Older Adults and Their Care

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You must score 70% or better to pass this course. Select one answer for each question by clicking the circle at the left of your choice. To change your selection, click a different circle. Do not skip any questions.

Test Question

1. Life expectancy is greatest among which of the following groups?

a. Black women
b. White women
c. White men
d. Black men

Test Question

2. Experts are concerned that the health of baby boomers is declining and believe a major reason is:

a. An increase in smoking among white men.
b. Alcohol abuse among both men and women.
c. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
d. The continuing epidemic of obesity.

Test Question

3. Health disparities are largely related to:

a. Genetic differences.
b. Smoking and alcohol use.
c. Socioeconomic inequities.
d. Cultural differences.

Test Question

4. Loss of muscle mass in older adults results primarily from:

a. Inactivity.
b. Vitamin deficiencies.
c. Inadequate intake of protein related to poverty.
d. Osteoporisis.

Test Question

5. Which of the following are signs/symptoms of hypothermia?

a. Ruddy complexion and drooling
b. Confusion, disorientation and lack of hand coordination
c. Incontinence and malnutrition
d. Wandering and aggression

Test Question

6. People with cardiovascular disease are at highest risk of heat stress because:

a. They are too thin and dehydrate easily.
b. Their medications impair the body's ability to regulate its temperature.
c. They can't breathe fast enough.
d. They are overweight.

Test Question

7. The primary criterion in assessing cardiovascular function is:

a. Heart rate.
b. Stroke volume.
c. VO₂max.
d. Cardiac output.

Test Question

8. What test is used to distinguish between normal age-related cardiovascular changes and the presence of cardiovascular disease?

a. An MRI of the heart.
b. An x-ray of the chest.
c. An angiogram.
d. A stress test.

Test Question

9. The result of age-related decreased renal blood flow is:

a. Slowed heart rate.
b. Urinary incontinence.
c. Slower elimination of certain medications.
d. Peripheral edema.

Test Question

10. Urge incontinence is common to all older men and women.

a. True
b. False

Test Question

11. Once respiratory muscle strength and endurance is reduced, it cannot really be regained.

a. True
b. False

Test Question

12. Hypothyroidism (thyroid deficiency) is common in older people and characterized by which of the following symptoms?

a. Tremors, elevated temperature, and anxiety
b. Hypernatremia (elevated sodium levels)
c. Lethargy, fatigue and lack of mental alertness
d. Tachycardia, hot flashes, and mood swings

Test Question

13. Diabetes increases the risk of hearing impairment.

a. True
b. False

Test Question

14. Much of what we call taste is really a sense of smell, which is controlled by:

a. The fifth cranial nerve.
b. The paranasal sinuses.
c. The taste buds.
d. The olfactory cells.

Test Question

15. Older people need less sleep than young people.

a. True
b. False

Test Question

16. Because of age-related declines in touch sensitivities, older adults have diminished need for physical contact.

a. True
b. False

Test Question

17. The three drugs most often implicated in adverse drug events are:

a. Streptomycin, albuterol, and ibuprofen.
b. Benzodiazopines, calcium channel blockers, and naproxen.
c. Nicillin, testosterone, and malarone.
d. Warfarin, insulin, and digoxin.

Test Question

18. Older people taking four or more drugs pose an independent risk factor for:

a. Hypertension.
b. Falling.
c. Incontinence.
d. Hyperventilation.

Test Question

19. People taking statins should avoid:

a. Broccoli.
b. Tomatoes and tomato juice.
c. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice.
d. Vitamin E.

Test Question

20. Cholinesterase inhibitors can cause memory problems and increased confusion.

a. True
b. False

Test Question

21. Which group below represents only instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs)?

a. Eating, shopping, and cooking.
b. Eating, taking medications, and cooking.
c. Bathing, dressing, and doing laundry.
d. Cooking, shopping, and taking medications.

Test Question

22. The leading cause of blindness among Hispanic Americans is:

a. Cataracts.
b. Glaucoma.
c. Syphilis.
d. Age-related macular degeneration.

Test Question

23. The test most commonly used to screen for hearing loss is:

a. The Snellen test.
b. The whisper test.
c. The CAGE test.
d. The Wasserman test.

Test Question

24. Any patient taking warfarin who experiences a blow to the head should be checked for:

a. Traumatic brain injury.
b. Broken glasses.
c. Diabetes.
d. Appendicitis.

Test Question

25. A simple test for assessing mobility, strength and gait is:

a. The Snellen test.
b. The TUG test.
c. The Mini-Cog test.
d. The whisper test.

Test Question

26. An easy formula for grams of protein needed by an older adult is:

a. Twice the patient's age (in years).
b. Half the patient's height (in inches).
c. Twice the patient's weight (in pounds).
d. Half the patient's weight (in pounds).

Test Question

27. Calcium deficiency is common in older adults because:

a. They believe milk is for kids.
b. They are lactose intolerant.
c. They prefer coffee or tea.
d. They prefer wine with their meals.

Test Question

28. The family of B vitamins is particularly important to the function of the:

a. Nervous system.
b. Gastrointestinal system.
c. Respiratory system.
d. Renal system.

Test Question

29. Tube feeding is preferred for patients unable to feed themselves.

a. True
b. False

Test Question

30. When assessing the skin of an older adult, the most important areas to inspect are:

a. Bony prominences and feet.
b. Scalp, hands, and legs.
c. Face, neck, and ears.
d. Thighs, underarms, and neck.

Test Question

31. Medications for incontinence are particularly useful for patients with dementia.

a. True
b. False

Test Question

32. Risk factors for social isolation include living alone and:

a. Diabetes, arthritis, and obesity.
b. Low self-esteem, history of abuse or homelessness, and depression.
c. Smoking, alcoholism, and vision impairment.
d. Poverty, heart disease, and asthma.

Test Question

33. First-line therapy for older persons with depression should be nonpharmacologic because antidepressant medications:

a. Are less expensive.
b. May interfere with normal sleep.
c. Increase the risk of falls.
d. Increase the risk of suicide.

Test Question

34. When older adults say "I'd be better off dead," likely they are just letting off steam.

a. True
b. False

Test Question

35. Confusion in older adults may be reversible.

a. True
b. False

Test Question

36. Which of the following is part of the Mini-Mental Status exam?

a. Reality orientation
b. Word recognition
c. Activities of daily living
d. Puzzle solving

Test Question

37. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is related exclusively to memory problems.

a. True
b. False

Test Question

38. Which one of the following statements about AD is false?

a. People who live long enough will certainly contract AD.
b. Symptoms most commonly appear after age 60.
c. People in the early stages of AD often think less clearly and may be easily confused.
d. In later stages of the disease, people with AD may forget how to do perform ADLs.

Test Question

39. Which one of the following factors increase the risk of AD?

a. Diabetes
b. Hypothyroidism
c. Moderate alcohol use
d. COPD

Test Question

40. Which one of the following environmental exposures increases the risk of AD?

a. Dioxin
b. Polyvinyl chloride
c. Lead
d. Phthalates

Test Question

41. A lifestyle factor that protects cognitive function is:

a. A low-carbohydrate diet.
b. Emotional support.
c. High body mass index (BMI).
d. Social isolation.

Test Question

42. Which one of the following helps to create a supportive environment for the person with dementia?

a. Vary the patient's routine to protect against boredom.
b. Provide stimulating conversation in a group setting at least once each day.
c. Keep patient presentable by taking over ADLs when skills begin to slip.
d. Avoid crowds and large spaces without boundaries.

Test Question

43. A test commonly used to assess cognitive function in people with AD is the:

a. Berg Functional Mobility Test.
b. Glasgow Coma Test.
c. Functional Dementia Scale.
d. Hanson's Cognitive Function Test.

Test Question

44. Financial constraints can prevent families of even moderate means from access to care management services, respite care, and adult daycare.

a. True
b. False

Test Question

45. Which one of the following statements is true about elder abuse in the United States?

a. Most cases of elder abuse occur in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.
b. Elder abuse is rare and occurs primarily in frail elderly men.
c. Older women are the most common victims and most cases occur in the home.
d. Primary care physicians routinely screen for signs and symptoms of elder abuse.

Test Question

46. Which one of the following statements about hospice care is true?

a. Drugs for symptom control and pain relief are not covered by Medicare hospice benefits.
b. Most Americans do not know that hospice care can be provided in the home.
c. Hospice care can never be extended.
d. Choosing hospice care usually shortens survival time.

Test Question

47. Palliative care:

a. Tends to hasten death once a person has been declared terminal.
b. Seeks to improve the quality of life of dying patients.
c. Should not be combined with therapies that prolong life.
d. Is not applicable in the early stages of an illness.

Test Question

48. Which one of the following statements is true about hospice care?

a. Hospice care is provided only in residential facilities.
b. People who choose hospice care generally have cancer.
c. Eight out of ten nursing homes have arrangements to provide hospice care.
d. People with Alzheimer's diseases are not eligible for hospice.

Test Question

49. People who choose hospice are more likely to die at home.

a. True
b. False

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