Geriatric Syndromes Exam Questions With
Correct Answers
Syndrome and disease - answer✔are regarded as poles that end the continuum of unclear
(syndrome) and clear (disease) pathological conditions
Geriatric Syndromes - answer✔Clusters of age-related changes, medical conditions, symptoms,
and medication effects that are associated with functional decline and adverse health outcomes
Geriatric Syndromes (clinical) - answer✔conditions in older persons that do not fit into discrete
disease categories
What Causes a Geriatric Syndrome? - answer✔Tend to be caused by multiple underlying
factors, often involving multiple organ systems
May be caused by - answer✔Chief complaint may not be related to the pathology underlying
the change in health status
Occur intermittently rather than either continuously or as single episodes
May be caused or worsened by medications
Why Worry about Geriatric Syndromes? - answer✔Highly prevalent
Often followed by functional decline
Can be mistaken for normal aging
What are Common Geriatric Syndromes? - answer✔Losses in activities of daily living (ADLs)
Cognitive dysfunction (delirium vs. dementia)
Depression
Dizziness
Osteoporosis
Falls
Sensory loss
Nutrition and weight loss