Question 1

In addition to antidepressants for the treatment of depression,many elderly patients are also helped by

Accepted Answer

Psychotherapy can be effective in treating depression in elderly patients in combination with or as an alternative to antidepressant medication. It allows patients to explore their emotions, address underlying issues and develop coping strategies. Shock therapy (also known as electroconvulsive therapy) may be used in severe cases of depression but is typically reserved for cases when other treatments have failed. Interpersonal therapy and behavioral therapy can also be helpful, but psychotherapy is generally considered the most effective treatment for depression in the elderly.

Question 2

Alexander,who is 75 years old,has not played golf for 25 years.Nevertheless,when he is asked to play golf in a fundraising event,he remembers how to perform all of the skills necessary to play golf,such as the grip,the backswing,and the follow-through.Alexander's knowledge of how to play golf represents what kind of memory?

Accepted Answer

Alexander's knowledge of how to play golf represents procedural memory, which is the ability to remember how to perform specific tasks or skills. This type of memory is stored in the motor cortex and basal ganglia of the brain, and is often implicit or unconscious.

Question 3

Bernice,age 69,has gradually developed disturbing symptoms.She forgets where she lives,goes on extravagant spending binges,fails to recognize her children,and has difficulty feeding herself.She is likely to be suffering from

Accepted Answer

Bernice's symptoms are characteristic of Alzheimer's disease, which is a degenerative brain disorder that primarily affects memory and cognitive abilities. Strokes and Parkinson's disease typically have more specific symptoms such as physical impairments and tremors, respectively. Overmedication may cause confusion and disorientation, but it is unlikely to manifest in such a gradual and severe manner.

Question 4

The general term for physiologically caused intellectual decline in old age is

Accepted Answer

Dementia is the general term for intellectual decline in old age that is caused by physiological changes in the brain, while senility is an outdated term that specifically refers to memory loss. Alzheimer's disease is a specific type of dementia, and senescence refers to the natural aging process.

Question 5

Suppose you wish to take a group of elderly people and train them to solve word puzzles.Generalizing from the text,what method of training might be most beneficial?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Suppose you wish to take a group...

Question 6

Differences among individuals in the Seattle Longitudinal Study of Adult Intelligence were attributed to all of the following EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

The Seattle Longitudinal Study found differences in individuals' cognitive abilities were attributed to their genetic endowment, their physical and neurological status, and environmental factors such as having stable marriages, intelligent spouses, and cognitively complex occupations. However, the study did not attribute differences to rigid personality styles.

Question 7

According to Baltes,all of the following are favorable conditions for the growth of wisdom EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

Baltes believed that general mental ability, education or training, leadership experience, and creativity were all favorable conditions for the growth of wisdom, so none of these choices are the correct answer. Therefore, the correct answer must be the option that is NOT a favorable condition for the growth of wisdom, which is choice A - general mental ability. Baltes argued that wisdom is not just about intelligence, but also involves practical knowledge and life experience.

Question 8

If you were asked to name the 16th president of the United States,you would look for this information in your _______________ memory.

Accepted Answer

Semantic memory is the type of memory that stores general knowledge about the world, such as facts, concepts, and ideas. Knowing the name and order of the US presidents is an example of semantic memory.

Question 9

A person hears four letters,T - D - O - A,and is then asked to mentally rearrange them into a meaningful word (such as toad).The mental manipulation of this information occurs in ______ memory.

Accepted Answer

The mental manipulation of information to rearrange the letters into a meaningful word involves the use of working memory, which is responsible for temporarily holding and manipulating information in our minds. Primary memory refers to the immediate and short-term retention of information, procedural memory is related to the execution of learned skills and implicit memory refers to the retention of information without conscious awareness.

Question 10

The brain of a person with Alzheimer's disease shows excessive amounts of

Accepted Answer

Alzheimer's disease is characterized by the buildup of two abnormal structures in the brain: neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid plaque. The neurofibrillary tangles are twisted fibers of protein that build up inside brain cells, while the amyloid plaque consists of protein fragments that accumulate outside the cells. Both of these structures contribute to the death of brain cells, leading to the cognitive decline and memory loss associated with Alzheimer's disease.

Question 11

Even though you haven't played tennis in years,you pick up a racquet and go out and play a pretty decent game.Your memory of how to play tennis is considered _______________ memory.

Accepted Answer

Procedural memory is the type of memory that involves how to perform certain skills and actions, such as riding a bike, typing on a keyboard, or playing a musical instrument. Playing tennis is also a skill that is stored in procedural memory, which is why even if you haven't played for years, you can still pick it up and perform it pretty well.

Question 12

Practical and integrative thinking actually tend to improve throughout most of adult life,but some abilities,such as _____________,may decline with age.

Accepted Answer

Speed of mental processes, also known as processing speed, tends to decline with age. This can result in slower reaction times and difficulty with tasks that require quick thinking. Long-term memory, comprehension skills, and reasoning may show some decline with age, but they can also be maintained or even improve with continued use and cognitive stimulation.

Question 13

Dementia is

Accepted Answer

Dementia can be caused by a variety of physiological factors, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and strokes, among others. It is not an inevitable part of aging and is not almost always reversible. While memory loss is often a symptom of dementia, it is not always the first sign, and not all memory loss indicates dementia.

Question 14

All of the following are among the seven instrumental activities of daily living used to measure cognitive competence EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

Managing finances, using the telephone, and taking medication are all examples of the seven instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) used to measure cognitive competence. However, driving a car is not typically included in this list as it is not a universal activity and may not be necessary for someone to maintain their independence or cognitive function.

Question 15

Cognitive impairment appears to be delayed by all of the following EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

Consuming large quantities of vitamin C has not been shown to delay cognitive impairment. However, physical activity, social networks, and mental involvement have all been linked to a lower risk of cognitive decline.

Question 16

The major contributor to 80-year-old Mr.Samson's change in cognitive performance over the last few years is

Accepted Answer

The answer of The major contributor to 80-year-old Mr.Samson's change...

Question 17

If you were asked to recall where and when you first learned to drive a car,you would rely on your _______________ memory.

Accepted Answer

Episodic memory refers to our personal experiences and events that have occurred in our lives. Learning to drive a car would fall under this category as it is a personal event that has occurred in one's life.

Question 18

The second most common disorder in older adults,involving progressive neurological degeneration and characterized by tremors,stiffness,and unstable posture,is

Accepted Answer

Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological disorder that commonly affects older adults. It is characterized by tremors, stiffness, and unstable posture. Alzheimer's disease and dementia are also common disorders in older adults, but they are related to cognitive decline rather than neurological degeneration. Depression is a mental health disorder that can affect individuals of any age, not just older adults.

Question 19

All of the following are symptoms of Alzheimer's disease EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

Stinginess is not a symptom of Alzheimer's disease. Confusion, loss of memory, and restlessness are common symptoms.

Question 20

Which of the following statements about treatment of Alzheimer's disease is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

While there is currently no cure for Alzheimer's disease, there are five FDA-approved medications that can slow down its progression or alleviate its symptoms. These medications work to increase the activity of neurotransmitters in the brain or inhibit the breakdown of acetylcholine, which is important for memory and learning.

Quiz 17: Physical and Cognitive Development in Late Adulthood