Chamberlain NR 601 Final Exam Study Guide – Primary Care Aging
2026 Chamberlain College
1. Which tool is used to identify potentially inappropriate medications for older
adults?
A. PHQ-9
B. MMSE
C. Beers Criteria
D. SPICES Tool
Answer: C
Rationale: The Beers Criteria, developed by the American Geriatrics Society, is a list of
medications that are potentially inappropriate for older adults due to a high risk of adverse
effects.
2. Which of the following is considered an Instrumental Activity of Daily Living
(IADL)?
A. Managing finances
B. Toileting
C. Bathing
D. Feeding oneself
Answer: A
Rationale: IADLs are more complex activities necessary for living independently in the
community, such as shopping, managing money, and using a telephone.
,3. In an older adult with no known history of cardiovascular disease, what is the
recommended A1c target according to the ADA for a healthy individual with few
co-morbidities?
A. <6.0%
B. <9.0%
C. <8.5%
D. <7.5%
Answer: D
Rationale: For healthy older adults with few chronic illnesses and intact
cognitive/functional status, an A1c goal of <7.0-7.5% is generally recommended.
4. Which screening test is most appropriate for a 72-year-old female to assess
for osteoporosis?
A. Serum Calcium levels
B. X-ray of the knees
C. DEXA Scan of hip and spine
D. Bone alkaline phosphatase
Answer: C
Rationale: Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) of the hip and lumbar spine is the
gold standard for screening and diagnosing osteoporosis.
5. What is the first-line treatment for an older adult diagnosed with community-
acquired pneumonia and no comorbidities?
A. Ciprofloxacin
B. Vancomycin
C. Gentamicin
D. Doxycycline or Amoxicillin
Answer: D
, Rationale: Current guidelines for healthy outpatients often suggest Amoxicillin or
Doxycycline as first-line for CAP in the absence of risk factors for MRSA or Pseudomonas.
6. Which geriatric syndrome is characterized by an acute, fluctuating change in
mental status and attention?
A. Delirium
B. Depression
C. Dementia
D. Aphasia
Answer: A
Rationale: Delirium is an acute onset of confusion with fluctuations in consciousness, often
triggered by underlying medical issues or medications.
7. A T-score of -2.6 on a DEXA scan indicates which condition?
A. Normal bone density
B. Osteoporosis
C. Osteopenia
D. Osteoarthritis
Answer: B
Rationale: Osteoporosis is defined as a T-score of -2.5 or lower. Osteopenia is between -1.0
and -2.5.
8. Which of the following is the most common cause of vision loss in older
adults?
A. Age-related macular degeneration
B. Glaucoma
C. Cataracts
D. Retinal detachment
Answer: A
2026 Chamberlain College
1. Which tool is used to identify potentially inappropriate medications for older
adults?
A. PHQ-9
B. MMSE
C. Beers Criteria
D. SPICES Tool
Answer: C
Rationale: The Beers Criteria, developed by the American Geriatrics Society, is a list of
medications that are potentially inappropriate for older adults due to a high risk of adverse
effects.
2. Which of the following is considered an Instrumental Activity of Daily Living
(IADL)?
A. Managing finances
B. Toileting
C. Bathing
D. Feeding oneself
Answer: A
Rationale: IADLs are more complex activities necessary for living independently in the
community, such as shopping, managing money, and using a telephone.
,3. In an older adult with no known history of cardiovascular disease, what is the
recommended A1c target according to the ADA for a healthy individual with few
co-morbidities?
A. <6.0%
B. <9.0%
C. <8.5%
D. <7.5%
Answer: D
Rationale: For healthy older adults with few chronic illnesses and intact
cognitive/functional status, an A1c goal of <7.0-7.5% is generally recommended.
4. Which screening test is most appropriate for a 72-year-old female to assess
for osteoporosis?
A. Serum Calcium levels
B. X-ray of the knees
C. DEXA Scan of hip and spine
D. Bone alkaline phosphatase
Answer: C
Rationale: Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) of the hip and lumbar spine is the
gold standard for screening and diagnosing osteoporosis.
5. What is the first-line treatment for an older adult diagnosed with community-
acquired pneumonia and no comorbidities?
A. Ciprofloxacin
B. Vancomycin
C. Gentamicin
D. Doxycycline or Amoxicillin
Answer: D
, Rationale: Current guidelines for healthy outpatients often suggest Amoxicillin or
Doxycycline as first-line for CAP in the absence of risk factors for MRSA or Pseudomonas.
6. Which geriatric syndrome is characterized by an acute, fluctuating change in
mental status and attention?
A. Delirium
B. Depression
C. Dementia
D. Aphasia
Answer: A
Rationale: Delirium is an acute onset of confusion with fluctuations in consciousness, often
triggered by underlying medical issues or medications.
7. A T-score of -2.6 on a DEXA scan indicates which condition?
A. Normal bone density
B. Osteoporosis
C. Osteopenia
D. Osteoarthritis
Answer: B
Rationale: Osteoporosis is defined as a T-score of -2.5 or lower. Osteopenia is between -1.0
and -2.5.
8. Which of the following is the most common cause of vision loss in older
adults?
A. Age-related macular degeneration
B. Glaucoma
C. Cataracts
D. Retinal detachment
Answer: A
