Question 1

A natural shrinking with age of the thymus gland contributes to the process known as:

Accepted Answer

Immune senescence refers to the decline in function of the immune system that occurs with aging, and the shrinking of the thymus gland is one contributing factor to this process. Glucocorticoid cascade, adrenal insufficiency, and pulmonary deficiency do not directly relate to the thymus gland or immune senescence.

Question 2

Behavioral controls for helping individuals cope with incontinence include engaging in which type of measures?

Accepted Answer

Pelvic muscle training, such as Kegel exercises, strengthens the pelvic floor muscles, which can help control incontinence by improving bladder control.

Question 3

A 79-year-old woman's exercise routine includes resistance training three times a week for an hour alternating with one-hour workouts on an elliptical machine. As a result, she will experience less of which particular age-related change in physical functioning?

Accepted Answer

Sarcopenia is the age-related loss of muscle mass and strength. Resistance training can help prevent or reduce the severity of sarcopenia. The other options, tinnitus and presbycusis, refer to age-related hearing changes, while cross-linking refers to an age-related process of stiffening and weakening of tissues in the body.

Question 4

Extensive research on exercise involving weight lifting and resistance training shows that these forms of exercise help to offset which normal age-related change in the muscles?

Accepted Answer

Sarcopenia is the age-related loss of muscle mass and strength, which can lead to weakness and functional decline. Weight lifting and resistance training have been shown to be effective at preventing or offsetting this natural decline in muscle mass and strength.

Question 5

An 80-year-old woman is suffering from limited range of motion due to degenerative changes in her knees, shoulders, and wrists. If you were her physical therapist, you might suggest that she offset these changes by engaging primarily in:

Accepted Answer

Flexibility training can help improve range of motion and prevent further degeneration in the joints. Strenuous exercise may aggravate the condition, while rest and relaxation alone will not improve mobility. Intake of sodium is not directly related to joint health.

Question 6

When older individuals experience the condition known as ____________________, they are likely to show pattern baldness.

Accepted Answer

Androgenetic alopecia is a common form of hair loss that can occur in both men and women, but it is most commonly associated with pattern baldness in men. It is caused by a combination of genetic and hormonal factors, including an excess of the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which can cause hair follicles to shrink over time. As individuals age, their levels of DHT tend to increase, which can lead to thinning hair and baldness, particularly on the scalp. Therefore, option A is the best choice. The other options, geriatric melanitis, premature photogenia, and progressive ontogenia are not valid medical terms and do not relate to hair loss.

Question 7

The nephron is the cell responsible for the efficiency of which organ in the body?

Accepted Answer

The nephron is a microscopic structure found in the kidney and is responsible for filtering waste and excess fluids from the blood. Therefore, the nephron plays a crucial role in the efficiency of the kidneys, not any of the other organs listed.

Question 8

The text recommends that the best advice for an older adult trying to maintain his or her digestive functioning is to:

Accepted Answer

Eating a diet that includes a relative balance among nutrients is the best advice for an older adult trying to maintain his or her digestive functioning. Laxatives and other digestive aids should only be used under the guidance of a healthcare provider. Adding higher levels of saturated fats can increase the risk of digestive problems and other health issues, and adding more salt to the diet can lead to dehydration and other health problems.

Question 9

Maintaining healthy cardiovascular functioning throughout your life means that you try to maximize which component in the blood?

Accepted Answer

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is known as the "good" cholesterol and is an important component in maintaining healthy cardiovascular functioning. HDL helps to remove excess cholesterol from the bloodstream and transport it to the liver for processing and elimination. This helps to prevent the buildup of plaque in the arteries, which can lead to heart disease and other cardiovascular issues. Conversely, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is known as the "bad" cholesterol and can contribute to plaque buildup in the arteries. Therefore, maximizing HDL levels and minimizing LDL levels is key to maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system. Hypothalamic-releasing factors and glomerular filtrates are not directly related to cardiovascular health.

Question 10

Barb E. Dahl is a 72-year-old woman who is pleased that for the first time in her life she has finally been able to shed excess pounds without having to diet. In reality, however, Barb's weight loss is probably not so good because it is due to:

Accepted Answer

Loss of muscle mass is a common reason for weight loss in older adults. This can be detrimental to overall health and can reduce mobility and strength. Therefore, while Barb may be pleased with her weight loss, it is important to consider the potential negative effects of losing muscle mass. The other options, such as relative increase in cartilage, decrease in collagen, and reductions in glucose, are not commonly associated with weight loss.

Question 11

According to your text, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS, 2010) recently emphasized ________ as a major health risk.

Accepted Answer

The text states that the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS, 2010) has recently emphasized "prolonged sitting" as a major health risk.

Question 12

A man is worried about the possibility that his 83-year-old wife might fall and break her one of the bones in her ___________, which is one of the most susceptible in the body to loss of mineral content:

Accepted Answer

The upper thigh, specifically the femur near the hip, is highly susceptible to fractures in elderly individuals due to osteoporosis, which leads to loss of bone mineral content.

Question 13

Normal changes in the cardiovascular system with age in adulthood are reflected in a lowering of which measure?

Accepted Answer

Aerobic capacity typically decreases with age due to various factors including reduced maximum heart rate and decreased efficiency of the heart and lungs.

Question 14

According to your text one of the best ways to overcome changes in the lung tissue itself is by:

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to your text one of the...

Question 15

Sarcopenia is associated with age-related changes in the___________:

Accepted Answer

Sarcopenia is a condition characterized by a loss of muscle mass and strength, which is commonly associated with aging.

Question 16

The normal enlargement of the ___________ gland in men may cause difficulties with urination and pain.

Accepted Answer

The prostate gland is a gland found in men below the bladder, and its enlargement is a common condition in older men that can cause blockage of the urinary tract, leading to difficulties with urination and pain.

Question 17

A BMI in the range of 25-29.9 places the individual in the category of:

Accepted Answer

A BMI in the range of 25-29.9 is considered overweight. Normal BMI ranges from 18.5-24.9, while obesity is classified as a BMI of 30 or higher. Extreme obesity is a BMI of 40 or higher.

Question 18

Changes with age in the dermis layer of the skin are associated with age-related alterations in which protein, also found in connective tissue throughout the body?

Accepted Answer

Collagen is a fibrous protein found in the dermis layer of the skin and in connective tissue throughout the body. Age-related changes in the dermis, such as a decrease in collagen production, can result in wrinkles and sagging skin.

Question 19

In the condition known as ______________, the individual has difficulty controlling urination and feels the need to urinate more frequently than normal.

Accepted Answer

The description matches the symptoms of overactive bladder, which is characterized by the urgent need to urinate frequently and uncontrollably. Option A, urge incontinence, refers specifically to leakage of urine associated with this condition. Option C, stress incontinence, refers to leakage of urine associated with physical stress or strain on the bladder, such as coughing or exercising. Option D, nephron dysfunction, refers to a problem with the tiny filtering units in the kidneys, which may affect urination but is not specifically related to the symptoms described in the question.

Question 20

Sunscreen protects you from which harmful rays?

Accepted Answer

Sunscreen protects you from ultraviolet rays, specifically UVA and UVB.

Quiz 4: Physical Changes