Galen College NUR 255 Exam 3 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Aging & Chronic
Illness | Nursing
1. A 78-year-old patient is admitted with pneumonia. The patient's family
reports that the patient has been increasingly confused over the past two
days. What is the nurse's priority action?
A) Reassure the family that confusion is a normal part of aging.
B) Administer a PRN sedative to calm the patient.
C) Notify the healthcare provider and assess for possible infection.
D) Place the patient in a quiet room with the lights dimmed.
Correct Answer: Notify the healthcare provider and assess for possible
infection.
Rationale: In older adults, confusion or a change in level of consciousness
can be an atypical sign of an infection. While pneumonia can cause
confusion, it is essential to notify the provider for a full assessment.
Reassuring the family that this is normal would be incorrect, as acute
confusion (delirium) is not a normal part of aging.
2. An 82-year-old patient is being evaluated for frailty. Which of the following
is a key indicator of frailty?
A) Increased muscle mass
B) Unintentional weight loss
C) Hypertension
D) Improved physical activity
Correct Answer: Unintentional weight loss
,Rationale: Frailty is a geriatric syndrome linked to a combination of health
problems and chronic conditions. Key indicators include unintentional weight
loss, weakness and exhaustion, and slowed physical activity.
3. A nurse is assessing an older adult's skin. Which of the following age-
related changes increases the risk for pressure injuries?
A) Increased collagen making skin stiffer
B) Thinning of the subcutaneous layer
C) Increased melanin production
D) Increased perspiration
Correct Answer: Thinning of the subcutaneous layer
Rationale: Thinning of the subcutaneous layer decreases the cushioning
effect over bony prominences, increasing the risk for pressure injuries. The
loss of this layer also increases the risk for hypothermia.
4. The nurse is caring for a patient with dementia who is experiencing
"sundowning." Which intervention is most appropriate?
A) Keep the patient active and stimulated in the evening.
B) Provide a calm and quiet environment in the late afternoon and evening.
C) Offer the patient a large meal before bedtime to promote sleep.
D) Restrict fluids in the evening to prevent nighttime urination.
Correct Answer: Provide a calm and quiet environment in the late afternoon
and evening.
Rationale: "Sundowning" is characterized by increased confusion, agitation,
and restlessness in the late afternoon and evening. Providing a calm, quiet
environment with reduced stimulation can help minimize these symptoms.
,5. A nurse is providing education to the family of an older adult about the
risk of falls. Which of the following is a major health issue associated with
late adulthood?
A) Dehydration
B) Falls
C) Malnutrition
D) Delirium
Correct Answer: Falls
Rationale: Falls are one of the major geriatric syndromes linked to a
combination of health problems and chronic conditions in late adulthood.
They are a leading cause of injury and disability in older adults.
6. The nurse is caring for an older adult who is taking multiple medications.
The patient becomes confused and lethargic after starting a new antibiotic.
What is the most likely cause?
A) The antibiotic is interacting with the patient's other medications.
B) The patient is having an allergic reaction to the new antibiotic.
C) The patient is experiencing a normal age-related change.
D) The patient is developing dementia.
Correct Answer: The antibiotic is interacting with the patient's other
medications.
Rationale: Medication side effects and adverse effects are common in the
older population, and even a new antibiotic can cause confusion and memory
loss. Polypharmacy increases the risk of adverse drug reactions and
interactions.
, 7. A nurse is assessing an older adult's nutritional status. Which of the
following is a risk factor for malnutrition in this population?
A) Increased appetite
B) Decreased taste and smell
C) Increased salivation
D) Increased ability to chew
Correct Answer: Decreased taste and smell
Rationale: Age-related changes include decreased taste and smell, which can
lead to a decreased interest in food and malnutrition. Other risk factors
include dental problems, difficulty chewing, and social isolation.
8. An 88-year-old patient is being evaluated for polypharmacy. Which of the
following best describes this condition?
A) The use of multiple medications, often leading to adverse effects
B) The use of herbal supplements instead of prescribed medications
C) The use of a single medication at a high dose
D) The refusal to take any medications
Correct Answer: The use of multiple medications, often leading to adverse
effects
Rationale: Polypharmacy is a geriatric syndrome that refers to the use of
multiple medications. It is a major health issue in older adults and increases
the risk of adverse drug reactions, interactions, and decreased adherence.
Illness | Nursing
1. A 78-year-old patient is admitted with pneumonia. The patient's family
reports that the patient has been increasingly confused over the past two
days. What is the nurse's priority action?
A) Reassure the family that confusion is a normal part of aging.
B) Administer a PRN sedative to calm the patient.
C) Notify the healthcare provider and assess for possible infection.
D) Place the patient in a quiet room with the lights dimmed.
Correct Answer: Notify the healthcare provider and assess for possible
infection.
Rationale: In older adults, confusion or a change in level of consciousness
can be an atypical sign of an infection. While pneumonia can cause
confusion, it is essential to notify the provider for a full assessment.
Reassuring the family that this is normal would be incorrect, as acute
confusion (delirium) is not a normal part of aging.
2. An 82-year-old patient is being evaluated for frailty. Which of the following
is a key indicator of frailty?
A) Increased muscle mass
B) Unintentional weight loss
C) Hypertension
D) Improved physical activity
Correct Answer: Unintentional weight loss
,Rationale: Frailty is a geriatric syndrome linked to a combination of health
problems and chronic conditions. Key indicators include unintentional weight
loss, weakness and exhaustion, and slowed physical activity.
3. A nurse is assessing an older adult's skin. Which of the following age-
related changes increases the risk for pressure injuries?
A) Increased collagen making skin stiffer
B) Thinning of the subcutaneous layer
C) Increased melanin production
D) Increased perspiration
Correct Answer: Thinning of the subcutaneous layer
Rationale: Thinning of the subcutaneous layer decreases the cushioning
effect over bony prominences, increasing the risk for pressure injuries. The
loss of this layer also increases the risk for hypothermia.
4. The nurse is caring for a patient with dementia who is experiencing
"sundowning." Which intervention is most appropriate?
A) Keep the patient active and stimulated in the evening.
B) Provide a calm and quiet environment in the late afternoon and evening.
C) Offer the patient a large meal before bedtime to promote sleep.
D) Restrict fluids in the evening to prevent nighttime urination.
Correct Answer: Provide a calm and quiet environment in the late afternoon
and evening.
Rationale: "Sundowning" is characterized by increased confusion, agitation,
and restlessness in the late afternoon and evening. Providing a calm, quiet
environment with reduced stimulation can help minimize these symptoms.
,5. A nurse is providing education to the family of an older adult about the
risk of falls. Which of the following is a major health issue associated with
late adulthood?
A) Dehydration
B) Falls
C) Malnutrition
D) Delirium
Correct Answer: Falls
Rationale: Falls are one of the major geriatric syndromes linked to a
combination of health problems and chronic conditions in late adulthood.
They are a leading cause of injury and disability in older adults.
6. The nurse is caring for an older adult who is taking multiple medications.
The patient becomes confused and lethargic after starting a new antibiotic.
What is the most likely cause?
A) The antibiotic is interacting with the patient's other medications.
B) The patient is having an allergic reaction to the new antibiotic.
C) The patient is experiencing a normal age-related change.
D) The patient is developing dementia.
Correct Answer: The antibiotic is interacting with the patient's other
medications.
Rationale: Medication side effects and adverse effects are common in the
older population, and even a new antibiotic can cause confusion and memory
loss. Polypharmacy increases the risk of adverse drug reactions and
interactions.
, 7. A nurse is assessing an older adult's nutritional status. Which of the
following is a risk factor for malnutrition in this population?
A) Increased appetite
B) Decreased taste and smell
C) Increased salivation
D) Increased ability to chew
Correct Answer: Decreased taste and smell
Rationale: Age-related changes include decreased taste and smell, which can
lead to a decreased interest in food and malnutrition. Other risk factors
include dental problems, difficulty chewing, and social isolation.
8. An 88-year-old patient is being evaluated for polypharmacy. Which of the
following best describes this condition?
A) The use of multiple medications, often leading to adverse effects
B) The use of herbal supplements instead of prescribed medications
C) The use of a single medication at a high dose
D) The refusal to take any medications
Correct Answer: The use of multiple medications, often leading to adverse
effects
Rationale: Polypharmacy is a geriatric syndrome that refers to the use of
multiple medications. It is a major health issue in older adults and increases
the risk of adverse drug reactions, interactions, and decreased adherence.
