Geriatric Emergencies Multiple Choice
Study Set Questions and Answers
(2026)
The LEAST common cause of death in patients over 65 years of age is:
-Stroke
-Diabetes
-Heart attack
-Drug overdose - correct answer: Drug overdose
According to the GEMS diamond, a person's activities of daily living are evaluated during the:
-SAMPLE history
-Social assessment
-Medical assessment
-Environmental assessment - correct answer: Social assessment
A condition that clouds the lens of the eye is called:
-Cataract
-Nystagmus
-Astigmatism
-Glaucoma - correct answer: Cataract
,You are called to a neatly kept residence for an 80-year-old woman who lives by herself. She
burned her hand on the stove and experienced a full-thickness burn. When treating this patient,
it is important to note that:
-There is a high likelihood that she has been abused
-Isolated full-thickness burns to the hand are not critical burns
-This patient should probably be placed in an assisted-living center
-Slowing of reflexes causes a delayed pain reaction in older people - correct answer: Slowing of
reflexes causes a delayed pain reaction in older people
The slow onset of progressive disorientation, shortened attention span, and loss of cognitive
function is called:
-Senility
-Delirium
-Dementia
-Delusion - correct answer: Dementia
A 71-year-old man with a history of hypertension and vascular disease presents with tearing
abdominal pain. His blood pressure is 80/60 mm Hg, his heart rate is 120 beats/min, and his
respirations are 28 breaths/min. Your assessment reveals that his abdomen is rigid and
distended. Considering his medical history and vital signs, you should be MOST suspicious for
a(n):
-Aortic aneurysm
-Hemorrhagic stroke
, -Acute myocardial infarction
-Infarction of the large intestine - correct answer: Aortic aneurysm
Which of the following is a physiologic change that occurs during the process of aging?
-Increased elasticity of the alveoli
-A gradual decrease in blood pressure
-A decline in kidney function
-10% to 15% increase in brain weight - correct answer: A decline in kidney function
Which of the following conditions makes the elderly patient prone to fractures from even minor
trauma?
-Hypertension
-Osteoporosis
-Arteriosclerosis
-Rheumatoid arthritis - correct answer: Osteoporosis
Polypharmacy is a term used to describe a patient who takes:
-Multiple medications
-Other people's medications
-A medication more than once a day
-Medication only when he or she feels the need to - correct answer: Multiple medications
Inflicted bruises are commonly found in all of the following areas, EXCEPT:
Study Set Questions and Answers
(2026)
The LEAST common cause of death in patients over 65 years of age is:
-Stroke
-Diabetes
-Heart attack
-Drug overdose - correct answer: Drug overdose
According to the GEMS diamond, a person's activities of daily living are evaluated during the:
-SAMPLE history
-Social assessment
-Medical assessment
-Environmental assessment - correct answer: Social assessment
A condition that clouds the lens of the eye is called:
-Cataract
-Nystagmus
-Astigmatism
-Glaucoma - correct answer: Cataract
,You are called to a neatly kept residence for an 80-year-old woman who lives by herself. She
burned her hand on the stove and experienced a full-thickness burn. When treating this patient,
it is important to note that:
-There is a high likelihood that she has been abused
-Isolated full-thickness burns to the hand are not critical burns
-This patient should probably be placed in an assisted-living center
-Slowing of reflexes causes a delayed pain reaction in older people - correct answer: Slowing of
reflexes causes a delayed pain reaction in older people
The slow onset of progressive disorientation, shortened attention span, and loss of cognitive
function is called:
-Senility
-Delirium
-Dementia
-Delusion - correct answer: Dementia
A 71-year-old man with a history of hypertension and vascular disease presents with tearing
abdominal pain. His blood pressure is 80/60 mm Hg, his heart rate is 120 beats/min, and his
respirations are 28 breaths/min. Your assessment reveals that his abdomen is rigid and
distended. Considering his medical history and vital signs, you should be MOST suspicious for
a(n):
-Aortic aneurysm
-Hemorrhagic stroke
, -Acute myocardial infarction
-Infarction of the large intestine - correct answer: Aortic aneurysm
Which of the following is a physiologic change that occurs during the process of aging?
-Increased elasticity of the alveoli
-A gradual decrease in blood pressure
-A decline in kidney function
-10% to 15% increase in brain weight - correct answer: A decline in kidney function
Which of the following conditions makes the elderly patient prone to fractures from even minor
trauma?
-Hypertension
-Osteoporosis
-Arteriosclerosis
-Rheumatoid arthritis - correct answer: Osteoporosis
Polypharmacy is a term used to describe a patient who takes:
-Multiple medications
-Other people's medications
-A medication more than once a day
-Medication only when he or she feels the need to - correct answer: Multiple medications
Inflicted bruises are commonly found in all of the following areas, EXCEPT:
