: B
Rationale: A perceived loss of useful function often constitutes
a crisis for older men and can be associated with despair rather
than integrity in Erikson's typology. The client's statement
reflects regret and loss of purpose.
Q4. A 90-year-old woman is grieving the recent death of her
husband to whom she was married for 66 years. According to
Erikson, how would this situation most likely be characterized?
A) Risk for despair
B) Successful integrity
C) Generativity crisis
D) Stagnation
Answer: A
Rationale: While grief is a normal response, the loss of a long-
term spouse can trigger despair in Erikson's final stage as the
older adult reflects on life and loss. This is less directly
associated with the integrity vs. despair conflict than a
perceived loss of useful function, but still represents a risk for
despair.
Q5. A 78-year-old man has had a pacemaker implanted to
address his atrial fibrillation. According to Erikson's theory, this
situation is:
Questions & Answers (Verified Update)
This comprehensive study guide covers the foundational
concepts tested on NU 176 Exam 1: The Aging Experience at
Galen College of Nursing. It includes original practice questions
with detailed rationales, organized by the core exam domains:
Psychosocial Theories of Aging, Ageism, The SPICES
Framework, Communication & Assessment, and Foundations
of Gerontological Nursing.
Exam Overview:
Parameter Details
Exam Format Multiple-choice, select-all-that-apply, and NGN-style case study questions
Content Areas Psychosocial theories, ageism, SPICES framework, normal aging changes, communication
Erikson's Integrity vs. Despair, SPICES assessment, culturally competent care, person-centered
2026 Focus
approaches
Exam Blueprint (Based on NU 176 Content Outline):
,Content Area Key Focus
Psychosocial Theories of Aging Erikson, Activity, Disengagement, Continuity, Socioemotional Selectivity
Ageism Stereotypes, discrimination, nursing implications, advocacy
Sleep, Problems with Eating, Incontinence, Confusion, Evidence of Falls,
SPICES Framework
Skin Breakdown
Therapeutic communication, hearing/vision impairment, functional
Communication & Assessment
assessment
Foundations of Gerontological
Normal aging changes, demographics, health promotion
Nursing
Section 1: Psychosocial Theories of Aging
1.1 Erikson's Integrity vs. Despair
1.2
Q1. According to Erik Erikson's stages of psychosocial
development, which stage is expected for an 80-year-old client?
A) Generativity vs. Stagnation
B) Integrity vs. Despair
C) Intimacy vs. Isolation
D) Identity vs. Role Confusion
,Answer: B
Rationale: Erikson's stage of Integrity vs. Despair typically
occurs during late adulthood, generally age 65 and older. In this
stage, individuals reflect on their lives and either develop a
sense of satisfaction and integrity or experience despair and
regret. An 80-year-old client falls into this stage.
Q2. A nurse is conducting a health history with an 80-year-old
client. According to Erikson's theory, which is the primary task
the nurse should expect the client to be working on?
A) Establishing intimate relationships
B) Contributing to society through work and family
C) Reflecting on life with acceptance and fulfillment
D) Developing a sense of identity
Answer: C
Rationale: The primary task in Erikson's Integrity vs. Despair
stage is life review—reflecting on one's life to develop a sense
of integrity (acceptance and fulfillment) or despair (regret and
dissatisfaction).
Q3. An 80-year-old man describes himself as "useless" since he
can no longer help his adult children with their yard and garden
work. According to Erikson, which situation does this most
clearly indicate?
A) Successful resolution of integrity
B) Risk for disappointment and despair
, C) Generativity vs. stagnation crisis
D) Normal adaptation to aging
Answer: B
Rationale: A perceived loss of useful function often constitutes
a crisis for older men and can be associated with despair rather
than integrity in Erikson's typology. The client's statement
reflects regret and loss of purpose.
Q4. A 90-year-old woman is grieving the recent death of her
husband to whom she was married for 66 years. According to
Erikson, how would this situation most likely be characterized?
A) Risk for despair
B) Successful integrity
C) Generativity crisis
D) Stagnation
Answer: A
Rationale: While grief is a normal response, the loss of a long-
term spouse can trigger despair in Erikson's final stage as the
older adult reflects on life and loss. This is less directly
associated with the integrity vs. despair conflict than a
perceived loss of useful function, but still represents a risk for
despair.
Q5. A 78-year-old man has had a pacemaker implanted to
address his atrial fibrillation. According to Erikson's theory, this
situation is:
