NUR 257 Exam 2 Mock Exam 2026 | Galen College of
Nursing | Trusted Questions & Answers
1. If a nurse assesses an elderly patient with abdominal pain and urinary
retention, what is the most appropriate initial intervention?
Encourage the patient to drink more fluids
Perform a bladder scan to assess for urinary retention
Administer pain medication immediately
Document the symptoms and wait for further instructions
2. If an elderly patient experiences increased anxiety after switching from
amitriptyline to an SSRI, what should be the nurse's next step?
Immediately switch the patient back to amitriptyline.
Assess the patient for potential side effects and consult with the
healthcare provider.
Increase the dosage of the SSRI.
Document the patient's anxiety and continue with the current
treatment plan.
3. What is a recommended action when caring for a patient with a hearing
deficit?
Provide written instructions only without verbal communication.
Avoid any form of communication to prevent confusion.
Ensure clear communication by speaking directly to the patient and
using visual aids if necessary.
Speak loudly and shout to get the patient's attention.
,4. An elderly patient with progressive cognition decline for 4 years. Which of
the following is the most important question to ask the patient as part of
initial management?
Do you still grow tomato in your garden?
Are you able to count the cars parking outside the house?
Do you invite friends over and cook for them?
Are you able to feed yourself / can you eat without assistance?
5. During the patient interview, the nurse finds that the patient taking warfarin
eats a salad for lunch every day. What is a concern for this patient?
Decrease in warfarin's effectiveness
Allergic reaction to warfarin
Increase in warfarin's action
Increase in GI upset
6. Recommendations for nutritional interventions for the elderly client should
be based on which of the following?
Individualized assessment
How the person feels
Known needs of the elderly population
Recommended dietary allowances and adequate intakes for
individuals over 51 years of age
7. Why is it important to inform patients about the potential side effects of
antipsychotic medications?
To provide patients with a detailed history of the drug.
, To ensure patients can recognize and report adverse reactions.
To convince patients to switch to alternative therapies.
To encourage patients to take the medication without question.
8. What is the primary focus of the initial assessment for elderly patients in
nursing care?
To perform a physical examination only.
To provide immediate treatment for any conditions.
To obtain relevant information about the patient's health status.
To prescribe medication for the patient.
9. What is one question you can ask to assess a patient's cognitive abilities?
How many siblings do you have?
Are you able to drive and run errands without difficulty?
What is your favorite food?
What time do you usually go to bed?
10. A 75-year-old woman is brought to the emergency department after a fall at
home. She has a history of hypertension, depression, and osteoporosis. The
patient is taking medications for each condition, and her family is concerned
about her overall well-being. The healthcare provider suspects that her
recent decline in cognitive function may be related to the combination of
medications. What is the most appropriate initial step in managing this
patient?
Initiating a new medication for cognitive enhancement
Discontinuing all medications to assess for improvement
Referring the patient to a neurologist for further evaluation
, Performing a comprehensive medication review and adjustment
11. A nurse discusses driving with an older adult who continues to drive, but is
probably unsafe on the road. Which statement made by the nurse is most
appropriate?
You shouldn't drive anymore.
I am concerned about your safety, as well as the safety of others.
We just don't want you to crash when you drive across the state.
I am calling your child to take your keys.
12. Describe how dysphagia can impact the nutritional status of an elderly
patient.
Dysphagia improves the absorption of nutrients.
Dysphagia can lead to inadequate nutrition due to difficulty
swallowing food and liquids.
Dysphagia has no effect on nutritional status.
Dysphagia only affects hydration levels.
13. What is the priority nursing diagnosis for a client stating life is just not worth
living?
low self esteem
disturbed thought process
anxiety
hopelessness
14. In a scenario where an elderly patient exhibits signs of confusion and
forgetfulness, how would you apply the SAFE DRIVE mnemonic to address
Nursing | Trusted Questions & Answers
1. If a nurse assesses an elderly patient with abdominal pain and urinary
retention, what is the most appropriate initial intervention?
Encourage the patient to drink more fluids
Perform a bladder scan to assess for urinary retention
Administer pain medication immediately
Document the symptoms and wait for further instructions
2. If an elderly patient experiences increased anxiety after switching from
amitriptyline to an SSRI, what should be the nurse's next step?
Immediately switch the patient back to amitriptyline.
Assess the patient for potential side effects and consult with the
healthcare provider.
Increase the dosage of the SSRI.
Document the patient's anxiety and continue with the current
treatment plan.
3. What is a recommended action when caring for a patient with a hearing
deficit?
Provide written instructions only without verbal communication.
Avoid any form of communication to prevent confusion.
Ensure clear communication by speaking directly to the patient and
using visual aids if necessary.
Speak loudly and shout to get the patient's attention.
,4. An elderly patient with progressive cognition decline for 4 years. Which of
the following is the most important question to ask the patient as part of
initial management?
Do you still grow tomato in your garden?
Are you able to count the cars parking outside the house?
Do you invite friends over and cook for them?
Are you able to feed yourself / can you eat without assistance?
5. During the patient interview, the nurse finds that the patient taking warfarin
eats a salad for lunch every day. What is a concern for this patient?
Decrease in warfarin's effectiveness
Allergic reaction to warfarin
Increase in warfarin's action
Increase in GI upset
6. Recommendations for nutritional interventions for the elderly client should
be based on which of the following?
Individualized assessment
How the person feels
Known needs of the elderly population
Recommended dietary allowances and adequate intakes for
individuals over 51 years of age
7. Why is it important to inform patients about the potential side effects of
antipsychotic medications?
To provide patients with a detailed history of the drug.
, To ensure patients can recognize and report adverse reactions.
To convince patients to switch to alternative therapies.
To encourage patients to take the medication without question.
8. What is the primary focus of the initial assessment for elderly patients in
nursing care?
To perform a physical examination only.
To provide immediate treatment for any conditions.
To obtain relevant information about the patient's health status.
To prescribe medication for the patient.
9. What is one question you can ask to assess a patient's cognitive abilities?
How many siblings do you have?
Are you able to drive and run errands without difficulty?
What is your favorite food?
What time do you usually go to bed?
10. A 75-year-old woman is brought to the emergency department after a fall at
home. She has a history of hypertension, depression, and osteoporosis. The
patient is taking medications for each condition, and her family is concerned
about her overall well-being. The healthcare provider suspects that her
recent decline in cognitive function may be related to the combination of
medications. What is the most appropriate initial step in managing this
patient?
Initiating a new medication for cognitive enhancement
Discontinuing all medications to assess for improvement
Referring the patient to a neurologist for further evaluation
, Performing a comprehensive medication review and adjustment
11. A nurse discusses driving with an older adult who continues to drive, but is
probably unsafe on the road. Which statement made by the nurse is most
appropriate?
You shouldn't drive anymore.
I am concerned about your safety, as well as the safety of others.
We just don't want you to crash when you drive across the state.
I am calling your child to take your keys.
12. Describe how dysphagia can impact the nutritional status of an elderly
patient.
Dysphagia improves the absorption of nutrients.
Dysphagia can lead to inadequate nutrition due to difficulty
swallowing food and liquids.
Dysphagia has no effect on nutritional status.
Dysphagia only affects hydration levels.
13. What is the priority nursing diagnosis for a client stating life is just not worth
living?
low self esteem
disturbed thought process
anxiety
hopelessness
14. In a scenario where an elderly patient exhibits signs of confusion and
forgetfulness, how would you apply the SAFE DRIVE mnemonic to address
