Page |1
NUR 1136 Unit 5 Exam — Comprehensive Practice Questions (2026–2027) Graded
A+ | Original Questions & Answers with Detailed Rationales
This Original practice exam covers the core content typically included in
NUR 1136 Unit 5: Care of the Older Adult, Chronic Illness, End-of-Life
Care, Mental Health Nursing, Community Health Nursing, Growth &
Development, and Immune System Function. Each question includes a
correct answer and a detailed rationale.
SECTION A: CARE OF THE OLDER ADULT & CHRONIC ILLNESS
(Questions)
Question 1
A nurse is interviewing an older adult patient. Which action is
most appropriate?
A. Move on to the next question if the patient does not respond
quickly
B. Ensure all assistive devices are in place
C. Perform the interview before administering analgesics
D. Interview the patient and caregiver together without
including the patient
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ensuring all assistive devices (hearing aids, glasses,
etc.) are in place before interviewing an older adult optimizes
communication. The nurse should allow adequate time for
responses, ensure comfort, and include the patient in the
, Page |2
conversation. Performing the interview before administering
analgesics may cause unnecessary discomfort .
Question 2
Which assessment findings would alert the nurse to possible
elder mistreatment? (Select all that apply.)
A. Agitation
B. Depression
C. Weight gain
D. Weight loss
E. Hypernatremia
Correct Answer: A, B, D, E
Rationale: Indicators of elder mistreatment include agitation,
depression, unexplained weight loss, and hypernatremia (which
may result from dehydration or neglect). Weight gain is not
typically associated with mistreatment .
Question 3
A 70-year-old man has just been diagnosed with COPD. At what
point should the nurse begin to include the patient's wife in
teaching about disease management?
A. Only after the patient requests her involvement
B. At the initial teaching session
C. After the patient has been discharged
D. Only if the patient is unable to learn
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse should include the patient's spouse or
caregiver in teaching from the beginning. Chronic illness affects
, Page |3
the entire family, and early inclusion promotes better disease
management and support .
Question 4
What is the primary goal of nursing care for an older adult?
A. To cure all chronic conditions
B. To promote independence and quality of life
C. To prolong life at all costs
D. To institutionalize the patient
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The primary goal of nursing care for older adults is to
promote independence, maintain function, and optimize quality
of life.
Question 5
Which theory of aging proposes that aging results from the
gradual accumulation of damage to cells and tissues?
A. Disengagement theory
B. Activity theory
C. Biological theory (wear-and-tear)
D. Continuity theory
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The wear-and-tear theory (a biological theory)
proposes that aging results from cumulative damage to cells
and tissues over time.
Question 6
Which age-related change affects medication metabolism in
, Page |4
older adults?
A. Increased gastric motility
B. Decreased liver function
C. Increased renal clearance
D. Increased body water
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Decreased liver function in older adults slows drug
metabolism, increasing the risk of drug toxicity. Decreased renal
clearance and decreased body water also affect drug
distribution and elimination.
Question 7
A nurse is assessing an older adult for dehydration. Which
finding is most reliable?
A. Dry mucous membranes
B. Decreased skin turgor
C. Tachycardia
D. Changes in mental status
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Changes in mental status (confusion, lethargy) are
often the most reliable indicator of dehydration in older adults.
Skin turgor is less reliable due to age-related skin changes.
Question 8
What is polypharmacy?
A. The use of multiple medications simultaneously
B. The use of one medication at a time
NUR 1136 Unit 5 Exam — Comprehensive Practice Questions (2026–2027) Graded
A+ | Original Questions & Answers with Detailed Rationales
This Original practice exam covers the core content typically included in
NUR 1136 Unit 5: Care of the Older Adult, Chronic Illness, End-of-Life
Care, Mental Health Nursing, Community Health Nursing, Growth &
Development, and Immune System Function. Each question includes a
correct answer and a detailed rationale.
SECTION A: CARE OF THE OLDER ADULT & CHRONIC ILLNESS
(Questions)
Question 1
A nurse is interviewing an older adult patient. Which action is
most appropriate?
A. Move on to the next question if the patient does not respond
quickly
B. Ensure all assistive devices are in place
C. Perform the interview before administering analgesics
D. Interview the patient and caregiver together without
including the patient
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ensuring all assistive devices (hearing aids, glasses,
etc.) are in place before interviewing an older adult optimizes
communication. The nurse should allow adequate time for
responses, ensure comfort, and include the patient in the
, Page |2
conversation. Performing the interview before administering
analgesics may cause unnecessary discomfort .
Question 2
Which assessment findings would alert the nurse to possible
elder mistreatment? (Select all that apply.)
A. Agitation
B. Depression
C. Weight gain
D. Weight loss
E. Hypernatremia
Correct Answer: A, B, D, E
Rationale: Indicators of elder mistreatment include agitation,
depression, unexplained weight loss, and hypernatremia (which
may result from dehydration or neglect). Weight gain is not
typically associated with mistreatment .
Question 3
A 70-year-old man has just been diagnosed with COPD. At what
point should the nurse begin to include the patient's wife in
teaching about disease management?
A. Only after the patient requests her involvement
B. At the initial teaching session
C. After the patient has been discharged
D. Only if the patient is unable to learn
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse should include the patient's spouse or
caregiver in teaching from the beginning. Chronic illness affects
, Page |3
the entire family, and early inclusion promotes better disease
management and support .
Question 4
What is the primary goal of nursing care for an older adult?
A. To cure all chronic conditions
B. To promote independence and quality of life
C. To prolong life at all costs
D. To institutionalize the patient
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The primary goal of nursing care for older adults is to
promote independence, maintain function, and optimize quality
of life.
Question 5
Which theory of aging proposes that aging results from the
gradual accumulation of damage to cells and tissues?
A. Disengagement theory
B. Activity theory
C. Biological theory (wear-and-tear)
D. Continuity theory
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The wear-and-tear theory (a biological theory)
proposes that aging results from cumulative damage to cells
and tissues over time.
Question 6
Which age-related change affects medication metabolism in
, Page |4
older adults?
A. Increased gastric motility
B. Decreased liver function
C. Increased renal clearance
D. Increased body water
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Decreased liver function in older adults slows drug
metabolism, increasing the risk of drug toxicity. Decreased renal
clearance and decreased body water also affect drug
distribution and elimination.
Question 7
A nurse is assessing an older adult for dehydration. Which
finding is most reliable?
A. Dry mucous membranes
B. Decreased skin turgor
C. Tachycardia
D. Changes in mental status
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Changes in mental status (confusion, lethargy) are
often the most reliable indicator of dehydration in older adults.
Skin turgor is less reliable due to age-related skin changes.
Question 8
What is polypharmacy?
A. The use of multiple medications simultaneously
B. The use of one medication at a time
