Geri Exam 1 Practice Questions and
Correct Answers
What was the first significant step in improving the lives of older adults during the 20th century?
A. The publication of the first geriatric textbook in 1914
B. The passing of the Federal Old Age Insurance Law under the Social Security Act
C. The passing of the Federal Law known as the Older Americans Act
D. The publication of the first geriatric medical journal in 1946 - correct answers:B
Rationale: The first significant step in improving the lives of older adults was the passage of the Federal
Old Age Insurance Law under the Social Security Act in 1935.
"Asset rich and cash poor" relates to which of the following statements regarding older adults?
A. Net worth of older adults is half the national average of middle-age adults.
B. Homes are paid for, but there is not enough money available for monthly expenses.
C. The majority of older adults live below the poverty level.
D. Financial problems in the older adult population are due to level of debt. - correct answers:B Homes
are paid for, but there is not enough money available for monthly expenses.
Rationale: Median net worth of older households is nearly twice the national average because of the
high prevalence of home ownership, but many older adults are "asset rich and cash poor"−they live in a
house that has appreciated in value over the years, but they barely have sufficient monthly income to
meet basic expenses.
Chronic disorders most prevalent in the older adult population are the ones that have
A. An impact only on independence
B. A significant impact on emotional well-being
C. A significant impact on independence and the quality of life
, D. An impact on their ability to drive - correct answers:Answer: C
Rationale: Chronic illness is a major problem for the older population and results in limitations in ADLs,
IADLs, and quality of life.
Which statement best describes the autoimmune theory of aging?
A. Genetic programs determine life expectancy.
B. Cells undergo change, and the body identifies them as foreign.
C. Organs decline as a result of cellular mutations.
D. Failure of the production of a growth substance causes aging cells to die. - correct answers:B. Cells
undergo change, and the body identifies them as foreign.
Rationale: One hypothesis regarding the role of autoimmune reactions in the aging process is that the
cells undergo changes with age, and the body misidentifies these aged, irregular cells as foreign agents
and develops a plan to attack them.
Is the following statement true or false?
The genetic theories of aging best describe how and why a person age - correct answers:False
Rationale: No single factor causes or prevents aging; therefore, it is unrealistic to think that one theory
can explain the complexities of the aging process
Is the following statement true or false?
The continuity theory of aging states that personality and basic patterns of behavior are said to remain
unchanged as long as the individual ages - correct answers:True
Rationale: The continuity theory of aging relates personality and predisposition toward certain actions in
old age to similar factors during other phases of the life cycle. For instance, activists at 20 years of age
will most likely be activists at 70 years of age
Correct Answers
What was the first significant step in improving the lives of older adults during the 20th century?
A. The publication of the first geriatric textbook in 1914
B. The passing of the Federal Old Age Insurance Law under the Social Security Act
C. The passing of the Federal Law known as the Older Americans Act
D. The publication of the first geriatric medical journal in 1946 - correct answers:B
Rationale: The first significant step in improving the lives of older adults was the passage of the Federal
Old Age Insurance Law under the Social Security Act in 1935.
"Asset rich and cash poor" relates to which of the following statements regarding older adults?
A. Net worth of older adults is half the national average of middle-age adults.
B. Homes are paid for, but there is not enough money available for monthly expenses.
C. The majority of older adults live below the poverty level.
D. Financial problems in the older adult population are due to level of debt. - correct answers:B Homes
are paid for, but there is not enough money available for monthly expenses.
Rationale: Median net worth of older households is nearly twice the national average because of the
high prevalence of home ownership, but many older adults are "asset rich and cash poor"−they live in a
house that has appreciated in value over the years, but they barely have sufficient monthly income to
meet basic expenses.
Chronic disorders most prevalent in the older adult population are the ones that have
A. An impact only on independence
B. A significant impact on emotional well-being
C. A significant impact on independence and the quality of life
, D. An impact on their ability to drive - correct answers:Answer: C
Rationale: Chronic illness is a major problem for the older population and results in limitations in ADLs,
IADLs, and quality of life.
Which statement best describes the autoimmune theory of aging?
A. Genetic programs determine life expectancy.
B. Cells undergo change, and the body identifies them as foreign.
C. Organs decline as a result of cellular mutations.
D. Failure of the production of a growth substance causes aging cells to die. - correct answers:B. Cells
undergo change, and the body identifies them as foreign.
Rationale: One hypothesis regarding the role of autoimmune reactions in the aging process is that the
cells undergo changes with age, and the body misidentifies these aged, irregular cells as foreign agents
and develops a plan to attack them.
Is the following statement true or false?
The genetic theories of aging best describe how and why a person age - correct answers:False
Rationale: No single factor causes or prevents aging; therefore, it is unrealistic to think that one theory
can explain the complexities of the aging process
Is the following statement true or false?
The continuity theory of aging states that personality and basic patterns of behavior are said to remain
unchanged as long as the individual ages - correct answers:True
Rationale: The continuity theory of aging relates personality and predisposition toward certain actions in
old age to similar factors during other phases of the life cycle. For instance, activists at 20 years of age
will most likely be activists at 70 years of age
