,NR 601 Midterm Exam | Primary Care of the Maturing & Aged
Family Practicum | Chamberlain University | Q & A | Latest
Update 2025/2026 (PDF)
1. Which theory of aging suggests that cumulative mistakes in DNA and RNA replication over time impair
cell function?
A) Free radical theory
B) Error theory
C) Neuroendocrine theory
D) Telomere attrition theory
Correct Answer: Error theory.
Rationale: The error theory posits that aging results from the accumulation of errors in DNA and RNA
synthesis, which progressively impair cellular function. The free radical theory focuses on oxidative
damage, while the neuroendocrine theory involves a programmed decline in the nervous and endocrine
systems.
2. What is the primary focus of primordial prevention in the context of geriatric care?
A) Rapid action to prevent imminent death in acute illness
B) Reducing the risk of incident disease among individuals with risk factors
C) Preventing the development of risk factors for disease
D) Avoiding the recurrence of disease in an already affected individual
Correct Answer: Preventing the development of risk factors for disease.
Rationale: Primordial prevention aims to prevent the emergence of risk factors themselves, such as
through promoting healthy eating patterns, exercise, and addressing social determinants of health. This
is distinct from primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention.
3. A 72-year-old patient presents with a complaint of "not being able to smell as well as I used to."
Which normal age-related change is most likely responsible?
,A) Reduced light accommodation
B) Higher threshold for odor sensitivity
C) Increased fibrous tissue
D) Reduced glomerular filtration rate
Correct Answer: Higher threshold for odor sensitivity.
Rationale: Normal aging is associated with a higher threshold for odor sensitivity, meaning it takes a
stronger stimulus to detect a smell. This is a common and typically benign age-related sensory change.
4. Which of the following describes a normal physiological change in the heart associated with aging?
A) Decreased thickness of heart valves
B) Increased elasticity of the myocardium
C) Thickening and stiffening of heart valves
D) Decreased left ventricular wall thickness
Correct Answer: Thickening and stiffening of heart valves.
Rationale: The aging process causes the heart valves to thicken and become more rigid. This can
contribute to conditions like aortic stenosis and is a key consideration in the cardiovascular assessment
of older adults.
5. A 78-year-old patient is found to have a reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR) on routine labs. This
is most likely due to which normal age-related change?
A) Increased renal blood flow
B) Smaller and thicker nephron blood vessels
C) Increased number of functional nephrons
D) Decreased tubular reabsorption of glucose
Correct Answer: Smaller and thicker nephron blood vessels.
, Rationale: With aging, nephron blood vessels become smaller and thicker, leading to reduced renal
blood flow and a subsequent decline in GFR. This is a normal physiological change that affects drug
dosing and clearance.
6. A healthcare provider is using the "Rule of Fourths" to assess an older adult's functional decline.
Which of the following is NOT one of the four categories in this framework?
A) Disease
B) Disuse
C) Disregard
D) Physiologic aging
Correct Answer: Disregard.
Rationale: The Rule of Fourths categorizes the causes of functional decline in older adults into disease,
disuse, misuse, and physiologic aging. Disregard is not a component of this established framework.
7. According to the neuroendocrine theory of aging, what is the primary mechanism of age-related
decline?
A) Accumulation of free radicals causing cellular damage
B) Programmed reduction in the functioning of the nervous, immune, and endocrine systems
C) Shortening of telomeres to a point where cell division ceases
D) Accumulation of DNA mutations over time
Correct Answer: Programmed reduction in the functioning of the nervous, immune, and endocrine
systems.
Rationale: The neuroendocrine theory proposes that aging is the result of a genetically programmed
decline in the integrative functions of the nervous, immune, and endocrine systems. This is distinct from
the error, free radical, and telomere attrition theories.
8. What is the primary purpose of a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA)?
Family Practicum | Chamberlain University | Q & A | Latest
Update 2025/2026 (PDF)
1. Which theory of aging suggests that cumulative mistakes in DNA and RNA replication over time impair
cell function?
A) Free radical theory
B) Error theory
C) Neuroendocrine theory
D) Telomere attrition theory
Correct Answer: Error theory.
Rationale: The error theory posits that aging results from the accumulation of errors in DNA and RNA
synthesis, which progressively impair cellular function. The free radical theory focuses on oxidative
damage, while the neuroendocrine theory involves a programmed decline in the nervous and endocrine
systems.
2. What is the primary focus of primordial prevention in the context of geriatric care?
A) Rapid action to prevent imminent death in acute illness
B) Reducing the risk of incident disease among individuals with risk factors
C) Preventing the development of risk factors for disease
D) Avoiding the recurrence of disease in an already affected individual
Correct Answer: Preventing the development of risk factors for disease.
Rationale: Primordial prevention aims to prevent the emergence of risk factors themselves, such as
through promoting healthy eating patterns, exercise, and addressing social determinants of health. This
is distinct from primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention.
3. A 72-year-old patient presents with a complaint of "not being able to smell as well as I used to."
Which normal age-related change is most likely responsible?
,A) Reduced light accommodation
B) Higher threshold for odor sensitivity
C) Increased fibrous tissue
D) Reduced glomerular filtration rate
Correct Answer: Higher threshold for odor sensitivity.
Rationale: Normal aging is associated with a higher threshold for odor sensitivity, meaning it takes a
stronger stimulus to detect a smell. This is a common and typically benign age-related sensory change.
4. Which of the following describes a normal physiological change in the heart associated with aging?
A) Decreased thickness of heart valves
B) Increased elasticity of the myocardium
C) Thickening and stiffening of heart valves
D) Decreased left ventricular wall thickness
Correct Answer: Thickening and stiffening of heart valves.
Rationale: The aging process causes the heart valves to thicken and become more rigid. This can
contribute to conditions like aortic stenosis and is a key consideration in the cardiovascular assessment
of older adults.
5. A 78-year-old patient is found to have a reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR) on routine labs. This
is most likely due to which normal age-related change?
A) Increased renal blood flow
B) Smaller and thicker nephron blood vessels
C) Increased number of functional nephrons
D) Decreased tubular reabsorption of glucose
Correct Answer: Smaller and thicker nephron blood vessels.
, Rationale: With aging, nephron blood vessels become smaller and thicker, leading to reduced renal
blood flow and a subsequent decline in GFR. This is a normal physiological change that affects drug
dosing and clearance.
6. A healthcare provider is using the "Rule of Fourths" to assess an older adult's functional decline.
Which of the following is NOT one of the four categories in this framework?
A) Disease
B) Disuse
C) Disregard
D) Physiologic aging
Correct Answer: Disregard.
Rationale: The Rule of Fourths categorizes the causes of functional decline in older adults into disease,
disuse, misuse, and physiologic aging. Disregard is not a component of this established framework.
7. According to the neuroendocrine theory of aging, what is the primary mechanism of age-related
decline?
A) Accumulation of free radicals causing cellular damage
B) Programmed reduction in the functioning of the nervous, immune, and endocrine systems
C) Shortening of telomeres to a point where cell division ceases
D) Accumulation of DNA mutations over time
Correct Answer: Programmed reduction in the functioning of the nervous, immune, and endocrine
systems.
Rationale: The neuroendocrine theory proposes that aging is the result of a genetically programmed
decline in the integrative functions of the nervous, immune, and endocrine systems. This is distinct from
the error, free radical, and telomere attrition theories.
8. What is the primary purpose of a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA)?
