Chamberlain NR601 Week 4 Midterm Exam | 200
Practice Questions & Detailed Answers | Primary Care
of the Maturing & Aged Family Practicum | A+ Graded
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF GERIATRIC PRIMARY CARE & AGING THEORIES (Questions 1–25)
1. A 72yearold patient presents for a routine wellness visit. The nurse practitioner understands that
which of the following is a normal physiological change associated with aging?
A) Decreased gastric acid production
B) Increased renal function
C) Increased skin elasticity
D) Decreased arterial compliance
Answer: A
Explanation: Decreased gastric acid production is a normal agerelated change that can affect absorption
of medications and nutrients. Renal function decreases with age (GFR declines). Skin elasticity decreases
with age. Arterial compliance decreases with age, leading to increased vascular stiffness and systolic
hypertension.
2. A 68yearold patient asks the NP about the "Rule of Fourths" in geriatric care. Which statement best
describes this principle?
A) Onefourth of geriatric problems are iatrogenic.
B) Little can be done to prevent threefourths of the problems of aging.
C) For every medical complaint a patient presents with, 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.
Answer: D
,Explanation: The "Rule of Fourths" states that what used to be called normal aging can be largely
explained by processes that are not normal. Many conditions attributed to aging are actually
preventable or treatable diseases.
3. Which theory of aging suggests that cumulative mistakes in DNA and RNA replication over time impair
cell function?
A) Free radical theory
B) Error catastrophe theory
C) Programmed aging theory
D) Somatic mutation theory
Answer: B
Explanation: The error catastrophe theory suggests that cumulative mistakes in DNA and RNA
replication over time impair cell function and lead to aging.
4. 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 of aging emphasizes oxidative stress caused by free radicals and
supports antioxidantrich diets to neutralize free radicals and slow cellular damage.
,5. A 76yearold female presents with fatigue, weight loss, and palpitations. Which condition is most
likely?
A) Hypothyroidism
B) Hyperthyroidism
C) Anemia
D) Depression
Answer: B
Explanation: Hyperthyroidism in older adults may present with atypical symptoms like fatigue, weight
loss, and cardiac issues such as palpitations. Older adults often do not present with the classic signs of
hyperthyroidism seen in younger patients.
6. What is the primary goal of a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA)?
A) Treat acute illnesses
B) Assess functional, psychological, and social domains
C) Prescribe new medications
D) 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.
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. 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.
9. Which assessment tool is most appropriate for evaluating instrumental activities of daily living
(IADLs)?
A) Katz Index of Independence in ADLs
B) Lawton IADL Scale
C) MiniMental State Examination (MMSE)
D) Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)
Practice Questions & Detailed Answers | Primary Care
of the Maturing & Aged Family Practicum | A+ Graded
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF GERIATRIC PRIMARY CARE & AGING THEORIES (Questions 1–25)
1. A 72yearold patient presents for a routine wellness visit. The nurse practitioner understands that
which of the following is a normal physiological change associated with aging?
A) Decreased gastric acid production
B) Increased renal function
C) Increased skin elasticity
D) Decreased arterial compliance
Answer: A
Explanation: Decreased gastric acid production is a normal agerelated change that can affect absorption
of medications and nutrients. Renal function decreases with age (GFR declines). Skin elasticity decreases
with age. Arterial compliance decreases with age, leading to increased vascular stiffness and systolic
hypertension.
2. A 68yearold patient asks the NP about the "Rule of Fourths" in geriatric care. Which statement best
describes this principle?
A) Onefourth of geriatric problems are iatrogenic.
B) Little can be done to prevent threefourths of the problems of aging.
C) For every medical complaint a patient presents with, 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.
Answer: D
,Explanation: The "Rule of Fourths" states that what used to be called normal aging can be largely
explained by processes that are not normal. Many conditions attributed to aging are actually
preventable or treatable diseases.
3. Which theory of aging suggests that cumulative mistakes in DNA and RNA replication over time impair
cell function?
A) Free radical theory
B) Error catastrophe theory
C) Programmed aging theory
D) Somatic mutation theory
Answer: B
Explanation: The error catastrophe theory suggests that cumulative mistakes in DNA and RNA
replication over time impair cell function and lead to aging.
4. 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 of aging emphasizes oxidative stress caused by free radicals and
supports antioxidantrich diets to neutralize free radicals and slow cellular damage.
,5. A 76yearold female presents with fatigue, weight loss, and palpitations. Which condition is most
likely?
A) Hypothyroidism
B) Hyperthyroidism
C) Anemia
D) Depression
Answer: B
Explanation: Hyperthyroidism in older adults may present with atypical symptoms like fatigue, weight
loss, and cardiac issues such as palpitations. Older adults often do not present with the classic signs of
hyperthyroidism seen in younger patients.
6. What is the primary goal of a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA)?
A) Treat acute illnesses
B) Assess functional, psychological, and social domains
C) Prescribe new medications
D) 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.
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. 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.
9. Which assessment tool is most appropriate for evaluating instrumental activities of daily living
(IADLs)?
A) Katz Index of Independence in ADLs
B) Lawton IADL Scale
C) MiniMental State Examination (MMSE)
D) Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)
