NUR 257: CONCEPTS OF AGING
AND CHRONIC ILLNESS IN
NURSING, WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS AND RATIONALES.
---
Section 1: Theories of Aging and Physiologic Changes (Questions 1–
20)
1. Which theory of aging proposes that aging results from the
cumulative damage caused by unstable molecules over time?
A) Telomere shortening theory
B) Free radical theory
C) Immunosenescence theory
D) Neuroendocrine theory
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The free radical theory suggests that oxidative damage
from unstable molecules accumulates in cells over time, leading to
cellular dysfunction and aging. Telomere shortening relates to DNA
replication limits, immunosenescence to immune decline, and
neuroendocrine to hormonal changes .
,2. An 82-year-old patient experiences dizziness upon standing.
Which age-related physiological change is the primary cause of this
presentation?
A) Increased elasticity of the arterial walls
B) Blunting of the baroreceptor reflex
C) Hypertrophy of the left ventricular wall
D) Overactive parasympathetic nervous system
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The blunting of the baroreceptor reflex impairs the body's
ability to rapidly vasoconstrict and increase heart rate upon
standing. Left ventricular hypertrophy affects diastolic filling, not
positional blood pressure regulation .
3. A 78-year-old patient coughs weakly during meals and clears their
throat repeatedly. Which age-related change most directly
contributes to the risk of silent aspiration?
A) Increased forced expiratory volume
B) Decreased alveolar surface area
C) Reduced sensitivity of the laryngeal cough reflex
D) Calcification of the costal cartilages
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Diminished sensitivity of the laryngeal cough reflex allows
food or fluid to enter the airway without provoking a strong expulsive
cough, leading to silent aspiration .
,4. Which physiological change of aging necessitates a dose
reduction for renally excreted medications?
A) Increased renal blood flow
B) Decreased glomerular filtration rate
C) Hyperplasia of the nephrons
D) Increased bladder capacity
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A progressive decline in GFR reduces the kidneys' ability
to clear medications, increasing the risk of drug toxicity. Bladder
capacity actually decreases with age .
5. Which gastrointestinal change in aging increases the risk of
constipation?
A) Increased peristalsis
B) Increased gastric acid
C) Decreased intestinal motility
D) Increased intestinal villi
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Decreased intestinal motility leads to constipation in older
adults. Other GI changes include decreased gastric acid and
decreased absorption .
6. Which skin change is common in older adults and increases the
risk for pressure ulcers?
A) Increased elasticity
, B) Thicker epidermis
C) Decreased subcutaneous fat
D) Increased moisture
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Loss of subcutaneous fat reduces cushioning and
increases pressure injury risk. Other skin changes include
decreased elasticity and thinning of the epidermis .
7. Which assessment finding is a normal age-related change in the
older adult?
A) Urinary incontinence
B) Presbyopia
C) Depression
D) Acute confusion
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Presbyopia (loss of near vision) is a normal age-related
change. Incontinence, depression, and acute confusion are not
normal aging changes and require further assessment .
8. What is the hallmark symptom of delirium?
A) Insidious onset
B) Progressive cognitive decline
C) Acute onset with fluctuating course
D) Gradual memory loss
AND CHRONIC ILLNESS IN
NURSING, WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS AND RATIONALES.
---
Section 1: Theories of Aging and Physiologic Changes (Questions 1–
20)
1. Which theory of aging proposes that aging results from the
cumulative damage caused by unstable molecules over time?
A) Telomere shortening theory
B) Free radical theory
C) Immunosenescence theory
D) Neuroendocrine theory
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The free radical theory suggests that oxidative damage
from unstable molecules accumulates in cells over time, leading to
cellular dysfunction and aging. Telomere shortening relates to DNA
replication limits, immunosenescence to immune decline, and
neuroendocrine to hormonal changes .
,2. An 82-year-old patient experiences dizziness upon standing.
Which age-related physiological change is the primary cause of this
presentation?
A) Increased elasticity of the arterial walls
B) Blunting of the baroreceptor reflex
C) Hypertrophy of the left ventricular wall
D) Overactive parasympathetic nervous system
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The blunting of the baroreceptor reflex impairs the body's
ability to rapidly vasoconstrict and increase heart rate upon
standing. Left ventricular hypertrophy affects diastolic filling, not
positional blood pressure regulation .
3. A 78-year-old patient coughs weakly during meals and clears their
throat repeatedly. Which age-related change most directly
contributes to the risk of silent aspiration?
A) Increased forced expiratory volume
B) Decreased alveolar surface area
C) Reduced sensitivity of the laryngeal cough reflex
D) Calcification of the costal cartilages
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Diminished sensitivity of the laryngeal cough reflex allows
food or fluid to enter the airway without provoking a strong expulsive
cough, leading to silent aspiration .
,4. Which physiological change of aging necessitates a dose
reduction for renally excreted medications?
A) Increased renal blood flow
B) Decreased glomerular filtration rate
C) Hyperplasia of the nephrons
D) Increased bladder capacity
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A progressive decline in GFR reduces the kidneys' ability
to clear medications, increasing the risk of drug toxicity. Bladder
capacity actually decreases with age .
5. Which gastrointestinal change in aging increases the risk of
constipation?
A) Increased peristalsis
B) Increased gastric acid
C) Decreased intestinal motility
D) Increased intestinal villi
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Decreased intestinal motility leads to constipation in older
adults. Other GI changes include decreased gastric acid and
decreased absorption .
6. Which skin change is common in older adults and increases the
risk for pressure ulcers?
A) Increased elasticity
, B) Thicker epidermis
C) Decreased subcutaneous fat
D) Increased moisture
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Loss of subcutaneous fat reduces cushioning and
increases pressure injury risk. Other skin changes include
decreased elasticity and thinning of the epidermis .
7. Which assessment finding is a normal age-related change in the
older adult?
A) Urinary incontinence
B) Presbyopia
C) Depression
D) Acute confusion
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Presbyopia (loss of near vision) is a normal age-related
change. Incontinence, depression, and acute confusion are not
normal aging changes and require further assessment .
8. What is the hallmark symptom of delirium?
A) Insidious onset
B) Progressive cognitive decline
C) Acute onset with fluctuating course
D) Gradual memory loss
