NUR 257 Exams 1–4 Geriatric Nursing
200 Practice Questions & Detailed Answers | Galen
College Concepts of Aging & Chronic Illness | A+ Graded
Exam 1: Foundations of Aging, Gerontology, and Chronic Illness (Questions 1–50)
1. Which theory of aging proposes that cells have a predetermined limit to the number of times they can
divide before becoming senescent?
A) Free radical theory
B) Wear and tear theory
C) Telomere theory
D) Immunological theory
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The telomere theory proposes that aging is caused by the shortening of telomeres (protective
caps at the ends of chromosomes) with each cell division, leading to cellular senescence. The free
radical theory attributes aging to oxidative damage, while the wear and tear theory suggests cumulative
damage to the body over time.
2. The wearandtear theory explains aging as:
A) Programmed cell death
B) Accumulated cellular damage
C) Genetic mutation
D) Hormonal imbalance
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: The wearandtear theory suggests that aging results from the accumulation of damage to cells
and tissues over time, similar to how mechanical parts wear out with use. This contrasts with
programmed theories that view aging as a genetically determined process.
3. The free radical theory suggests aging results from:
A) Oxygen molecules causing cell damage
B) DNA repair mechanisms
C) Hormonal decline
D) Telomere shortening
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The free radical theory proposes that aging is caused by the accumulation of damage from
reactive oxygen species (free radicals) that attack cellular components, leading to oxidative stress and
cellular damage.
4. The immunological theory proposes aging occurs due to:
A) Decline in immune function
B) Increased metabolism
C) Genetic mutations
D) Overnutrition
Correct Answer: A
,Rationale: The immunological theory suggests that aging is associated with a progressive decline in
immune system function (immunosenescence), making older adults more susceptible to infections and
diseases.
5. What is immunosenescence?
A) Stronger immunity in older adults
B) Decline in immune response with aging
C) Autoimmune disease in the elderly
D) Increased antibody production
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Immunosenescence refers to the agerelated decline in immune function, including reduced
Tcell and Bcell responses, making older adults more vulnerable to infections, cancer, and autoimmune
conditions.
6. A 78yearold patient is admitted with pneumonia and is confused. The daughter states this confusion
is new. What is the most appropriate nursing action?
A) Restrain the patient to prevent falls
B) Administer sedatives to calm the patient
C) Evaluate for delirium and treat underlying cause
D) Ignore confusion as a normal part of aging
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: Delirium in older adults is often caused by infection, medications, or metabolic disturbances;
it requires prompt evaluation and treatment of the underlying cause rather than being dismissed as
dementia or normal aging.
7. Which assessment tool would be most appropriate to evaluate an older adult's ability to prepare
meals and manage medications independently?
A) MiniMental State Examination (MMSE)
B) Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living
C) Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) Scale
D) Braden Scale
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Lawton IADL Scale assesses more complex daily living skills needed for independent
community living, including meal preparation, shopping, medication management, and housework. The
Katz ADL assesses basic selfcare (bathing, dressing), the MMSE assesses cognition, and the Braden Scale
assesses pressure ulcer risk.
8. Which of the following is considered a normal agerelated change in the cardiovascular system?
A) Increased elasticity of major arteries
B) Reduced systolic blood pressure
C) Decreased cardiac output
D) Increased maximal heart rate
Correct Answer: C
200 Practice Questions & Detailed Answers | Galen
College Concepts of Aging & Chronic Illness | A+ Graded
Exam 1: Foundations of Aging, Gerontology, and Chronic Illness (Questions 1–50)
1. Which theory of aging proposes that cells have a predetermined limit to the number of times they can
divide before becoming senescent?
A) Free radical theory
B) Wear and tear theory
C) Telomere theory
D) Immunological theory
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The telomere theory proposes that aging is caused by the shortening of telomeres (protective
caps at the ends of chromosomes) with each cell division, leading to cellular senescence. The free
radical theory attributes aging to oxidative damage, while the wear and tear theory suggests cumulative
damage to the body over time.
2. The wearandtear theory explains aging as:
A) Programmed cell death
B) Accumulated cellular damage
C) Genetic mutation
D) Hormonal imbalance
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: The wearandtear theory suggests that aging results from the accumulation of damage to cells
and tissues over time, similar to how mechanical parts wear out with use. This contrasts with
programmed theories that view aging as a genetically determined process.
3. The free radical theory suggests aging results from:
A) Oxygen molecules causing cell damage
B) DNA repair mechanisms
C) Hormonal decline
D) Telomere shortening
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The free radical theory proposes that aging is caused by the accumulation of damage from
reactive oxygen species (free radicals) that attack cellular components, leading to oxidative stress and
cellular damage.
4. The immunological theory proposes aging occurs due to:
A) Decline in immune function
B) Increased metabolism
C) Genetic mutations
D) Overnutrition
Correct Answer: A
,Rationale: The immunological theory suggests that aging is associated with a progressive decline in
immune system function (immunosenescence), making older adults more susceptible to infections and
diseases.
5. What is immunosenescence?
A) Stronger immunity in older adults
B) Decline in immune response with aging
C) Autoimmune disease in the elderly
D) Increased antibody production
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Immunosenescence refers to the agerelated decline in immune function, including reduced
Tcell and Bcell responses, making older adults more vulnerable to infections, cancer, and autoimmune
conditions.
6. A 78yearold patient is admitted with pneumonia and is confused. The daughter states this confusion
is new. What is the most appropriate nursing action?
A) Restrain the patient to prevent falls
B) Administer sedatives to calm the patient
C) Evaluate for delirium and treat underlying cause
D) Ignore confusion as a normal part of aging
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: Delirium in older adults is often caused by infection, medications, or metabolic disturbances;
it requires prompt evaluation and treatment of the underlying cause rather than being dismissed as
dementia or normal aging.
7. Which assessment tool would be most appropriate to evaluate an older adult's ability to prepare
meals and manage medications independently?
A) MiniMental State Examination (MMSE)
B) Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living
C) Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) Scale
D) Braden Scale
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Lawton IADL Scale assesses more complex daily living skills needed for independent
community living, including meal preparation, shopping, medication management, and housework. The
Katz ADL assesses basic selfcare (bathing, dressing), the MMSE assesses cognition, and the Braden Scale
assesses pressure ulcer risk.
8. Which of the following is considered a normal agerelated change in the cardiovascular system?
A) Increased elasticity of major arteries
B) Reduced systolic blood pressure
C) Decreased cardiac output
D) Increased maximal heart rate
Correct Answer: C
