,NUR 257 Final Exam Concepts of Aging & Chronic Illness Questions
And Answers 2026/2027 Galen College
Q1. Which skin change is expected with normal aging?
A) Increased skin thickness
B) Increased sebaceous gland activity
C) Decreased skin elasticity
D) Increased subcutaneous tissue
Correct Answer: C) Decreased skin elasticity
Rationale: Aging causes structural changes such as thinning of the skin and
reduced elasticity, increasing vulnerability to injury.
Q2. Why are older adults more susceptible to skin injury?
A) Their skin becomes thicker with age
B) The skin becomes thinner and less resilient
C) Blood flow to the skin always increases
D) Sweat production increases substantially
Correct Answer: B) The skin becomes thinner and less resilient
Rationale: Age-related thinning, decreased elasticity, and reduced
protective tissue make older skin more vulnerable to injury.
Q3. Which intervention is most appropriate for an older adult with
xerosis?
A) Use hot water and strong soap
B) Apply a moisturizing product regularly
C) Scrub the skin vigorously
D) Increase use of alcohol-based products
Correct Answer: B) Apply a moisturizing product regularly
Rationale: Regular moisturization helps restore skin hydration and reduce
dryness and cracking.
Q4. Which bathing practice is most appropriate for an older adult
with dry skin?
A) Use very hot water
B) Take prolonged baths with harsh soap
C) Use lukewarm water and mild cleansers
D) Scrub the skin until it becomes red
Correct Answer: C) Use lukewarm water and mild cleansers
, Rationale: Lukewarm water and mild cleansers minimize removal of
protective skin oils and reduce dryness.
Q5. An older adult has fragile skin and bruises easily. Which nursing
action is most appropriate?
A) Use gentle handling during transfers
B) Apply adhesive tape directly to fragile areas
C) Massage bruised areas forcefully
D) Increase friction during repositioning
Correct Answer: A) Use gentle handling during transfers
Rationale: Fragile aging skin is easily damaged by friction, shear, pressure,
and adhesive products.
Q6. Which finding is most consistent with a pressure injury risk?
A) Frequent independent repositioning
B) Prolonged immobility
C) Adequate nutrition
D) Intact sensation
Correct Answer: B) Prolonged immobility
Rationale: Prolonged pressure over bony prominences can impair tissue
perfusion and contribute to pressure injury formation.
Q7. Which assessment tool is specifically used to evaluate pressure
injury risk?
A) Braden Scale
B) Glasgow Coma Scale
C) Apgar score
D) Mini-Cog
Correct Answer: A) Braden Scale
Rationale: The Braden Scale evaluates factors such as sensory perception,
moisture, activity, mobility, nutrition, and friction/shear.
Q8. Which intervention best helps prevent pressure injuries in an
immobile older adult?
A) Maintain prolonged pressure over one area
B) Reposition regularly and reduce pressure
C) Massage reddened bony prominences vigorously
D) Keep the skin continuously moist
And Answers 2026/2027 Galen College
Q1. Which skin change is expected with normal aging?
A) Increased skin thickness
B) Increased sebaceous gland activity
C) Decreased skin elasticity
D) Increased subcutaneous tissue
Correct Answer: C) Decreased skin elasticity
Rationale: Aging causes structural changes such as thinning of the skin and
reduced elasticity, increasing vulnerability to injury.
Q2. Why are older adults more susceptible to skin injury?
A) Their skin becomes thicker with age
B) The skin becomes thinner and less resilient
C) Blood flow to the skin always increases
D) Sweat production increases substantially
Correct Answer: B) The skin becomes thinner and less resilient
Rationale: Age-related thinning, decreased elasticity, and reduced
protective tissue make older skin more vulnerable to injury.
Q3. Which intervention is most appropriate for an older adult with
xerosis?
A) Use hot water and strong soap
B) Apply a moisturizing product regularly
C) Scrub the skin vigorously
D) Increase use of alcohol-based products
Correct Answer: B) Apply a moisturizing product regularly
Rationale: Regular moisturization helps restore skin hydration and reduce
dryness and cracking.
Q4. Which bathing practice is most appropriate for an older adult
with dry skin?
A) Use very hot water
B) Take prolonged baths with harsh soap
C) Use lukewarm water and mild cleansers
D) Scrub the skin until it becomes red
Correct Answer: C) Use lukewarm water and mild cleansers
, Rationale: Lukewarm water and mild cleansers minimize removal of
protective skin oils and reduce dryness.
Q5. An older adult has fragile skin and bruises easily. Which nursing
action is most appropriate?
A) Use gentle handling during transfers
B) Apply adhesive tape directly to fragile areas
C) Massage bruised areas forcefully
D) Increase friction during repositioning
Correct Answer: A) Use gentle handling during transfers
Rationale: Fragile aging skin is easily damaged by friction, shear, pressure,
and adhesive products.
Q6. Which finding is most consistent with a pressure injury risk?
A) Frequent independent repositioning
B) Prolonged immobility
C) Adequate nutrition
D) Intact sensation
Correct Answer: B) Prolonged immobility
Rationale: Prolonged pressure over bony prominences can impair tissue
perfusion and contribute to pressure injury formation.
Q7. Which assessment tool is specifically used to evaluate pressure
injury risk?
A) Braden Scale
B) Glasgow Coma Scale
C) Apgar score
D) Mini-Cog
Correct Answer: A) Braden Scale
Rationale: The Braden Scale evaluates factors such as sensory perception,
moisture, activity, mobility, nutrition, and friction/shear.
Q8. Which intervention best helps prevent pressure injuries in an
immobile older adult?
A) Maintain prolonged pressure over one area
B) Reposition regularly and reduce pressure
C) Massage reddened bony prominences vigorously
D) Keep the skin continuously moist
