Geriatrics Ham's Questions and Correct
Answers
Which one of the following is most true about the rule of fourths?
a. One fourth of geriatric problems are iatrogenic.
b. Little can be done to prevent three fourths of the problems of aging.
c. For every medical complaint a patient has, a careful assessment can identify three other diagnoses.
d. What used to be called normal aging can be largely explained by processes that are not normal.
e. A good way to conduct a geriatric assessment is to use four categories: mental, physical, psychosocial,
and environmental. - correct answers:d. What used to be called normal aging can be largely explained by
processes that are not normal.
Which one of the following is most true about aging changes?
a. Stage 3 and 4 sleep decreases.
b. Renal perfusion is not reduced, but renal function is reduced.
c. Hearing acuity declines beginning in middle age.
d. Prostatic enlargement occurs only in a minority of men. - correct answers:a. Stage 3 and 4 sleep
decreases.
An old woman who is cared for by attentive, cautious, concerned family is particularly likely to suffer
from which one of the following complications after an episode of gastroenteritis?
a. Immobility related to overconcern
,b. Continued vomiting caused by too-rapid feeding
c. Diarrhea resulting from administration of milk products
d. Constipation related to overtreatment of diarrhea - correct answers:a. Immobility related to
overconcern
Which one of the following is most true about psychological aging?
a. Disengagement tends to promote better psychological health than continued engagement.
b. Having a spouse is the best way to be assured of having a caregiver when one becomes disabled.
c. Ability to have quality of life is related to cognitive function.
d. Planning for the future is a key element of successful aging.
e. Many older people are ageist. - correct answers:d. Planning for the future is a key element of
successful aging
Of the following conditions, which one is most common and most often preventable?
a. Falls
b. Frailty
c. Cognitive impairment
d. Iatrogenic disease
e. Depression - correct answers:d. Iatrogenic disease
,Which of the following is a basic rather than instrumental ADL?
a. Shopping
b. Using the telephone
c. Bathing
d. Food prep
e. Financial management - correct answers:c. Bathing
Geriatric review of systems includes which of the following?
a. Sensory impairments
b. Changes in cognition
c. Symptoms of depression
d. Changes in weight or appetite
e. All of the above - correct answers:e. All of the above
Mr. C is an 86-year-old male visiting your clinic to establish care. Which of the following answers best
describes your plan for the initial evaluation of Mr. C?
a. Rapid assessment of his most pressing concern with follow-up visit scheduled at 6 months.
b. Prioritize function and his chief complaint, focus on learning about his health care goals, and plan for
follow up.
c. Spend the majority of the time doing an extremely thorough physical exam; discuss concerns only if
time allows.
d. Feel overwhelmed by Mr. C's vast needs, order multiple lab tests, send Mr. C home without plans for
follow up. - correct answers:b. Prioritize function and his chief complaint, focus on learning about his
health care goals, and plan for follow up.
Ways in which a hospital physical design fails to meet the needs of older adults include all of the
following except :
, a. Noisy units with excess background commotion
b. Lack of supportive, functional seating for patients and family
c. A lack of accessible emergency staff-call systems
d. Easily graspable handrails on both sides of all hallways - correct answers:d. Easily graspable handrails
on both sides of all hallways
An 88-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital 1 week ago. The physiologic risk factors that
contribute to the geriatric syndrome of frailty for this woman include all of the following except:
a. Weight loss of 15% over the past 6 months
b. Decreased self-perceived ability to walk one city block because of fatigue
c. Ongoing vitamin D supplementation during this hospital stay
d. Exclusive bed rest for the past 4 days
e. Eating less than 25% of provided meals for the past 3 days - correct answers:c. Ongoing vitamin D
supplementation during this hospital stay
Ways to prevent delirium in a hospitalized older adult include all of the following except:
a. Ensuring optimal pain control with narcotic medications
b. Engaging family members and staff to frequently reorient patients and provide a familiar environment
c. Providing vision, hearing, and other sensory adaptive measures to all appropriate patients
d. Limiting time out of bed to prevent overstimulation
Answers
Which one of the following is most true about the rule of fourths?
a. One fourth of geriatric problems are iatrogenic.
b. Little can be done to prevent three fourths of the problems of aging.
c. For every medical complaint a patient has, a careful assessment can identify three other diagnoses.
d. What used to be called normal aging can be largely explained by processes that are not normal.
e. A good way to conduct a geriatric assessment is to use four categories: mental, physical, psychosocial,
and environmental. - correct answers:d. What used to be called normal aging can be largely explained by
processes that are not normal.
Which one of the following is most true about aging changes?
a. Stage 3 and 4 sleep decreases.
b. Renal perfusion is not reduced, but renal function is reduced.
c. Hearing acuity declines beginning in middle age.
d. Prostatic enlargement occurs only in a minority of men. - correct answers:a. Stage 3 and 4 sleep
decreases.
An old woman who is cared for by attentive, cautious, concerned family is particularly likely to suffer
from which one of the following complications after an episode of gastroenteritis?
a. Immobility related to overconcern
,b. Continued vomiting caused by too-rapid feeding
c. Diarrhea resulting from administration of milk products
d. Constipation related to overtreatment of diarrhea - correct answers:a. Immobility related to
overconcern
Which one of the following is most true about psychological aging?
a. Disengagement tends to promote better psychological health than continued engagement.
b. Having a spouse is the best way to be assured of having a caregiver when one becomes disabled.
c. Ability to have quality of life is related to cognitive function.
d. Planning for the future is a key element of successful aging.
e. Many older people are ageist. - correct answers:d. Planning for the future is a key element of
successful aging
Of the following conditions, which one is most common and most often preventable?
a. Falls
b. Frailty
c. Cognitive impairment
d. Iatrogenic disease
e. Depression - correct answers:d. Iatrogenic disease
,Which of the following is a basic rather than instrumental ADL?
a. Shopping
b. Using the telephone
c. Bathing
d. Food prep
e. Financial management - correct answers:c. Bathing
Geriatric review of systems includes which of the following?
a. Sensory impairments
b. Changes in cognition
c. Symptoms of depression
d. Changes in weight or appetite
e. All of the above - correct answers:e. All of the above
Mr. C is an 86-year-old male visiting your clinic to establish care. Which of the following answers best
describes your plan for the initial evaluation of Mr. C?
a. Rapid assessment of his most pressing concern with follow-up visit scheduled at 6 months.
b. Prioritize function and his chief complaint, focus on learning about his health care goals, and plan for
follow up.
c. Spend the majority of the time doing an extremely thorough physical exam; discuss concerns only if
time allows.
d. Feel overwhelmed by Mr. C's vast needs, order multiple lab tests, send Mr. C home without plans for
follow up. - correct answers:b. Prioritize function and his chief complaint, focus on learning about his
health care goals, and plan for follow up.
Ways in which a hospital physical design fails to meet the needs of older adults include all of the
following except :
, a. Noisy units with excess background commotion
b. Lack of supportive, functional seating for patients and family
c. A lack of accessible emergency staff-call systems
d. Easily graspable handrails on both sides of all hallways - correct answers:d. Easily graspable handrails
on both sides of all hallways
An 88-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital 1 week ago. The physiologic risk factors that
contribute to the geriatric syndrome of frailty for this woman include all of the following except:
a. Weight loss of 15% over the past 6 months
b. Decreased self-perceived ability to walk one city block because of fatigue
c. Ongoing vitamin D supplementation during this hospital stay
d. Exclusive bed rest for the past 4 days
e. Eating less than 25% of provided meals for the past 3 days - correct answers:c. Ongoing vitamin D
supplementation during this hospital stay
Ways to prevent delirium in a hospitalized older adult include all of the following except:
a. Ensuring optimal pain control with narcotic medications
b. Engaging family members and staff to frequently reorient patients and provide a familiar environment
c. Providing vision, hearing, and other sensory adaptive measures to all appropriate patients
d. Limiting time out of bed to prevent overstimulation
