NR601 Midterm Q&A: Geriatric &
Cardiovascular Assessments
1. A 75-year-old patient reports difficulty managing finances and forgetting to take
medications. Which part of the geriatric assessment is most impaired?
A. Cognition
B. Fall risk
C. Nutrition
D. Social support
Answer: A
Rationale: Difficulty with finances and medication management reflects impaired
instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) and often indicates cognitive decline. A
cognitive screening (e.g., Mini-Cog) is warranted.
2. Which screening tool is most appropriate to assess fall risk in a community-
dwelling older adult?
A. PHQ-9
B. Mini-Cog
C. Timed Up and Go (TUG)
D. CURB-65
Answer: C
Rationale: The Timed Up and Go test evaluates mobility and fall risk. PHQ-9 screens for
depression, Mini-Cog for cognition, and CURB-65 for pneumonia severity.
3. According to the wear-and-tear theory of aging, what is the primary cause of
age-related changes?
A. Accumulation of free radicals
B. Shortening of telomeres
C. Cumulative damage from repetitive use
D. Programmed cellular death
Answer: C
Rationale: The wear-and-tear theory proposes that aging results from accumulated
damage from repetitive use and environmental stressors over time.
4. A 78-year-old is taking 8 daily medications. Which is a known risk of
polypharmacy?
, A. Improved adherence
B. Decreased drug interactions
C. Increased fall risk
D. Enhanced renal function
Answer: C
Rationale: Polypharmacy (≥5 medications) increases risks of falls, confusion, delirium,
and adverse drug interactions, especially in older adults.
5. Which medication is recommended to avoid in older adults per the Beers
Criteria?
A. Atorvastatin
B. Metformin
C. Diphenhydramine
D. Lisinopril
Answer: C
Rationale: Diphenhydramine is a first-generation antihistamine with strong
anticholinergic effects, linked to confusion, falls, and delirium in older adults.
6. An advance directive is a legal document that:
A. Provides medical orders for seriously ill patients
B. Requires a physician’s signature to be valid
C. Reflects the patient’s healthcare wishes in advance
D. Can only be used in hospice care
Answer: C
Rationale: An advance directive allows a patient to document future healthcare
preferences. POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) provides medical
orders for seriously ill patients.
7. Which component is essential for determining a patient’s decision-making
capacity?
A. Age over 65
B. Ability to speak
C. Ability to communicate a choice
D. Having a living will
Answer: C
Rationale: Capacity requires the patient to understand, appreciate, reason, and
communicate a choice. Communicating a choice is one of the four key elements.
Cardiovascular Assessments
1. A 75-year-old patient reports difficulty managing finances and forgetting to take
medications. Which part of the geriatric assessment is most impaired?
A. Cognition
B. Fall risk
C. Nutrition
D. Social support
Answer: A
Rationale: Difficulty with finances and medication management reflects impaired
instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) and often indicates cognitive decline. A
cognitive screening (e.g., Mini-Cog) is warranted.
2. Which screening tool is most appropriate to assess fall risk in a community-
dwelling older adult?
A. PHQ-9
B. Mini-Cog
C. Timed Up and Go (TUG)
D. CURB-65
Answer: C
Rationale: The Timed Up and Go test evaluates mobility and fall risk. PHQ-9 screens for
depression, Mini-Cog for cognition, and CURB-65 for pneumonia severity.
3. According to the wear-and-tear theory of aging, what is the primary cause of
age-related changes?
A. Accumulation of free radicals
B. Shortening of telomeres
C. Cumulative damage from repetitive use
D. Programmed cellular death
Answer: C
Rationale: The wear-and-tear theory proposes that aging results from accumulated
damage from repetitive use and environmental stressors over time.
4. A 78-year-old is taking 8 daily medications. Which is a known risk of
polypharmacy?
, A. Improved adherence
B. Decreased drug interactions
C. Increased fall risk
D. Enhanced renal function
Answer: C
Rationale: Polypharmacy (≥5 medications) increases risks of falls, confusion, delirium,
and adverse drug interactions, especially in older adults.
5. Which medication is recommended to avoid in older adults per the Beers
Criteria?
A. Atorvastatin
B. Metformin
C. Diphenhydramine
D. Lisinopril
Answer: C
Rationale: Diphenhydramine is a first-generation antihistamine with strong
anticholinergic effects, linked to confusion, falls, and delirium in older adults.
6. An advance directive is a legal document that:
A. Provides medical orders for seriously ill patients
B. Requires a physician’s signature to be valid
C. Reflects the patient’s healthcare wishes in advance
D. Can only be used in hospice care
Answer: C
Rationale: An advance directive allows a patient to document future healthcare
preferences. POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) provides medical
orders for seriously ill patients.
7. Which component is essential for determining a patient’s decision-making
capacity?
A. Age over 65
B. Ability to speak
C. Ability to communicate a choice
D. Having a living will
Answer: C
Rationale: Capacity requires the patient to understand, appreciate, reason, and
communicate a choice. Communicating a choice is one of the four key elements.
