NUR 257 Final Exam V2 | NUR 257
Concepts of Aging & Chronic Illness | Q&A
with Rationale (NUR257 Final Exam) |
Galen College of Nursing
1. An 82-year-old patient is admitted with a diagnosis of delirium. Which characteristic most
distinguishes delirium from dementia in this patient?
A. Slow, progressive cognitive decline
B. Abrupt onset of confusion
C. Irreversible neurological changes
D. Loss of long-term memory
Answer: B
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by a rapid, acute onset of confusion and altered
consciousness. In contrast, dementia is a slow, progressive decline in cognitive function
that occurs over months or years. Nurses must identify the underlying cause of delirium,
such as infection or metabolic imbalance, because it is often reversible.
2. When assessing an older adult’s nutritional status, the nurse notes a decrease in lean body
mass and an increase in body fat. This age-related change is known as:
A. Osteoporosis
B. Sarcopenia
,C. Atrophy
D. Hypertrophy
Answer: B
Rationale: Sarcopenia refers to the age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength.
This condition can lead to decreased mobility, increased frailty, and a higher risk of falls in
the elderly population. Nursing interventions should focus on resistance training and
adequate protein intake to mitigate these effects.
3. Which of the following is a primary goal of palliative care for a patient with a terminal
illness?
A. Curing the underlying disease process
B. Hastening the death of the patient
C. Providing comfort and improving quality of life
D. Restricting all medical interventions
Answer: C
Rationale: Palliative care focuses on symptom management and improving the quality of
life for patients with serious illnesses. Unlike hospice, it can be provided at any stage of a
chronic disease alongside curative treatments. The interdisciplinary team works to address
physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the patient and family.
, 4. An older adult is prescribed a new medication that is highly protein-bound. The nurse
knows that decreased serum albumin levels in the elderly will likely result in:
A. Decreased drug effectiveness
B. Increased risk of drug toxicity
C. Faster excretion of the drug
D. No change in drug action
Answer: B
Rationale: Aging is often associated with lower serum albumin levels, which means there
are fewer binding sites for protein-bound drugs. This results in a higher concentration of
‘free’ or active drug in the bloodstream, increasing the risk of toxicity. Nurses must monitor
for adverse effects closely when starting new medications in this population.
5. The nurse is reviewing the Beers Criteria. What is the primary purpose of this tool in
geriatric nursing?
A. To screen for cognitive impairment and dementia
B. To determine the appropriate dosage of antibiotics for the elderly
C. To identify medications that are potentially inappropriate for older adults
D. To assess the risk of pressure ulcer development
Answer: C
Concepts of Aging & Chronic Illness | Q&A
with Rationale (NUR257 Final Exam) |
Galen College of Nursing
1. An 82-year-old patient is admitted with a diagnosis of delirium. Which characteristic most
distinguishes delirium from dementia in this patient?
A. Slow, progressive cognitive decline
B. Abrupt onset of confusion
C. Irreversible neurological changes
D. Loss of long-term memory
Answer: B
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by a rapid, acute onset of confusion and altered
consciousness. In contrast, dementia is a slow, progressive decline in cognitive function
that occurs over months or years. Nurses must identify the underlying cause of delirium,
such as infection or metabolic imbalance, because it is often reversible.
2. When assessing an older adult’s nutritional status, the nurse notes a decrease in lean body
mass and an increase in body fat. This age-related change is known as:
A. Osteoporosis
B. Sarcopenia
,C. Atrophy
D. Hypertrophy
Answer: B
Rationale: Sarcopenia refers to the age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength.
This condition can lead to decreased mobility, increased frailty, and a higher risk of falls in
the elderly population. Nursing interventions should focus on resistance training and
adequate protein intake to mitigate these effects.
3. Which of the following is a primary goal of palliative care for a patient with a terminal
illness?
A. Curing the underlying disease process
B. Hastening the death of the patient
C. Providing comfort and improving quality of life
D. Restricting all medical interventions
Answer: C
Rationale: Palliative care focuses on symptom management and improving the quality of
life for patients with serious illnesses. Unlike hospice, it can be provided at any stage of a
chronic disease alongside curative treatments. The interdisciplinary team works to address
physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the patient and family.
, 4. An older adult is prescribed a new medication that is highly protein-bound. The nurse
knows that decreased serum albumin levels in the elderly will likely result in:
A. Decreased drug effectiveness
B. Increased risk of drug toxicity
C. Faster excretion of the drug
D. No change in drug action
Answer: B
Rationale: Aging is often associated with lower serum albumin levels, which means there
are fewer binding sites for protein-bound drugs. This results in a higher concentration of
‘free’ or active drug in the bloodstream, increasing the risk of toxicity. Nurses must monitor
for adverse effects closely when starting new medications in this population.
5. The nurse is reviewing the Beers Criteria. What is the primary purpose of this tool in
geriatric nursing?
A. To screen for cognitive impairment and dementia
B. To determine the appropriate dosage of antibiotics for the elderly
C. To identify medications that are potentially inappropriate for older adults
D. To assess the risk of pressure ulcer development
Answer: C
