GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
NUR 257 Concepts of Aging & Chronic Illness
Academic Year: 2026/2027 Comprehensive Question Bank Exam 1
NCLEX-style · Gerontology Concepts
Question 1
What is the definition of diversity in the context of aging?
A. The shared beliefs and values of a group
B. The presence of differences among people, including race, ethnicity, language, religion,
gender, age, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and life experiences
C. The study of aging and its effects
D. The medical care of older adults
Correct answer:
B. The presence of differences among people, including race, ethnicity,
language, religion, gender, age, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and
life experiences
Rationale: Diversity encompasses the broad range of human differences. In aging, it is
crucial to recognize that older adults are not a homogenous group, and their experiences
are shaped by many intersecting factors.
, Question 2
According to Erikson, what is the final psychosocial stage for older adults?
A. Generativity vs. Stagnation
B. Integrity vs. Despair
C. Intimacy vs. Isolation
D. Trust vs. Mistrust
Correct answer: B. Integrity vs. Despair
Rationale: Erikson's final stage, Integrity vs. Despair, involves reflecting on one's life.
Achieving integrity means looking back with satisfaction, while despair involves regret and
fear of death.
Question 3
What is the role of the long-term care ombudsman program?
A. To provide medical care to residents
B. To advocate for residents in nursing homes and assisted living, investigate complaints,
and improve quality of life
C. To manage the finances of residents
D. To enforce Medicare and Medicaid regulations
Correct answer:
B. To advocate for residents in nursing homes and assisted living, investigate
complaints, and improve quality of life
Rationale: The long-term care ombudsman program advocates for residents' rights,
investigates complaints, and works to improve quality of life in long-term care settings.
, Question 4
What is the effect of aging on the epidermis?
A. Increased melanocytes and thinning
B. Reduced melanocytes, thinning, and increased time for cell renewal
C. Increased thickness and faster cell renewal
D. No significant change
Correct answer:
B. Reduced melanocytes, thinning, and increased time for cell renewal
Rationale: Aging of the epidermis includes reduced melanocytes (increasing cancer risk),
thinning, and slower cell renewal, which leads to fragile skin and delayed wound healing.
Question 5
What are the defining characteristics of the middle-old group (ages 75-84)?
A. Often newly retired, active, and independent
B. May begin experiencing more chronic illness, functional changes, and increased need
for support
C. More likely to have frailty and multiple chronic conditions
D. A rapidly growing group with unique health and social needs
Correct answer:
B. May begin experiencing more chronic illness, functional changes, and
increased need for support
Rationale: The middle-old group (75-84) often faces more chronic health conditions and
functional decline, though many remain relatively independent with some support.
, Question 6
What is the 'Personalist' (magicoreligious) health belief model?
A. A model focused on removing the invading organism
B. A model where illness is viewed as a blessing or test from God, addressed through
prayer or religious practices
C. A model that emphasizes balance in life
D. A model based on natural remedies and herbs
Correct answer:
B. A model where illness is viewed as a blessing or test from God, addressed
through prayer or religious practices
Rationale: The Personalist (magicoreligious) model interprets illness as a spiritual event,
often involving divine will, punishment, or blessing, and is addressed through prayer, rituals,
or spiritual practices.
Question 7
What is the difference between gerontology and geriatrics?
A. Gerontology is the medical care of older adults; geriatrics is the study of aging
B. Gerontology is the broad study of aging (physical, psychological, and social); geriatrics
is the medical care of older adults
C. They are the same thing
D. Gerontology focuses only on psychological aging
Correct answer:
B. Gerontology is the broad study of aging (physical, psychological, and social);
geriatrics is the medical care of older adults
Rationale: Gerontology is a multidisciplinary field studying the aging process, while
geriatrics is a medical specialty focused on the health and care of older adults.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
NUR 257 Concepts of Aging & Chronic Illness
Academic Year: 2026/2027 Comprehensive Question Bank Exam 1
NCLEX-style · Gerontology Concepts
Question 1
What is the definition of diversity in the context of aging?
A. The shared beliefs and values of a group
B. The presence of differences among people, including race, ethnicity, language, religion,
gender, age, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and life experiences
C. The study of aging and its effects
D. The medical care of older adults
Correct answer:
B. The presence of differences among people, including race, ethnicity,
language, religion, gender, age, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and
life experiences
Rationale: Diversity encompasses the broad range of human differences. In aging, it is
crucial to recognize that older adults are not a homogenous group, and their experiences
are shaped by many intersecting factors.
, Question 2
According to Erikson, what is the final psychosocial stage for older adults?
A. Generativity vs. Stagnation
B. Integrity vs. Despair
C. Intimacy vs. Isolation
D. Trust vs. Mistrust
Correct answer: B. Integrity vs. Despair
Rationale: Erikson's final stage, Integrity vs. Despair, involves reflecting on one's life.
Achieving integrity means looking back with satisfaction, while despair involves regret and
fear of death.
Question 3
What is the role of the long-term care ombudsman program?
A. To provide medical care to residents
B. To advocate for residents in nursing homes and assisted living, investigate complaints,
and improve quality of life
C. To manage the finances of residents
D. To enforce Medicare and Medicaid regulations
Correct answer:
B. To advocate for residents in nursing homes and assisted living, investigate
complaints, and improve quality of life
Rationale: The long-term care ombudsman program advocates for residents' rights,
investigates complaints, and works to improve quality of life in long-term care settings.
, Question 4
What is the effect of aging on the epidermis?
A. Increased melanocytes and thinning
B. Reduced melanocytes, thinning, and increased time for cell renewal
C. Increased thickness and faster cell renewal
D. No significant change
Correct answer:
B. Reduced melanocytes, thinning, and increased time for cell renewal
Rationale: Aging of the epidermis includes reduced melanocytes (increasing cancer risk),
thinning, and slower cell renewal, which leads to fragile skin and delayed wound healing.
Question 5
What are the defining characteristics of the middle-old group (ages 75-84)?
A. Often newly retired, active, and independent
B. May begin experiencing more chronic illness, functional changes, and increased need
for support
C. More likely to have frailty and multiple chronic conditions
D. A rapidly growing group with unique health and social needs
Correct answer:
B. May begin experiencing more chronic illness, functional changes, and
increased need for support
Rationale: The middle-old group (75-84) often faces more chronic health conditions and
functional decline, though many remain relatively independent with some support.
, Question 6
What is the 'Personalist' (magicoreligious) health belief model?
A. A model focused on removing the invading organism
B. A model where illness is viewed as a blessing or test from God, addressed through
prayer or religious practices
C. A model that emphasizes balance in life
D. A model based on natural remedies and herbs
Correct answer:
B. A model where illness is viewed as a blessing or test from God, addressed
through prayer or religious practices
Rationale: The Personalist (magicoreligious) model interprets illness as a spiritual event,
often involving divine will, punishment, or blessing, and is addressed through prayer, rituals,
or spiritual practices.
Question 7
What is the difference between gerontology and geriatrics?
A. Gerontology is the medical care of older adults; geriatrics is the study of aging
B. Gerontology is the broad study of aging (physical, psychological, and social); geriatrics
is the medical care of older adults
C. They are the same thing
D. Gerontology focuses only on psychological aging
Correct answer:
B. Gerontology is the broad study of aging (physical, psychological, and social);
geriatrics is the medical care of older adults
Rationale: Gerontology is a multidisciplinary field studying the aging process, while
geriatrics is a medical specialty focused on the health and care of older adults.
