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Geriatric Textbook Questions With Correct
Answers
Which one of the following is most true about the rule of fourths?
-One fourth of geriatric problems are iatrogenic.
-Little can be done to prevent three fourths of the problems of aging.
-For every medical complaint a patient has, a careful assessment can identify three other
diagnoses.
-What used to be called normal aging can be largely explained by processes that are not normal.
-A good way to conduct a geriatric assessment is to use four categories: mental, physical,
psychosocial, and environmental. - answer✔-What used to be called normal aging can be
largely explained by processes that are not normal.
Which one of the following is most true about aging changes?
-Stage 3 and 4 sleep decreases.
-Renal perfusion is not reduced, but renal function is reduced.
-Hearing acuity declines beginning in middle age.
-Prostatic enlargement occurs only in a minority of men. - answer✔-Stage 3 and 4 sleep
decreases.
An old woman who is cared for by attentive, cautious, concerned family is particularly likely to
suffer from which one of the following complications after an episode of gastroenteritis?
-Immobility related to overconcern
-Continued vomiting caused by too-rapid feeding
-Diarrhea resulting from administration of milk products
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-Constipation related to overtreatment of diarrhea - answer✔-Immobility related to overconcern
Which one of the following is most true about psychological aging?
-Disengagement tends to promote better psychological health than continued engagement.
-Having a spouse is the best way to be assured of having a caregiver when one becomes disabled.
-Ability to have quality of life is related to cognitive function.
-Planning for the future is a key element of successful aging.
Many older people are ageist.
-Many older people are ageist - answer✔-Many older people are ageist
Of the following conditions, which one is most common and most often preventable?
-Falls
-Frailty
-Cognitive impairment
-Iatrogenic disease
-Depression - answer✔-Iatrogenic disease
Which of the following is a basic rather than an instrumental activity of daily living?
-Shopping
-Using the telephone
-Bathing
-Food preparation
-Financial management - answer✔-Bathing
Geriatric review of systems includes which of the following?
-Sensory impairments
-Changes in cognition
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-Symptoms of depression
-Changes in weight or appetite
-All of the above - answer✔-All of the above
Mr. C is an 86-year-old male visiting your clinic to establish care. Which of the following
answers best describes your plan for the initial evaluation of Mr. C?
-Rapid assessment of his most pressing concern with follow-up visit scheduled at 6 months.
-Prioritize function and his chief complaint, focus on learning about his health care goals, and
plan for follow up.
-Spend the majority of the time doing an extremely thorough physical exam; discuss concerns
only if time allows.
-Feel overwhelmed by Mr. C's vast needs, order multiple lab tests, send Mr. C home without
plans for follow up. - answer✔-Prioritize function and his chief complaint, focus on learning
about his health care goals, and plan for follow up.
Diagnosis of acute abdominal pain in the older patient is challenging for all of the following
reasons except which one of the following?
a. Presentation with vague or nonspecific symptoms.
b.Lack of systemic signs (e.g., fever).
c. Older patients can be poor historians.
d. Acute abdominal pain is uncommon in the older patient.
e. Presence of multiple comorbid medical conditions. - answer✔d. Acute abdominal pain is
uncommon in the older patient.
An older patient with an acute abdomen is at increased risk (compared to a younger patient) for
which one of the following?
a. Mortality
b. Morbidity
c. Misdiagnosis
d. Undergoing emergency surgery
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e. All of the above - answer✔e. All of the above
All of the following are common causes of an acute abdomen in the older patient except:
a. Acute cholecystitis
b. Small-bowel obstruction
c. Splenic infarction
d. Perforated ulcer
e. Appendicitis - answer✔c. Splenic infarction
The older patient with appendicitis will most likely have which one of the following symptoms?
a. Vague or nonspecific abdominal pain
b. Leukocytosis
c. Fever
d. Epigastric pain migrating to the right lower quadrant
e. Emesis - answer✔a. Vague or nonspecific abdominal pain
Immediate surgical consultation for an older patient should be obtained for all of the following
except :
a. Hypotension with a pulsatile abdominal mass
b. Free air on chest x-ray examination
c. Acute abdominal pain with hypotension or acidosis
d. Nonspecific abdominal pain
e. All of the above - answer✔d. Nonspecific abdominal pain
Which one of the following items should be considered if you are preparing a patient for the
operating room?
a. Type and screen or type and cross-match
b. Preoperative antibiotics
Geriatric Textbook Questions With Correct
Answers
Which one of the following is most true about the rule of fourths?
-One fourth of geriatric problems are iatrogenic.
-Little can be done to prevent three fourths of the problems of aging.
-For every medical complaint a patient has, a careful assessment can identify three other
diagnoses.
-What used to be called normal aging can be largely explained by processes that are not normal.
-A good way to conduct a geriatric assessment is to use four categories: mental, physical,
psychosocial, and environmental. - answer✔-What used to be called normal aging can be
largely explained by processes that are not normal.
Which one of the following is most true about aging changes?
-Stage 3 and 4 sleep decreases.
-Renal perfusion is not reduced, but renal function is reduced.
-Hearing acuity declines beginning in middle age.
-Prostatic enlargement occurs only in a minority of men. - answer✔-Stage 3 and 4 sleep
decreases.
An old woman who is cared for by attentive, cautious, concerned family is particularly likely to
suffer from which one of the following complications after an episode of gastroenteritis?
-Immobility related to overconcern
-Continued vomiting caused by too-rapid feeding
-Diarrhea resulting from administration of milk products
, ©THEBRIGHTSTARS 2024
-Constipation related to overtreatment of diarrhea - answer✔-Immobility related to overconcern
Which one of the following is most true about psychological aging?
-Disengagement tends to promote better psychological health than continued engagement.
-Having a spouse is the best way to be assured of having a caregiver when one becomes disabled.
-Ability to have quality of life is related to cognitive function.
-Planning for the future is a key element of successful aging.
Many older people are ageist.
-Many older people are ageist - answer✔-Many older people are ageist
Of the following conditions, which one is most common and most often preventable?
-Falls
-Frailty
-Cognitive impairment
-Iatrogenic disease
-Depression - answer✔-Iatrogenic disease
Which of the following is a basic rather than an instrumental activity of daily living?
-Shopping
-Using the telephone
-Bathing
-Food preparation
-Financial management - answer✔-Bathing
Geriatric review of systems includes which of the following?
-Sensory impairments
-Changes in cognition
, ©THEBRIGHTSTARS 2024
-Symptoms of depression
-Changes in weight or appetite
-All of the above - answer✔-All of the above
Mr. C is an 86-year-old male visiting your clinic to establish care. Which of the following
answers best describes your plan for the initial evaluation of Mr. C?
-Rapid assessment of his most pressing concern with follow-up visit scheduled at 6 months.
-Prioritize function and his chief complaint, focus on learning about his health care goals, and
plan for follow up.
-Spend the majority of the time doing an extremely thorough physical exam; discuss concerns
only if time allows.
-Feel overwhelmed by Mr. C's vast needs, order multiple lab tests, send Mr. C home without
plans for follow up. - answer✔-Prioritize function and his chief complaint, focus on learning
about his health care goals, and plan for follow up.
Diagnosis of acute abdominal pain in the older patient is challenging for all of the following
reasons except which one of the following?
a. Presentation with vague or nonspecific symptoms.
b.Lack of systemic signs (e.g., fever).
c. Older patients can be poor historians.
d. Acute abdominal pain is uncommon in the older patient.
e. Presence of multiple comorbid medical conditions. - answer✔d. Acute abdominal pain is
uncommon in the older patient.
An older patient with an acute abdomen is at increased risk (compared to a younger patient) for
which one of the following?
a. Mortality
b. Morbidity
c. Misdiagnosis
d. Undergoing emergency surgery
, ©THEBRIGHTSTARS 2024
e. All of the above - answer✔e. All of the above
All of the following are common causes of an acute abdomen in the older patient except:
a. Acute cholecystitis
b. Small-bowel obstruction
c. Splenic infarction
d. Perforated ulcer
e. Appendicitis - answer✔c. Splenic infarction
The older patient with appendicitis will most likely have which one of the following symptoms?
a. Vague or nonspecific abdominal pain
b. Leukocytosis
c. Fever
d. Epigastric pain migrating to the right lower quadrant
e. Emesis - answer✔a. Vague or nonspecific abdominal pain
Immediate surgical consultation for an older patient should be obtained for all of the following
except :
a. Hypotension with a pulsatile abdominal mass
b. Free air on chest x-ray examination
c. Acute abdominal pain with hypotension or acidosis
d. Nonspecific abdominal pain
e. All of the above - answer✔d. Nonspecific abdominal pain
Which one of the following items should be considered if you are preparing a patient for the
operating room?
a. Type and screen or type and cross-match
b. Preoperative antibiotics
