Geriatrics Review Exam Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2025/2026 Q&A
1. Which of the following is the most common cause of reversible
dementia in older adults?
A. Alzheimer’s disease
B. Depression
C. Vascular dementia
D. Lewy body dementia
Depression can mimic dementia in older adults, often referred to as
pseudodementia. Treating depression can improve cognitive function.
2. A 78-year-old patient presents with gradual memory loss,
difficulty performing daily tasks, and personality changes. MRI
shows hippocampal atrophy. The most likely diagnosis is:
A. Vascular dementia
B. Frontotemporal dementia
C. Alzheimer’s disease
D. Normal pressure hydrocephalus
Alzheimer’s disease typically presents with progressive memory
impairment and hippocampal atrophy on imaging.
3. Which medication is most strongly associated with orthostatic
hypotension in older adults?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Alpha-blockers
,C. Statins
D. Metformin
Alpha-blockers can dilate blood vessels, leading to a drop in blood
pressure upon standing.
4. In a frail 82-year-old patient, which vaccination is recommended
annually?
A. Varicella
B. Influenza
C. HPV
D. MMR
Annual influenza vaccination reduces morbidity and mortality in older
adults.
5. Which of the following is the first-line therapy for osteoporosis in
postmenopausal women?
A. Calcitonin
B. Parathyroid hormone analogs
C. Bisphosphonates
D. Estrogen alone
Bisphosphonates inhibit bone resorption and are first-line for
osteoporosis prevention and treatment.
6. A 79-year-old woman has a serum creatinine of 1.4 mg/dL. Which
formula is most accurate for estimating her kidney function?
A. Cockcroft-Gault
B. CKD-EPI
,C. MDRD
D. eGFR using BMI
CKD-EPI provides a more accurate estimate of GFR in older adults
compared to Cockcroft-Gault.
7. What is the most common cause of urinary incontinence in
elderly women?
A. Overflow incontinence
B. Neurogenic bladder
C. Stress incontinence
D. Functional incontinence
Stress incontinence, often due to weakened pelvic floor muscles, is
the most common type in older women.
8. Which type of medication is most likely to cause delirium in the
elderly?
A. SSRIs
B. Anticholinergics
C. ACE inhibitors
D. Statins
Anticholinergic drugs impair cholinergic neurotransmission,
increasing delirium risk.
9. A 85-year-old man has difficulty rising from a chair, climbing
stairs, and lifting objects. The most likely cause is:
A. Osteoarthritis
B. Sarcopenia
, C. Parkinson’s disease
D. Peripheral neuropathy
Sarcopenia is age-related loss of muscle mass and strength, affecting
mobility.
10. The “Get Up and Go Test” is primarily used to assess:
A. Cognitive function
B. Nutritional status
C. Fall risk
D. Urinary incontinence
The Timed Up and Go Test evaluates balance and mobility to predict
fall risk.
11. Which of the following is the most appropriate screening tool
for depression in older adults?
A. PHQ-2 or PHQ-9
B. Mini-Cog
C. Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)
D. MMSE
GDS is specifically designed and validated for assessing depression in
older adults.
12. Which electrolyte abnormality is most commonly associated
with thiazide diuretics in older adults?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hypermagnesemia
D. Hypophosphatemia
Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2025/2026 Q&A
1. Which of the following is the most common cause of reversible
dementia in older adults?
A. Alzheimer’s disease
B. Depression
C. Vascular dementia
D. Lewy body dementia
Depression can mimic dementia in older adults, often referred to as
pseudodementia. Treating depression can improve cognitive function.
2. A 78-year-old patient presents with gradual memory loss,
difficulty performing daily tasks, and personality changes. MRI
shows hippocampal atrophy. The most likely diagnosis is:
A. Vascular dementia
B. Frontotemporal dementia
C. Alzheimer’s disease
D. Normal pressure hydrocephalus
Alzheimer’s disease typically presents with progressive memory
impairment and hippocampal atrophy on imaging.
3. Which medication is most strongly associated with orthostatic
hypotension in older adults?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Alpha-blockers
,C. Statins
D. Metformin
Alpha-blockers can dilate blood vessels, leading to a drop in blood
pressure upon standing.
4. In a frail 82-year-old patient, which vaccination is recommended
annually?
A. Varicella
B. Influenza
C. HPV
D. MMR
Annual influenza vaccination reduces morbidity and mortality in older
adults.
5. Which of the following is the first-line therapy for osteoporosis in
postmenopausal women?
A. Calcitonin
B. Parathyroid hormone analogs
C. Bisphosphonates
D. Estrogen alone
Bisphosphonates inhibit bone resorption and are first-line for
osteoporosis prevention and treatment.
6. A 79-year-old woman has a serum creatinine of 1.4 mg/dL. Which
formula is most accurate for estimating her kidney function?
A. Cockcroft-Gault
B. CKD-EPI
,C. MDRD
D. eGFR using BMI
CKD-EPI provides a more accurate estimate of GFR in older adults
compared to Cockcroft-Gault.
7. What is the most common cause of urinary incontinence in
elderly women?
A. Overflow incontinence
B. Neurogenic bladder
C. Stress incontinence
D. Functional incontinence
Stress incontinence, often due to weakened pelvic floor muscles, is
the most common type in older women.
8. Which type of medication is most likely to cause delirium in the
elderly?
A. SSRIs
B. Anticholinergics
C. ACE inhibitors
D. Statins
Anticholinergic drugs impair cholinergic neurotransmission,
increasing delirium risk.
9. A 85-year-old man has difficulty rising from a chair, climbing
stairs, and lifting objects. The most likely cause is:
A. Osteoarthritis
B. Sarcopenia
, C. Parkinson’s disease
D. Peripheral neuropathy
Sarcopenia is age-related loss of muscle mass and strength, affecting
mobility.
10. The “Get Up and Go Test” is primarily used to assess:
A. Cognitive function
B. Nutritional status
C. Fall risk
D. Urinary incontinence
The Timed Up and Go Test evaluates balance and mobility to predict
fall risk.
11. Which of the following is the most appropriate screening tool
for depression in older adults?
A. PHQ-2 or PHQ-9
B. Mini-Cog
C. Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)
D. MMSE
GDS is specifically designed and validated for assessing depression in
older adults.
12. Which electrolyte abnormality is most commonly associated
with thiazide diuretics in older adults?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hypermagnesemia
D. Hypophosphatemia
