,NU176/NU 176 Exam 4 | Geriatric Nursing |
Galen College | Q & A | 2026/2027 Edition
(PDF
1. A nurse is caring for a terminally ill patient. The patient's family asks why the patient's breathing has
become irregular, with periods of apnea. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
A) "This is a sign that the patient is in pain and needs more medication."
B) "This is a normal part of the dying process called Cheyne-Stokes respirations."
C) "This means the patient is choking and needs to be suctioned."
D) "This is a sign that the patient is fighting to stay alive."
Correct Answer: "This is a normal part of the dying process called Cheyne-Stokes respirations."
Rationale: Cheyne-Stokes respirations, characterized by alternating periods of deep breathing and
apnea, are a common and expected physical sign in the dying process. The nurse should provide honest,
compassionate education to the family to alleviate anxiety. The other options are incorrect and may
increase the family's distress.
2. The hospice nurse is educating a patient's family about the signs of impending death. Which physical
sign should the nurse include?
A) Warm, flushed skin
B) Bounding peripheral pulses
C) Coolness in the extremities
D) Increased appetite
Correct Answer: Coolness in the extremities
Rationale: As circulation decreases in the dying process, blood is shunted to the core organs, resulting in
coolness and mottling of the extremities. This is a normal and expected sign. Warm skin, bounding
pulses, and increased appetite are not typical signs of impending death.
,3. A nurse is providing end-of-life care. The family expresses guilt about not being able to do more for
the patient. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A) Tell the family they should not feel guilty
B) Encourage the family to express their feelings
C) Change the subject to avoid upsetting the family
D) Suggest the family leave the room to take a break
Correct Answer: Encourage the family to express their feelings
Rationale: Encouraging the family to express their feelings validates their emotions and provides an
opportunity for therapeutic communication. Telling them not to feel guilty is dismissive, changing the
subject avoids the issue, and suggesting they leave may be perceived as rejection.
4. A terminally ill patient is experiencing severe dyspnea. Which medication should the nurse anticipate
administering to manage this symptom?
A) Albuterol
B) Morphine sulfate
C) Furosemide
D) Diazepam
Correct Answer: Morphine sulfate
Rationale: Morphine is the first-line pharmacological intervention for dyspnea at the end of life. It
reduces the respiratory drive, decreases anxiety, and improves the work of breathing. Albuterol,
furosemide, and diazepam may have roles in other settings but are not the primary treatment for
terminal dyspnea.
5. A patient's family member asks the nurse about the difference between hospice and palliative care.
Which response is most accurate?
A) "Hospice and palliative care are the same thing."
B) "Hospice is for patients who are no longer receiving curative treatment, while palliative care can be
provided at any stage of illness."
, C) "Palliative care is only for patients in the hospital."
D) "Hospice is for patients with cancer only."
Correct Answer: "Hospice is for patients who are no longer receiving curative treatment, while palliative
care can be provided at any stage of illness."
Rationale: Hospice care is specifically for patients with a prognosis of six months or less who have
elected to forgo curative treatment. Palliative care focuses on symptom management and quality of life
and can be provided alongside curative treatment at any stage of illness. The other statements are
inaccurate.
6. A nurse is caring for a patient who is actively dying. The patient's family is gathered around the
bedside and is talking to the patient. What should the nurse encourage the family to do?
A) Stop talking to the patient because they cannot hear anything
B) Continue to talk to the patient, as hearing is often the last sense to go
C) Speak loudly to ensure the patient can hear them
D) Leave the room to give the patient privacy
Correct Answer: Continue to talk to the patient, as hearing is often the last sense to go
Rationale: Hearing is often the last sense to be lost in the dying process. Encouraging the family to
continue speaking to the patient provides comfort and allows for meaningful connection. The other
options are incorrect.
7. A terminally ill patient is experiencing terminal restlessness. Which nursing intervention is most
appropriate?
A) Administer a sedative as prescribed
B) Place the patient in restraints
C) Keep the room brightly lit
D) Encourage the patient to get out of bed
Correct Answer: Administer a sedative as prescribed
Galen College | Q & A | 2026/2027 Edition
1. A nurse is caring for a terminally ill patient. The patient's family asks why the patient's breathing has
become irregular, with periods of apnea. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
A) "This is a sign that the patient is in pain and needs more medication."
B) "This is a normal part of the dying process called Cheyne-Stokes respirations."
C) "This means the patient is choking and needs to be suctioned."
D) "This is a sign that the patient is fighting to stay alive."
Correct Answer: "This is a normal part of the dying process called Cheyne-Stokes respirations."
Rationale: Cheyne-Stokes respirations, characterized by alternating periods of deep breathing and
apnea, are a common and expected physical sign in the dying process. The nurse should provide honest,
compassionate education to the family to alleviate anxiety. The other options are incorrect and may
increase the family's distress.
2. The hospice nurse is educating a patient's family about the signs of impending death. Which physical
sign should the nurse include?
A) Warm, flushed skin
B) Bounding peripheral pulses
C) Coolness in the extremities
D) Increased appetite
Correct Answer: Coolness in the extremities
Rationale: As circulation decreases in the dying process, blood is shunted to the core organs, resulting in
coolness and mottling of the extremities. This is a normal and expected sign. Warm skin, bounding
pulses, and increased appetite are not typical signs of impending death.
,3. A nurse is providing end-of-life care. The family expresses guilt about not being able to do more for
the patient. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A) Tell the family they should not feel guilty
B) Encourage the family to express their feelings
C) Change the subject to avoid upsetting the family
D) Suggest the family leave the room to take a break
Correct Answer: Encourage the family to express their feelings
Rationale: Encouraging the family to express their feelings validates their emotions and provides an
opportunity for therapeutic communication. Telling them not to feel guilty is dismissive, changing the
subject avoids the issue, and suggesting they leave may be perceived as rejection.
4. A terminally ill patient is experiencing severe dyspnea. Which medication should the nurse anticipate
administering to manage this symptom?
A) Albuterol
B) Morphine sulfate
C) Furosemide
D) Diazepam
Correct Answer: Morphine sulfate
Rationale: Morphine is the first-line pharmacological intervention for dyspnea at the end of life. It
reduces the respiratory drive, decreases anxiety, and improves the work of breathing. Albuterol,
furosemide, and diazepam may have roles in other settings but are not the primary treatment for
terminal dyspnea.
5. A patient's family member asks the nurse about the difference between hospice and palliative care.
Which response is most accurate?
A) "Hospice and palliative care are the same thing."
B) "Hospice is for patients who are no longer receiving curative treatment, while palliative care can be
provided at any stage of illness."
, C) "Palliative care is only for patients in the hospital."
D) "Hospice is for patients with cancer only."
Correct Answer: "Hospice is for patients who are no longer receiving curative treatment, while palliative
care can be provided at any stage of illness."
Rationale: Hospice care is specifically for patients with a prognosis of six months or less who have
elected to forgo curative treatment. Palliative care focuses on symptom management and quality of life
and can be provided alongside curative treatment at any stage of illness. The other statements are
inaccurate.
6. A nurse is caring for a patient who is actively dying. The patient's family is gathered around the
bedside and is talking to the patient. What should the nurse encourage the family to do?
A) Stop talking to the patient because they cannot hear anything
B) Continue to talk to the patient, as hearing is often the last sense to go
C) Speak loudly to ensure the patient can hear them
D) Leave the room to give the patient privacy
Correct Answer: Continue to talk to the patient, as hearing is often the last sense to go
Rationale: Hearing is often the last sense to be lost in the dying process. Encouraging the family to
continue speaking to the patient provides comfort and allows for meaningful connection. The other
options are incorrect.
7. A terminally ill patient is experiencing terminal restlessness. Which nursing intervention is most
appropriate?
A) Administer a sedative as prescribed
B) Place the patient in restraints
C) Keep the room brightly lit
D) Encourage the patient to get out of bed
Correct Answer: Administer a sedative as prescribed
