NR 601 Week 1 Quiz – Primary Care of the
Maturing & Aged Family Practicum- Chamberlain
80 Multiple-Choice Questions with Rationales
AGING PHYSIOLOGY (~10 questions)
1. Which of the following is an age-related, not pathological, physiological change?
A. Increased collagen and elastin in arteries
B. Intermittent tinnitus
C. Reduced gas exchange efficiency
D. Progressive tremor
Answer: C
Rationale: Reduced gas exchange efficiency is a normal age-related change due to
decreased lung elasticity and chest wall compliance. Increased arterial stiffness (not
collagen/elastin increase), intermittent tinnitus, and progressive tremor are more likely
pathological.
2. Which statement BEST reflects the current understanding of physiological aging
according to research?
A. Cellular changes such as atrophy and hypertrophy begin in early adulthood and
progress over time
B. Physiological aging typically begins after the sixth decade of life when disease
becomes more common
C. Cellular changes are inherently pathological and require medical intervention
D. Aging and disease are inherently linked, and cellular atrophy universally signals
pathology
Answer: A
Rationale: Cellular changes (atrophy, hypertrophy, hyperplasia, metaplasia) begin in
early adulthood and progress gradually. Aging is not inherently pathological.
3. Which age-related physiologic change is MOST accurately associated with aging
of the parathyroid and adrenal glands?
A. Higher and more prolonged blood glucose levels due to decreased secretions
B. Fluctuating hormone synthesis and lowered metabolic rate
,C. Frequent episodes of hypotension from reduced cortisol secretion
D. Gradual reduction in gland activity along with structural changes without acute
pathology
Answer: D
Rationale: Endocrine glands undergo gradual reduction in activity and structural
changes (fibrosis, atrophy) without causing acute pathology. Hormone levels may
decline but remain within functional range.
4. Which physiological change in older adults increases the risk of drug toxicity?
A. Increased renal blood flow
B. Decreased hepatic blood flow and liver mass
C. Increased glomerular filtration rate
D. Increased gastric acid production
Answer: B
Rationale: Decreased hepatic blood flow and liver mass reduce drug metabolism,
increasing risk of toxicity. Renal function also declines.
5. Age-related changes in the cardiovascular system include:
A. Increased arterial compliance
B. Decreased left ventricular wall thickness
C. Decreased responsiveness to beta-adrenergic stimulation
D. Increased cardiac output at rest
Answer: C
Rationale: Older adults have decreased beta-adrenergic responsiveness, leading to
reduced maximal heart rate and cardiac output during stress. Arterial compliance
decreases, and LV wall thickness increases.
6. A normal age-related change in the renal system is:
A. Increased glomerular filtration rate
B. Decreased renal mass and number of nephrons
C. Increased creatinine clearance
D. Increased ability to concentrate urine
Answer: B
Rationale: Renal mass and nephron number decrease with age, reducing GFR.
Creatinine clearance decreases, and concentrating ability declines.
, 7. Age-related changes in vision include all EXCEPT:
A. Presbyopia (decreased near vision)
B. Increased sensitivity to glare
C. Decreased peripheral vision
D. Acute onset of floaters and flashes
Answer: D
Rationale: Acute floaters and flashes suggest retinal detachment (pathological).
Presbyopia, glare sensitivity, and decreased peripheral vision are age-related.
8. Which musculoskeletal change is considered a normal part of aging?
A. Loss of bone density (osteopenia)
B. Pathologic fractures
C. Acute joint swelling
D. Butterfly rash
Answer: A
Rationale: Gradual loss of bone density (osteopenia) is age-related. Pathologic
fractures and acute swelling are pathological.
9. Age-related changes in the immune system increase susceptibility to:
A. Autoimmune disorders
B. Infections and cancer
C. Allergic reactions
D. Anaphylaxis
Answer: B
Rationale: Immunosenescence leads to decreased immune response, increasing risk of
infections and cancer.
10. Which statement about thermoregulation in older adults is TRUE?
A. Older adults have increased ability to sweat
B. Older adults have decreased ability to regulate body temperature
C. Older adults are less susceptible to hypothermia
D. Older adults have increased subcutaneous fat
Answer: B
Rationale: Decreased sweating, reduced subcutaneous fat, and impaired
vasoconstriction reduce thermoregulation, increasing risk of hypothermia and
hyperthermia.
Maturing & Aged Family Practicum- Chamberlain
80 Multiple-Choice Questions with Rationales
AGING PHYSIOLOGY (~10 questions)
1. Which of the following is an age-related, not pathological, physiological change?
A. Increased collagen and elastin in arteries
B. Intermittent tinnitus
C. Reduced gas exchange efficiency
D. Progressive tremor
Answer: C
Rationale: Reduced gas exchange efficiency is a normal age-related change due to
decreased lung elasticity and chest wall compliance. Increased arterial stiffness (not
collagen/elastin increase), intermittent tinnitus, and progressive tremor are more likely
pathological.
2. Which statement BEST reflects the current understanding of physiological aging
according to research?
A. Cellular changes such as atrophy and hypertrophy begin in early adulthood and
progress over time
B. Physiological aging typically begins after the sixth decade of life when disease
becomes more common
C. Cellular changes are inherently pathological and require medical intervention
D. Aging and disease are inherently linked, and cellular atrophy universally signals
pathology
Answer: A
Rationale: Cellular changes (atrophy, hypertrophy, hyperplasia, metaplasia) begin in
early adulthood and progress gradually. Aging is not inherently pathological.
3. Which age-related physiologic change is MOST accurately associated with aging
of the parathyroid and adrenal glands?
A. Higher and more prolonged blood glucose levels due to decreased secretions
B. Fluctuating hormone synthesis and lowered metabolic rate
,C. Frequent episodes of hypotension from reduced cortisol secretion
D. Gradual reduction in gland activity along with structural changes without acute
pathology
Answer: D
Rationale: Endocrine glands undergo gradual reduction in activity and structural
changes (fibrosis, atrophy) without causing acute pathology. Hormone levels may
decline but remain within functional range.
4. Which physiological change in older adults increases the risk of drug toxicity?
A. Increased renal blood flow
B. Decreased hepatic blood flow and liver mass
C. Increased glomerular filtration rate
D. Increased gastric acid production
Answer: B
Rationale: Decreased hepatic blood flow and liver mass reduce drug metabolism,
increasing risk of toxicity. Renal function also declines.
5. Age-related changes in the cardiovascular system include:
A. Increased arterial compliance
B. Decreased left ventricular wall thickness
C. Decreased responsiveness to beta-adrenergic stimulation
D. Increased cardiac output at rest
Answer: C
Rationale: Older adults have decreased beta-adrenergic responsiveness, leading to
reduced maximal heart rate and cardiac output during stress. Arterial compliance
decreases, and LV wall thickness increases.
6. A normal age-related change in the renal system is:
A. Increased glomerular filtration rate
B. Decreased renal mass and number of nephrons
C. Increased creatinine clearance
D. Increased ability to concentrate urine
Answer: B
Rationale: Renal mass and nephron number decrease with age, reducing GFR.
Creatinine clearance decreases, and concentrating ability declines.
, 7. Age-related changes in vision include all EXCEPT:
A. Presbyopia (decreased near vision)
B. Increased sensitivity to glare
C. Decreased peripheral vision
D. Acute onset of floaters and flashes
Answer: D
Rationale: Acute floaters and flashes suggest retinal detachment (pathological).
Presbyopia, glare sensitivity, and decreased peripheral vision are age-related.
8. Which musculoskeletal change is considered a normal part of aging?
A. Loss of bone density (osteopenia)
B. Pathologic fractures
C. Acute joint swelling
D. Butterfly rash
Answer: A
Rationale: Gradual loss of bone density (osteopenia) is age-related. Pathologic
fractures and acute swelling are pathological.
9. Age-related changes in the immune system increase susceptibility to:
A. Autoimmune disorders
B. Infections and cancer
C. Allergic reactions
D. Anaphylaxis
Answer: B
Rationale: Immunosenescence leads to decreased immune response, increasing risk of
infections and cancer.
10. Which statement about thermoregulation in older adults is TRUE?
A. Older adults have increased ability to sweat
B. Older adults have decreased ability to regulate body temperature
C. Older adults are less susceptible to hypothermia
D. Older adults have increased subcutaneous fat
Answer: B
Rationale: Decreased sweating, reduced subcutaneous fat, and impaired
vasoconstriction reduce thermoregulation, increasing risk of hypothermia and
hyperthermia.
