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WGU
Nursing
3 credits

WGU C475: Care of the Older Adult

C475 prepares nursing students to care for aging patients: normal versus abnormal aging changes, geriatric syndromes, safety and polypharmacy, care transitions, and ethical issues. It's assessed with a proctored OA alongside performance tasks in most versions.

Fennie is independent and not affiliated with Western Governors University. This is an unofficial study guide.

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What makes it hard

The OA's favorite move is normal-versus-abnormal aging — knowing which findings are expected with age and which demand intervention. Students also underestimate the assessment-tool questions (which screening instrument fits which concern) and the care-transition scenarios.

What you'll cover

  • Normal vs. abnormal aging changes
  • Geriatric syndromes and assessment tools
  • Polypharmacy and medication safety
  • Care transitions and coordination
  • Health promotion for older adults
  • Ethics and end-of-life considerations

The C475 study guide

How to study for WGU C475, step by step.

  1. 1

    Take the pre-assessment cold

    The PA shows whether your gaps are the aging-changes content, the assessment tools, or the scenario judgment — each needs different review.

  2. 2

    Master normal versus abnormal aging first

    It's the OA's core distinction: which findings are expected with age and which signal a problem. Build a two-column reference and drill it.

  3. 3

    Match assessment tools to their concerns

    Know which screening instrument addresses which concern — falls, cognition, nutrition, skin. The exam tests tool selection directly.

  4. 4

    Work the scenario questions like care decisions

    Transition-of-care and safety scenarios ask what the nurse should do first. Practice prioritizing, not just recalling.

  5. 5

    Retake the PA, then book the OA

    When the normal-versus-abnormal and tool-matching questions pass comfortably, schedule the proctored exam and finish any remaining tasks promptly.

  6. 6

    Pace the review with Fennie

    Upload the C475 unit list to Fennie and Daily Plans schedules the aging-changes review and tool-matching drills to your OA date, with flashcards generated from the actual units. Free to start.

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How Fennie helps with C475

Daily Plans pace C475's normal-versus-abnormal distinctions and tool-matching drills to your OA date. Fennie's flashcards carry the screening instruments and aging changes, and chat reasons through prioritization scenarios the exam favors.

FAQ

Is WGU C475 hard?

Moderate for most nursing students — the content is familiar territory, but the OA tests precise normal-versus-abnormal distinctions and assessment-tool selection.

How long does C475 take?

Commonly 2–4 weeks alongside other coursework. The aging-changes reference sheet is the highest-leverage study artifact.

What's on the C475 OA?

Normal versus abnormal aging, geriatric syndromes, screening tools, medication safety, care transitions, and ethics — with scenario questions asking what the nurse should do first.

Pass C475 with a plan, not a cram

Upload your C475 materials and Fennie generates a Daily Plan paced to your deadline — plus chat, flashcards, and quizzes built from the actual course content.

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