Page 1 of 101
NUR 257: CONCEPTS OF AGING AND CHRONIC ILLNESS GALEN
COLLEGE OF NURSING — EXAM 4 COMPREHENSIVE STUDY
GUIDE EXAM 2026 QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED QUESTIONS
DETAILED RATIONALES GRADED A+
NUR 257: CONCEPTS OF AGING AND CHRONIC ILLNESS
GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING — EXAM 4 COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE
QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF CHRONIC ILLNESS & AGING
Questions 1–35
1. A nurse is teaching an older adult about chronic illness. Which statement best describes a
characteristic of chronic illness?
A) It always has a predictable course
B) It generally requires ongoing management over an extended period
C) It is always curable with medication
D) It requires only short-term treatment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Chronic illnesses typically require continuing management and monitoring. Their
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course may fluctuate, and treatment often focuses on controlling symptoms, maintaining
function, and preventing complications rather than achieving a cure .
2. A nurse is caring for a client with multiple chronic conditions and some physical disabilities.
Which statement demonstrates the use of "people-first" language during end-of-shift report?
A) "Mr. Rudd is a 44-year-old diabetic patient who was admitted last evening."
B) "Last evening, Mr. Rudd, a 44-year-old patient with diabetes was admitted to the unit."
C) "I admitted another diabetic patient last evening; his name is Mr. Rudd."
D) "The diabetic in room 204 is Mr. Rudd."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: People-first language emphasizes the person before the condition. The correct
statement places "patient with diabetes" rather than labeling the person as "diabetic,"
respecting the individual's identity .
3. A client with a chronic illness is experiencing an exacerbation. What does this mean?
A) The disease is in remission
B) Symptoms are worsening or increasing
C) The client is cured
D) The disease is stable
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Exacerbation refers to a period when symptoms become more severe or active. This
is a common pattern in many chronic conditions, alternating with periods of remission .
4. A nurse is assessing functional ability in an 80-year-old patient. Which finding is most
indicative of frailty?
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A) Ability to climb one flight of stairs without stopping
B) Unintentional weight loss of 10 pounds in the past year
C) Normal gait speed
D) Regular participation in senior center activities
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The frailty phenotype includes unintentional weight loss (≥10 pounds in the past
year), exhaustion, low physical activity, slow gait speed, and weak grip strength. Unintentional
weight loss is a key indicator .
5. Which of the following would be a characteristic of a chronic illness?
A) Reversible pathology
B) Requires short-term surveillance
C) Cure likely
D) Slow, progressive decline
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Chronic illnesses are characterized by a slow, progressive decline in function over
time. They typically involve ongoing management rather than cure, require long-term
surveillance, and are not reversible .
6. In 2000, an estimated 61 million people (21% of the population) had chronic illnesses. The
prediction for 2050 is that what percent of the population will have a chronic illness?
A) 25%
B) 50%
C) 75%
D) 90%
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Correct Answer: B
Rationale: By 2050, approximately 50% of the population is projected to have a chronic illness.
This reflects the aging population and increasing prevalence of chronic conditions .
7. Which of the following statements is true regarding individuals with chronic conditions?
A) Most chronic conditions are easily controlled
B) Chronic conditions do not result from injury
C) Most people with chronic conditions take on a sick role identity
D) Most people with chronic conditions do not consider themselves sick or ill
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Many individuals with chronic conditions do not identify as "sick" or "ill" but rather
adapt to their condition as part of daily life. This understanding is crucial for nurses to provide
patient-centered care .
8. A nurse is caring for a client who has just been diagnosed with a chronic illness. Which
statement best reflects the client's initial response to the diagnosis?
A) "I will immediately begin researching all possible treatments."
B) "This cannot be happening to me. The lab results must be wrong."
C) "I accept this diagnosis and am ready to learn about management."
D) "I need to make a list of questions for my follow-up appointment."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Denial is a common initial response to a chronic illness diagnosis. This defense
mechanism helps the client buffer the emotional impact of the diagnosis and gradually process
the information. Acceptance and active problem-solving typically occur later in the adjustment
process .
NUR 257: CONCEPTS OF AGING AND CHRONIC ILLNESS GALEN
COLLEGE OF NURSING — EXAM 4 COMPREHENSIVE STUDY
GUIDE EXAM 2026 QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED QUESTIONS
DETAILED RATIONALES GRADED A+
NUR 257: CONCEPTS OF AGING AND CHRONIC ILLNESS
GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING — EXAM 4 COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE
QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF CHRONIC ILLNESS & AGING
Questions 1–35
1. A nurse is teaching an older adult about chronic illness. Which statement best describes a
characteristic of chronic illness?
A) It always has a predictable course
B) It generally requires ongoing management over an extended period
C) It is always curable with medication
D) It requires only short-term treatment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Chronic illnesses typically require continuing management and monitoring. Their
,Page 2 of 101
course may fluctuate, and treatment often focuses on controlling symptoms, maintaining
function, and preventing complications rather than achieving a cure .
2. A nurse is caring for a client with multiple chronic conditions and some physical disabilities.
Which statement demonstrates the use of "people-first" language during end-of-shift report?
A) "Mr. Rudd is a 44-year-old diabetic patient who was admitted last evening."
B) "Last evening, Mr. Rudd, a 44-year-old patient with diabetes was admitted to the unit."
C) "I admitted another diabetic patient last evening; his name is Mr. Rudd."
D) "The diabetic in room 204 is Mr. Rudd."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: People-first language emphasizes the person before the condition. The correct
statement places "patient with diabetes" rather than labeling the person as "diabetic,"
respecting the individual's identity .
3. A client with a chronic illness is experiencing an exacerbation. What does this mean?
A) The disease is in remission
B) Symptoms are worsening or increasing
C) The client is cured
D) The disease is stable
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Exacerbation refers to a period when symptoms become more severe or active. This
is a common pattern in many chronic conditions, alternating with periods of remission .
4. A nurse is assessing functional ability in an 80-year-old patient. Which finding is most
indicative of frailty?
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A) Ability to climb one flight of stairs without stopping
B) Unintentional weight loss of 10 pounds in the past year
C) Normal gait speed
D) Regular participation in senior center activities
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The frailty phenotype includes unintentional weight loss (≥10 pounds in the past
year), exhaustion, low physical activity, slow gait speed, and weak grip strength. Unintentional
weight loss is a key indicator .
5. Which of the following would be a characteristic of a chronic illness?
A) Reversible pathology
B) Requires short-term surveillance
C) Cure likely
D) Slow, progressive decline
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Chronic illnesses are characterized by a slow, progressive decline in function over
time. They typically involve ongoing management rather than cure, require long-term
surveillance, and are not reversible .
6. In 2000, an estimated 61 million people (21% of the population) had chronic illnesses. The
prediction for 2050 is that what percent of the population will have a chronic illness?
A) 25%
B) 50%
C) 75%
D) 90%
, Page 4 of 101
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: By 2050, approximately 50% of the population is projected to have a chronic illness.
This reflects the aging population and increasing prevalence of chronic conditions .
7. Which of the following statements is true regarding individuals with chronic conditions?
A) Most chronic conditions are easily controlled
B) Chronic conditions do not result from injury
C) Most people with chronic conditions take on a sick role identity
D) Most people with chronic conditions do not consider themselves sick or ill
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Many individuals with chronic conditions do not identify as "sick" or "ill" but rather
adapt to their condition as part of daily life. This understanding is crucial for nurses to provide
patient-centered care .
8. A nurse is caring for a client who has just been diagnosed with a chronic illness. Which
statement best reflects the client's initial response to the diagnosis?
A) "I will immediately begin researching all possible treatments."
B) "This cannot be happening to me. The lab results must be wrong."
C) "I accept this diagnosis and am ready to learn about management."
D) "I need to make a list of questions for my follow-up appointment."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Denial is a common initial response to a chronic illness diagnosis. This defense
mechanism helps the client buffer the emotional impact of the diagnosis and gradually process
the information. Acceptance and active problem-solving typically occur later in the adjustment
process .
