Deck 14: The Personal Context of Later Life: Physical, Cognitive, and Mental Health Issues

Question 1

Which industrialized nation is expected to show the most dramatic increase in the percent of its population over age 65?

A) United States
B) Sweden
C) China
D) Japan

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Based on data gathered from the Human Genome Project, researchers have attempted to increase longevity and health through

A) cloning.
B) transplanting of key organs (e.g., heart and liver).
C) implanting genetically "corrected" genes.
D) encouraging diets lower in saturated fats.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Environmental toxins appear to play _____ role in determining longevity.

A) no
B) a minimal
C) some
D) a major

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Chatava is a professional who does research to determine the numbers of people in different countries, their ages, and how these numbers might change in the years to come. Chatava would best be described as a

A) social worker.
B) metabolic theorist.
C) demographer.
D) cartographer.

Question 5

As a demographer, Sherwood would be most interested in studying

A) how the number of young people in a population has changed over the past 50 years.
B) the number of neural connections contained in the central nervous system.
C) the distinction between presbyopia and presbycusis.
D) implicit memory.

Question 6

In the country of Casfeldt, 50 percent of the population who died in 2002 were older than 85. Thus, 85 would be the _____ life expectancy.

A) maximum
B) useful
C) average
D) modal

Question 7

Useful life expectancy is defined as the number of years an individual

A) lives free from debilitating chronic disease or impairment.
B) is capable of contributing within the workforce.
C) is able to reproduce.
D) can live on his or her own (i.e., has not moved to a nursing home or retirement community).

Question 8

Which headline concerns maximum life expectancy?

A) Women Continue to Outlive Men
B) Most Humans Retain Vitality through Age 90
C) World's Oldest Human Celebrates 120th Birthday
D) Average American Now Dies at Age 80

Question 9

As the over-80 population increases dramatically in the next 40 years, which will probably be most affected in the United States?

A) Defense systems
B) Housing
C) Social service systems
D) Transportation systems

Question 10

Elijah asks his doctor how long he can plan to live without any major medical problems or impairments. Elijah is asking about _____ life expectancy.

A) maximum
B) useful
C) average
D) modal

Question 11

Marty asks his doctor, "How long do you think I can live, doc?" Marty is asking for information regarding his

A) longevity.
B) average life expectancy.
C) useful life expectancy.
D) maximum life expectancy.

Question 12

Longevity appears to be determined

A) exclusively by genetic factors.
B) exclusively by environmental factors.
C) jointly by genetic and environmental factors.
D) by unexplained factors.

Question 13

If you were in charge of developing programs aimed at elderly individuals in the United States, for which group would you least plan to expand services in the next decade?

A) Native Americans
B) Asian Americans
C) European Americans
D) Pacific Islanders

Question 14

In order to depict the number of people of different ages in the population, Dr. Gillen would be best served using a graphing technique called a(n)

A) demography.
B) presbycusis.
C) external aid.
D) population pyramid.

Question 15

Which American is just about to reach the current average life expectancy for their sex?

A) Garth, a male who just turn 60
B) Reba, a female who just turned 70
C) Faith, a female who just turned 80
D) Billy Ray, a male who just turned 90

Question 16

Average life expectancy is also known as the ____ life expectancy.

A) mean
B) median
C) modal
D) maximum

Question 17

According to your text, the United States is ____ financially for the increasing numbers of elderly.

A) very well prepared
B) well prepared
C) somewhat prepared
D) unprepared

Question 18

Genetic factors appear to play _____ role in determining whether people reach centenarian status.

A) no
B) a minimal
C) some
D) a major

Question 19

In 1950, the population distribution of the United States resembled a(n)

A) rectangle.
B) square.
C) pyramid.
D) upside down pyramid.

Question 20

Within the U.S. population, which is likely to be the shortest estimate of longevity?

A) Maximum life expectancy
B) Average life expectancy
C) Useful life expectancy
D) All these estimates are the same length

Question 21

Fourth age is also characterized as

A) young-young.
B) young-old.
C) old-young.
D) oldest-old.

Question 22

Wilbur has decided to increase his intake of antioxidants like vitamins A and E in order to lower the development of certain age-related diseases and to live longer. The most recent evidence in aging suggests that Wilbur

A) will both be less likely to develop certain age-related diseases and will live longer.
B) will be less likely to develop certain age-related diseases but will not live any longer.
C) will live longer but will not show any decrease in the susceptibility to age-related diseases.
D) will neither be less likely to develop certain age-related diseases nor will live longer.

Question 23

The third age is to the fourth age as

A) longevity is to health.
B) positive life experience is to negative life experience.
C) chronic is to acute.
D) afterlife is to life.

Question 24

Mickey is currently experiencing "the third age." He could best be described as one of the

A) young-old.
B) oldest-old.
C) old-young.
D) young-young.

Question 25

Which statement concerning sex differences in longevity is true?

A) In the U.S., women's average longevity is about one year longer than that of men.
B) The reduction of death during childbirth has led to an increase in longevity of women over the past century.
C) In industrial countries, factors like education and work opportunities do not appear to impact longevity in women.
D) The rate of dying from one of the top 15 causes of death is significantly higher in women than men.

Question 26

What best describes the potential role of telomeres in the aging process?

A) They are the packets of fuel that feed each cell.
B) They are "glue" that binds together the base pairs of DNA molecules.
C) They are a portion of a chromosome that gets shorter until DNA replication is no longer possible.
D) They are the scrubber cells that clear all debris from our arteries.

Question 27

Which statement concerning the life expectancy of African Americans and European Americans is true?

A) At birth, African Americans have a greater life expectancy than European Americans.
B) At age 45, African Americans have a greater life expectancy than European Americans.
C) At age 85, African Americans have a greater life expectancy than European Americans.
D) African Americans never have a greater life expectancy than European Americans.

Question 28

If the programmed cell theory of aging is correct,

A) people under stress should die sooner than those not under stress.
B) a low-fat diet should extend life.
C) the elimination of free radicals should greatly extend life.
D) humans are born with a "prewired death clock."

Question 29

In explaining why people age and eventually die, Dr. Filipovsky talks about "free radicals" and how their buildup produces tissue damage. Dr. Filipovsky is promoting a _____ theory of aging.

A) wear-and-tear
B) metabolic
C) cellular
D) programmed cell death

Question 30

As you age, gravity will ultimately compress your spine, which will result in a loss of height. This effect is best explained by the ____ theory of aging.

A) metabolic
B) cellular
C) wear-and-tear
D) programmed cell death

Question 31

The cellular theory of aging most focuses on

A) deterioration of cells over a lifetime.
B) the number of chromosomes in a cell.
C) the size of cells.
D) the sudden death of cells in one system

Question 32

As a proponent of cross-linking theory, Dr. Rennie would be most interested in

A) brain cells.
B) muscles and arteries.
C) hormones.
D) telomeres.

Question 33

Telomeres are found exclusively on

A) the tips of chromosomes.
B) neurons.
C) cancer cells.
D) X and Y chromosomes.

Question 34

Lo is a member of an ethnic minority group in the United States. Given this, how is her longevity most likely to be negatively impacted?

A) The fact that she is a female is a risk factor for reduced longevity
B) She likely has less access to quality medical care
C) Her diet will likely lack the amount of lead necessary for proper cell development
D) She is significantly more likely to have AIDS

Question 35

If you wanted to visit the country with the lowest average life expectancy, you should book a trip to

A) Uganda.
B) Fiji.
C) Sierra Leone.
D) Guyana.

Question 36

Which would most dramatically impact the levels of free radicals in one's body?

A) Consuming antioxidants like vitamin E
B) Getting an injection of telomerase
C) Contracting sickle-cell anemia
D) Engaging in aerobic exercise

Question 37

Dr. Mbiti believes that people age because their muscles and arteries become less flexible as they interact with certain proteins. Her lecture describing this position is most likely to focus on

A) wear and tear.
B) cross-linking.
C) neurofibrillary tangles.
D) free radicals.

Question 38

____ is best explained by the wear-and-tear theory of aging.

A) AIDS
B) A misshapen blood cell in sickle-cell disease
C) Joint deterioration during osteoarthritis
D) Alzheimer's disease

Question 39

One common characteristic of the fourth age is

A) a high level of dementia.
B) a virtual absence of chronic stress.
C) establishment of one's career.
D) a great probability of major improvement on physical strength/flexibility.

Question 40

____ are chemicals produced during normal cell metabolism that may cause cellular damage that impairs functioning.

A) Neurofibrillary tangles
B) Neuritic plaques
C) Transient ischemic attacks
D) Free radicals

Question 41

Juliana has just suffered an interruption of blood flow to her brain. Her doctor has told her that she has just experienced a(n) ____ and that they should now do what they can to prevent the onset of a stroke.

A) transient ischemic attack
B) presbycusis
C) amyloid
D) circadian rhythm

Question 42

After a series of strokes, Jerry is unable to recognize family members and has a very difficult time understanding his native language. The most probable diagnosis is

A) Huntington's disease.
B) neuritic plaques.
C) vascular dementia.
D) presbycusis.

Question 43

If your goal was to get the best image of a brain structure, you should use a

A) single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT).
B) computerized tomography (CT scan).
C) positron emission tomography (PET).
D) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

Question 44

Fifty-year-old Keith is informed by his doctor that his brain is showing signs of the initial development of neuritic plaques and a few neurofibrillary tangles. This is

A) normal.
B) a definite indicator of Parkinson's disease.
C) a definite indicator of Alzheimer's disease.
D) a definite indicator of Huntington's disease.

Question 45

Concerning brain imaging, MRI is to fMRI as

A) structure is to function.
B) internal is to external.
C) central nervous system is to peripheral nervous system.
D) explicit is to implicit.

Question 46

Carmen has a very difficult time breathing. Even after walking short distances, she is gasping for air. Carmen is exhibiting symptoms of

A) Parkinson's disease.
B) circadian rhythms.
C) presbycusis.
D) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Question 47

When viewed through a microscope, a _____ would most resemble a spiral-shaped mass.

A) telomere
B) free radical
C) neurofibrillary tangle
D) neurotransmitter

Question 48

While doing an autopsy of a brain, Dr. Howard shakes her head in disgust, saying, "This is just awful." When an assistant asks her what she sees, she says, "Two words ... deformed axons." What was the source of Dr. Howard's disgust?

A) Neuritic plaques
B) Neurotransmitters
C) Presbycusis
D) Neurofibrillary tangles

Question 49

What is not used as a diagnostic test for vascular dementia?

A) Computer tomography
B) Magnetic resonance imaging
C) Neuropsychological tests
D) Measurement of neurotransmitter levels

Question 50

The defining characteristic of a cerebral vascular accident is

A) death.
B) neuritic tangling.
C) an interruption of blood flow to the brain.
D) the cessation of respiratory output.

Question 51

If a neuron becomes extremely tangled,

A) a person will develop Parkinson's disease.
B) information can no longer flow through the neuron.
C) electrochemical energy begins to flow from the axon to the dendrite instead of from the dendrite to the axon.
D) it will not significantly affect neural functioning as such tangling is a sign of normal development.

Question 52

When you see a book titled How Neurons Communicate with Each Other, you could be sure it would discuss

A) dendrites.
B) working memory.
C) internal aids.
D) cerebral vascular accidents.

Question 53

What does not typically happen to the cardiovascular system as we age?

A) The heart begins to pump more blood per minute
B) The arteries stiffen
C) Fat deposits form in the heart and arteries
D) The amount of muscle tissue in the heart decreases

Question 54

The key factor in determining the impact of vascular dementia is

A) which areas of the brain are damaged.
B) the age of the individual involved.
C) which areas of the heart are damaged.
D) the sex of the individual involved.

Question 55

As a typical 80-year-old, Joan's ____ would have decreased significantly since she was 20.

A) lung size
B) ability to take a big, deep breath
C) chance for developing a COPD
D) chance for being short of breath following exercise

Question 56

What is a more common term used to describe a cerebral vascular accident?

A) Parkinson's disease
B) Presbyopia
C) Presbycusis
D) Stroke

Question 57

Which does not belong?

A) Emphysema
B) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
C) Dysphoria
D) Asthma

Question 58

A cerebral hemorrhage occurs when a blood vessel in the brain

A) tangles.
B) blocks.
C) ruptures.
D) stiffens.

Question 59

While looking at slides of brain tissue in a physiology class, you see groups of damaged neurons that have collected around a core of protein. What are you looking at?

A) Neurotransmitters
B) Neuritic plaques
C) Neurofibrillary tangles
D) Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

Question 60

Despite the fact that Feodor's hands shake and he has a difficult time walking, positioning, and moving his body to get in and out of chairs, he remains mentally sharp. Feodor appears to have

A) Parkinson's disease.
B) Alzheimer's disease.
C) Huntington's disease.
D) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Question 61

The leading cause of functional blindness in older adults is the result of

A) glaucoma.
B) macular degeneration.
C) presbyopia.
D) cataracts.

Question 62

When someone hands Russ a menu to read, he has to hold it at arm's length in order to be able to see the words well enough to read them. This behavior indicates that Russ is experiencing

A) presbycusis.
B) presbyopia.
C) telomeres.
D) neuritic plaques.

Question 63

Which sleep complaint would you least expect from an older adult?

A) "I just can't get to sleep at night."
B) "Once I go to sleep, I sleep way too long."
C) "I only slept four hours last night."
D) "If I don't get enough sleep at night, I am just worthless the next day."

Question 64

After Winston has been diagnosed with Parkinson's, his doctor would be most likely to suggest that he begin a treatment involving

A) statins.
B) implanting a neurostimulator to act as a brain pacemaker.
C) the injection of amyloids into the affected area of his brain.
D) thioridazine.

Question 65

Visual adaptation involves the ability to adjust to changes in

A) an object's position.
B) an object's distance.
C) illumination.
D) acceleration.

Question 66

Presbycusis can occur due to all of the following except

A) diminished supply of nutrients to the cells in the receptor area.
B) atrophy and degeneration of receptor cells.
C) loss of neurons in the auditory pathway.
D) softening of the vibration structures in the receptor area.

Question 67

While at her yearly medical checkup, Martha is informed that she has extremely high pressure in her eye. This indicates that Martha likely has

A) presbyopia.
B) cataracts.
C) glaucoma.
D) macular degeneration.

Question 68

After assessing Nalini's brain, her physician comments, "You have significantly reduced amounts of dopamine in your midbrain." Since she is a nurse, Nalini would most likely suspect that she has

A) Huntington's disease.
B) Alzheimer's disease.
C) Parkinson's disease.
D) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Question 69

Hank has just been informed that he is a diabetic. As a knowledgeable physician, he realizes that his risk for developing ____ has also increased.

A) macular degeneration
B) Cataracts
C) retinopathy
D) glaucoma

Question 70

Hilde is buying a bulb that will light up when someone rings her doorbell. She is buying this because although she can hear people fairly well during normal conversations, she has a very difficult time hearing the high-pitched sound of the doorbell. Hilde is most likely experiencing

A) Parkinson's disease.
B) Huntington's disease.
C) presbycusis.
D) COPD.

Question 71

Dr. Aoyama has to prescribe a syrupy medication for one of her elderly patients. She has two choices: one that smells bad but tastes good or one that smells good but tastes bad. Since her patient is 75 years old, and assuming she wants to prescribe the medicine that is most tolerable, which medicine should she prescribe?

A) The one that smells bad
B) The one that tastes bad
C) Either one, because people that old have little or no sense of taste or smell
D) If the patient is male, she should prescribe the one that tastes bad; if the patient is female, she should prescribe the one that smells bad

Question 72

The most normative hearing-related change in adulthood involves the inability to hear

A) high-pitched tones.
B) voices.
C) bass sounds.
D) loud tones.

Question 73

As he has presbyopia, Viggo has difficulty seeing

A) color.
B) far-away objects.
C) depth.
D) close objects.

Question 74

When visiting your eye specialist, you are informed that you have large opaque spots on the lens of your left eye. As a knowledgeable student, you would know that this means that you have

A) presbyopia.
B) glaucoma.
C) a cataract.
D) myopia.

Question 75

You are hired by a social service agency to do safety inspections of the apartments of older adults. What would you not want to see in these apartments?

A) Night-lights by their beds
B) Handrails on both sides of stairways
C) Throw rugs on floors
D) Nonskid mats in bathtubs

Question 76

Presbycusis can be the result of

A) excessive cell development in the cochlea.
B) a deformed outer ear.
C) loss of neurons in the auditory pathway.
D) the consumption of excessive levels of vitamin E.

Question 77

Joyce's doctor has just told her that the fluid in her eyes is not draining properly and that she'll have to administer eye drops to prevent experiencing damage from the pressure in her eyes. Joyce has most likely been diagnosed with

A) diabetic retinopathy.
B) cataracts.
C) glaucoma.
D) macular degeneration.

Question 78

For maximum visual acuity to occur, light must be focused directly on the

A) optic nerve.
B) pons.
C) rods.
D) fovea.

Question 79

As we grow old, our

A) lenses tend to yellow and the muscles controlling the eye loosen.
B) lenses tend to blacken and the muscles controlling the eye loosen.
C) lenses tend to yellow and the muscles controlling the eye stiffen.
D) lenses tend to blacken and the muscles controlling the eye stiffen.

Question 80

Presbycusis is the most common age-related

A) form of dementia.
B) type of hearing problem.
C) visual disorder.
D) variety of COPD.