NUR 257 Exam 2 – Concepts of Aging & Chronic Illness –
(2026/2027) Galen Actual Questions & Answers, 100%
Guarantee Pass
Foundation of Geriatric Assessment
1. Geriatric Assessment - SPICES Tool
The nurse is using the Fulmer SPICES tool to assess an older adult. Which of the
following is an area this tool screens for?
• A. Spirituality, Pain, Income, Coping, Exercise, Socialization
• B. Safety, Pain, Independence, Communication, Elimination, Support
• C. Sleep problems, Problems with eating, Incontinence, Confusion, Evidence
of falls, Skin breakdown
• D. Sensory, Pulmonary, Integumentary, Cardiac, Elimination, Safety
Answer: C
Rationale: The Fulmer SPICES tool is a quick, comprehensive assessment for
geriatric syndromes including Sleep disorders, Problems with eating,
Incontinence, Confusion, Evidence of falls, and Skin breakdown.
2. Assessment - FANCAPES
A nurse is caring for a frail older adult in a long-term care facility. To best evaluate
the client's basic needs, the nurse should utilize the FANCAPES assessment. This
includes evaluating which of the following?
• A. Pain, Elimination, Activity, Nutrition, Fluids, Aeration, Communication,
Socialization
• B. Sleep, Pain, Independence, Communication, Elimination, Socialization
• C. Safety, Pain, Independence, Communication, Elimination, Exercise,
Support
• D. Sensory, Pulmonary, Integumentary, Cardiac, Elimination, Safety
Answer: A
Rationale: FANCAPES is used for assessing frail and medically complex patients
,and evaluates Fluids, Aeration, Nutrition, Communication, Activity, Pain,
Elimination, and Socialization.
3. Normal Physiologic Aging - Cardiovascular
An older adult patient has a blood pressure reading of 148/86 mm Hg. The nurse
recognizes that this may be related to an age-related change in the cardiovascular
system, which is characterized by:
• A. Decreased peripheral vascular resistance
• B. Increased arterial stiffness
• C. Decreased left ventricular wall thickness
• D. Increased elasticity of blood vessels
Answer: B
Rationale: Arteriosclerosis causes the large arteries to lose elasticity, leading to
elevated systolic pressure (isolated systolic hypertension), which is the most
common form of hypertension in older adults.
4. Normal Physiologic Aging - Musculoskeletal
An older adult is at an increased risk for fractures after a minor fall. This is most
likely due to age-related changes including:
• A. Increased muscle mass and bone density
• B. Reduced muscle mass, strength, and bone mineral density
• C. Increased body water and flexibility
• D. Decreased risk for osteoporosis
Answer: B
Rationale: Age-related musculoskeletal changes include reduced muscle
mass/strength, reduced bone mineral density (leading to osteoporosis), and
reduced flexibility, all of which increase fall and fracture risk.
5. Normal Physiologic Aging - Renal
A nurse is monitoring the medication levels of an older adult patient prescribed a
renally excreted drug. The nurse understands that the patient is at higher risk for
toxicity due to which age-related change?
, • A. Increased glomerular filtration rate
• B. Decreased blood flow to the kidneys and decreased kidney size
• C. Increased ability to excrete medications
• D. Increased kidney mass and function
Answer: B
Rationale: Age-related renal changes include decreased blood flow to the
kidneys, decreased size and function, and an inability to excrete medications as
well, increasing the risk for drug accumulation and toxicity.
6. Normal Physiologic Aging - Integumentary
An older adult patient has dry, fragile skin that tears easily. The nurse recognizes
this is due to age-related changes in the skin, including:
• A. Increased number of melanocytes and increased skin thickness
• B. Increased elastin and sebum production
• C. Reduced thickness, reduced elastin, and reduced sebum production
• D. Increased cell renewal time and increased skin turgor
Answer: C
Rationale: Age-related skin changes include thinning of the skin (reduced
thickness), loss of elastin, and reduced sebum production, leading to dryness,
fragility, and tearing.
7. Normal Physiologic Aging - Sensory
An older adult reports that food does not taste as good as it used to. The nurse
should include which of the following in the client's teaching?
• A. "It is normal to lose all sense of taste as you age."
• B. "You should add more salt to your food to enhance flavor."
• C. "You can use herbs and spices to enhance flavor without extra salt."
• D. "Loss of taste is not a common problem with aging."
Answer: C
Rationale: Taste and smell diminish with age. Using herbs and spices is a safe and
, effective way to enhance flavor without increasing sodium intake, which is crucial
for managing hypertension and heart failure.
8. Normal Physiologic Aging - GI
An older adult patient complains of early satiety and heartburn. The nurse
understands that these symptoms can be related to age-related changes in the GI
system, including:
• A. Increased gastric motility and increased bicarbonate production
• B. Sluggish/erratic esophageal movement and decreased gastric motility
• C. Increased function of intestinal villi
• D. Increased blood flow to the liver
Answer: B
Rationale: Age-related GI changes include sluggish/erratic movement of
esophageal muscles (increasing GERD risk) and decreased stomach motility
leading to early satiety and a reduced ability to absorb nutrients.
Polypharmacy & Medication Safety
9. Polypharmacy Risks
The nurse is reviewing the medication list of an older adult patient who takes
eight different medications daily. The nurse is most concerned about this because
polypharmacy increases the risk of:
• A. Reduced healthcare costs
• B. Improved medication adherence
• C. Adverse drug interactions and toxicity
• D. Decreased need for laboratory monitoring
Answer: C
Rationale: Polypharmacy significantly raises the risk of drug-drug interactions,
adverse effects, and toxicity due to altered pharmacokinetics in older adults. The
Beers Criteria helps identify potentially inappropriate medications for this
population.
(2026/2027) Galen Actual Questions & Answers, 100%
Guarantee Pass
Foundation of Geriatric Assessment
1. Geriatric Assessment - SPICES Tool
The nurse is using the Fulmer SPICES tool to assess an older adult. Which of the
following is an area this tool screens for?
• A. Spirituality, Pain, Income, Coping, Exercise, Socialization
• B. Safety, Pain, Independence, Communication, Elimination, Support
• C. Sleep problems, Problems with eating, Incontinence, Confusion, Evidence
of falls, Skin breakdown
• D. Sensory, Pulmonary, Integumentary, Cardiac, Elimination, Safety
Answer: C
Rationale: The Fulmer SPICES tool is a quick, comprehensive assessment for
geriatric syndromes including Sleep disorders, Problems with eating,
Incontinence, Confusion, Evidence of falls, and Skin breakdown.
2. Assessment - FANCAPES
A nurse is caring for a frail older adult in a long-term care facility. To best evaluate
the client's basic needs, the nurse should utilize the FANCAPES assessment. This
includes evaluating which of the following?
• A. Pain, Elimination, Activity, Nutrition, Fluids, Aeration, Communication,
Socialization
• B. Sleep, Pain, Independence, Communication, Elimination, Socialization
• C. Safety, Pain, Independence, Communication, Elimination, Exercise,
Support
• D. Sensory, Pulmonary, Integumentary, Cardiac, Elimination, Safety
Answer: A
Rationale: FANCAPES is used for assessing frail and medically complex patients
,and evaluates Fluids, Aeration, Nutrition, Communication, Activity, Pain,
Elimination, and Socialization.
3. Normal Physiologic Aging - Cardiovascular
An older adult patient has a blood pressure reading of 148/86 mm Hg. The nurse
recognizes that this may be related to an age-related change in the cardiovascular
system, which is characterized by:
• A. Decreased peripheral vascular resistance
• B. Increased arterial stiffness
• C. Decreased left ventricular wall thickness
• D. Increased elasticity of blood vessels
Answer: B
Rationale: Arteriosclerosis causes the large arteries to lose elasticity, leading to
elevated systolic pressure (isolated systolic hypertension), which is the most
common form of hypertension in older adults.
4. Normal Physiologic Aging - Musculoskeletal
An older adult is at an increased risk for fractures after a minor fall. This is most
likely due to age-related changes including:
• A. Increased muscle mass and bone density
• B. Reduced muscle mass, strength, and bone mineral density
• C. Increased body water and flexibility
• D. Decreased risk for osteoporosis
Answer: B
Rationale: Age-related musculoskeletal changes include reduced muscle
mass/strength, reduced bone mineral density (leading to osteoporosis), and
reduced flexibility, all of which increase fall and fracture risk.
5. Normal Physiologic Aging - Renal
A nurse is monitoring the medication levels of an older adult patient prescribed a
renally excreted drug. The nurse understands that the patient is at higher risk for
toxicity due to which age-related change?
, • A. Increased glomerular filtration rate
• B. Decreased blood flow to the kidneys and decreased kidney size
• C. Increased ability to excrete medications
• D. Increased kidney mass and function
Answer: B
Rationale: Age-related renal changes include decreased blood flow to the
kidneys, decreased size and function, and an inability to excrete medications as
well, increasing the risk for drug accumulation and toxicity.
6. Normal Physiologic Aging - Integumentary
An older adult patient has dry, fragile skin that tears easily. The nurse recognizes
this is due to age-related changes in the skin, including:
• A. Increased number of melanocytes and increased skin thickness
• B. Increased elastin and sebum production
• C. Reduced thickness, reduced elastin, and reduced sebum production
• D. Increased cell renewal time and increased skin turgor
Answer: C
Rationale: Age-related skin changes include thinning of the skin (reduced
thickness), loss of elastin, and reduced sebum production, leading to dryness,
fragility, and tearing.
7. Normal Physiologic Aging - Sensory
An older adult reports that food does not taste as good as it used to. The nurse
should include which of the following in the client's teaching?
• A. "It is normal to lose all sense of taste as you age."
• B. "You should add more salt to your food to enhance flavor."
• C. "You can use herbs and spices to enhance flavor without extra salt."
• D. "Loss of taste is not a common problem with aging."
Answer: C
Rationale: Taste and smell diminish with age. Using herbs and spices is a safe and
, effective way to enhance flavor without increasing sodium intake, which is crucial
for managing hypertension and heart failure.
8. Normal Physiologic Aging - GI
An older adult patient complains of early satiety and heartburn. The nurse
understands that these symptoms can be related to age-related changes in the GI
system, including:
• A. Increased gastric motility and increased bicarbonate production
• B. Sluggish/erratic esophageal movement and decreased gastric motility
• C. Increased function of intestinal villi
• D. Increased blood flow to the liver
Answer: B
Rationale: Age-related GI changes include sluggish/erratic movement of
esophageal muscles (increasing GERD risk) and decreased stomach motility
leading to early satiety and a reduced ability to absorb nutrients.
Polypharmacy & Medication Safety
9. Polypharmacy Risks
The nurse is reviewing the medication list of an older adult patient who takes
eight different medications daily. The nurse is most concerned about this because
polypharmacy increases the risk of:
• A. Reduced healthcare costs
• B. Improved medication adherence
• C. Adverse drug interactions and toxicity
• D. Decreased need for laboratory monitoring
Answer: C
Rationale: Polypharmacy significantly raises the risk of drug-drug interactions,
adverse effects, and toxicity due to altered pharmacokinetics in older adults. The
Beers Criteria helps identify potentially inappropriate medications for this
population.
