Chamberlain NR601 Midterm Exam – Primary Care of
the Maturing and Aged Family Practicum | Latest
Update 2026/2027 | 200 Practice Questions & Detailed
Answers | Verified Answers with Rationales | A+
Graded
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF GERIATRIC CARE & AGING THEORIES (Questions 1–25)
1. The aging process causes what normal physiological changes in the heart?
A) The heart valve thickens and becomes more rigid
B) Cardiac output increases
C) Resting heart rate significantly increases
D) Heart muscle becomes more elastic
Answer: A
Explanation: Normal agerelated changes in the cardiovascular system include thickening and stiffening
of heart valves (aortic sclerosis), decreased cardiac output, and decreased compliance of the aorta and
large arteries. Resting heart rate typically remains unchanged, and the heart muscle becomes stiffer, not
more elastic.
2. Which theory of aging suggests that aging results from cumulative mistakes in DNA and RNA over
time, which impair cell function?
A) Free radical theory
B) Neuroendocrine theory
C) Error theory
D) Wear and tear theory
Answer: C
,Explanation: The Error Theory suggests that aging results from cumulative mistakes in DNA and RNA
over time. The Free Radical Theory proposes that free radicals accumulate and damage cells. The
Neuroendocrine Theory suggests aging results from a programmed reduction in the functioning of the
nervous, immune, and endocrine systems.
3. According to the Rule of Fourths, functional decline in older adults results from which four factors?
A) Disease, disuse, misuse, and physiologic aging
B) Genetics, environment, lifestyle, and healthcare
C) Physical, cognitive, social, and emotional factors
D) Primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary aging
Answer: A
Explanation: The Rule of Fourths describes four causes of functional decline in older adults: disease
(pathologic conditions), disuse (sedentary lifestyle), misuse (iatrogenic causes), and physiologic aging
(normal agerelated changes).
4. A 72yearold patient reports difficulty reading fine print and driving at night. Which normal agerelated
visual change is most likely?
A) Presbyopia and decreased dark adaptation
B) Cataract formation
C) Glaucoma
D) Macular degeneration
Answer: A
Explanation: Normal agerelated visual changes include presbyopia (decreased near vision) and
decreased dark adaptation (difficulty seeing at night). Cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration
represent pathologic conditions rather than normal aging.
5. Which aging theory emphasizes oxidative stress and supports antioxidantrich diets?
A) Continuity theory
B) Free radical theory
C) Disengagement theory
,D) Activity theory
Answer: B
Explanation: The Free Radical Theory proposes that aging is caused by cumulative oxidative damage
from free radicals, supporting the role of antioxidantrich diets in neutralizing free radicals and slowing
cellular damage.
6. An 82yearold woman values remaining independent and living at home. Which approach to care best
aligns with geriatric best practices?
A) Diseasecentered care only
B) Goaloriented, patientcentered care
C) Hospitalbased care for all older adults
D) Providerdirected care without patient input
Answer: B
Explanation: Geriatric care prioritizes function, independence, quality of life, and the patient's personal
goals rather than focusing only on disease treatment.
7. Which geriatric assessment evaluates medical, functional, and psychosocial domains to guide care
planning?
A) PHQ9
B) Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA)
C) CURB65
D) ASCVD risk calculator
Answer: B
Explanation: CGA evaluates medical problems, cognition, mood, mobility, function, medications, social
support, and environment to create an individualized care plan.
8. A 78yearold patient presents with a new onset of acute confusion, fluctuating levels of consciousness,
and inattention over the past 24 hours. What is the most likely diagnosis?
, A) Dementia
B) Delirium
C) Depression
D) Psychosis
Answer: B
Explanation: Acute onset, fluctuating consciousness, and inattention are hallmark features of delirium.
Dementia has an insidious onset and is not characterized by acute fluctuation. Delirium is a medical
emergency requiring prompt identification of the underlying cause.
9. What is the primary goal of a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA)?
A) To treat acute illnesses only
B) To assess functional, psychological, and social domains to optimize care for older adults
C) To prescribe new medications
D) To perform diagnostic imaging
Answer: B
Explanation: The CGA evaluates physical health, functional status, mental health, and social support to
optimize care for older adults. It is a multidimensional, interdisciplinary process.
10. Which tool assesses basic activities of daily living (ADLs) in older adults?
A) MiniMental State Examination (MMSE)
B) Katz ADL Scale
C) Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)
D) Clock Drawing Test
Answer: B
Explanation: The Katz ADL Scale measures independence in tasks like bathing, dressing, and eating. The
MMSE assesses cognition, the GDS screens for depression, and the Clock Drawing Test assesses
cognitive function.
the Maturing and Aged Family Practicum | Latest
Update 2026/2027 | 200 Practice Questions & Detailed
Answers | Verified Answers with Rationales | A+
Graded
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF GERIATRIC CARE & AGING THEORIES (Questions 1–25)
1. The aging process causes what normal physiological changes in the heart?
A) The heart valve thickens and becomes more rigid
B) Cardiac output increases
C) Resting heart rate significantly increases
D) Heart muscle becomes more elastic
Answer: A
Explanation: Normal agerelated changes in the cardiovascular system include thickening and stiffening
of heart valves (aortic sclerosis), decreased cardiac output, and decreased compliance of the aorta and
large arteries. Resting heart rate typically remains unchanged, and the heart muscle becomes stiffer, not
more elastic.
2. Which theory of aging suggests that aging results from cumulative mistakes in DNA and RNA over
time, which impair cell function?
A) Free radical theory
B) Neuroendocrine theory
C) Error theory
D) Wear and tear theory
Answer: C
,Explanation: The Error Theory suggests that aging results from cumulative mistakes in DNA and RNA
over time. The Free Radical Theory proposes that free radicals accumulate and damage cells. The
Neuroendocrine Theory suggests aging results from a programmed reduction in the functioning of the
nervous, immune, and endocrine systems.
3. According to the Rule of Fourths, functional decline in older adults results from which four factors?
A) Disease, disuse, misuse, and physiologic aging
B) Genetics, environment, lifestyle, and healthcare
C) Physical, cognitive, social, and emotional factors
D) Primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary aging
Answer: A
Explanation: The Rule of Fourths describes four causes of functional decline in older adults: disease
(pathologic conditions), disuse (sedentary lifestyle), misuse (iatrogenic causes), and physiologic aging
(normal agerelated changes).
4. A 72yearold patient reports difficulty reading fine print and driving at night. Which normal agerelated
visual change is most likely?
A) Presbyopia and decreased dark adaptation
B) Cataract formation
C) Glaucoma
D) Macular degeneration
Answer: A
Explanation: Normal agerelated visual changes include presbyopia (decreased near vision) and
decreased dark adaptation (difficulty seeing at night). Cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration
represent pathologic conditions rather than normal aging.
5. Which aging theory emphasizes oxidative stress and supports antioxidantrich diets?
A) Continuity theory
B) Free radical theory
C) Disengagement theory
,D) Activity theory
Answer: B
Explanation: The Free Radical Theory proposes that aging is caused by cumulative oxidative damage
from free radicals, supporting the role of antioxidantrich diets in neutralizing free radicals and slowing
cellular damage.
6. An 82yearold woman values remaining independent and living at home. Which approach to care best
aligns with geriatric best practices?
A) Diseasecentered care only
B) Goaloriented, patientcentered care
C) Hospitalbased care for all older adults
D) Providerdirected care without patient input
Answer: B
Explanation: Geriatric care prioritizes function, independence, quality of life, and the patient's personal
goals rather than focusing only on disease treatment.
7. Which geriatric assessment evaluates medical, functional, and psychosocial domains to guide care
planning?
A) PHQ9
B) Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA)
C) CURB65
D) ASCVD risk calculator
Answer: B
Explanation: CGA evaluates medical problems, cognition, mood, mobility, function, medications, social
support, and environment to create an individualized care plan.
8. A 78yearold patient presents with a new onset of acute confusion, fluctuating levels of consciousness,
and inattention over the past 24 hours. What is the most likely diagnosis?
, A) Dementia
B) Delirium
C) Depression
D) Psychosis
Answer: B
Explanation: Acute onset, fluctuating consciousness, and inattention are hallmark features of delirium.
Dementia has an insidious onset and is not characterized by acute fluctuation. Delirium is a medical
emergency requiring prompt identification of the underlying cause.
9. What is the primary goal of a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA)?
A) To treat acute illnesses only
B) To assess functional, psychological, and social domains to optimize care for older adults
C) To prescribe new medications
D) To perform diagnostic imaging
Answer: B
Explanation: The CGA evaluates physical health, functional status, mental health, and social support to
optimize care for older adults. It is a multidimensional, interdisciplinary process.
10. Which tool assesses basic activities of daily living (ADLs) in older adults?
A) MiniMental State Examination (MMSE)
B) Katz ADL Scale
C) Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)
D) Clock Drawing Test
Answer: B
Explanation: The Katz ADL Scale measures independence in tasks like bathing, dressing, and eating. The
MMSE assesses cognition, the GDS screens for depression, and the Clock Drawing Test assesses
cognitive function.
