NUR 257 Exam 2 | Concepts of Aging
VERIFIED EXAM PREP & SUCCESS GUIDE (2026/2027) - GALEN COLLEGE
(1) A nurse is caring for an older adult who suddenly becomes confused, agitated, and has
difficulty focusing. These symptoms are most indicative of:
A. Alzheimer's Disease
B. Delirium
C. Depression
D. Normal age-related decline
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Gerontology Rationale: Delirium is characterized by a sudden, acute onset of confusion and is often
reversible by treating the underlying cause (e.g., infection, dehydration).
(2) Which of the following is a key clinical feature that distinguishes Dementia from Delirium?
A. Sudden onset
B. Fluctuating consciousness
C. Progressive, irreversible decline in memory
D. Resolves with treatment of a UTI
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Gerontology Rationale: Dementia has a slow, progressive, and usually irreversible course, whereas
Delirium is acute and fluctuating.
,(3) An older adult client reports a 'bad taste' in the mouth and decreased interest in eating. Which
age-related change is likely contributing to this?
A. Increased saliva production
B. Atrophy of taste buds and decreased olfaction
C. Improved sensitivity to sweet and salty flavors
D. Faster gastric emptying
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Gerontology Rationale: Aging leads to a decrease in the number of taste buds and a diminished sense of
smell, which can lead to anorexia of aging.
(4) A female client reports leaking urine whenever she coughs or sneezes. The nurse recognizes
this as:
A. Urge incontinence
B. Functional incontinence
C. Stress incontinence
D. Overflow incontinence
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Gerontology Rationale: Stress incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine during activities that increase
intra-abdominal pressure (coughing, sneezing, lifting).
,(5) An older adult is at high risk for constipation. Which intervention should the nurse prioritize?
A. Administering a daily stimulant laxative.
B. Limiting fluid intake to prevent incontinence.
C. Increasing dietary fiber and encouraging regular physical activity.
D. Providing a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet.
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Gerontology Rationale: Non-pharmacological management like fiber, fluids, and exercise are the first-line
defenses against chronic constipation in seniors.
(6) Which assessment tool is most commonly used to evaluate an older adult's risk for falls?
A. Braden Scale
B. Morse Fall Scale
C. Glascow Coma Scale
D. PHQ-9
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Gerontology Rationale: The Morse Fall Scale is a rapid and simple method of assessing a patient's
likelihood of falling.
(7) A nurse is teaching a group of seniors about Osteoporosis prevention. Which statement
indicates a need for further teaching?
A. 'I should ensure I get enough Vitamin D and Calcium.'
B. 'Weight-bearing exercises like walking can help strengthen my bones.'
C. 'I will stop smoking to reduce my risk of bone loss.'
D. 'I should avoid all exercise to prevent breaking a bone.'
CORRECT ANSWER: D
Gerontology Rationale: Exercise, particularly weight-bearing and resistance training, is vital for bone
health and preventing further bone density loss.
, (8) An older adult describes their vision as having 'cloudy or blurry' spots and sensitivity to glare.
The nurse suspects:
A. Glaucoma
B. Cataracts
C. Macular Degeneration
D. Retinal Detachment
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Gerontology Rationale: Cataracts cause a clouding of the lens, leading to blurred vision and increased
sensitivity to glare.
(9) Loss of central vision while peripheral vision remains intact is a hallmark sign of:
A. Presbyopia
B. Glaucoma
C. Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
D. Diabetic Retinopathy
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Gerontology Rationale: AMD affects the macula, resulting in the loss of central vision, which is necessary
for reading and driving.
VERIFIED EXAM PREP & SUCCESS GUIDE (2026/2027) - GALEN COLLEGE
(1) A nurse is caring for an older adult who suddenly becomes confused, agitated, and has
difficulty focusing. These symptoms are most indicative of:
A. Alzheimer's Disease
B. Delirium
C. Depression
D. Normal age-related decline
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Gerontology Rationale: Delirium is characterized by a sudden, acute onset of confusion and is often
reversible by treating the underlying cause (e.g., infection, dehydration).
(2) Which of the following is a key clinical feature that distinguishes Dementia from Delirium?
A. Sudden onset
B. Fluctuating consciousness
C. Progressive, irreversible decline in memory
D. Resolves with treatment of a UTI
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Gerontology Rationale: Dementia has a slow, progressive, and usually irreversible course, whereas
Delirium is acute and fluctuating.
,(3) An older adult client reports a 'bad taste' in the mouth and decreased interest in eating. Which
age-related change is likely contributing to this?
A. Increased saliva production
B. Atrophy of taste buds and decreased olfaction
C. Improved sensitivity to sweet and salty flavors
D. Faster gastric emptying
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Gerontology Rationale: Aging leads to a decrease in the number of taste buds and a diminished sense of
smell, which can lead to anorexia of aging.
(4) A female client reports leaking urine whenever she coughs or sneezes. The nurse recognizes
this as:
A. Urge incontinence
B. Functional incontinence
C. Stress incontinence
D. Overflow incontinence
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Gerontology Rationale: Stress incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine during activities that increase
intra-abdominal pressure (coughing, sneezing, lifting).
,(5) An older adult is at high risk for constipation. Which intervention should the nurse prioritize?
A. Administering a daily stimulant laxative.
B. Limiting fluid intake to prevent incontinence.
C. Increasing dietary fiber and encouraging regular physical activity.
D. Providing a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet.
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Gerontology Rationale: Non-pharmacological management like fiber, fluids, and exercise are the first-line
defenses against chronic constipation in seniors.
(6) Which assessment tool is most commonly used to evaluate an older adult's risk for falls?
A. Braden Scale
B. Morse Fall Scale
C. Glascow Coma Scale
D. PHQ-9
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Gerontology Rationale: The Morse Fall Scale is a rapid and simple method of assessing a patient's
likelihood of falling.
(7) A nurse is teaching a group of seniors about Osteoporosis prevention. Which statement
indicates a need for further teaching?
A. 'I should ensure I get enough Vitamin D and Calcium.'
B. 'Weight-bearing exercises like walking can help strengthen my bones.'
C. 'I will stop smoking to reduce my risk of bone loss.'
D. 'I should avoid all exercise to prevent breaking a bone.'
CORRECT ANSWER: D
Gerontology Rationale: Exercise, particularly weight-bearing and resistance training, is vital for bone
health and preventing further bone density loss.
, (8) An older adult describes their vision as having 'cloudy or blurry' spots and sensitivity to glare.
The nurse suspects:
A. Glaucoma
B. Cataracts
C. Macular Degeneration
D. Retinal Detachment
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Gerontology Rationale: Cataracts cause a clouding of the lens, leading to blurred vision and increased
sensitivity to glare.
(9) Loss of central vision while peripheral vision remains intact is a hallmark sign of:
A. Presbyopia
B. Glaucoma
C. Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
D. Diabetic Retinopathy
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Gerontology Rationale: AMD affects the macula, resulting in the loss of central vision, which is necessary
for reading and driving.
