MIDTERM EXAM: NR601 / NR 601 (LATEST UPDATE 2025 /
2026) PRIMARY CARE OF THE MATURING & AGED FAMILY
PRACTICUM | QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | 100% CORRECT |
GRADE A - CHAMBERLAIN
NR 601 MIDTERM EXAM
Primary Care of the Maturing & Aged Family Practicum
Latest Study Update: 2025–2026
Institution: Chamberlain University
Format: Comprehensive Practice Examination
Questions: 110
Question Types: Multiple Choice and Short Answer
Includes: Correct Answers and Detailed Rationales
Study-use notice: This is an independently authored practice examination
designed for NR-601 review.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Geriatric Assessment, Aging & Health Promotion — Questions 1–10
2. Cardiovascular System — Questions 11–20
3. Respiratory System — Questions 21–30
4. Neurologic, Cognitive & Mental Health — Questions 31–40
5. Endocrine & Metabolic System — Questions 41–50
6. Musculoskeletal, Rheumatologic & Pain — Questions 51–60
7. Gastrointestinal & Hepatic System — Questions 61–70
8. Genitourinary & Reproductive Health — Questions 71–80
9. Dermatologic, Sensory & Infectious Conditions — Questions 81–90
, 10. Pharmacology, Polypharmacy, Safety & Preventive Care — Questions 91–
100
11. Integrated Primary-Care Clinical Cases — Questions 101–110
SECTION I — GERIATRIC ASSESSMENT, AGING & HEALTH PROMOTION
Question 1 — Multiple Choice
Which finding most strongly suggests delirium rather than dementia?
A. Gradual memory loss over several years
B. Stable difficulty naming familiar objects
C. Acute onset with fluctuating attention and awareness
D. Progressive impairment in executive functioning
Correct Answer: C. Acute onset with fluctuating attention and awareness
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by an acute change in attention and cognition that often
fluctuates during the day. Dementia is generally chronic and progressive. An acute change in
mental status in an older adult should prompt evaluation for reversible causes such as infection,
medication effects, metabolic abnormalities, dehydration, hypoxia, or urinary retention.
Question 2 — Multiple Choice
Which screening instrument is specifically designed to assist clinicians in identifying delirium?
A. PHQ-9
B. Confusion Assessment Method
C. Mini-Cog
D. Geriatric Depression Scale
Correct Answer: B. Confusion Assessment Method
Rationale: The Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) evaluates acute onset or fluctuating
course, inattention, disorganized thinking, and altered level of consciousness. Delirium is
strongly suggested when acute/fluctuating change and inattention are present along with
disorganized thinking or altered consciousness.
Question 3 — Short Answer
Define polypharmacy in the context of geriatric primary care.
,Correct Answer: Polypharmacy refers to the use of multiple medications, particularly when the
number or appropriateness of medications increases the risk of adverse effects, interactions,
prescribing cascades, or medication-related harm.
Rationale: There is no universally accepted medication-number cutoff that defines clinically
problematic polypharmacy. In older adults, the more important issue is whether every medication
has a current indication, appropriate dose, acceptable risk, and meaningful benefit. Medication
reconciliation and deprescribing when appropriate are important components of geriatric care.
Question 4 — Multiple Choice
Which factor is one of the strongest predictors of a future fall in an older adult?
A. Age alone
B. Prior history of falling
C. Mild hearing impairment
D. Controlled hypertension
Correct Answer: B. Prior history of falling
Rationale: A previous fall is a major predictor of subsequent falls. Assessment should include
gait and balance, orthostatic blood pressure, medications, vision, footwear, environmental
hazards, strength, and potentially vitamin D status and exercise interventions.
Question 5 — Multiple Choice
An older adult reports dizziness when standing. Which assessment should the NP perform first?
A. Romberg test only
B. Orthostatic blood pressure and heart rate
C. Visual acuity only
D. Abdominal ultrasound
Correct Answer: B. Orthostatic blood pressure and heart rate
Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension can contribute to dizziness, syncope, and falls. Blood
pressure and pulse should be assessed after appropriate supine or seated rest and again after
standing. Medication effects, dehydration, autonomic dysfunction, and cardiovascular disease
should then be considered.
Question 6 — Short Answer
, What is the developmental task associated with the later stage of Erikson's psychosocial theory?
Correct Answer: Ego integrity versus despair.
Rationale: Older adulthood is associated with reflection on one's life. A sense of meaning,
acceptance, and fulfillment supports ego integrity, whereas unresolved regret and dissatisfaction
may contribute to despair. Primary care clinicians should consider psychosocial well-being in
addition to physical health.
Question 7 — Multiple Choice
Which change is generally considered a normal consequence of aging?
A. Progressive confusion
B. Loss of independence in all older adults
C. Reduced renal reserve
D. New-onset urinary incontinence in every older adult
Correct Answer: C. Reduced renal reserve
Rationale: Aging is associated with physiologic changes including decreased renal reserve,
changes in body composition, reduced total body water, and altered hepatic metabolism.
Dementia, severe functional decline, and urinary incontinence are not inevitable consequences of
normal aging and require assessment.
Question 8 — Multiple Choice
Which intervention is most appropriate for maintaining functional independence in a healthy
older adult?
A. Bed rest
B. Avoidance of resistance exercise
C. Regular aerobic, strength, and balance activity appropriate to ability
D. Limiting physical activity to prevent injury
Correct Answer: C. Regular aerobic, strength, and balance activity appropriate to ability
Rationale: Physical activity supports cardiovascular health, muscle strength, balance, bone
health, functional independence, and fall prevention. Exercise recommendations should be
individualized according to comorbidities and physical capacity.
Question 9 — Multiple Choice
2026) PRIMARY CARE OF THE MATURING & AGED FAMILY
PRACTICUM | QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | 100% CORRECT |
GRADE A - CHAMBERLAIN
NR 601 MIDTERM EXAM
Primary Care of the Maturing & Aged Family Practicum
Latest Study Update: 2025–2026
Institution: Chamberlain University
Format: Comprehensive Practice Examination
Questions: 110
Question Types: Multiple Choice and Short Answer
Includes: Correct Answers and Detailed Rationales
Study-use notice: This is an independently authored practice examination
designed for NR-601 review.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Geriatric Assessment, Aging & Health Promotion — Questions 1–10
2. Cardiovascular System — Questions 11–20
3. Respiratory System — Questions 21–30
4. Neurologic, Cognitive & Mental Health — Questions 31–40
5. Endocrine & Metabolic System — Questions 41–50
6. Musculoskeletal, Rheumatologic & Pain — Questions 51–60
7. Gastrointestinal & Hepatic System — Questions 61–70
8. Genitourinary & Reproductive Health — Questions 71–80
9. Dermatologic, Sensory & Infectious Conditions — Questions 81–90
, 10. Pharmacology, Polypharmacy, Safety & Preventive Care — Questions 91–
100
11. Integrated Primary-Care Clinical Cases — Questions 101–110
SECTION I — GERIATRIC ASSESSMENT, AGING & HEALTH PROMOTION
Question 1 — Multiple Choice
Which finding most strongly suggests delirium rather than dementia?
A. Gradual memory loss over several years
B. Stable difficulty naming familiar objects
C. Acute onset with fluctuating attention and awareness
D. Progressive impairment in executive functioning
Correct Answer: C. Acute onset with fluctuating attention and awareness
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by an acute change in attention and cognition that often
fluctuates during the day. Dementia is generally chronic and progressive. An acute change in
mental status in an older adult should prompt evaluation for reversible causes such as infection,
medication effects, metabolic abnormalities, dehydration, hypoxia, or urinary retention.
Question 2 — Multiple Choice
Which screening instrument is specifically designed to assist clinicians in identifying delirium?
A. PHQ-9
B. Confusion Assessment Method
C. Mini-Cog
D. Geriatric Depression Scale
Correct Answer: B. Confusion Assessment Method
Rationale: The Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) evaluates acute onset or fluctuating
course, inattention, disorganized thinking, and altered level of consciousness. Delirium is
strongly suggested when acute/fluctuating change and inattention are present along with
disorganized thinking or altered consciousness.
Question 3 — Short Answer
Define polypharmacy in the context of geriatric primary care.
,Correct Answer: Polypharmacy refers to the use of multiple medications, particularly when the
number or appropriateness of medications increases the risk of adverse effects, interactions,
prescribing cascades, or medication-related harm.
Rationale: There is no universally accepted medication-number cutoff that defines clinically
problematic polypharmacy. In older adults, the more important issue is whether every medication
has a current indication, appropriate dose, acceptable risk, and meaningful benefit. Medication
reconciliation and deprescribing when appropriate are important components of geriatric care.
Question 4 — Multiple Choice
Which factor is one of the strongest predictors of a future fall in an older adult?
A. Age alone
B. Prior history of falling
C. Mild hearing impairment
D. Controlled hypertension
Correct Answer: B. Prior history of falling
Rationale: A previous fall is a major predictor of subsequent falls. Assessment should include
gait and balance, orthostatic blood pressure, medications, vision, footwear, environmental
hazards, strength, and potentially vitamin D status and exercise interventions.
Question 5 — Multiple Choice
An older adult reports dizziness when standing. Which assessment should the NP perform first?
A. Romberg test only
B. Orthostatic blood pressure and heart rate
C. Visual acuity only
D. Abdominal ultrasound
Correct Answer: B. Orthostatic blood pressure and heart rate
Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension can contribute to dizziness, syncope, and falls. Blood
pressure and pulse should be assessed after appropriate supine or seated rest and again after
standing. Medication effects, dehydration, autonomic dysfunction, and cardiovascular disease
should then be considered.
Question 6 — Short Answer
, What is the developmental task associated with the later stage of Erikson's psychosocial theory?
Correct Answer: Ego integrity versus despair.
Rationale: Older adulthood is associated with reflection on one's life. A sense of meaning,
acceptance, and fulfillment supports ego integrity, whereas unresolved regret and dissatisfaction
may contribute to despair. Primary care clinicians should consider psychosocial well-being in
addition to physical health.
Question 7 — Multiple Choice
Which change is generally considered a normal consequence of aging?
A. Progressive confusion
B. Loss of independence in all older adults
C. Reduced renal reserve
D. New-onset urinary incontinence in every older adult
Correct Answer: C. Reduced renal reserve
Rationale: Aging is associated with physiologic changes including decreased renal reserve,
changes in body composition, reduced total body water, and altered hepatic metabolism.
Dementia, severe functional decline, and urinary incontinence are not inevitable consequences of
normal aging and require assessment.
Question 8 — Multiple Choice
Which intervention is most appropriate for maintaining functional independence in a healthy
older adult?
A. Bed rest
B. Avoidance of resistance exercise
C. Regular aerobic, strength, and balance activity appropriate to ability
D. Limiting physical activity to prevent injury
Correct Answer: C. Regular aerobic, strength, and balance activity appropriate to ability
Rationale: Physical activity supports cardiovascular health, muscle strength, balance, bone
health, functional independence, and fall prevention. Exercise recommendations should be
individualized according to comorbidities and physical capacity.
Question 9 — Multiple Choice
