Page 1 of 49
GALEN NUR 257 EXAM 3 – CONCEPTS OF AGING &
CHRONIC ILLNESS 2026/2027 COMPLETE (150) CURRENT
TESTING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
DETAILED RATIONALES.
NUR
Prepare effectively for the Galen NUR 257 Exam 3 with this focused study resource. It
supports review of aging concepts, chronic illness, gerontological nursing, health
promotion, disease management, patient assessment, and nursing interventions. Use
the material to reinforce your understanding, review key topics, and identify areas that
may require additional study. This resource is suited for Galen nursing students, NUR
257 learners, and candidates preparing for Exam 3.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
Section 1: Geriatric Syndromes (Questions 1–20)
The nurse is assessing an older adult for frailty. Which of the following is a
characteristic feature of frailty syndrome?
A) Increased muscle mass and strength
B) Unintentional weight loss and exhaustion
C) Improved immune function
D) Increased physical activity
Answer: B) Unintentional weight loss and exhaustion
Rationale: Frailty is a geriatric syndrome characterized by unintentional
weight loss, exhaustion, weakness (reduced grip strength), slow gait
speed, and low physical activity. It represents a state of decreased
physiological reserve and increased vulnerability to stressors.
A nurse is evaluating an older adult patient who has experienced a fall. Which
of the following should be included in a comprehensive fall risk assessment?
A) Gait and balance assessment only
B) Medication review only
C) Gait and balance assessment, medication review, and home safety
, Page 2 of 49
evaluation
D) Vision screening only
Answer: C) Gait and balance assessment, medication review, and home
safety evaluation
Rationale: Falls are a multifactorial geriatric syndrome. A comprehensive
fall risk assessment must include evaluation of gait and balance, review
of medications (especially those that cause dizziness or sedation), home
safety assessment, and vision screening.
An older adult patient presents with acute onset confusion, fluctuating level
of consciousness, and inattention. Which geriatric syndrome is most likely?
A) Dementia
B) Depression
C) Delirium
D) Normal aging
Answer: C) Delirium
Rationale: Delirium is an acute, fluctuating disturbance in attention and
awareness that is often reversible. It is a common geriatric syndrome that
can be triggered by infections, medications, dehydration, or metabolic
disturbances.
A nurse is conducting a depression screening on an older adult patient. Which
tool is most appropriate for this assessment?
A) Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
B) PHQ-9
C) Confusion Assessment Method (CAM)
D) Braden Scale
Answer: B) PHQ-9
Rationale: The PHQ-9 is a validated screening tool for depression.
Depression is a common geriatric syndrome that can present atypically in
older adults and should be routinely screened for in geriatric
assessments.
The nurse is assessing an older adult patient for urinary incontinence. Which
type of incontinence is characterized by involuntary leakage of urine with
, Page 3 of 49
coughing or sneezing?
A) Urge incontinence
B) Stress incontinence
C) Overflow incontinence
D) Functional incontinence
Answer: B) Stress incontinence
Rationale: Stress incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine during
activities that increase intra-abdominal pressure, such as coughing,
sneezing, or laughing. It is a common geriatric syndrome.
An older adult patient is diagnosed with sarcopenia. The nurse understands
that this condition is characterized by:
A) Increased muscle mass
B) Decreased muscle mass and strength
C) Increased bone density
D) Improved functional status
Answer: B) Decreased muscle mass and strength
Rationale: Sarcopenia is the age-related loss of muscle mass and
strength. It contributes to frailty, falls, and functional decline in older
adults.
The nurse is assessing an older adult for elder abuse. Which finding is most
concerning?
A) The patient has a bruise on the forearm with no explanation
B) The patient is wearing dentures
C) The patient uses a walker
D) The patient has age spots on the hands
Answer: A) The patient has a bruise on the forearm with no explanation
Rationale: Unexplained bruises, especially in various stages of healing,
are concerning for possible elder abuse. Nurses have a legal and ethical
obligation to report suspected abuse.
Which of the following is considered a geriatric syndrome?
A) Diabetes mellitus
B) Hypertension
, Page 4 of 49
C) Polypharmacy
D) Osteoarthritis
Answer: C) Polypharmacy
Rationale: Polypharmacy is a geriatric syndrome—a multifactorial
condition common in older adults. Other geriatric syndromes include
falls, frailty, delirium, dementia, depression, urinary incontinence,
pressure injuries, and sleep disturbances.
An older adult patient is experiencing sleep disturbances. Which intervention
should the nurse recommend first?
A) Prescribe a sedative-hypnotic
B) Recommend good sleep hygiene practices
C) Order a sleep study
D) Refer to a sleep specialist
Answer: B) Recommend good sleep hygiene practices
Rationale: Sleep disturbances are a common geriatric syndrome. The
initial management should focus on non-pharmacologic interventions,
such as sleep hygiene, before considering medications.
A nurse is caring for an older adult patient with dementia who is experiencing
sundowning. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A) Keep the patient in a brightly lit room
B) Provide a calm, quiet environment in the evening
C) Administer sedatives routinely
D) Restrict visitors
Answer: B) Provide a calm, quiet environment in the evening
Rationale: Sundowning refers to increased confusion and agitation in the
late afternoon and evening. A calm, quiet environment with familiar
routines can help reduce symptoms.
The nurse is assessing an older adult for malnutrition. Which factor is most
likely contributing to poor nutrition?
A) Increased appetite
B) Dental problems
GALEN NUR 257 EXAM 3 – CONCEPTS OF AGING &
CHRONIC ILLNESS 2026/2027 COMPLETE (150) CURRENT
TESTING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
DETAILED RATIONALES.
NUR
Prepare effectively for the Galen NUR 257 Exam 3 with this focused study resource. It
supports review of aging concepts, chronic illness, gerontological nursing, health
promotion, disease management, patient assessment, and nursing interventions. Use
the material to reinforce your understanding, review key topics, and identify areas that
may require additional study. This resource is suited for Galen nursing students, NUR
257 learners, and candidates preparing for Exam 3.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
Section 1: Geriatric Syndromes (Questions 1–20)
The nurse is assessing an older adult for frailty. Which of the following is a
characteristic feature of frailty syndrome?
A) Increased muscle mass and strength
B) Unintentional weight loss and exhaustion
C) Improved immune function
D) Increased physical activity
Answer: B) Unintentional weight loss and exhaustion
Rationale: Frailty is a geriatric syndrome characterized by unintentional
weight loss, exhaustion, weakness (reduced grip strength), slow gait
speed, and low physical activity. It represents a state of decreased
physiological reserve and increased vulnerability to stressors.
A nurse is evaluating an older adult patient who has experienced a fall. Which
of the following should be included in a comprehensive fall risk assessment?
A) Gait and balance assessment only
B) Medication review only
C) Gait and balance assessment, medication review, and home safety
, Page 2 of 49
evaluation
D) Vision screening only
Answer: C) Gait and balance assessment, medication review, and home
safety evaluation
Rationale: Falls are a multifactorial geriatric syndrome. A comprehensive
fall risk assessment must include evaluation of gait and balance, review
of medications (especially those that cause dizziness or sedation), home
safety assessment, and vision screening.
An older adult patient presents with acute onset confusion, fluctuating level
of consciousness, and inattention. Which geriatric syndrome is most likely?
A) Dementia
B) Depression
C) Delirium
D) Normal aging
Answer: C) Delirium
Rationale: Delirium is an acute, fluctuating disturbance in attention and
awareness that is often reversible. It is a common geriatric syndrome that
can be triggered by infections, medications, dehydration, or metabolic
disturbances.
A nurse is conducting a depression screening on an older adult patient. Which
tool is most appropriate for this assessment?
A) Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
B) PHQ-9
C) Confusion Assessment Method (CAM)
D) Braden Scale
Answer: B) PHQ-9
Rationale: The PHQ-9 is a validated screening tool for depression.
Depression is a common geriatric syndrome that can present atypically in
older adults and should be routinely screened for in geriatric
assessments.
The nurse is assessing an older adult patient for urinary incontinence. Which
type of incontinence is characterized by involuntary leakage of urine with
, Page 3 of 49
coughing or sneezing?
A) Urge incontinence
B) Stress incontinence
C) Overflow incontinence
D) Functional incontinence
Answer: B) Stress incontinence
Rationale: Stress incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine during
activities that increase intra-abdominal pressure, such as coughing,
sneezing, or laughing. It is a common geriatric syndrome.
An older adult patient is diagnosed with sarcopenia. The nurse understands
that this condition is characterized by:
A) Increased muscle mass
B) Decreased muscle mass and strength
C) Increased bone density
D) Improved functional status
Answer: B) Decreased muscle mass and strength
Rationale: Sarcopenia is the age-related loss of muscle mass and
strength. It contributes to frailty, falls, and functional decline in older
adults.
The nurse is assessing an older adult for elder abuse. Which finding is most
concerning?
A) The patient has a bruise on the forearm with no explanation
B) The patient is wearing dentures
C) The patient uses a walker
D) The patient has age spots on the hands
Answer: A) The patient has a bruise on the forearm with no explanation
Rationale: Unexplained bruises, especially in various stages of healing,
are concerning for possible elder abuse. Nurses have a legal and ethical
obligation to report suspected abuse.
Which of the following is considered a geriatric syndrome?
A) Diabetes mellitus
B) Hypertension
, Page 4 of 49
C) Polypharmacy
D) Osteoarthritis
Answer: C) Polypharmacy
Rationale: Polypharmacy is a geriatric syndrome—a multifactorial
condition common in older adults. Other geriatric syndromes include
falls, frailty, delirium, dementia, depression, urinary incontinence,
pressure injuries, and sleep disturbances.
An older adult patient is experiencing sleep disturbances. Which intervention
should the nurse recommend first?
A) Prescribe a sedative-hypnotic
B) Recommend good sleep hygiene practices
C) Order a sleep study
D) Refer to a sleep specialist
Answer: B) Recommend good sleep hygiene practices
Rationale: Sleep disturbances are a common geriatric syndrome. The
initial management should focus on non-pharmacologic interventions,
such as sleep hygiene, before considering medications.
A nurse is caring for an older adult patient with dementia who is experiencing
sundowning. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A) Keep the patient in a brightly lit room
B) Provide a calm, quiet environment in the evening
C) Administer sedatives routinely
D) Restrict visitors
Answer: B) Provide a calm, quiet environment in the evening
Rationale: Sundowning refers to increased confusion and agitation in the
late afternoon and evening. A calm, quiet environment with familiar
routines can help reduce symptoms.
The nurse is assessing an older adult for malnutrition. Which factor is most
likely contributing to poor nutrition?
A) Increased appetite
B) Dental problems
