1
NUR 257 CHRONIC EXAM 4 2026 GALEN COLLEGE OF
NURSING FULL QUESTIONS AND 100% CORRECT
CORRECT ANSWERS GRADED
2026 Update – Questions & Correct AnswerS
Academic Integrity Note: This study guide is based on verified course materials
and is intended to help you prepare for Exam 4 by reinforcing key concepts. Use it
alongside your textbook and lecture notes. Actual exam questions may vary.
Exam 4 Overview
Course: NUR 257 – Concepts of Aging & Chronic Illness
Institution: Galen College of Nursing
Exam: 4 (Final Exam covering geriatric syndromes, chronic disease management,
palliative care, and end-of-life considerations)
Topic 1: Gout & Arthritis Management
Question 1
A patient had their first gout attack. What medicine would you expect to provide
teaching on?
A) Gabapentin
B) Allopurinol (long-term maintenance)
C) Colchicine (acute care)
D) Atropine
✔✔ Correct Answer ✔✔ C) Colchicine (acute care)
,2
Rationale: Colchicine is used for acute gout attacks to reduce inflammation and
pain. Allopurinol is for long-term maintenance to prevent future attacks, but it is
not used during an acute flare and may actually worsen symptoms if started
during an attack .
Question 2
A patient has osteoarthritis and the nurse is wanting to instruct them how to slow
the progression of the disease. What should you educate them to do?
A) Swimming twice a week
B) Walking 3 times a week
C) Jogging once every 2 days
D) Weight lifting 2 days a week
✔✔ Correct Answer ✔✔ A) Swimming twice a week
Rationale: Low-impact aerobic exercise like swimming is recommended for
osteoarthritis to maintain joint function without causing excessive stress on
affected joints. High-impact activities like jogging and weight lifting can accelerate
joint damage .
Question 3
A patient who has chronic gout is experiencing an exacerbation. Which statement
best explains the cause?
A) "I have been avoiding all foods with tyramine."
B) "I have been drinking 2-3 L of fluids every day."
C) "I just got a promotion and went out to celebrate with my friends."
D) "I have been taking my Allopurinol as prescribed."
✔✔ Correct Answer ✔✔ C) "I just got a promotion and went out to
celebrate with my friends."
,3
Rationale: Alcohol consumption (celebrating) is a common trigger for acute gout
exacerbations. Adequate hydration helps prevent attacks; allopurinol is a
maintenance medication .
Topic 2: Osteoporosis & Fall Prevention
Question 4
Who would be at most risk for osteoporosis?
A) 90-year-old who uses a walker to move around
B) A small man who smokes, has emphysema, and uses steroids
C) A 35-year-old with chronic back pain
D) A 77-year-old male with lordosis and therapy 3 times a week
✔✔ Correct Answer ✔✔ B) A small man who smokes, has emphysema,
and uses steroids
Rationale: Osteoporosis risk factors include small body frame, smoking, chronic
steroid use, and chronic lung disease. While age is a risk factor, the combination
of risk factors in Option B creates the highest overall risk .
Question 5
A patient is newly diagnosed with osteoporosis. What would you include in
discharge teaching?
A) Only get up with assistance or supervision
B) Remove all throw rugs from my floor
C) Exercise with weight training 4 times a week
D) Take calcium supplements with my iron pills
✔✔ Correct Answer ✔✔ B) Remove all throw rugs from my floor
Rationale: Fall prevention is critical in osteoporosis. Removing throw rugs reduces
tripping hazards. While exercise is important, weight training 4x/week may be
excessive, and calcium should not be taken with iron as they compete for
absorption .
, 4
Question 6
A patient reports feeling unsteady on stairs. What is the best action to reduce fall
risk?
A) Advise to use the stairs with a caregiver at all times
B) Recommend installing handrails, ensuring good lighting, and using a sturdy step
stool as needed
C) Encourage rushing up and down the stairs to build confidence
D) Suggest removing stairs to eliminate risk
✔✔ Correct Answer ✔✔ B) Recommend installing handrails, ensuring
good lighting, and using a sturdy step stool as needed
Rationale: Environmental modifications and assistive devices reduce fall risk.
Rushing increases risk; removing stairs is often impractical .
Topic 3: Pain Management & Assessment
Question 7
What is the most serious side effect of opioid analgesics?
A) Constipation
B) Nausea and vomiting
C) Respiratory depression
D) Pruritus
✔✔ Correct Answer ✔✔ r C) Respiratory depression
Rationale: Respiratory depression is the most serious and potentially life-
threatening side effect of opioids. Naloxone is the antidote. While constipation,
nausea, and itching are common, they are not immediately life-threatening .
Question 8
NUR 257 CHRONIC EXAM 4 2026 GALEN COLLEGE OF
NURSING FULL QUESTIONS AND 100% CORRECT
CORRECT ANSWERS GRADED
2026 Update – Questions & Correct AnswerS
Academic Integrity Note: This study guide is based on verified course materials
and is intended to help you prepare for Exam 4 by reinforcing key concepts. Use it
alongside your textbook and lecture notes. Actual exam questions may vary.
Exam 4 Overview
Course: NUR 257 – Concepts of Aging & Chronic Illness
Institution: Galen College of Nursing
Exam: 4 (Final Exam covering geriatric syndromes, chronic disease management,
palliative care, and end-of-life considerations)
Topic 1: Gout & Arthritis Management
Question 1
A patient had their first gout attack. What medicine would you expect to provide
teaching on?
A) Gabapentin
B) Allopurinol (long-term maintenance)
C) Colchicine (acute care)
D) Atropine
✔✔ Correct Answer ✔✔ C) Colchicine (acute care)
,2
Rationale: Colchicine is used for acute gout attacks to reduce inflammation and
pain. Allopurinol is for long-term maintenance to prevent future attacks, but it is
not used during an acute flare and may actually worsen symptoms if started
during an attack .
Question 2
A patient has osteoarthritis and the nurse is wanting to instruct them how to slow
the progression of the disease. What should you educate them to do?
A) Swimming twice a week
B) Walking 3 times a week
C) Jogging once every 2 days
D) Weight lifting 2 days a week
✔✔ Correct Answer ✔✔ A) Swimming twice a week
Rationale: Low-impact aerobic exercise like swimming is recommended for
osteoarthritis to maintain joint function without causing excessive stress on
affected joints. High-impact activities like jogging and weight lifting can accelerate
joint damage .
Question 3
A patient who has chronic gout is experiencing an exacerbation. Which statement
best explains the cause?
A) "I have been avoiding all foods with tyramine."
B) "I have been drinking 2-3 L of fluids every day."
C) "I just got a promotion and went out to celebrate with my friends."
D) "I have been taking my Allopurinol as prescribed."
✔✔ Correct Answer ✔✔ C) "I just got a promotion and went out to
celebrate with my friends."
,3
Rationale: Alcohol consumption (celebrating) is a common trigger for acute gout
exacerbations. Adequate hydration helps prevent attacks; allopurinol is a
maintenance medication .
Topic 2: Osteoporosis & Fall Prevention
Question 4
Who would be at most risk for osteoporosis?
A) 90-year-old who uses a walker to move around
B) A small man who smokes, has emphysema, and uses steroids
C) A 35-year-old with chronic back pain
D) A 77-year-old male with lordosis and therapy 3 times a week
✔✔ Correct Answer ✔✔ B) A small man who smokes, has emphysema,
and uses steroids
Rationale: Osteoporosis risk factors include small body frame, smoking, chronic
steroid use, and chronic lung disease. While age is a risk factor, the combination
of risk factors in Option B creates the highest overall risk .
Question 5
A patient is newly diagnosed with osteoporosis. What would you include in
discharge teaching?
A) Only get up with assistance or supervision
B) Remove all throw rugs from my floor
C) Exercise with weight training 4 times a week
D) Take calcium supplements with my iron pills
✔✔ Correct Answer ✔✔ B) Remove all throw rugs from my floor
Rationale: Fall prevention is critical in osteoporosis. Removing throw rugs reduces
tripping hazards. While exercise is important, weight training 4x/week may be
excessive, and calcium should not be taken with iron as they compete for
absorption .
, 4
Question 6
A patient reports feeling unsteady on stairs. What is the best action to reduce fall
risk?
A) Advise to use the stairs with a caregiver at all times
B) Recommend installing handrails, ensuring good lighting, and using a sturdy step
stool as needed
C) Encourage rushing up and down the stairs to build confidence
D) Suggest removing stairs to eliminate risk
✔✔ Correct Answer ✔✔ B) Recommend installing handrails, ensuring
good lighting, and using a sturdy step stool as needed
Rationale: Environmental modifications and assistive devices reduce fall risk.
Rushing increases risk; removing stairs is often impractical .
Topic 3: Pain Management & Assessment
Question 7
What is the most serious side effect of opioid analgesics?
A) Constipation
B) Nausea and vomiting
C) Respiratory depression
D) Pruritus
✔✔ Correct Answer ✔✔ r C) Respiratory depression
Rationale: Respiratory depression is the most serious and potentially life-
threatening side effect of opioids. Naloxone is the antidote. While constipation,
nausea, and itching are common, they are not immediately life-threatening .
Question 8
