Chamberlain NR 601 Midterm Exam: Aging Family Assessment and
Management 2026
1. Which physiological change in the elderly significantly impacts the
distribution of water-soluble drugs?
A. Increase in total body water
B. Decrease in lean body mass and total body water
C. Increase in plasma albumin levels
D. Decrease in total body fat
Answer: B
Rationale: As people age, they experience a decrease in lean body mass and total body
water, which leads to higher concentrations of water-soluble drugs in the bloodstream.
2. An 82-year-old patient presents with new-onset confusion and lethargy but
no fever. What is the most likely atypical presentation for this patient?
A. Hypothyroidism
B. Congestive heart failure
C. Urinary tract infection (UTI)
D. Acute myocardial infarction
Answer: C
Rationale: In older adults, UTIs often present atypically with confusion, mental status
changes, or falls rather than classic symptoms like fever or dysuria.
,3. Which screening tool is most appropriate for identifying potential drug-
related problems in the elderly?
A. Beers Criteria
B. PHQ-9
C. CAGE questionnaire
D. Katz Index
Answer: A
Rationale: The Beers Criteria is a widely used guideline for identifying potentially
inappropriate medications that should be avoided or used with caution in older adults.
4. Which of the following is categorized as an Instrumental Activity of Daily
Living (IADL)?
A. Bathing
B. Toileting
C. Managing finances
D. Feeding self
Answer: C
Rationale: IADLs involve more complex tasks necessary for living independently in the
community, such as managing finances, shopping, and using transportation.
5. According to the JNC 8 guidelines, what is the blood pressure goal for adults
aged 60 years and older without diabetes or chronic kidney disease?
A. Less than 150/90 mmHg
B. Less than 130/80 mmHg
C. Less than 140/90 mmHg
D. Less than 120/80 mmHg
Answer: A
Rationale: JNC 8 guidelines recommend a blood pressure goal of less than 150/90 mmHg
for individuals aged 60 and older who do not have diabetes or CKD.
, 6. A patient scores a 5 on the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) short form. How
should this score be interpreted?
A. Normal (No depression)
B. Severe depression
C. Suggestive of depression
D. Dementia with depressive features
Answer: C
Rationale: On the GDS short form (15 items), a score of 5 or higher is typically considered
suggestive of depression and warrants a more thorough clinical evaluation.
7. Which component of pharmacokinetics is most significantly affected by the
age-related decline in Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)?
A. Excretion
B. Distribution
C. Metabolism
D. Absorption
Answer: A
Rationale: Renal excretion is the most predictable pharmacokinetic change in aging due to
the steady decline in GFR and renal blood flow.
8. In the ‘Timed Up and Go’ (TUG) test, a result of how many seconds or more
indicates a high risk for falls?
A. 12 seconds
B. 8 seconds
C. 5 seconds
D. 20 seconds
Answer: A
Rationale: A TUG score of 12 seconds or more is generally used as a threshold to identify
older adults at an increased risk for falling.
Management 2026
1. Which physiological change in the elderly significantly impacts the
distribution of water-soluble drugs?
A. Increase in total body water
B. Decrease in lean body mass and total body water
C. Increase in plasma albumin levels
D. Decrease in total body fat
Answer: B
Rationale: As people age, they experience a decrease in lean body mass and total body
water, which leads to higher concentrations of water-soluble drugs in the bloodstream.
2. An 82-year-old patient presents with new-onset confusion and lethargy but
no fever. What is the most likely atypical presentation for this patient?
A. Hypothyroidism
B. Congestive heart failure
C. Urinary tract infection (UTI)
D. Acute myocardial infarction
Answer: C
Rationale: In older adults, UTIs often present atypically with confusion, mental status
changes, or falls rather than classic symptoms like fever or dysuria.
,3. Which screening tool is most appropriate for identifying potential drug-
related problems in the elderly?
A. Beers Criteria
B. PHQ-9
C. CAGE questionnaire
D. Katz Index
Answer: A
Rationale: The Beers Criteria is a widely used guideline for identifying potentially
inappropriate medications that should be avoided or used with caution in older adults.
4. Which of the following is categorized as an Instrumental Activity of Daily
Living (IADL)?
A. Bathing
B. Toileting
C. Managing finances
D. Feeding self
Answer: C
Rationale: IADLs involve more complex tasks necessary for living independently in the
community, such as managing finances, shopping, and using transportation.
5. According to the JNC 8 guidelines, what is the blood pressure goal for adults
aged 60 years and older without diabetes or chronic kidney disease?
A. Less than 150/90 mmHg
B. Less than 130/80 mmHg
C. Less than 140/90 mmHg
D. Less than 120/80 mmHg
Answer: A
Rationale: JNC 8 guidelines recommend a blood pressure goal of less than 150/90 mmHg
for individuals aged 60 and older who do not have diabetes or CKD.
, 6. A patient scores a 5 on the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) short form. How
should this score be interpreted?
A. Normal (No depression)
B. Severe depression
C. Suggestive of depression
D. Dementia with depressive features
Answer: C
Rationale: On the GDS short form (15 items), a score of 5 or higher is typically considered
suggestive of depression and warrants a more thorough clinical evaluation.
7. Which component of pharmacokinetics is most significantly affected by the
age-related decline in Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)?
A. Excretion
B. Distribution
C. Metabolism
D. Absorption
Answer: A
Rationale: Renal excretion is the most predictable pharmacokinetic change in aging due to
the steady decline in GFR and renal blood flow.
8. In the ‘Timed Up and Go’ (TUG) test, a result of how many seconds or more
indicates a high risk for falls?
A. 12 seconds
B. 8 seconds
C. 5 seconds
D. 20 seconds
Answer: A
Rationale: A TUG score of 12 seconds or more is generally used as a threshold to identify
older adults at an increased risk for falling.
