Chapter 15 - Multiple Choice
1. Which age is part of the fastest-growing age group in most countries?
a. 90
b. 80
c. 60
d. 40
CORRECT ANSWERS: a
2. Which statement is true for people over age 85?
a. They represent a shrinking fraction of the total population.
b. They represent 16 percent of the total population.
c. Men in this group outnumber women by 5 to 4.
d. Women in this group outnumber men by 5 to 3.
CORRECT ANSWERS: d
3. Among the elderly population, what is reported as the MOST feared problem?
a. cancer
b. depression
c. Alzheimer's disease
d. alcoholism
CORRECT ANSWERS: c
4. Which statement about Alzheimer's disease is TRUE?
a. It can be treated with a combination of antianxiety and antipsychotic medications.
b. Its onset typically occurs prior to age 65.
c. It is currently incurable and difficult to treat.
d. Most people diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease die from it within a year after being diagnosed.
CORRECT ANSWERS: c
5. Which area of psychology focuses on the mental health of the elderly?
a. thanatology
b. alterpsychology
c. developmental psychology
d. geropsychology
CORRECT ANSWERS: d
6. Which statement is NOT true of centenarians, people 100 years old or older?
a. On average, they are more clearheaded than those in their 80s and early 90s.
b. Few of them fear the prospect of mental deterioration.
c. Many are still working, either full- or part-time.
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Chapter 15 - Multiple Choice
d. Many still enjoy the outdoors and the arts.
CORRECT ANSWERS: b
7. Individuals who are older than 85 report higher rates of _____ than those between 65 and 84.
a. anxiety disorders
b. schizophrenia
c. bipolar disorder
d. autism spectrum disorder
CORRECT ANSWERS: a
8. Significant cognitive deterioration, dementia, has been reclassified as:
a. Alzheimer's disease.
b. neurocognitive disorder.
c. neuroleptic disorder.
d. delirium disorder.
CORRECT ANSWERS: b
9. Which statement is true with regard to suicide and the elderly?
a. Elderly women without children have the highest rate of suicide.
b. The elderly have a lower suicide rate than other age groups.
c. Medical complications are the primary source of suicide attempts by the elderly.
d. The rate of suicide for the elderly is higher than that of young people.
CORRECT ANSWERS: d
10. The percentage of the U.S. population today aged 65 and older is approximately:
a. 8 percent.
b. 11 percent.
c. 16 percent.
d. 23 percent.
CORRECT ANSWERS: c
11. Surveys find that approximately _____ of older people, particularly men, have alcohol-related disorders in a
given year.
a. 1 to 2 percent
b. 3 to 7 percent
c. 8 to 10 percent
d. 11 to 13 percent
CORRECT ANSWERS: b
12. Based on census data, the percentage of the U.S. population who are 65 and older has:
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Chapter 15 - Multiple Choice
a. steadily increased over the past century and is projected to continue to increase.
b. remained stable over most of the past century but has increased dramatically during the past 30 years.
c. increased rapidly during the last decade due to the “Baby Boom” of the 1950s and 1960s.
d. steadily increased over the last decade but is projected to stabilize after 2020.
CORRECT ANSWERS: a
13. Nadia has been taking her Vicodin whenever she is in pain, sometimes as often as every 2 hours, even
though her prescription says “every 4 to 6 hours.” This kind of misuse of prescription drugs among the elderly
is:
a. common, but typically does not pose any serious health risks.
b. exclusive to misuse of pain medications.
c. often seen in combination with alcohol misuse as a young adult.
d. most often unintentional.
CORRECT ANSWERS: d
14. Dawna begins to exhibit symptoms of schizophrenia at the age of 70. This diagnosis is:
a. uncommon. It's unusual for new cases of schizophrenia to develop later in life.
b. uncommon. Schizophrenia most commonly occurs in men.
c. common. Even though the rate of new cases later in life is less compared with early adulthood, it is
still fairly common.
d. common. New cases of schizophrenia spike after age 65.
CORRECT ANSWERS: a
15. Regarding old age, stress, and illness, which of these statements is NOT true?
a. Most people over age 65 have two or more chronic illnesses.
b. A large percentage of elderly people suffer from insomnia or other sleep problems.
c. Elderly people often contend with significant losses (such as death, sense of purpose, sensory
ability).
d. Most people over age 65 develop psychological disorders due to the stressors in their lives.
CORRECT ANSWERS: d
16. Someone who has _____ would likely find the symptoms of their condition lessening later in life.
a. unipolar depression
b. a substance misuse disorder
c. obsessive-compulsive disorder
d. schizophrenia
CORRECT ANSWERS: d
17. A 67-year-old woman has just started using social media and messaging apps to keep up with friends and
family. When compared with others her age, her behaviors are:
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Chapter 15 - Multiple Choice
a. very uncommon because elderly individuals rarely understand how to use the Internet.
b. very uncommon because elderly individuals know how to use the Internet but don't actually use it.
c. less common because many elderly individuals once used the Internet, but their usage has decreased.
d. increasingly common because the number of elderly individuals using the Internet has increased
dramatically in recent years.
CORRECT ANSWERS: d
18. Which psychotic disorder does the text describe as increasing in prevalence as people age?
a. delusional disorder
b. depression
c. schizophrenia
d. dissociative identity disorder
CORRECT ANSWERS: a
19. In the last 24 hours, Rudy has suddenly begun having great difficulty concentrating and thinking in an
organized way. He is confused about where he is, and he is experiencing hallucinations. What is most likely
happening with Rudy?
a. He has a neurocognitive disorder.
b. He has adult-onset schizophrenia.
c. He is experiencing delirium.
d. He has delusional disorder.
CORRECT ANSWERS: c
20. Among elderly persons who would benefit from mental health services, MOST:
a. do not get the treatment they need.
b. see a mental health care provider but are noncompliant with their treatment plans.
c. resist using these services even when opportunities are available.
d. seek services from those who are not qualified to offer effective treatment.
CORRECT ANSWERS: a
21. Studies report that incorrect diagnoses of delirium in older people may contribute to:
a. social withdrawal.
b. death.
c. depression.
d. avolition.
CORRECT ANSWERS: b
22. Which statement about neurocognitive disorder in adults older than 85 years is TRUE?
a. Only a small percentage of adults older than age 85 have a neurocognitive disorder.
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