NUR 257 Chronic Conditions | Galen College of Nursing |
Academic Year 2026/2027 | Exam 4 Comprehensive
Examination | 300 Verified Questions and Correct Answer
Rationales
SECTION I — AGING, CHRONIC ILLNESS & FRAILTY
Questions 1–40
1. Which statement best describes a chronic illness?
A. A condition that always resolves within 24 hours
B. A condition requiring ongoing management over an extended period
C. A disease that is always infectious
D. A temporary physiologic response
Answer: B
Rationale: Chronic illnesses generally require long-term management
and may affect multiple areas of a person's life.
2. Which statement about normal aging is most accurate?
A. Normal aging inevitably causes severe disability.
B. Normal aging is identical in every person.
C. Aging involves physiologic changes, but significant disease is not an
inevitable part of aging.
D. All older adults develop dementia.
Answer: C
,Rationale: Aging produces physiologic changes, but disease and major
disability are not automatic consequences of aging.
3. Which finding is most consistent with frailty?
A. Increased physiologic reserve
B. Reduced ability to recover from stressors
C. Increased muscle mass
D. Improved balance
Answer: B
Rationale: Frailty involves decreased physiologic reserve and increased
vulnerability to illness, injury, and other stressors.
4. An older adult with frailty develops a urinary infection. Which
response is most likely?
A. Rapid recovery without complications
B. Greater vulnerability to functional decline
C. Permanent immunity to future infections
D. Elimination of all chronic diseases
Answer: B
Rationale: Frail older adults have less reserve and may experience
disproportionate functional decline after acute illness.
5. What is the primary goal of chronic-illness management?
,A. Eliminate every chronic condition
B. Maximize function, quality of life, and self-management
C. Keep the patient hospitalized
D. Avoid all physical activity
Answer: B
Rationale: Chronic-care management focuses on symptom control,
function, independence, quality of life, and prevention of complications.
6. Which intervention best promotes self-management?
A. Making all decisions for the patient
B. Giving instructions without assessment
C. Involving the patient in establishing realistic goals
D. Discouraging questions
Answer: C
Rationale: Shared goal setting supports patient engagement and self-
management.
7. Which statement reflects patient-centered chronic-care planning?
A. The nurse determines all goals.
B. The plan should consider patient preferences and abilities.
C. Family preferences always override patient preferences.
D. Only laboratory findings matter.
Answer: B
, Rationale: Patient-centered care incorporates values, preferences,
abilities, goals, and clinical needs.
8. Which finding would most strongly suggest decreased physiologic
reserve?
A. Ability to recover rapidly from illness
B. Increased endurance
C. Difficulty recovering after a minor infection
D. Increased appetite
Answer: C
Rationale: Reduced recovery after stress is characteristic of diminished
physiologic reserve.
9. Which intervention helps reduce functional decline in older adults?
A. Prolonged bed rest
B. Appropriate physical activity
C. Avoidance of all mobility
D. Limiting social interaction
Answer: B
Rationale: Appropriate activity helps preserve strength, mobility,
cardiovascular health, and independence.
10. Which factor can worsen the burden of chronic illness?
Academic Year 2026/2027 | Exam 4 Comprehensive
Examination | 300 Verified Questions and Correct Answer
Rationales
SECTION I — AGING, CHRONIC ILLNESS & FRAILTY
Questions 1–40
1. Which statement best describes a chronic illness?
A. A condition that always resolves within 24 hours
B. A condition requiring ongoing management over an extended period
C. A disease that is always infectious
D. A temporary physiologic response
Answer: B
Rationale: Chronic illnesses generally require long-term management
and may affect multiple areas of a person's life.
2. Which statement about normal aging is most accurate?
A. Normal aging inevitably causes severe disability.
B. Normal aging is identical in every person.
C. Aging involves physiologic changes, but significant disease is not an
inevitable part of aging.
D. All older adults develop dementia.
Answer: C
,Rationale: Aging produces physiologic changes, but disease and major
disability are not automatic consequences of aging.
3. Which finding is most consistent with frailty?
A. Increased physiologic reserve
B. Reduced ability to recover from stressors
C. Increased muscle mass
D. Improved balance
Answer: B
Rationale: Frailty involves decreased physiologic reserve and increased
vulnerability to illness, injury, and other stressors.
4. An older adult with frailty develops a urinary infection. Which
response is most likely?
A. Rapid recovery without complications
B. Greater vulnerability to functional decline
C. Permanent immunity to future infections
D. Elimination of all chronic diseases
Answer: B
Rationale: Frail older adults have less reserve and may experience
disproportionate functional decline after acute illness.
5. What is the primary goal of chronic-illness management?
,A. Eliminate every chronic condition
B. Maximize function, quality of life, and self-management
C. Keep the patient hospitalized
D. Avoid all physical activity
Answer: B
Rationale: Chronic-care management focuses on symptom control,
function, independence, quality of life, and prevention of complications.
6. Which intervention best promotes self-management?
A. Making all decisions for the patient
B. Giving instructions without assessment
C. Involving the patient in establishing realistic goals
D. Discouraging questions
Answer: C
Rationale: Shared goal setting supports patient engagement and self-
management.
7. Which statement reflects patient-centered chronic-care planning?
A. The nurse determines all goals.
B. The plan should consider patient preferences and abilities.
C. Family preferences always override patient preferences.
D. Only laboratory findings matter.
Answer: B
, Rationale: Patient-centered care incorporates values, preferences,
abilities, goals, and clinical needs.
8. Which finding would most strongly suggest decreased physiologic
reserve?
A. Ability to recover rapidly from illness
B. Increased endurance
C. Difficulty recovering after a minor infection
D. Increased appetite
Answer: C
Rationale: Reduced recovery after stress is characteristic of diminished
physiologic reserve.
9. Which intervention helps reduce functional decline in older adults?
A. Prolonged bed rest
B. Appropriate physical activity
C. Avoidance of all mobility
D. Limiting social interaction
Answer: B
Rationale: Appropriate activity helps preserve strength, mobility,
cardiovascular health, and independence.
10. Which factor can worsen the burden of chronic illness?
