NURS 6540 ADVANCED PRACTICE
CARE OF FRAIL ELDERS FINAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. According to Fried’s Phenotype, which of the following criteria must a patient meet to be
classified as ‘frail’?
A. Presence of at least one of five specific physical criteria
B. Presence of three or more of five specific physical criteria
C. A total score of 10 or higher on the Rockwood Frailty Index
D. The presence of cognitive impairment and two physical comorbidities
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Fried’s Frailty Phenotype identifies frailty based on five criteria:
unintentional weight loss, self-reported exhaustion, low physical activity, slow gait speed,
and weak grip strength. A score of 3 or more indicates frailty.
,2. A 82-year-old male with a history of hypertension and dementia presents with acute onset
confusion, fluctuating consciousness, and visual hallucinations. What is the most likely
diagnosis?
A. Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease
B. Delirium superimposed on dementia
C. Lewy Body Dementia
D. Major Depressive Disorder with psychotic features
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Acute onset and fluctuating consciousness are hallmark signs of
delirium. Elders with pre-existing dementia are at much higher risk for delirium triggered
by infection or medication changes.
3. The Beers Criteria is primarily used by advanced practice nurses to identify which of the
following in the elderly?
A. The severity of frailty based on laboratory markers
B. Optimal dosing for anticoagulants in patients over 80
C. Medications that are potentially inappropriate for older adults
D. Diagnostic criteria for early-onset Parkinson’s disease
Answer: C
, Conceptual Explanation: The Beers Criteria for Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use
in Older Adults is a guideline to help improve the safety of prescribing for patients 65 and
older.
4. Which assessment tool is specifically designed to evaluate the risk of pressure ulcers in frail
hospitalized elders?
A. Braden Scale
B. Morse Scale
C. Katz Index
D. Lawton IADL Scale
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The Braden Scale evaluates six risk factors: sensory perception,
moisture, activity, mobility, nutrition, and friction/shear to predict pressure sore risk.
5. An elderly patient experiences a ‘prescribing cascade.’ This phenomenon is best defined as:
A. The use of multiple pharmacies to fill high-cost prescriptions
B. Switching from brand-name to generic drugs to save costs
C. Gradually increasing the dose of a chronic medication to maintain efficacy
D. A new medication is prescribed to treat the side effects of an existing medication
Answer: D
CARE OF FRAIL ELDERS FINAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. According to Fried’s Phenotype, which of the following criteria must a patient meet to be
classified as ‘frail’?
A. Presence of at least one of five specific physical criteria
B. Presence of three or more of five specific physical criteria
C. A total score of 10 or higher on the Rockwood Frailty Index
D. The presence of cognitive impairment and two physical comorbidities
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Fried’s Frailty Phenotype identifies frailty based on five criteria:
unintentional weight loss, self-reported exhaustion, low physical activity, slow gait speed,
and weak grip strength. A score of 3 or more indicates frailty.
,2. A 82-year-old male with a history of hypertension and dementia presents with acute onset
confusion, fluctuating consciousness, and visual hallucinations. What is the most likely
diagnosis?
A. Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease
B. Delirium superimposed on dementia
C. Lewy Body Dementia
D. Major Depressive Disorder with psychotic features
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Acute onset and fluctuating consciousness are hallmark signs of
delirium. Elders with pre-existing dementia are at much higher risk for delirium triggered
by infection or medication changes.
3. The Beers Criteria is primarily used by advanced practice nurses to identify which of the
following in the elderly?
A. The severity of frailty based on laboratory markers
B. Optimal dosing for anticoagulants in patients over 80
C. Medications that are potentially inappropriate for older adults
D. Diagnostic criteria for early-onset Parkinson’s disease
Answer: C
, Conceptual Explanation: The Beers Criteria for Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use
in Older Adults is a guideline to help improve the safety of prescribing for patients 65 and
older.
4. Which assessment tool is specifically designed to evaluate the risk of pressure ulcers in frail
hospitalized elders?
A. Braden Scale
B. Morse Scale
C. Katz Index
D. Lawton IADL Scale
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The Braden Scale evaluates six risk factors: sensory perception,
moisture, activity, mobility, nutrition, and friction/shear to predict pressure sore risk.
5. An elderly patient experiences a ‘prescribing cascade.’ This phenomenon is best defined as:
A. The use of multiple pharmacies to fill high-cost prescriptions
B. Switching from brand-name to generic drugs to save costs
C. Gradually increasing the dose of a chronic medication to maintain efficacy
D. A new medication is prescribed to treat the side effects of an existing medication
Answer: D
