,NUR 257 Exam 1 | Concepts of Aging & Chronic Illness
(2026/2027) PDF | Galen
1. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of the nursing
process in caring for older adults?
A) To diagnose and treat medical diseases independently
B) To provide a systematic framework for delivering individualized patient care
C) To prescribe medications and treatments without provider orders
D) To replace the need for clinical judgment in nursing practice
Correct Answer: To provide a systematic framework for delivering individualized
patient care
Rationale: The nursing process is a systematic, five-step framework that guides
nurses in delivering holistic, patient-centered care. It promotes clinical
reasoning and individualized interventions rather than rigid standardization. It
does not diagnose medical diseases, prescribe treatments independently, or
replace clinical judgment.
2. According to Erikson's stages of psychosocial development, what is the
primary task of the older adult (65+ years)?
A) Generativity vs. Stagnation
B) Identity vs. Role Confusion
C) Ego Integrity vs. Despair
D) Intimacy vs. Isolation
,Correct Answer: Ego Integrity vs. Despair
Rationale: Ego Integrity vs. Despair is the final stage of Erikson's psychosocial
development model. In this stage, older adults reflect on their lives and feel
either a sense of satisfaction or regret. Generativity vs. Stagnation occurs in
middle adulthood, Identity vs. Role Confusion in adolescence, and Intimacy vs.
Isolation in young adulthood.
3. Which theory of aging suggests that aging is the result of random cellular
damage that accumulates over time?
A) Programmed Theory
B) Disengagement Theory
C) Continuity Theory
D) Stochastic Theory
Correct Answer: Stochastic Theory
Rationale: Stochastic theories propose that aging is the result of random
occurrences and environmental damage. This includes the wear-and-tear and
free radical theories of cellular decline. Programmed theories suggest aging is
genetically predetermined. Disengagement and Continuity theories are
psychosocial theories of aging.
4. A nurse is assessing an older adult patient's pain. Which of the following is
the most reliable indicator of pain in this population?
, A) The patient's vital signs
B) The patient's self-report of pain
C) The nurse's observation of non-verbal cues
D) The patient's medical diagnosis
Correct Answer: The patient's self-report of pain
Rationale: Pain is a subjective experience, and the patient's self-report is the
most reliable indicator of pain. While vital signs and non-verbal cues may
provide additional information, they are not always reliable, especially in older
adults with chronic pain or cognitive impairment.
5. An older adult patient presents with sudden onset confusion and fluctuates in
consciousness throughout the day. This is most characteristic of which
condition?
A) Alzheimer's Disease
B) Delirium
C) Vascular Dementia
D) Major Depressive Disorder
Correct Answer: Delirium
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by an acute onset, fluctuating course, and
disturbances in attention and consciousness. Alzheimer's disease and vascular
(2026/2027) PDF | Galen
1. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of the nursing
process in caring for older adults?
A) To diagnose and treat medical diseases independently
B) To provide a systematic framework for delivering individualized patient care
C) To prescribe medications and treatments without provider orders
D) To replace the need for clinical judgment in nursing practice
Correct Answer: To provide a systematic framework for delivering individualized
patient care
Rationale: The nursing process is a systematic, five-step framework that guides
nurses in delivering holistic, patient-centered care. It promotes clinical
reasoning and individualized interventions rather than rigid standardization. It
does not diagnose medical diseases, prescribe treatments independently, or
replace clinical judgment.
2. According to Erikson's stages of psychosocial development, what is the
primary task of the older adult (65+ years)?
A) Generativity vs. Stagnation
B) Identity vs. Role Confusion
C) Ego Integrity vs. Despair
D) Intimacy vs. Isolation
,Correct Answer: Ego Integrity vs. Despair
Rationale: Ego Integrity vs. Despair is the final stage of Erikson's psychosocial
development model. In this stage, older adults reflect on their lives and feel
either a sense of satisfaction or regret. Generativity vs. Stagnation occurs in
middle adulthood, Identity vs. Role Confusion in adolescence, and Intimacy vs.
Isolation in young adulthood.
3. Which theory of aging suggests that aging is the result of random cellular
damage that accumulates over time?
A) Programmed Theory
B) Disengagement Theory
C) Continuity Theory
D) Stochastic Theory
Correct Answer: Stochastic Theory
Rationale: Stochastic theories propose that aging is the result of random
occurrences and environmental damage. This includes the wear-and-tear and
free radical theories of cellular decline. Programmed theories suggest aging is
genetically predetermined. Disengagement and Continuity theories are
psychosocial theories of aging.
4. A nurse is assessing an older adult patient's pain. Which of the following is
the most reliable indicator of pain in this population?
, A) The patient's vital signs
B) The patient's self-report of pain
C) The nurse's observation of non-verbal cues
D) The patient's medical diagnosis
Correct Answer: The patient's self-report of pain
Rationale: Pain is a subjective experience, and the patient's self-report is the
most reliable indicator of pain. While vital signs and non-verbal cues may
provide additional information, they are not always reliable, especially in older
adults with chronic pain or cognitive impairment.
5. An older adult patient presents with sudden onset confusion and fluctuates in
consciousness throughout the day. This is most characteristic of which
condition?
A) Alzheimer's Disease
B) Delirium
C) Vascular Dementia
D) Major Depressive Disorder
Correct Answer: Delirium
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by an acute onset, fluctuating course, and
disturbances in attention and consciousness. Alzheimer's disease and vascular
