Galen College NUR 255 Exam 2 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Aging & Chronic
Illness | Nursing
1. Which of the following is a normal age-related change in the nervous
system that affects how a nurse should communicate with an older adult?
A) Increased processing speed
B) Improved recent memory
C) Slower processing time
D) Enhanced touch sensation
Correct Answer: Slower processing time
Rationale: A normal age-related change in the nervous system is slower
processing time, meaning older adults need more time to understand and
respond to questions. The nurse should speak clearly and allow sufficient
time for responses.
2. Which sensory change in older adults increases the risk of injury from falls
due to an inability to sense foot position?
A) Presbyopia
B) Presbycusis
C) Decreased proprioception
D) Reduced smell and taste
Correct Answer: Decreased proprioception
Rationale: Proprioception is the sense of body position and movement. Age-
related declines in proprioception reduce the brain's ability to know where
the feet are positioned when walking, increasing the risk of missteps and
falls.
,3. The nurse is assessing an older adult's skin. Which of the following age-
related changes is expected?
A) Increased skin thickness and elasticity
B) Increased oiliness and moisture
C) Thinner, less elastic, and drier skin
D) Increased melanin production
Correct Answer: Thinner, less elastic, and drier skin
Rationale: Normal age-related skin changes include thinning of the
epidermis, loss of dermal thickness and elasticity, and atrophy of oil glands.
4. A nurse is reviewing variables that affect the immune system. Which of
the following is a correct statement?
A) The immune system is stronger with aging.
B) Autoimmune disorders are more common in men.
C) Nutrition has no effect on immune function.
D) Many autoimmune disorders are more common in women.
Correct Answer: Many autoimmune disorders are more common in women.
Rationale: Age and gender are key variables that affect the immune system,
with many autoimmune disorders being more common in women.
5. A patient with a total WBC count of 3,200 cells/mm³ is diagnosed with
leukopenia. Which of the following is a potential cause of this condition?
A) Infection
B) Inflammation
,C) Chemotherapy
D) Stress
Correct Answer: Chemotherapy
Rationale: Leukopenia (total WBC < 4,000) can be caused by drug toxicity
such as chemotherapy, autoimmune disease, or bone marrow failure.
6. The nurse is caring for a patient with neutropenia. Which of the following
is an essential precaution?
A) Allow fresh flowers in the room.
B) Encourage consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.
C) Restrict visitors and monitor for signs of infection.
D) Administer all medications orally.
Correct Answer: Restrict visitors and monitor for signs of infection.
Rationale: Neutropenic precautions are essential when the absolute
neutrophil count is less than 1,000. These precautions include restricting
visitors, avoiding fresh plants and raw fruits/vegetables, and avoiding rectal
temperatures and IM injections.
7. A nurse is providing education about HIV prevention. Which of the
following is a correct statement?
A) HIV can be transmitted through saliva.
B) HIV is not transmitted through breast milk.
C) Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is not effective.
D) Using latex condoms can reduce the risk of transmission.
, Correct Answer: Using latex condoms can reduce the risk of transmission.
Rationale: Prevention strategies for HIV include reducing the number of sex
partners, always using latex condoms, and not sharing drug injection
equipment.
8. Which nursing diagnosis is universally applicable for children diagnosed
with autism spectrum disorders?
A) Chronic low self-esteem related to excessive negative feedback
B) Impaired social interaction related to difficulty maintaining relationships
C) Deficient fluid volume related to abnormal eating habits
D) Anxiety related to nightmares and repetitive activities
Correct Answer: Impaired social interaction related to difficulty maintaining
relationships
Rationale: Impaired social interaction is a universally applicable nursing
diagnosis for children with autism spectrum disorders due to difficulty
maintaining relationships.
9. A nurse will prepare teaching materials for the parents of a child newly
diagnosed with ADHD. Information will focus on which medication likely to be
prescribed?
A) Paroxetine
B) Imipramine
C) Methylphenidate
D) Carbamazepine
Correct Answer: Methylphenidate
Illness | Nursing
1. Which of the following is a normal age-related change in the nervous
system that affects how a nurse should communicate with an older adult?
A) Increased processing speed
B) Improved recent memory
C) Slower processing time
D) Enhanced touch sensation
Correct Answer: Slower processing time
Rationale: A normal age-related change in the nervous system is slower
processing time, meaning older adults need more time to understand and
respond to questions. The nurse should speak clearly and allow sufficient
time for responses.
2. Which sensory change in older adults increases the risk of injury from falls
due to an inability to sense foot position?
A) Presbyopia
B) Presbycusis
C) Decreased proprioception
D) Reduced smell and taste
Correct Answer: Decreased proprioception
Rationale: Proprioception is the sense of body position and movement. Age-
related declines in proprioception reduce the brain's ability to know where
the feet are positioned when walking, increasing the risk of missteps and
falls.
,3. The nurse is assessing an older adult's skin. Which of the following age-
related changes is expected?
A) Increased skin thickness and elasticity
B) Increased oiliness and moisture
C) Thinner, less elastic, and drier skin
D) Increased melanin production
Correct Answer: Thinner, less elastic, and drier skin
Rationale: Normal age-related skin changes include thinning of the
epidermis, loss of dermal thickness and elasticity, and atrophy of oil glands.
4. A nurse is reviewing variables that affect the immune system. Which of
the following is a correct statement?
A) The immune system is stronger with aging.
B) Autoimmune disorders are more common in men.
C) Nutrition has no effect on immune function.
D) Many autoimmune disorders are more common in women.
Correct Answer: Many autoimmune disorders are more common in women.
Rationale: Age and gender are key variables that affect the immune system,
with many autoimmune disorders being more common in women.
5. A patient with a total WBC count of 3,200 cells/mm³ is diagnosed with
leukopenia. Which of the following is a potential cause of this condition?
A) Infection
B) Inflammation
,C) Chemotherapy
D) Stress
Correct Answer: Chemotherapy
Rationale: Leukopenia (total WBC < 4,000) can be caused by drug toxicity
such as chemotherapy, autoimmune disease, or bone marrow failure.
6. The nurse is caring for a patient with neutropenia. Which of the following
is an essential precaution?
A) Allow fresh flowers in the room.
B) Encourage consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.
C) Restrict visitors and monitor for signs of infection.
D) Administer all medications orally.
Correct Answer: Restrict visitors and monitor for signs of infection.
Rationale: Neutropenic precautions are essential when the absolute
neutrophil count is less than 1,000. These precautions include restricting
visitors, avoiding fresh plants and raw fruits/vegetables, and avoiding rectal
temperatures and IM injections.
7. A nurse is providing education about HIV prevention. Which of the
following is a correct statement?
A) HIV can be transmitted through saliva.
B) HIV is not transmitted through breast milk.
C) Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is not effective.
D) Using latex condoms can reduce the risk of transmission.
, Correct Answer: Using latex condoms can reduce the risk of transmission.
Rationale: Prevention strategies for HIV include reducing the number of sex
partners, always using latex condoms, and not sharing drug injection
equipment.
8. Which nursing diagnosis is universally applicable for children diagnosed
with autism spectrum disorders?
A) Chronic low self-esteem related to excessive negative feedback
B) Impaired social interaction related to difficulty maintaining relationships
C) Deficient fluid volume related to abnormal eating habits
D) Anxiety related to nightmares and repetitive activities
Correct Answer: Impaired social interaction related to difficulty maintaining
relationships
Rationale: Impaired social interaction is a universally applicable nursing
diagnosis for children with autism spectrum disorders due to difficulty
maintaining relationships.
9. A nurse will prepare teaching materials for the parents of a child newly
diagnosed with ADHD. Information will focus on which medication likely to be
prescribed?
A) Paroxetine
B) Imipramine
C) Methylphenidate
D) Carbamazepine
Correct Answer: Methylphenidate
