NR 601 ADVANCED GERONTOLOGY
FINAL EXAM COMPREHENSIVE PREP
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. According to the Beers Criteria, which class of medications should be avoided in older
adults due to the high risk of orthostatic hypotension and syncope?
A. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
B. Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)
C. Biguanides like Metformin
D. Alpha-1 blockers for hypertension
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Alpha-1 blockers (e.g., doxazosin, terazosin) are on the Beers
Criteria list to be avoided for the treatment of hypertension in older adults because they
carry a high risk of orthostatic hypotension and syncope.
2. When assessing an 82-year-old patient using the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM),
which of the following is a mandatory feature for a diagnosis of delirium?
A. Sleep-wake cycle disturbance
,B. Psychomotor agitation
C. Memory impairment
D. Acute onset and fluctuating course
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The CAM requires the presence of 1) Acute onset and fluctuating
course and 2) Inattention, plus either 3) Disorganized thinking or 4) Altered level of
consciousness.
3. An older adult presents with a T-score of -2.6 on a DEXA scan. According to the WHO
criteria, how should this be classified?
A. Normal bone density
B. Osteoporosis
C. Osteopenia
D. Severe osteoporosis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Osteoporosis is defined by the World Health Organization as a T-
score of -2.5 or lower. Osteopenia is between -1.0 and -2.5.
4. Medicare Part B typically covers which of the following services?
A. Inpatient hospital stays
B. Outpatient provider visits and durable medical equipment
, C. Hospice care
D. Prescription drug coverage
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Medicare Part B covers medically necessary services like
doctors’ services and outpatient care, plus some preventive services. Part A covers
hospital/hospice, and Part D covers drugs.
5. Which of the following is considered an Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL)?
A. Bathing
B. Dressing
C. Toileting
D. Managing finances
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: IADLs are more complex tasks necessary for living
independently in the community, such as managing finances, shopping, and using the
telephone. Bathing, dressing, and toileting are basic ADLs.
6. A 75-year-old patient with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) has an FEV1/FVC
ratio < 0.70 and an FEV1 of 65% predicted. According to GOLD criteria, what is the severity?
A. GOLD 2 (Moderate)
B. GOLD 1 (Mild)
FINAL EXAM COMPREHENSIVE PREP
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. According to the Beers Criteria, which class of medications should be avoided in older
adults due to the high risk of orthostatic hypotension and syncope?
A. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
B. Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)
C. Biguanides like Metformin
D. Alpha-1 blockers for hypertension
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Alpha-1 blockers (e.g., doxazosin, terazosin) are on the Beers
Criteria list to be avoided for the treatment of hypertension in older adults because they
carry a high risk of orthostatic hypotension and syncope.
2. When assessing an 82-year-old patient using the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM),
which of the following is a mandatory feature for a diagnosis of delirium?
A. Sleep-wake cycle disturbance
,B. Psychomotor agitation
C. Memory impairment
D. Acute onset and fluctuating course
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The CAM requires the presence of 1) Acute onset and fluctuating
course and 2) Inattention, plus either 3) Disorganized thinking or 4) Altered level of
consciousness.
3. An older adult presents with a T-score of -2.6 on a DEXA scan. According to the WHO
criteria, how should this be classified?
A. Normal bone density
B. Osteoporosis
C. Osteopenia
D. Severe osteoporosis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Osteoporosis is defined by the World Health Organization as a T-
score of -2.5 or lower. Osteopenia is between -1.0 and -2.5.
4. Medicare Part B typically covers which of the following services?
A. Inpatient hospital stays
B. Outpatient provider visits and durable medical equipment
, C. Hospice care
D. Prescription drug coverage
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Medicare Part B covers medically necessary services like
doctors’ services and outpatient care, plus some preventive services. Part A covers
hospital/hospice, and Part D covers drugs.
5. Which of the following is considered an Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL)?
A. Bathing
B. Dressing
C. Toileting
D. Managing finances
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: IADLs are more complex tasks necessary for living
independently in the community, such as managing finances, shopping, and using the
telephone. Bathing, dressing, and toileting are basic ADLs.
6. A 75-year-old patient with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) has an FEV1/FVC
ratio < 0.70 and an FEV1 of 65% predicted. According to GOLD criteria, what is the severity?
A. GOLD 2 (Moderate)
B. GOLD 1 (Mild)
