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NUR 257 EXAM 2 – CONCEPTS OF AGING & CHRONIC ILLNESS
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS DETAILED RATIONALES
GRADED A+
NUR 257 Exam 2 – Concepts of Aging & Chronic Illness
Questions 1–40: Chronic Illness & Self-Management
1. A nurse is teaching a patient with a new diagnosis of chronic illness about self-
management, so which statement indicates that the patient understands the concept of self-
management?
A. "I will do whatever my doctor tells me to do."
B. "I will be responsible for managing my condition on a daily basis."
C. "I will only need to see my doctor when I have symptoms."
D. "I can stop my medications once I feel better."
Answer: B. Rationale: Self-management involves the patient taking an active, daily role in
managing their chronic condition, including monitoring symptoms, adhering to treatment, and
making lifestyle changes.
2. A patient with diabetes is struggling with self-management, so which factor is most likely
contributing to poor self-management?
A. Understanding of the disease process
B. Adequate financial resources
C. Lack of social support and financial constraints
D. Regular follow-up appointments
Answer: C. Rationale: Poor self-management in chronic illness is most often associated with lack
of social support, financial constraints, and inadequate access to resources.
3. A nurse is assessing an older adult's ability to manage a chronic condition at home, so
which assessment finding is most concerning?
A. The patient can state the name of their medications
B. The patient is unable to describe symptoms that require calling the provider
C. The patient has a pill organizer
D. The patient has a follow-up appointment scheduled
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Answer: B. Rationale: Inability to recognize warning signs and symptoms indicates a gap in self-
management knowledge that increases risk for exacerbation and hospitalization.
4. A nurse is developing a care plan for an older adult with multiple chronic conditions, so
which approach best supports self-management?
A. Making all decisions for the patient to reduce burden
B. Collaborating with the patient to set realistic goals
C. Focusing only on the most severe condition
D. Avoiding discussion of lifestyle modifications
Answer: B. Rationale: Collaborative goal-setting empowers the patient and improves adherence
and outcomes in chronic illness management.
5. A nurse is assessing an older adult for signs of frailty, so which finding is most consistent
with this syndrome?
A. Occasional forgetfulness
B. Unintentional weight loss and exhaustion
C. Mild joint stiffness in the morning
D. Decreased visual acuity
Answer: B. Rationale: Frailty is characterized by unintentional weight loss, exhaustion,
weakness, slow walking speed, and low physical activity.
6. A nurse is teaching a patient about chronic illness trajectories, so which statement best
describes the trajectory of a disease with steady progression?
A. Symptoms remain stable with no change over time
B. Symptoms gradually worsen over time with increasing functional decline
C. Symptoms fluctuate unpredictably
D. Symptoms resolve completely with treatment
Answer: B. Rationale: A steady progression trajectory is characterized by gradual worsening of
symptoms and functional decline over time.
7. A patient with a chronic illness reports feeling overwhelmed by managing multiple daily
medications, dietary restrictions, and follow-up appointments, so which nursing diagnosis is
most appropriate?
A. Anxiety
B. Ineffective health management
C. Impaired physical mobility
D. Acute confusion
Answer: B. Rationale: Ineffective health management is the appropriate nursing diagnosis when
a patient struggles to manage the complex demands of a chronic condition.
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8. A nurse is assessing an older adult's self-efficacy for managing chronic illness, so which
patient statement indicates high self-efficacy?
A. "I don't think I can manage this on my own."
B. "I know I can manage my symptoms if I follow my plan."
C. "My family will have to do everything for me."
D. "I'll just wait and see what happens."
Answer: B. Rationale: High self-efficacy is characterized by confidence in one's ability to manage
the condition and adhere to the treatment plan.
9. A nurse is teaching a patient with a new diagnosis of chronic illness about the importance
of regular follow-up, so which statement indicates understanding?
A. "I only need to see my doctor when I feel sick."
B. "I will keep all my scheduled appointments even when I feel fine."
C. "I can skip appointments if I'm busy."
D. "My doctor will call me if something is wrong."
Answer: B. Rationale: Regular follow-up appointments are essential for monitoring chronic
conditions, adjusting treatment, and preventing exacerbations.
10. A nurse is assessing an older adult with chronic illness and notes the patient has stopped
taking medications, so which factor is most important to assess first?
A. The patient's ability to pay for medications
B. The patient's understanding of why the medications are prescribed
C. The patient's cognitive status
D. All of the above
Answer: D. Rationale: Medication nonadherence is multifactorial; the nurse must assess cost,
understanding, cognitive status, and other barriers to develop an effective plan.
11. A nurse is teaching a patient with chronic illness about symptom monitoring, so which
instruction is most important?
A. "Only check your symptoms when you feel unwell."
B. "Keep a daily log of symptoms and report changes to your provider."
C. "Wait until symptoms are severe before calling the office."
D. "Symptoms will resolve on their own without intervention."
Answer: B. Rationale: Daily symptom monitoring and early reporting of changes are essential
for preventing exacerbations and hospitalizations.
12. A nurse is assessing an older adult with chronic illness who has recently been hospitalized,
so which transition of care issue is most concerning?
A. The patient has a follow-up appointment scheduled in 2 weeks
B. The patient is unsure about medication changes made during hospitalization
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C. The patient has transportation to appointments
D. The patient has a family member who checks on them
Answer: B. Rationale: Medication discrepancies during transitions of care are a major cause of
adverse events and readmissions in older adults.
13. A nurse is teaching a patient with chronic illness about lifestyle modifications, so which
statement indicates the patient needs further teaching?
A. "I will increase my physical activity gradually."
B. "I can continue smoking as long as I take my medications."
C. "I will follow a heart-healthy diet."
D. "I will monitor my weight daily."
Answer: B. Rationale: Smoking cessation is essential for managing chronic illness; continuing to
smoke increases risk for complications despite medication adherence.
14. A nurse is assessing an older adult's social support system, so which finding is most
concerning for chronic illness management?
A. The patient lives alone and has no nearby family
B. The patient has a supportive spouse
C. The patient attends a community senior center
D. The patient has a close friend who checks in daily
Answer: A. Rationale: Living alone with no nearby support increases risk for poor self-
management, social isolation, and adverse outcomes.
15. A nurse is developing a discharge plan for an older adult with chronic illness, so which
element is most important to include?
A. A list of medications with instructions
B. A follow-up appointment within 7 days
C. Contact information for the provider
D. All of the above
Answer: D. Rationale: A comprehensive discharge plan includes medication instructions, timely
follow-up, and provider contact information to reduce readmission risk.
16. A nurse is teaching a patient with chronic illness about the importance of advance care
planning, so which statement indicates understanding?
A. "I will complete my advance directives when I am terminally ill."
B. "I will discuss my wishes with my family and complete the documents now."
C. "Advance directives are unnecessary for healthy adults."
D. "I will let my physician decide my end-of-life care."
Answer: B. Rationale: Advance care planning should begin early, before a health crisis, to ensure
the patient's wishes are known.
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NUR 257 EXAM 2 – CONCEPTS OF AGING & CHRONIC ILLNESS
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS DETAILED RATIONALES
GRADED A+
NUR 257 Exam 2 – Concepts of Aging & Chronic Illness
Questions 1–40: Chronic Illness & Self-Management
1. A nurse is teaching a patient with a new diagnosis of chronic illness about self-
management, so which statement indicates that the patient understands the concept of self-
management?
A. "I will do whatever my doctor tells me to do."
B. "I will be responsible for managing my condition on a daily basis."
C. "I will only need to see my doctor when I have symptoms."
D. "I can stop my medications once I feel better."
Answer: B. Rationale: Self-management involves the patient taking an active, daily role in
managing their chronic condition, including monitoring symptoms, adhering to treatment, and
making lifestyle changes.
2. A patient with diabetes is struggling with self-management, so which factor is most likely
contributing to poor self-management?
A. Understanding of the disease process
B. Adequate financial resources
C. Lack of social support and financial constraints
D. Regular follow-up appointments
Answer: C. Rationale: Poor self-management in chronic illness is most often associated with lack
of social support, financial constraints, and inadequate access to resources.
3. A nurse is assessing an older adult's ability to manage a chronic condition at home, so
which assessment finding is most concerning?
A. The patient can state the name of their medications
B. The patient is unable to describe symptoms that require calling the provider
C. The patient has a pill organizer
D. The patient has a follow-up appointment scheduled
1|Page
,Page 2 of 46
Answer: B. Rationale: Inability to recognize warning signs and symptoms indicates a gap in self-
management knowledge that increases risk for exacerbation and hospitalization.
4. A nurse is developing a care plan for an older adult with multiple chronic conditions, so
which approach best supports self-management?
A. Making all decisions for the patient to reduce burden
B. Collaborating with the patient to set realistic goals
C. Focusing only on the most severe condition
D. Avoiding discussion of lifestyle modifications
Answer: B. Rationale: Collaborative goal-setting empowers the patient and improves adherence
and outcomes in chronic illness management.
5. A nurse is assessing an older adult for signs of frailty, so which finding is most consistent
with this syndrome?
A. Occasional forgetfulness
B. Unintentional weight loss and exhaustion
C. Mild joint stiffness in the morning
D. Decreased visual acuity
Answer: B. Rationale: Frailty is characterized by unintentional weight loss, exhaustion,
weakness, slow walking speed, and low physical activity.
6. A nurse is teaching a patient about chronic illness trajectories, so which statement best
describes the trajectory of a disease with steady progression?
A. Symptoms remain stable with no change over time
B. Symptoms gradually worsen over time with increasing functional decline
C. Symptoms fluctuate unpredictably
D. Symptoms resolve completely with treatment
Answer: B. Rationale: A steady progression trajectory is characterized by gradual worsening of
symptoms and functional decline over time.
7. A patient with a chronic illness reports feeling overwhelmed by managing multiple daily
medications, dietary restrictions, and follow-up appointments, so which nursing diagnosis is
most appropriate?
A. Anxiety
B. Ineffective health management
C. Impaired physical mobility
D. Acute confusion
Answer: B. Rationale: Ineffective health management is the appropriate nursing diagnosis when
a patient struggles to manage the complex demands of a chronic condition.
2|Page
,Page 3 of 46
8. A nurse is assessing an older adult's self-efficacy for managing chronic illness, so which
patient statement indicates high self-efficacy?
A. "I don't think I can manage this on my own."
B. "I know I can manage my symptoms if I follow my plan."
C. "My family will have to do everything for me."
D. "I'll just wait and see what happens."
Answer: B. Rationale: High self-efficacy is characterized by confidence in one's ability to manage
the condition and adhere to the treatment plan.
9. A nurse is teaching a patient with a new diagnosis of chronic illness about the importance
of regular follow-up, so which statement indicates understanding?
A. "I only need to see my doctor when I feel sick."
B. "I will keep all my scheduled appointments even when I feel fine."
C. "I can skip appointments if I'm busy."
D. "My doctor will call me if something is wrong."
Answer: B. Rationale: Regular follow-up appointments are essential for monitoring chronic
conditions, adjusting treatment, and preventing exacerbations.
10. A nurse is assessing an older adult with chronic illness and notes the patient has stopped
taking medications, so which factor is most important to assess first?
A. The patient's ability to pay for medications
B. The patient's understanding of why the medications are prescribed
C. The patient's cognitive status
D. All of the above
Answer: D. Rationale: Medication nonadherence is multifactorial; the nurse must assess cost,
understanding, cognitive status, and other barriers to develop an effective plan.
11. A nurse is teaching a patient with chronic illness about symptom monitoring, so which
instruction is most important?
A. "Only check your symptoms when you feel unwell."
B. "Keep a daily log of symptoms and report changes to your provider."
C. "Wait until symptoms are severe before calling the office."
D. "Symptoms will resolve on their own without intervention."
Answer: B. Rationale: Daily symptom monitoring and early reporting of changes are essential
for preventing exacerbations and hospitalizations.
12. A nurse is assessing an older adult with chronic illness who has recently been hospitalized,
so which transition of care issue is most concerning?
A. The patient has a follow-up appointment scheduled in 2 weeks
B. The patient is unsure about medication changes made during hospitalization
3|Page
, Page 4 of 46
C. The patient has transportation to appointments
D. The patient has a family member who checks on them
Answer: B. Rationale: Medication discrepancies during transitions of care are a major cause of
adverse events and readmissions in older adults.
13. A nurse is teaching a patient with chronic illness about lifestyle modifications, so which
statement indicates the patient needs further teaching?
A. "I will increase my physical activity gradually."
B. "I can continue smoking as long as I take my medications."
C. "I will follow a heart-healthy diet."
D. "I will monitor my weight daily."
Answer: B. Rationale: Smoking cessation is essential for managing chronic illness; continuing to
smoke increases risk for complications despite medication adherence.
14. A nurse is assessing an older adult's social support system, so which finding is most
concerning for chronic illness management?
A. The patient lives alone and has no nearby family
B. The patient has a supportive spouse
C. The patient attends a community senior center
D. The patient has a close friend who checks in daily
Answer: A. Rationale: Living alone with no nearby support increases risk for poor self-
management, social isolation, and adverse outcomes.
15. A nurse is developing a discharge plan for an older adult with chronic illness, so which
element is most important to include?
A. A list of medications with instructions
B. A follow-up appointment within 7 days
C. Contact information for the provider
D. All of the above
Answer: D. Rationale: A comprehensive discharge plan includes medication instructions, timely
follow-up, and provider contact information to reduce readmission risk.
16. A nurse is teaching a patient with chronic illness about the importance of advance care
planning, so which statement indicates understanding?
A. "I will complete my advance directives when I am terminally ill."
B. "I will discuss my wishes with my family and complete the documents now."
C. "Advance directives are unnecessary for healthy adults."
D. "I will let my physician decide my end-of-life care."
Answer: B. Rationale: Advance care planning should begin early, before a health crisis, to ensure
the patient's wishes are known.
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