Question 1

Because the onset of depression in older adults can often coincide with onset of an illness, it is frequently misattributed to a somatic cause and not properly diagnosed.

Accepted Answer

Depression in older adults can be overlooked as its symptoms may overlap with or be attributed to physical illnesses, leading to misdiagnosis.

Question 2

Unless attributable to a medical condition, somatic symptoms should prompt investigation into possible depression.

Accepted Answer

Somatic symptoms, such as fatigue or pain, can be manifestations of depression, especially when no medical condition explains them.

Question 3

For both men and women, self-inflicted gunshot wounds are the most frequently used method for completed and successful suicides.

Accepted Answer

Firearms are the most common method of suicide in the United States for both men and women, with self-inflicted gunshot wounds being the leading cause of death in completed suicides.

Question 4

People with what type of insurance are entitled to screening for mental health issues as part of the initial preventive physical examination?

Accepted Answer

Medicare beneficiaries are entitled to a "Welcome to Medicare" preventive visit, which includes screening for mental health issues.

Question 5

Which of the following is the safest class of antidepressant agents, and which is the most effective for use in older individuals with the least interactions with other medications and fewest side effects?

Accepted Answer

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are considered the safest class of antidepressants, especially for older individuals, due to their favorable side effect profile and minimal interactions with other medications.

Question 6

What class of medications have been the most commonly prescribed anxiolytic agent for managing anxious symptoms in the older population, but should be used very cautiously and only when absolutely necessary?

Accepted Answer

Benzodiazepines have been commonly prescribed for anxiety in older adults but should be used cautiously due to risks like sedation, falls, and cognitive impairment.

Question 7

A depressive episode in which an individual experiences pervasive feelings of anxiety and sadness that coincide with anhedonia is characteristic of what medical condition?

Accepted Answer

Major depression is characterized by a depressive episode that includes pervasive feelings of anxiety and sadness that coincide with anhedonia.

Question 8

What class of medications, sometimes call dual reuptake inhibitors, may also assist with managing the symptoms of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Selective-serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are known as dual reuptake inhibitors and can help manage symptoms of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome by affecting both serotonin and norepinephrine levels.

Question 9

What medical condition, one of the most common psychiatric complaints throughout the lifespan, can be difficult to diagnose in the older patient due to atypical presentations?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What medical condition, one of the most...

Question 10

Of which of the following would a score of 12 on the PGQ-9 questionnaire be indicative?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Of which of the following would a...

Question 11

Low levels of anxiety experienced in normal daily living may be beneficial in heightening an individual's alert state and awareness of surroundings.

Accepted Answer

Low levels of anxiety can act as a motivator, enhancing focus and alertness, which can be beneficial in certain situations.

Question 12

Individuals with excessive anxiety tend to be self-absorbed, possibly related to an attempt to protect one's body image and maintain a sense of control.

Accepted Answer

Excessive anxiety can lead individuals to focus inwardly as a coping mechanism to manage perceived threats, which may manifest as self-absorption.

Question 13

SSRIs have a lower side effect profile than many other antidepressants and are often preferred over other classes of medication to treat depression.

Accepted Answer

SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) are generally preferred because they tend to have fewer and less severe side effects compared to older classes of antidepressants like tricyclics and MAOIs.

Question 14

What type of behavioral intervention helps the person identify the trigger or stimulus that causes or maintains anxiety with the individual, making the person aware of the trigger so he or she may slowly gain control over the effect of the stimuli to develop a range of coping strategies and tools?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What type of behavioral intervention helps the...

Question 15

What behavior intervention may be used with individuals with both panic disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder?

Accepted Answer

Exposure-response prevention is a common intervention used for both panic disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder, as it involves exposing individuals to anxiety-provoking stimuli and preventing their usual compulsive responses.

Question 16

Older adults with what type of depression often display functional activity impairments such as changes in regular activities of daily living, decreased socialization, and poor compliance with medication therapy and healthcare recommendations?

Accepted Answer

Major depression in older adults is often associated with significant functional impairments, affecting daily activities, social interactions, and adherence to medical advice.

Question 17

Showing no emotions or feeling excessively or inappropriately guilty is a characteristic of what form of depression?

Accepted Answer

Melancholic depression is characterized by a lack of emotional response and excessive or inappropriate guilt.

Question 18

Which of the following is predominant in the clinical presentation of substance- or medication-induced anxiety disorder?

Accepted Answer

Panic attacks are a common feature of substance- or medication-induced anxiety disorder, as the substances can directly cause intense episodes of fear or anxiety.

Question 19

What anxiety disorder is characterized by an individual fearing that he or she will be humiliated, embarrassed, or negatively evaluated, and leads to rejection or offending others?

Accepted Answer

Social phobia, also known as social anxiety disorder, involves intense fear of social situations where one might be judged or scrutinized by others, leading to avoidance of such situations.

Question 20

Medical events such as waking during surgery and anaphylactic shock could cause an individual to develop what anxiety disorder?

Accepted Answer

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, such as waking during surgery or experiencing anaphylactic shock.

Quiz 14: Anxiety and Depression in the Older Adult