Deck 48: Assisting in Geriatrics

Question 1

A decrease in cardiac output associated with aging may result in an increased incidence of CHF.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Physical activity and continued mental stimulation have no effect on the development of memory problems in aging persons.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Musculoskeletal disease is an inevitable part of the aging process.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

Older patients show the same classic symptoms of diabetes as their younger counterparts.

Question 5

Skin wrinkles are caused by a lack of the collagen cells that form the supportive structures of the dermis.

Question 6

Lack of intrinsic factor in the gastric mucosa makes it difficult for aging people to digest iron.

Question 7

Damage to health caused by lifestyle factors is irreversible.

Question 8

Presbycusis is defined as ringing in the ears.

Question 9

During the third stage of Alzheimer's disease, the patient does not recognize family, has lost weight, and is unable to care for himself or herself.

Question 10

Wound healing may be a problem for an older patient because of neurologic changes.

Question 11

Synthesis of vitamin D is not affected by aging changes in the integumentary system.

Question 12

Aging people are at no greater risk of developing blood clots in the legs than younger adults.

Question 13

Disease is a normal and unavoidable part of the aging process.

Question 14

AD is a slowly progressive disease that begins with mild memory problems and ends with severe brain damage.

Question 15

Orthostatic hypotension may be caused by the heart's inability to adapt to an increased workload.

Question 16

The skin of older patients appears thinner and tears easily because of changes in the dermal layer.

Question 17

Older people may take longer to learn new material.

Question 18

Aging causes an increase in the production of insulin by the beta cells of the pancreas.

Question 19

Peristalsis in the colon increases in the elderly; therefore, constipation is common.

Question 20

Patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus type 2 commonly have had prediabetes for an extended period

Question 21

Age-related changes in the cardiovascular system may be the result of:

A)lack of exercise
B)poor diet
C)stress
D)all of the above

Question 22

Aging patients with hearing loss tend to also have problems with depression.

Question 23

Prostate enlargement is a normal part of aging.

Question 24

Which of the following disorders involves the loss of bone density?

A)Osteoarthritis
B)Osteoporosis
C)Rheumatoid arthritis
D)Gout

Question 25

Which of the following is a clouding of the lens of the eye?

A)Cataract
B)Glaucoma
C)Macular degeneration
D)None of the above

Question 26

A protein that forms the inelastic fibers of tendons, ligaments, and fascia is:

A)elastin
B)collagen
C)a lipocyte
D)cartilage

Question 27

The most frequent health problems in the elderly include all of the following except:

A)heart disease
B)Graves' disease
C)diabetes
D)arthritis
E)cancer

Question 28

Which of the following diseases is not associated with aging?

A)Hypertension
B)Diabetes type 2
C)Arteriosclerosis
D)Diabetes type 1

Question 29

PFT tests on aging persons typically show a decrease in vital capacity and an increase in residual volume.

Question 30

Which of the following disorders is associated with aging?

A)Constipation
B)Diarrhea
C)Hematuria
D)Asthma

Question 31

_____________ is the leading cause of death among men and women.

A)Heart disease
B)Diabetes
C)Cancer
D)Stroke

Question 32

Over time, vessel walls thicken and become less elastic because of the calcification and build up of connective tissue in which condition?

A)Atherosclerosis
B)Phlebitis
C)Arteriosclerosis
D)All of the above

Question 33

Which of the following is caused by increasing pressure inside the eye?

A)Cataract
B)Glaucoma
C)Macular degeneration

Question 34

The cells in the ________________ are produced more slowly with age, making the skin prone to tear and blister.

A)epidermis
B)dermis
C)subcutaneous layer
D)all of the above

Question 35

Aging persons typically sleep better than their younger counterparts.

Question 36

Which of the following disorders is associated with joint pain in older adults?

A)Osteoarthritis
B)Osteoporosis
C)Rheumatoid arthritis
D)Rheumatic fever

Question 37

_____________ result(s) from weakening and stretching of the venous walls.

A)Hypertension
B)Diabetes
C)Varicose veins
D)Edema of the lower extremities

Question 38

The diagnostic tool of choice for AD is a CT scan with visualization.

Question 39

Which of the following is not a sign or symptom of diabetes in the elderly?

A)Slow wound healing
B)Cough
C)Weight loss
D)Polyuria

Question 40

Urinary frequency is a common occurrence in aging persons because of the decreased ability of the bladder wall to expand.

Question 41

Dysphagia in older adults refers to:

A)difficulty swallowing
B)painful speech
C)extreme thirst

Question 42

Aging persons are more susceptible to hyperthermia because:

A)lack of exercise reduces heat loss through sweat
B)the number of sweat glands decreases over time
C)the blood supply to the dermis increases with aging
D)all of the above

Question 43

Memantine (Namenda) is frequently used to treat __________.

Question 44

The medical assistant may perform a(n) __________ to assess a patient's ability to write, calculate, and recall facts.

Question 45

The pathology of Alzheimer's disease is associated with the:

A)build up of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain
B)build up of drug waste materials in the CNS
C)destruction of brain tissue through ischemia
D)A and C

Question 46

Which of the following is the age-related loss of close vision?

A)Presbycusis
B)Cataracts
C)Presbyopia
D)Glaucoma

Question 47

Men can experience problems with sexual function as they age because of:

A)antihypertensive medications
B)diabetes mellitus
C)vascular disease
D)all of the above

Question 48

Urinary incontinence is a common problem in aging people because:

A)difficulty controlling the flow of urine is a normal part of aging
B)frequent infections increase urgency
C)no treatment is available for incontinence in older patients

Question 49

The prevention and treatment of osteoporosis include:

A)weight-bearing exercises
B)calcium and vitamin C supplements
C)Fosamax and calcitonin
D)A and C
E)all of the above

Question 50

Which of the following is/are true of age-related vision changes?

A)Patients require up to four times as much as light.
B)Glare is a serious problem.
C)Individuals have difficulty adjusting to abrupt changes in light.
D)Both B and C are true.

Question 51

Medications used to treat AD include:

A)Cholinesterase and Indocin
B)Aricept and Exelon
C)Albuterol and Ambien

Question 52

An older person diagnosed with diabetes mellitus type 2 may have difficulty complying with treatment protocols because:

A)the person is easily distracted during education interventions
B)sensorimotor changes may interfere
C)multiple health problems may complicate treatment
D)B and C
E)all of the above

Question 53

Which of the following is true of an advance directive?

A)It specifies the type of medical care a person wants to receive when she or he is unable to make medical decisions.
B)It authorizes the physician to make medical decisions for the patient.
C)It is put in place each time the patient is sick.
D)All states have similar rules for advance directives.

Question 54

Medications that may contribute to constipation include:

A)calcium
B)antihypertensives
C)antidepressants
D)A and C
E)all of the above

Question 55

Which of the following conditions may have signs and symptoms similar to those seen in dementia?

A)Depression
B)Side effects of OTC medications
C)Malnutrition
D)All of the above

Question 56

Which statement is true about patients in the second stage of AD?

A)They are still able to pay bills and work around the house.
B)They are unable to care for themselves.
C)They begin to show signs of problems with mobility.
D)Both B and C are true.

Question 57

__________ is the severe loss of intellectual ability.

Question 58

The vaccine Zostavax is available for aging people to prevent activation of the varicella-zoster virus, which causes shingles.The vaccine __________ is available for aging people to prevent activation of the varicella-zoster virus, which causes shingles.

Question 59

Patients suffering from __________ experience periodic jerking of the legs during sleep.

Question 60

Aging brings an increase in __________, causing the heart to work harder to pump blood into the systemic circulation.

Question 61

Patients with diabetes are at higher risk for many disorders.List four common complications of diabetes.

Question 62

The family of an aging patient in the practice contacts you about the need for home-based help for their mother.Summarize the services available in the area to help aging individuals remain in their homes.

Question 63

__________ is a protein that makes up the inelastic fibers of tendons and ligaments.

Question 64

A medication that can be prescribed to treat osteoporosis is __________.

Question 65

Therapeutic communication for older adults is crucial to the quality of care.Summarize five techniques recommended for effective communication with aging individuals.

Question 66

The medical term for an age spot is __________.

Question 67

Aging changes in the lungs include a decrease in the ability of lung tissue to move freely with inspiration and expiration because of changes in __________ fibers.

Question 68

Grace Glasgow, an 86-year-old patient, has a combination of presbyopia and macular degeneration.How can the medical assistant help Miss Glasgow around the office?

Question 69

Give three suggestions the medical assistant may make to a patient to help prevent and treat dry skin.

Question 70

How can the medical assistant assess the patient's nutritional status during the patient interview?

Question 71

List four risk factors that contribute to the development of osteoporosis.

Question 72

Patients who have limited mobility and are restricted to bed are at risk of developing a(n) __________ as a result of ischemia over bony prominences.

Question 73

List five suggestions the medical assistant can make to help prevent falls at home.

Question 74

As a medical assistant working in a primary care practice, you should be aware of the possible signs of elder abuse.Summarize four of them.

Question 75

Aging patients may develop __________ because of a lack of dietary fiber and chronic constipation.

Question 76

Explain the Mini-Mental Status Exam and how it is used to diagnose dementia.