Testbank Social Work with Older Adults: A Biopsychosocial Approach to
Assessment and Intervention 5th Edition with answers and rationales .
Questions
1. A 78-year-old client reports feeling sad after the death of a spouse. To rule out
major depression, the social worker should first:
A. Prescribe an antidepressant.
B. Refer the client for electroconvulsive therapy.
C. Assess the duration and intensity of the symptoms.
D. Advise the client to "snap out of it."
Answer: C
Rationale: While grief can mimic depression, Major Depressive Disorder requires
symptoms to be present for at least two weeks and represent a change from
previous functioning. The social worker must first assess duration and intensity to
differentiate grief from clinical depression .
2. According to the Biopsychosocial approach for older adults, the "Bio" domain
primarily includes:
A. Family history and social support.
B. Coping skills and resilience.
C. Physical health, genetics, and medication side effects.
,D. Religious beliefs and spiritual practices.
Answer: C
Rationale: The "Bio" domain strictly refers to the biological and physiological
aspects of aging, including chronic illnesses, mobility, sensory impairments, and
the impact of polypharmacy .
3. When using the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) with an older adult, the social
worker must consider:
A. It is a definitive diagnostic tool for dementia.
B. Education level and cultural background may affect scores.
C. It primarily measures emotional stability.
D. It is only valid for clients under 65.
Answer: B
Rationale: The MMSE tests orientation, registration, attention, and language.
Scores can be biased by low education levels or language barriers; a low score
indicates possible cognitive impairment requiring further assessment, not a
standalone diagnosis .
4. A social worker notices a client is extremely withdrawn and has lost interest in
hobbies. The BEST screening tool to assess for potential depression is the:
A. Lubben Social Support Scale.
,B. Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS).
C. CAGE Questionnaire.
D. Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE).
Answer: B
Rationale: The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) is specifically designed to identify
depression in older adults using a "yes/no" format that is easier to administer to
this population than other complex scales .
5. In Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for an anxious older adult, the main goal
is to:
A. Analyze childhood memories.
B. Identify and change irrational thought patterns.
C. Provide medical management of symptoms.
D. Increase the client’s social circle immediately.
Answer: B
Rationale: CBT operates on the principle that thoughts influence feelings and
behaviors. The intervention focuses on identifying maladaptive cognitions (e.g.,
catastrophic thinking about health) and restructuring them into realistic thoughts
.
, 6. A 70-year-old client reports occasional wine consumption but is starting a new
medication. The social worker should be concerned because:
A. Alcohol metabolizes faster in older adults.
B. The interaction between alcohol and medication can be dangerous.
C. Any alcohol use is illegal for adults over 65.
D. Wine is specifically toxic to the aging liver.
Answer: B
Rationale: Older adults often take multiple medications. Alcohol can interact
severely with drugs (e.g., blood thinners, sedatives), leading to falls, internal
bleeding, or liver damage. Polypharmacy interactions are a key safety concern .
7. Which scenario is a strong indicator of potential elder abuse/neglect by a
caregiver?
A. The caregiver expresses feeling "stressed out" and tired.
B. The older adult has untreated bedsores and appears malnourished.
C. The caregiver is the adult child of the older adult.
D. The older adult lives in the caregiver’s home.
Answer: B
Rationale: Untreated pressure ulcers (bedsores) and malnutrition are physical
indicators of neglect, suggesting the caregiver is failing to provide basic
necessities like turning the patient or providing food .
Assessment and Intervention 5th Edition with answers and rationales .
Questions
1. A 78-year-old client reports feeling sad after the death of a spouse. To rule out
major depression, the social worker should first:
A. Prescribe an antidepressant.
B. Refer the client for electroconvulsive therapy.
C. Assess the duration and intensity of the symptoms.
D. Advise the client to "snap out of it."
Answer: C
Rationale: While grief can mimic depression, Major Depressive Disorder requires
symptoms to be present for at least two weeks and represent a change from
previous functioning. The social worker must first assess duration and intensity to
differentiate grief from clinical depression .
2. According to the Biopsychosocial approach for older adults, the "Bio" domain
primarily includes:
A. Family history and social support.
B. Coping skills and resilience.
C. Physical health, genetics, and medication side effects.
,D. Religious beliefs and spiritual practices.
Answer: C
Rationale: The "Bio" domain strictly refers to the biological and physiological
aspects of aging, including chronic illnesses, mobility, sensory impairments, and
the impact of polypharmacy .
3. When using the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) with an older adult, the social
worker must consider:
A. It is a definitive diagnostic tool for dementia.
B. Education level and cultural background may affect scores.
C. It primarily measures emotional stability.
D. It is only valid for clients under 65.
Answer: B
Rationale: The MMSE tests orientation, registration, attention, and language.
Scores can be biased by low education levels or language barriers; a low score
indicates possible cognitive impairment requiring further assessment, not a
standalone diagnosis .
4. A social worker notices a client is extremely withdrawn and has lost interest in
hobbies. The BEST screening tool to assess for potential depression is the:
A. Lubben Social Support Scale.
,B. Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS).
C. CAGE Questionnaire.
D. Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE).
Answer: B
Rationale: The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) is specifically designed to identify
depression in older adults using a "yes/no" format that is easier to administer to
this population than other complex scales .
5. In Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for an anxious older adult, the main goal
is to:
A. Analyze childhood memories.
B. Identify and change irrational thought patterns.
C. Provide medical management of symptoms.
D. Increase the client’s social circle immediately.
Answer: B
Rationale: CBT operates on the principle that thoughts influence feelings and
behaviors. The intervention focuses on identifying maladaptive cognitions (e.g.,
catastrophic thinking about health) and restructuring them into realistic thoughts
.
, 6. A 70-year-old client reports occasional wine consumption but is starting a new
medication. The social worker should be concerned because:
A. Alcohol metabolizes faster in older adults.
B. The interaction between alcohol and medication can be dangerous.
C. Any alcohol use is illegal for adults over 65.
D. Wine is specifically toxic to the aging liver.
Answer: B
Rationale: Older adults often take multiple medications. Alcohol can interact
severely with drugs (e.g., blood thinners, sedatives), leading to falls, internal
bleeding, or liver damage. Polypharmacy interactions are a key safety concern .
7. Which scenario is a strong indicator of potential elder abuse/neglect by a
caregiver?
A. The caregiver expresses feeling "stressed out" and tired.
B. The older adult has untreated bedsores and appears malnourished.
C. The caregiver is the adult child of the older adult.
D. The older adult lives in the caregiver’s home.
Answer: B
Rationale: Untreated pressure ulcers (bedsores) and malnutrition are physical
indicators of neglect, suggesting the caregiver is failing to provide basic
necessities like turning the patient or providing food .
