Chamberlain NR 601 Midterm Exam - Aging Family and Gerontology
2026 Chamberlain College
1. Which of the following is considered an Instrumental Activity of Daily Living
(IADL)?
A. Managing finances and bills
B. Feeding oneself
C. Bathing and showering
D. Functional transfers from bed to chair
Answer: A
Rationale: IADLs are more complex tasks necessary for independent living in the
community, such as shopping, using the telephone, and managing money. ADLs (A, C, D) are
basic self-care tasks.
2. According to the Beers Criteria, which medication class should generally be
avoided in older adults due to high risk of anticholinergic effects?
A. Biguanides
B. ACE inhibitors
C. First-generation antihistamines
D. Statins
Answer: C
Rationale: First-generation antihistamines (like diphenhydramine) have strong
anticholinergic properties that increase the risk of confusion, blurred vision, and urinary
retention in older adults.
,3. A T-score of -2.6 on a DXA scan in a 70-year-old female indicates which
diagnosis?
A. Osteoporosis
B. Osteopenia
C. Normal bone density
D. Paget’s disease
Answer: A
Rationale: Osteoporosis is defined as a T-score of -2.5 or lower. Osteopenia is defined
between -1.0 and -2.5.
4. Which cognitive assessment tool involves a three-item recall and a clock-
drawing test?
A. PHQ-9
B. Mini-Cog
C. GDS
D. CAM
Answer: B
Rationale: The Mini-Cog is a quick screen for dementia consisting of a 3-word recall and
the Clock Drawing Test (CDT).
5. What is the primary difference in the clinical presentation between Delirium
and Dementia?
A. Delirium has a slow, insidious onset
B. Delirium onset is acute with altered consciousness
C. Dementia onset is acute and fluctuates
D. Dementia always involves hallucinations
Answer: B
, Rationale: Delirium is characterized by an acute onset, fluctuating course, and
disturbances in level of consciousness/attention, whereas dementia is chronic and
progressive.
6. Per JNC 8 guidelines, what is the blood pressure goal for an adult aged 60
years or older without diabetes or CKD?
A. < 120/80 mmHg
B. < 130/80 mmHg
C. < 140/90 mmHg
D. < 150/90 mmHg
Answer: D
Rationale: JNC 8 suggests a higher target of <150/90 for those over 60 to prevent over-
treatment and hypotension, though ACC/AHA often suggests <130/80 for most adults.
7. A 75-year-old patient with multiple comorbidities and functional impairment
should have a Glycated Hemoglobin (A1c) goal of approximately:
A. < 6.5%
B. 7.5% - 8.0%
C. < 7.0%
D. 8.5% - 9.0%
Answer: B
Rationale: In older adults with complex medical issues and limited life expectancy, a less
stringent A1c (7.5%-8.0%) is recommended to avoid hypoglycemia.
2026 Chamberlain College
1. Which of the following is considered an Instrumental Activity of Daily Living
(IADL)?
A. Managing finances and bills
B. Feeding oneself
C. Bathing and showering
D. Functional transfers from bed to chair
Answer: A
Rationale: IADLs are more complex tasks necessary for independent living in the
community, such as shopping, using the telephone, and managing money. ADLs (A, C, D) are
basic self-care tasks.
2. According to the Beers Criteria, which medication class should generally be
avoided in older adults due to high risk of anticholinergic effects?
A. Biguanides
B. ACE inhibitors
C. First-generation antihistamines
D. Statins
Answer: C
Rationale: First-generation antihistamines (like diphenhydramine) have strong
anticholinergic properties that increase the risk of confusion, blurred vision, and urinary
retention in older adults.
,3. A T-score of -2.6 on a DXA scan in a 70-year-old female indicates which
diagnosis?
A. Osteoporosis
B. Osteopenia
C. Normal bone density
D. Paget’s disease
Answer: A
Rationale: Osteoporosis is defined as a T-score of -2.5 or lower. Osteopenia is defined
between -1.0 and -2.5.
4. Which cognitive assessment tool involves a three-item recall and a clock-
drawing test?
A. PHQ-9
B. Mini-Cog
C. GDS
D. CAM
Answer: B
Rationale: The Mini-Cog is a quick screen for dementia consisting of a 3-word recall and
the Clock Drawing Test (CDT).
5. What is the primary difference in the clinical presentation between Delirium
and Dementia?
A. Delirium has a slow, insidious onset
B. Delirium onset is acute with altered consciousness
C. Dementia onset is acute and fluctuates
D. Dementia always involves hallucinations
Answer: B
, Rationale: Delirium is characterized by an acute onset, fluctuating course, and
disturbances in level of consciousness/attention, whereas dementia is chronic and
progressive.
6. Per JNC 8 guidelines, what is the blood pressure goal for an adult aged 60
years or older without diabetes or CKD?
A. < 120/80 mmHg
B. < 130/80 mmHg
C. < 140/90 mmHg
D. < 150/90 mmHg
Answer: D
Rationale: JNC 8 suggests a higher target of <150/90 for those over 60 to prevent over-
treatment and hypotension, though ACC/AHA often suggests <130/80 for most adults.
7. A 75-year-old patient with multiple comorbidities and functional impairment
should have a Glycated Hemoglobin (A1c) goal of approximately:
A. < 6.5%
B. 7.5% - 8.0%
C. < 7.0%
D. 8.5% - 9.0%
Answer: B
Rationale: In older adults with complex medical issues and limited life expectancy, a less
stringent A1c (7.5%-8.0%) is recommended to avoid hypoglycemia.
