,Chapter 1: Personal Resources of an Adult Learner
1. Which of the following best exemplifies an adult learner applying
metacognition in their nursing studies?
A. Memorizing procedures through repetition
B. Practicing clinical skills in the lab
C. Reflecting on why they struggle with pharmacology and adjusting study strategies
D. Participating in a group discussion without preparation
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Metacognition involves awareness and control over one’s own learning
process. Reflecting on difficulties and adapting strategies demonstrates high-level
thinking beyond memorization or passive learning.
2. According to Knowles’ theory of andragogy, what motivates adult learners
most effectively?
A. Fear of failure
B. Extrinsic rewards like grades
C. Relevance of content to real-life roles
D. Pressure from instructors
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Knowles emphasized that adult learners are primarily driven by internal
motivations and need to see the relevance of their learning to practical, real-life
contexts such as their job or family responsibilities.
3. A nursing student with high self-efficacy is most likely to respond to academic
failure by:
A. Avoiding future academic risks
B. Blaming external circumstances
C. Reevaluating and modifying their approach
D. Dropping the course
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: High self-efficacy leads to resilience and persistence. Students believe in
their ability to overcome challenges and are more inclined to adapt than withdraw.
4. Time management for the adult learner is most enhanced by which of the
following strategies?
A. Scheduling social events weekly
B. Multitasking during lectures
,C. Prioritizing academic goals with a daily planner
D. Studying only when motivated
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Prioritizing tasks and organizing them in a planner supports structure and
reduces stress, a key strategy for balancing complex adult learner responsibilities.
5. Which emotional factor most strongly predicts academic persistence in adult
nursing students?
A. Anxiety
B. Confidence
C. Boredom
D. Defensiveness
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Confidence—especially academic self-confidence—is critical for
persistence. It supports proactive behaviors, effort investment, and seeking help when
needed.
6. Adult learners with limited cognitive flexibility might struggle with:
A. Time constraints
B. Adjusting to new learning formats
C. Hands-on practice
D. Forming peer relationships
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cognitive flexibility refers to the mental ability to adapt to new
information and perspectives. Difficulty adapting to novel formats or teaching styles is
a common issue for learners with reduced flexibility.
7. What is the best reason adult learners need to be self-directed in their
education?
A. Because instructors expect it
B. Because traditional models don’t work
C. Because adult learners bring diverse experiences and must integrate them into
learning
D. Because online classes demand it
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Self-direction allows learners to connect prior experiences with new
information. This internal control over learning is a hallmark of adult education
theories like andragogy.
, 8. In the context of stress management, which coping mechanism is most effective
for academic resilience?
A. Suppression
B. Time-outs
C. Mindfulness meditation
D. Denial
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Mindfulness practices improve focus, reduce anxiety, and support
emotional regulation—key components in building academic resilience.
9. What does locus of control refer to in the context of adult learning?
A. External support systems
B. Degree of control learners feel they have over their academic outcomes
C. Influence of instructors
D. Geographic proximity to school
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Locus of control is a psychological concept describing whether individuals
attribute success/failure to their own actions (internal) or to outside forces (external).
10. Which learning environment is best suited for fostering autonomy in adult
learners?
A. Lecture-heavy classes
B. Faculty-led discussions only
C. Interactive and self-paced modules
D. Mandatory attendance sessions
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Self-paced and interactive modules support autonomy, allowing learners to
take control of how and when they engage with material.
11. An adult learner who engages in "meaning-making" is most likely to:
A. Cram before exams
B. Copy notes verbatim
C. Reflect on how new concepts relate to their life and experiences
D. Depend heavily on the textbook
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Meaning-making connects new information with existing frameworks and
personal relevance, deepening understanding and retention.
1. Which of the following best exemplifies an adult learner applying
metacognition in their nursing studies?
A. Memorizing procedures through repetition
B. Practicing clinical skills in the lab
C. Reflecting on why they struggle with pharmacology and adjusting study strategies
D. Participating in a group discussion without preparation
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Metacognition involves awareness and control over one’s own learning
process. Reflecting on difficulties and adapting strategies demonstrates high-level
thinking beyond memorization or passive learning.
2. According to Knowles’ theory of andragogy, what motivates adult learners
most effectively?
A. Fear of failure
B. Extrinsic rewards like grades
C. Relevance of content to real-life roles
D. Pressure from instructors
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Knowles emphasized that adult learners are primarily driven by internal
motivations and need to see the relevance of their learning to practical, real-life
contexts such as their job or family responsibilities.
3. A nursing student with high self-efficacy is most likely to respond to academic
failure by:
A. Avoiding future academic risks
B. Blaming external circumstances
C. Reevaluating and modifying their approach
D. Dropping the course
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: High self-efficacy leads to resilience and persistence. Students believe in
their ability to overcome challenges and are more inclined to adapt than withdraw.
4. Time management for the adult learner is most enhanced by which of the
following strategies?
A. Scheduling social events weekly
B. Multitasking during lectures
,C. Prioritizing academic goals with a daily planner
D. Studying only when motivated
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Prioritizing tasks and organizing them in a planner supports structure and
reduces stress, a key strategy for balancing complex adult learner responsibilities.
5. Which emotional factor most strongly predicts academic persistence in adult
nursing students?
A. Anxiety
B. Confidence
C. Boredom
D. Defensiveness
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Confidence—especially academic self-confidence—is critical for
persistence. It supports proactive behaviors, effort investment, and seeking help when
needed.
6. Adult learners with limited cognitive flexibility might struggle with:
A. Time constraints
B. Adjusting to new learning formats
C. Hands-on practice
D. Forming peer relationships
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cognitive flexibility refers to the mental ability to adapt to new
information and perspectives. Difficulty adapting to novel formats or teaching styles is
a common issue for learners with reduced flexibility.
7. What is the best reason adult learners need to be self-directed in their
education?
A. Because instructors expect it
B. Because traditional models don’t work
C. Because adult learners bring diverse experiences and must integrate them into
learning
D. Because online classes demand it
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Self-direction allows learners to connect prior experiences with new
information. This internal control over learning is a hallmark of adult education
theories like andragogy.
, 8. In the context of stress management, which coping mechanism is most effective
for academic resilience?
A. Suppression
B. Time-outs
C. Mindfulness meditation
D. Denial
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Mindfulness practices improve focus, reduce anxiety, and support
emotional regulation—key components in building academic resilience.
9. What does locus of control refer to in the context of adult learning?
A. External support systems
B. Degree of control learners feel they have over their academic outcomes
C. Influence of instructors
D. Geographic proximity to school
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Locus of control is a psychological concept describing whether individuals
attribute success/failure to their own actions (internal) or to outside forces (external).
10. Which learning environment is best suited for fostering autonomy in adult
learners?
A. Lecture-heavy classes
B. Faculty-led discussions only
C. Interactive and self-paced modules
D. Mandatory attendance sessions
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Self-paced and interactive modules support autonomy, allowing learners to
take control of how and when they engage with material.
11. An adult learner who engages in "meaning-making" is most likely to:
A. Cram before exams
B. Copy notes verbatim
C. Reflect on how new concepts relate to their life and experiences
D. Depend heavily on the textbook
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Meaning-making connects new information with existing frameworks and
personal relevance, deepening understanding and retention.
