Success Exam Prep Guide | Concepts of Aging &
Chronic Illness | Galen College of Nursing | Q & A |
2026/2027 Edition
1. The home health nurse arrives at an older adult client's home. The client finds the inside
temperature 82 degrees, the windows and doors are closed, and the client is covered with a
heavy winter blanket. The nurse initially recognizes that this behavior may be related to:
A) Early signs of heat stroke
B) Normal age-related changes that impair the client's ability to thermoregulate
C) Delirium caused by urinary tract infection
D) Hypothyroidism requiring immediate intervention
Correct Answer: B) Normal age-related changes that impair the client's ability to
thermoregulate
Rationale: Aging attenuates autonomic thermoregulatory responses, including decreased sweat
gland output and peripheral vascular dilation. Older adults often require ambient temperatures
2-3 degrees higher for comfort due to these physiological changes. While delirium and
hypothyroidism should be assessed, this presentation is initially consistent with normal age-
related thermoregulatory changes.
2. You're teaching an older adult client about a new medication. Which nursing action enhances
the client's ability to learn most?
A) Provide a detailed, technical explanation using medical terminology
,B) Speak quickly so you can cover as much information as possible in one session
C) Keep the information simple, focused on key points, and relevant to the client's situation;
avoid medical jargon
D) Provide written information only and ask the client to read it at home
Correct Answer: C) Keep the information simple, focused on key points, and relevant to the
client's situation; avoid medical jargon
Rationale: Older adults learn best when information is presented simply, focusing on key points
relevant to their situation. Medical jargon should be avoided. Speaking quickly or providing
complex technical information can overwhelm the client and impair learning. Written
information should supplement, not replace, verbal teaching.
3. You're teaching a patient about antipsychotic neuroleptics. What should you include in the
teaching?
A) "This medication will not affect your heart or blood vessels."
B) "You are more susceptible to heart problems and stroke while taking this medication, so you
must follow up regularly with your provider."
C) "Once you feel better you can stop taking the medication without telling your provider."
D) "If you feel dizzy, just lie down; there is no need to report this to your provider."
Correct Answer: B) "You are more susceptible to heart problems and stroke while taking this
medication, so you must follow up regularly with your provider."
Rationale: Older adults taking antipsychotic neuroleptics have increased risk for cardiovascular
events and stroke. Teaching must emphasize these risks and the importance of ongoing
monitoring and follow-up. Options that minimize risk or encourage abrupt discontinuation are
unsafe and inconsistent with safe geriatric pharmacology.
, 4. An older adult client has difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds. The nurse should recognize
this as:
A) Presbyopia
B) Presbycusis
C) Tinnitus
D) Meniere's disease
Correct Answer: B) Presbycusis
Rationale: Presbycusis is age-related sensorineural hearing loss that typically affects the ability
to hear high-frequency sounds first. Presbyopia is vision loss; tinnitus is ringing in the ears;
Meniere's disease is an inner ear disorder.
5. A nurse is caring for a frail older adult in an acute care facility and is concerned about
preventing hypothermia. Which intervention should the nurse implement?
A) Apply electric heating blankets continuously
B) Use warm humidified air by mask
C) Administer antipyretic medications prophylactically
D) Restrict fluid intake to prevent diaphoresis
Correct Answer: B) Use warm humidified air by mask