Question 1

A person's levels of physical and mental performance determine his or her
A) functional age.
B) biological age.
C) psychological age.
D) social age.

Accepted Answer

Functional age refers to how well a person is able to perform various physical and mental tasks. It takes into account a person's abilities and limitations in daily life, and therefore, physical and mental performance is a significant factor in determining one's functional age. Biological age refers to the age determined by biological indicators such as DNA and cellular activity, psychological age refers to a person's attitudes and behaviors, and social age refers to the cultural expectations and roles associated with a specific age group.

Question 2

Mattie sustained a wrist fracture because of weakened, porous bones. She has the disease known as
A) osteoarthritis.
B) rheumatoid arthritis.
C) osteoporosis.
D) fibromyalgia.

Accepted Answer

Wrist fracture due to weakened, porous bones are common symptoms of osteoporosis. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease, and rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that affects the synovial membrane in joints. Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder.

Question 3

Adjusting to, and coping with, the physical and cognitive changes of aging are components of
A) biological age.
B) functional age.
C) psychological age.
D) social age.

Accepted Answer

Psychological age refers to the adaptive capacities compared to others of one's chronological age, which includes adjusting to and coping with the physical and cognitive changes of aging.

Question 4

Jane is a researcher who studies the individual and collective aging processes in humans. Jane works in the field of
A) geriatrics.
B) gerontology.
C) psychology.
D) anthropology.

Accepted Answer

Gerontology is the study of aging, including the biological, psychological, and social aspects of aging in humans. Geriatrics is a branch of medicine that focuses on the health and medical care of older adults. While psychology and anthropology may also have some studies on aging, gerontology is the specific field dedicated to the study of aging.

Question 5

Social age refers to a person's habits and roles relative to
A) employment history.
B) family expectations.
C) societal expectations.
D) hobbies and interests.

Accepted Answer

Social age refers to a person's habits and roles relative to societal expectations, including their behavior, attitudes, and lifestyle choices that are appropriate for their age and social group. Employment history, family expectations, hobbies, and interests may influence a person's social age, but they are not the primary factors that are considered when determining social age.

Question 6

The relative age or condition of a person's organs and body systems is his or her
A) biological age.
B) functional age.
C) psychological age.
D) social age.

Accepted Answer

Biological age refers to the age of a person's organs and body systems, taking into account factors such as lifestyle, environment, and genetic makeup. It is a measure of how well a person is functioning physically and is often used as an indicator of overall health and longevity.

Option B (functional age) is also a possibility, but it may encompass psychological and social factors along with biological factors. Option C (psychological age) and option D (social age) are not appropriate choices as they refer to a person's mental and social development, respectively, rather than physical aging.

Question 7

Which of the following is an age-related change in eyesight?
A) Pupils enlarge
B) Depth perception increases
C) Farsightedness often develops
D) Visual acuity improves

Accepted Answer

Farsightedness often develops as a natural part of the aging process, usually starting in a person's 40s or 50s. The ability to focus on objects up close becomes more difficult, making it harder to read or do close-up work.

Question 8

The idea that jogging will cause an older person's bones and joints to degenerate more quickly is an example of which theory of aging?
A) Autoimmune
B) Cellular
C) Genetic mutation
D) Wear-and-tear

Accepted Answer

The wear-and-tear theory of aging suggests that the body and its organs simply wear out over time, leading to degeneration and eventual failure. This idea that jogging can cause excess strain on the bones and joints fits in with this theory.

Question 9

The gradual breakdown of the light-sensitive area of the retina is known as
A) cataracts.
B) glaucoma.
C) macular degeneration.
D) nearsightedness.

Accepted Answer

Macular degeneration is a condition where the central part of the retina (macula) degenerates over time, leading to gradual loss of central vision. This condition is more common in people over the age of 50 and can lead to significant visual impairment. Cataracts involve clouding of the eye's natural lens, glaucoma is a condition where increased pressure within the eye damages the optic nerve, and nearsightedness (myopia) is a refractive error where objects in the distance appear blurry. None of these conditions involve the gradual breakdown of the light-sensitive area of the retina.

Question 10

Susan passes a bit of urine each time she coughs or sneezes. This condition is known as
A) a urinary tract infection.
B) urinary incontinence.
C) urinary overload.
D) bladder failure.

Accepted Answer

The condition described is urinary incontinence, which is the unintentional leakage of urine. It commonly occurs when pressure is put on the bladder, such as with coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercising. A urinary tract infection, while also relating to the urinary system, involves an infection in the urinary tract and does not necessarily cause urinary incontinence. "Urinary overload" and "bladder failure" are not recognized medical conditions.

Question 11

As men age, what is the most notable change in sexual functioning?
A) Difficulty in achieving and sustaining an erection
B) Longer duration of orgasm
C) Intercourse becomes painful
D) Ejaculation becomes difficult

Accepted Answer

As men age, the most notable change in sexual functioning is difficulty in achieving and sustaining an erection. This is a common issue among older men and is often associated with other age-related health conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Question 12

The best indicator of successful aging is
A) chronological years.
B) psychological age.
C) quality of life.
D) biological age.

Accepted Answer

Quality of life is the best indicator of successful aging as it includes multiple factors such as physical health, mental health, social relationships, financial stability, and overall life satisfaction. Chronological age and biological age can vary greatly among individuals and do not necessarily reflect how well they are aging, while psychological age is a subjective concept and not a reliable indicator on its own.

Question 13

Voting age is an example of
A) functional age.
B) legal age.
C) psychological age.
D) social age.

Accepted Answer

Voting age refers to the age that is legally recognized as allowing an individual to participate in elections and exercise their democratic right to vote. Therefore, it is an example of legal age.

Question 14

Amy's Uncle Joe has developed kidney failure that his doctor says is due to the kidney cells being at the end of their reproductive cycle. This is an example of which theory of aging?
A) Autoimmune
B) Cellular
C) Genetic mutation
D) Wear-and-tear

Accepted Answer

The description of the kidney cells being at the end of their reproductive cycle suggests that this is an example of the cellular theory of aging, which proposes that cells have a limited capacity to divide and replicate, ultimately leading to the aging and failure of the organism's tissues and organs. The other theories of aging listed (autoimmune, genetic mutation, wear-and-tear) are not directly applicable to this scenario.

Question 15

Jessica's grandmother has frequent urinary tract infections, which her doctor attributes to an inability of her body to recognize and fight the bacteria that causes it. This is an example of which theory of aging?
A) Autoimmune
B) Cellular
C) Genetic mutation
D) Wear-and-tear

Accepted Answer

The description fits the autoimmune theory of aging, which suggests that the immune system becomes less effective as we age, leading to increased susceptibility to infections and diseases.

Question 16

Elizabeth has a condition in which there is elevated pressure within her eyeball. This problem is known as
A) cataracts.
B) retinitis.
C) macular degeneration.
D) glaucoma.

Accepted Answer

Glaucoma is a condition in which there is elevated pressure within the eyeball, leading to damage to the optic nerve and potential vision loss. Cataracts, retinitis, and macular degeneration are all separate eye conditions that do not involve elevated pressure within the eyeball.

Question 17

The elderly population in the United States is expected to increase substantially over the next 20 years. Which factor accounts for this population increase?
A) Growth in the immigrant population
B) The aging "baby boomer" generation
C) More available options for retirement communities
D) Increasingly effective vaccines for many diseases

Accepted Answer

The aging "baby boomer" generation refers to people born between 1946 and 1964, who are currently between the ages of 56 and 74. As this generation ages, the number of elderly people in the United States is expected to increase substantially. The other options listed may have an impact on the population in different ways, but are not the primary factor contributing to the expected increase in the elderly population.

Question 18

Justin's Aunt Martha was told by her doctor that she has abnormal cells in her left lung. Since she is a nonsmoker and has had minimal exposure to carcinogens, her doctor believes that her condition is related to which theory of aging?
A) Autoimmune
B) Cellular
C) Genetic mutation
D) Wear-and-tear

Accepted Answer

The genetic mutation theory of aging suggests that mutations occurring in the DNA over time contribute to aging processes and the development of diseases, such as cancer. Since Aunt Martha is a nonsmoker with minimal exposure to carcinogens, her condition is less likely due to external factors and more likely due to internal genetic changes, aligning with the genetic mutation theory.

Question 19

Which of the following describes a facial change related to aging?
A) The eyes appear more pronounced.
B) The earlobes shrink as a result of redistributed fatty deposits.
C) The nose becomes wider and longer.
D) The nose becomes flatter and blunter.

Accepted Answer

The nose becomes wider and longer due to the continued growth of cartilage as people age.

Question 20

Pauline is 73 years old and has to urinate almost twice as often as she did when she was younger. What age-related change contributes to this?
A) Reduced muscle tone
B) Constriction of the uterus
C) Decreased bladder capacity
D) Decreased kidney size

Accepted Answer

As people age, the bladder loses its elasticity, and its ability to hold urine decreases. This leads to decreased bladder capacity and increased frequency of urination. Muscle tone and kidney size may also decrease with age, but they are not directly related to increased urination frequency in this case. The uterus is not directly involved in urination.

Quiz 27: Preparing for Aging, Death, and Dying

A person's levels of physical and mental performance determine his or her

Mattie sustained a wrist fracture because of weakened, porous bones. She has the disease known as

Adjusting to, and coping with, the physical and cognitive changes of aging are components of

Jane is a researcher who studies the individual and collective aging processes in humans. Jane works in the field of

Social age refers to a person's habits and roles relative to

The relative age or condition of a person's organs and body systems is his or her

Which of the following is an age-related change in eyesight?

The idea that jogging will cause an older person's bones and joints to degenerate more quickly is an example of which theory of aging?

The gradual breakdown of the light-sensitive area of the retina is known as

Susan passes a bit of urine each time she coughs or sneezes. This condition is known as

As men age, what is the most notable change in sexual functioning?

The best indicator of successful aging is

Voting age is an example of

Amy's Uncle Joe has developed kidney failure that his doctor says is due to the kidney cells being at the end of their reproductive cycle. This is an example of which theory of aging?

Jessica's grandmother has frequent urinary tract infections, which her doctor attributes to an inability of her body to recognize and fight the bacteria that causes it. This is an example of which theory of aging?

Elizabeth has a condition in which there is elevated pressure within her eyeball. This problem is known as

The elderly population in the United States is expected to increase substantially over the next 20 years. Which factor accounts for this population increase?

Justin's Aunt Martha was told by her doctor that she has abnormal cells in her left lung. Since she is a nonsmoker and has had minimal exposure to carcinogens, her doctor believes that her condition is related to which theory of aging?

Which of the following describes a facial change related to aging?

Pauline is 73 years old and has to urinate almost twice as often as she did when she was younger. What age-related change contributes to this?