DETAILED EXAM 200 ORIGINAL PRACTICE
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
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TOPIC 1: NORMAL AGING PROCESS (Questions 1-30)
Q1: Which of the following is a normal age-related change in the cardiovascular
system?
A) Decreased systolic blood pressure
B) Decreased vascular rigidity
C) Increased systolic blood pressure ✅
D) Increased cardiac output
Explanation: As part of normal aging, systolic blood pressure tends to increase
due to decreased arterial elasticity and increased peripheral vascular resistance.
Diastolic pressure may remain stable or decrease slightly. Cardiac output
decreases with age.
Q2: Which of the following is a normal age-related change in the respiratory
system?
A) Increased vital capacity
B) Increased lung elasticity
C) Decreased forced expiratory volume (FEV1) ✅
D) Increased alveolar surface area
,Explanation: Normal aging causes decreased lung elasticity, decreased vital
capacity, and decreased FEV1. Alveolar surface area decreases, and the chest wall
becomes stiffer.
Q3: Which of the following is a normal age-related change in the renal system?
A) Increased glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
B) Increased renal blood flow
C) Decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) ✅
D) Increased creatinine clearance
Explanation: Normal aging causes a gradual decline in GFR (about 1% per year
after age 40), decreased renal blood flow, and decreased creatinine clearance.
This affects drug excretion and fluid balance.
Q4: Which of the following is a normal age-related change in the gastrointestinal
system?
A) Increased gastric motility
B) Increased gastric acid secretion
C) Decreased gastric motility and gastric acid ✅
D) Increased nutrient absorption
Explanation: Normal aging causes decreased gastric motility, decreased gastric
acid secretion, decreased absorption of certain nutrients (e.g., calcium, vitamin
B12), and increased risk of constipation.
Q5: Which of the following is a normal age-related change in the musculoskeletal
system?
A) Increased bone density
B) Increased muscle mass
, C) Decreased bone density and muscle mass ✅
D) Increased joint flexibility
Explanation: Normal aging causes decreased bone density
(osteopenia/osteoporosis), decreased muscle mass (sarcopenia), decreased joint
flexibility, and increased risk of falls and fractures.
Q6: Which of the following is a normal age-related change in the sensory system?
A) Improved near vision
B) Increased hearing acuity
C) Presbyopia (difficulty focusing on near objects) ✅
D) Improved taste sensation
Explanation: Presbyopia (difficulty focusing on near objects) is a normal age-
related change in vision. Hearing loss (presbycusis) is also common, especially for
high-frequency sounds. Taste and smell decline with age.
Q7: Which of the following is a normal age-related change in the skin?
A) Increased skin elasticity
B) Increased subcutaneous fat
C) Decreased skin thickness and elasticity ✅
D) Increased sebum production
Explanation: Normal aging causes decreased skin thickness, decreased elasticity,
decreased subcutaneous fat, and decreased sebum production. This leads to
wrinkles, dryness, and increased risk of skin breakdown.
Q8: The normal age-related decrease in lean body mass is called:
A) Osteoporosis
, B) Sarcopenia ✅
C) Kyphosis
D) Presbyopia
Explanation: Sarcopenia is the age-related loss of muscle mass and strength. It
can lead to decreased mobility, increased falls, and frailty. Sarcopenia is a
significant concern in geriatric care.
Q9: Normal age-related changes in the nervous system include:
A) Increased brain weight
B) Increased neurotransmitter production
C) Decreased brain weight and slowed processing speed ✅
D) Increased cerebral blood flow
Explanation: Normal aging causes decreased brain weight, decreased cerebral
blood flow, slowed processing speed, and decreased neurotransmitter production.
However, these changes do not necessarily indicate dementia.
Q10: Which of the following is a normal age-related change in the endocrine
system?
A) Increased thyroid hormone production
B) Increased insulin sensitivity
C) Decreased growth hormone secretion ✅
D) Increased cortisol secretion
Explanation: Normal aging causes decreased growth hormone, decreased
testosterone (in men), decreased estrogen (in women), and decreased insulin
sensitivity. Thyroid hormone levels may remain relatively stable.