Question 1

Why are burns more common in late adulthood than earlier?

Accepted Answer

Loss of sensitivity to heat and a slower reaction time lead to increases in accidental burns. As people age, their skin becomes thinner and less able to feel and react to heat. Additionally, the speed and coordination necessary to avoid burns may decline with age. These factors increase the likelihood of accidental burns in late adulthood.

Question 2

What is the biggest single behavioural effect of age-related physical change in late adulthood?

Accepted Answer

A general slowing down is the biggest single behavioral effect of age-related physical change in late adulthood. As we age, our physical abilities decline, which can affect our behavior and daily activities. This slowing down can lead to decreased mobility, reduced reflexes, and a general decrease in energy levels, which can impact behavior. While irritability and loss of sexual desire can also be common in late adulthood, they are not as universally present as the general slowing down of physical abilities.

Question 3

Which theory of aging suggests that aging occurs when undesirable bonds form between proteins or fats, resulting in molecules that cannot assume the correct shape for their proper function?

Accepted Answer

Cross-linking theory suggests that aging occurs when undesirable bonds form between proteins or fats, resulting in molecules that cannot assume the correct shape for their proper function.

Question 4

The ________ theory of aging suggests that physical aging is caused when atoms or molecules with unpaired electrons enter into damaging chemical reactions that cause irreparable and cumulative cellular damage.

Accepted Answer

The theory mentioned in the question refers to the Free Radical Theory of Aging, which suggests that the accumulation of free radicals in the body, caused by metabolic processes, environmental factors, or lifestyle choices, leads to oxidative damage and cellular dysfunction. This theory is supported by extensive scientific evidence and is considered one of the major theories of aging.

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT a theoretical explanation for biological aging?

Accepted Answer

The insufficient production of neurotransmitters interfering with cellular communication is not a widely recognized theoretical explanation for biological aging.

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT an accurate conclusion about institutional care during late adulthood?

Accepted Answer

While institutional care can have negative effects on health and well-being, it is not accurate to say that both voluntary and involuntary nursing-home placement are known to cause rapid decline and death. While involuntary placement may be distressing and disruptive, voluntary placement can provide needed socialization, resources, and care. Additionally, many older adults live out their final years in their own homes or with family members, suggesting that institutional care is not universal.

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT a correct statement about the way aging affects the senses of taste, smell, or touch?

Accepted Answer

The ability to taste the four basic tastes of salty,bitter,sweet,and sour declines across adulthood.

Question 8

The general slowing down that older adults experience will impact all of the following EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

The general slowing down that older adults experience can impact motor skills, such as translating thoughts into action, and can affect tasks that require quick reflexes, like driving. It may also impact cognitive tasks, such as writing a grocery list. However, having an optimistic personality is not directly linked to physical or cognitive slowing down.

Question 9

Which of the following is not an example of the way in which age-related physical changes could affect an individual's ability to drive an automobile?

Accepted Answer

difficulty with drowsiness when driving long distances

Question 10

How are sleep patterns typically affected by age?

Accepted Answer

Older adults must nap more during the day in order to accumulate the sleep they need.

Question 11

Auditory problems typically are experienced

Accepted Answer

by more men than women.

Question 12

What is the most likely serious consequence of older adults' loss of balance?

Accepted Answer

Loss of balance in older adults increases the risk of falls and broken bones, which can lead to serious consequences such as hospitalization and loss of independence.

Question 13

Older adults who are experiencing hearing loss are most likely to

Accepted Answer

be perceived as disoriented or forgetful.

Question 14

If you were to serve a platter of freshly baked chocolate-chip cookies to a group of older individuals, which of the following comments would you be most likely to hear?

Accepted Answer

"I can't smell a thing,dear."

Question 15

A persistent ringing in the ears is called

Accepted Answer

Tinnitus is the term used to describe a persistent ringing, buzzing, or other sound in the ears or head, without any external source. Auditory loss refers to a partial or total inability to hear sounds in one or both ears. Perception loss is a general term that can refer to any impairment of the senses, including smell, taste, touch, or vision. Presbycusis is a type of hearing loss that occurs gradually with age.

Question 16

Your family is reluctant to place your very frail great-aunt into a nursing home because they have heard that nursing-home placement inevitably shortens the life of an elderly person. Which of the following is the most accurate advice for your family?

Accepted Answer

There is no concrete evidence that nursing-home placement will shorten an elderly person's life. However, research has shown that providing opportunities for individuality and personal control can help prevent physical and mental decline. Therefore, if the nursing home setting provides such opportunities, it is not inevitable that the great-aunt's life expectancy will be reduced.

Question 17

The term ________ is used to describe the neurological disorder that includes problems with memory and thinking that affect an individual's emotional, social, and physical functioning.

Accepted Answer

While "senility" and "amnesia" both involve memory loss, they are not specific enough to describe the full range of cognitive and functional deficits associated with neurological disorders like Alzheimer's disease and dementia. "Alzheimer's disease" specifically refers to a type of dementia, but "dementia" is a broader term that encompasses a range of disorders that affect cognitive function, memory, and behavior. Therefore, the best choice is D, "dementia."

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT a common cause of dementia?

Accepted Answer

Stress may contribute to memory impairment or cognitive decline, but it is not a direct cause of dementia as the other options listed are.

Question 19

Which of the following is a symptom of Alzheimer's disease in the early stages?

Accepted Answer

repetitive conversation

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT a factor that contributes to the decline in the frequency of sexual interaction across late adulthood?

Accepted Answer

menopause

Quiz 17: Physical and Cognitive Development in Late Adulthood