1
Galen NUR 257 Exams 1–4 – Concepts of Aging &
Chronic Illness – (2026/2027) Actual Questions &
Answers, 100% Guarantee Pass
Questions 1–25
1. A 78-year-old patient tells the nurse, “I don't exercise anymore because getting
older means I have to slow down.” Which response by the nurse is most
appropriate?
A. “Older adults should avoid strenuous activity.”
B. “Some physical changes occur with aging, but regular activity can help maintain
function.”
C. “You should exercise only if your healthcare provider specifically orders it.”
D. “Decreased activity is an expected and unavoidable part of aging.”
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Aging is associated with physiologic changes, but aging itself does not
require inactivity. Regular, appropriately prescribed physical activity can support
strength, balance, cardiovascular health, mobility, and independence. The nurse
should distinguish normal aging from disease-related functional decline. Options
A and D incorrectly portray functional deterioration as inevitable. Option C
unnecessarily restricts routine health-promoting activity.
2. Which finding in an older adult should the nurse recognize as most suggestive
of a pathological process rather than normal aging?
A. Gradual reduction in skin elasticity
B. Increased time required to adjust from bright light to darkness
C. New onset confusion developing over several hours
D. Reduced maximal cardiac output during strenuous activity
Correct answer: C
pg. 1
,2
Rationale: Acute confusion is not an expected consequence of normal aging and
should prompt assessment for delirium and an underlying cause, such as
infection, medication effects, metabolic abnormalities, dehydration, or hypoxia.
Skin changes, slower visual adaptation, and reduced physiologic reserve can occur
with normal aging.
3. A nurse is assessing an 82-year-old patient who lives independently. Which
finding is most important to investigate further?
A. Takes longer to rise from a chair
B. Uses reading glasses
C. Reports becoming confused about familiar routes home
D. Has gray hair
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Getting lost in previously familiar environments may indicate
cognitive impairment and warrants further assessment. Normal aging can involve
slower reaction times and some sensory changes, but significant disorientation in
familiar surroundings is not simply an expected aging change. The nurse should
assess cognition, medication use, safety, functional status, and possible reversible
causes.
4. An older adult with chronic heart failure reports increasing fatigue and
difficulty completing usual household activities. Which nursing assessment is most
appropriate initially?
A. Determine the patient's preferred television programs.
B. Assess changes in functional capacity compared with baseline.
C. Tell the patient to remain on bed rest.
D. Recommend permanently moving to assisted living.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Functional status is a major indicator of health in older adults with
chronic illness. Comparing current ability with the patient's established baseline
pg. 2
,3
helps identify deterioration and guides interventions. Bed rest can worsen
deconditioning, and residential placement should never be assumed solely from
fatigue.
5. A patient with multiple chronic illnesses says, “I have so many medications that
I don't know which ones I actually need.” What should the nurse do first?
A. Tell the patient to stop nonprescription medications.
B. Ask the patient to bring all medications, including OTC drugs and supplements,
for reconciliation.
C. Recommend taking all medications at bedtime.
D. Tell the patient to discontinue medications that cause mild side effects.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Medication reconciliation is essential for patients with
polypharmacy. The nurse should identify prescription medications, OTC products,
supplements, dosing schedules, allergies, adverse effects, and possible
duplication or interactions. Patients should not independently discontinue
prescribed medications.
6. An older adult takes several medications and has recently experienced dizziness
when standing. Which assessment should the nurse prioritize?
A. Orthostatic blood pressure and pulse
B. Visual acuity only
C. Hearing assessment only
D. Daily calorie intake only
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Dizziness with standing raises concern for orthostatic hypotension,
which increases fall risk. The nurse should assess blood pressure and pulse in
appropriate positions and review medications, hydration status, and other
contributing factors.
pg. 3
, 4
7. A nurse teaches an older adult with hypertension about home blood-pressure
monitoring. Which statement indicates correct understanding?
A. “I will measure my blood pressure immediately after exercising.”
B. “I will sit quietly for several minutes before taking the measurement.”
C. “I only need to record readings when I feel dizzy.”
D. “I should cross my legs tightly while measuring.”
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Resting quietly before measurement improves accuracy. The patient
should use an appropriately sized cuff, position the arm appropriately, and record
readings consistently. Measuring only when symptomatic can miss clinically
important trends.
8. An older patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease becomes
increasingly short of breath while walking to the bathroom. Which action should
the nurse take first?
A. Encourage the patient to continue walking to improve endurance.
B. Assess respiratory status and oxygenation.
C. Place the patient flat in bed.
D. Offer a large meal.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: A change in respiratory status requires immediate assessment of
airway, breathing, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, lung sounds, and overall
clinical condition. Activity may later be incorporated into rehabilitation, but the
acute change must first be evaluated.
9. Which statement by an older adult with chronic illness demonstrates effective
self-management?
A. “My family should make all my healthcare decisions.”
B. “I keep a current list of my medications and know what each is for.”
pg. 4
Galen NUR 257 Exams 1–4 – Concepts of Aging &
Chronic Illness – (2026/2027) Actual Questions &
Answers, 100% Guarantee Pass
Questions 1–25
1. A 78-year-old patient tells the nurse, “I don't exercise anymore because getting
older means I have to slow down.” Which response by the nurse is most
appropriate?
A. “Older adults should avoid strenuous activity.”
B. “Some physical changes occur with aging, but regular activity can help maintain
function.”
C. “You should exercise only if your healthcare provider specifically orders it.”
D. “Decreased activity is an expected and unavoidable part of aging.”
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Aging is associated with physiologic changes, but aging itself does not
require inactivity. Regular, appropriately prescribed physical activity can support
strength, balance, cardiovascular health, mobility, and independence. The nurse
should distinguish normal aging from disease-related functional decline. Options
A and D incorrectly portray functional deterioration as inevitable. Option C
unnecessarily restricts routine health-promoting activity.
2. Which finding in an older adult should the nurse recognize as most suggestive
of a pathological process rather than normal aging?
A. Gradual reduction in skin elasticity
B. Increased time required to adjust from bright light to darkness
C. New onset confusion developing over several hours
D. Reduced maximal cardiac output during strenuous activity
Correct answer: C
pg. 1
,2
Rationale: Acute confusion is not an expected consequence of normal aging and
should prompt assessment for delirium and an underlying cause, such as
infection, medication effects, metabolic abnormalities, dehydration, or hypoxia.
Skin changes, slower visual adaptation, and reduced physiologic reserve can occur
with normal aging.
3. A nurse is assessing an 82-year-old patient who lives independently. Which
finding is most important to investigate further?
A. Takes longer to rise from a chair
B. Uses reading glasses
C. Reports becoming confused about familiar routes home
D. Has gray hair
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Getting lost in previously familiar environments may indicate
cognitive impairment and warrants further assessment. Normal aging can involve
slower reaction times and some sensory changes, but significant disorientation in
familiar surroundings is not simply an expected aging change. The nurse should
assess cognition, medication use, safety, functional status, and possible reversible
causes.
4. An older adult with chronic heart failure reports increasing fatigue and
difficulty completing usual household activities. Which nursing assessment is most
appropriate initially?
A. Determine the patient's preferred television programs.
B. Assess changes in functional capacity compared with baseline.
C. Tell the patient to remain on bed rest.
D. Recommend permanently moving to assisted living.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Functional status is a major indicator of health in older adults with
chronic illness. Comparing current ability with the patient's established baseline
pg. 2
,3
helps identify deterioration and guides interventions. Bed rest can worsen
deconditioning, and residential placement should never be assumed solely from
fatigue.
5. A patient with multiple chronic illnesses says, “I have so many medications that
I don't know which ones I actually need.” What should the nurse do first?
A. Tell the patient to stop nonprescription medications.
B. Ask the patient to bring all medications, including OTC drugs and supplements,
for reconciliation.
C. Recommend taking all medications at bedtime.
D. Tell the patient to discontinue medications that cause mild side effects.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Medication reconciliation is essential for patients with
polypharmacy. The nurse should identify prescription medications, OTC products,
supplements, dosing schedules, allergies, adverse effects, and possible
duplication or interactions. Patients should not independently discontinue
prescribed medications.
6. An older adult takes several medications and has recently experienced dizziness
when standing. Which assessment should the nurse prioritize?
A. Orthostatic blood pressure and pulse
B. Visual acuity only
C. Hearing assessment only
D. Daily calorie intake only
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Dizziness with standing raises concern for orthostatic hypotension,
which increases fall risk. The nurse should assess blood pressure and pulse in
appropriate positions and review medications, hydration status, and other
contributing factors.
pg. 3
, 4
7. A nurse teaches an older adult with hypertension about home blood-pressure
monitoring. Which statement indicates correct understanding?
A. “I will measure my blood pressure immediately after exercising.”
B. “I will sit quietly for several minutes before taking the measurement.”
C. “I only need to record readings when I feel dizzy.”
D. “I should cross my legs tightly while measuring.”
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Resting quietly before measurement improves accuracy. The patient
should use an appropriately sized cuff, position the arm appropriately, and record
readings consistently. Measuring only when symptomatic can miss clinically
important trends.
8. An older patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease becomes
increasingly short of breath while walking to the bathroom. Which action should
the nurse take first?
A. Encourage the patient to continue walking to improve endurance.
B. Assess respiratory status and oxygenation.
C. Place the patient flat in bed.
D. Offer a large meal.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: A change in respiratory status requires immediate assessment of
airway, breathing, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, lung sounds, and overall
clinical condition. Activity may later be incorporated into rehabilitation, but the
acute change must first be evaluated.
9. Which statement by an older adult with chronic illness demonstrates effective
self-management?
A. “My family should make all my healthcare decisions.”
B. “I keep a current list of my medications and know what each is for.”
pg. 4
