Geriatric Care & Aging Science 2026 Study Prep

Gerontology, Clinical Assessment & Multimorbidity Management (100 Questions) 1. What is the fundamental goal of "Geriatric Assessment" in clinical practice? A) To label all aging patients as disabled. B) To evaluate an older adult’s medical, psychosocial, and functional capabilities to develop an integrated plan for treatment and long-term follow-up. C) To focus exclusively on the primary medical diagnosis. D) To shorten the patient's time in the hospital. Correct Answer: B) To evaluate an older adult’s medical, psychosocial, and functional capabilities to develop an integrated plan for treatment and long-term follow-up. 2. Which term describes the physiological decline of multiple organ systems associated with aging? A) Senescence B) Homeostasis C) Plasticity D) Hypertrophy Correct Answer: A) Senescence. 3. "Sarcopenia" refers to: A) The age-related loss of muscle mass, strength, and function. B) The loss of bone density. C) The shrinking of brain tissue. D) The decline in cardiac output. Correct Answer: A) The age-related loss of muscle mass, strength, and function. 4. What is "Polypharmacy" in geriatric care? A) The use of only one medication. B) The concurrent use of multiple medications, often increasing the risk of adverse drug events and interactions. C) The practice of taking vitamins only. D) The absence of medication use. Correct Answer: B) The concurrent use of multiple medications, often increasing the risk of adverse drug events and interactions. 5. "Delirium" is distinct from "Dementia" because: A) Delirium is a permanent loss of memory. B) Delirium is an acute, fluctuating change in attention and awareness, often reversible. C) Dementia is always caused by a virus. D) There is no clinical distinction. Correct Answer: B) Delirium is an acute, fluctuating change in attention and awareness, often reversible. 6. Which tool is frequently used to assess cognitive impairment in older adults? A) The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) or MoCA. B) A physical strength test. C) A blood pressure monitor. D) A hearing test. Correct Answer: A) The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) or MoCA. 7. "Frailty" is defined as: A) A state of extreme muscle strength. B) A clinical state of increased vulnerability to stressors, resulting from age-related decline in reserve and function. C) A form of acute infection. D) A synonym for normal aging. Correct Answer: B) A clinical state of increased vulnerability to stressors, resulting from age-related decline in reserve and function. 8. What is the role of the "BEERS Criteria" in geriatric nursing? A) To identify potentially inappropriate medications for older adults. B) To measure nutritional intake. C) To assess exercise capacity. D) To grade the hospital food quality. Correct Answer: A) To identify potentially inappropriate medications for older adults. 9. "Activities of Daily Living" (ADLs) include: A) Banking, driving, and shopping. B) Bathing, dressing, eating, transferring, and toileting. C) Watching television and reading. D) Professional work and hobbies. Correct Answer: B) Bathing, dressing, eating, transferring, and toileting. 10. What is "Ageism"? A) The celebration of aging. B) Stereotyping or discrimination against individuals based on their age. C) The study of aging processes. D) A medical treatment for wrinkles. Correct Answer: B) Stereotyping or discrimination against individuals based on their age. 11. "Palliative Care" aims to: A) Only speed up the dying process. B) Improve the quality of life of patients and their families facing life-limiting illness through pain and symptom management. C) Ignore the patient's preferences. D) Replace curative medicine entirely. Correct Answer: B) Improve the quality of life of patients and their families facing life-limiting illness through pain and symptom management. 12. "Orthostatic Hypotension" in older adults can lead to: A) Increased appetite. B) Falls and dizziness upon standing due to a sudden drop in blood pressure. C) Faster running speed. D) Better memory. Correct Answer: B) Falls and dizziness upon standing due to a sudden drop in blood pressure. 13. "Osteoporosis" increases the risk of: A) Muscle growth. B) Fractures due to decreased bone mineral density and altered bone architecture. C) Weight loss. D) Better vision. Correct Answer: B) Fractures due to decreased bone mineral density. 14. Which factor significantly impacts "Social Isolation" in the elderly? A) High levels of physical activity. B) Loss of social roles, family members, or physical mobility. C) Access to high-speed internet. D) Good diet quality. Correct Answer: B) Loss of social roles, family members, or physical mobility. 15. "Cognitive Reserve" theory suggests: A) The brain is static and cannot change. B) Individuals with higher education or stimulating lifestyles may better tolerate age-related brain pathology. C) Memory loss is inevitable for everyone at 50. D) Brain exercise has no effect on aging. Correct Answer: B) Individuals with higher education or stimulating lifestyles may better tolerate age-related brain pathology. 16. What is the goal of "Advance Directives"? A) To specify medical treatment preferences when a patient can no longer communicate their wishes. B) To plan a retirement party. C) To buy a new house. D) To avoid paying hospital bills. Correct Answer: A) To specify medical treatment preferences when a patient can no longer communicate their wishes. 17. "Presbycusis" refers to: A) Age-related vision loss. B) Age-related hearing loss, typically high-frequency sounds. C) Loss of taste. D) Loss of smell. Correct Answer: B) Age-related hearing loss. 18. "Presbyopia" is: A) Age-related near-vision loss. B) Age-related hearing loss. C) Age-related loss of balance. D) Age-related loss of skin elasticity. Correct Answer: A) Age-related near-vision loss. 19. "Multimorbidity" is: A) Presence of one disease. B) The co-existence of two or more chronic conditions in an individual. C) The absence of disease. D) A form of acute injury. Correct Answer: B) The co-existence of two or more chronic conditions in an individual. 20. In 2026, "Digital Health" for seniors uses: A) Robots only. B) Remote patient monitoring and apps to improve health management and adherence. C) No technology. D) Only paper records. Correct Answer: B) Remote patient monitoring and apps to improve health management and adherence. 21. "IADLs" (Instrumental Activities of Daily Living) include: A) Eating and bathing. B) Grocery shopping, managing money, and using the telephone. C) Sleeping. D) Running. Correct Answer: B) Grocery shopping, managing money, and using the telephone. 22. "Aphasia" is: A) Memory loss. B) Language impairment following brain injury or stroke. C) Hearing loss. D) Vision loss. Correct Answer: B) Language impairment following brain injury or stroke. 23. "Delirium" onset is typically: A) Slow and steady. B) Acute and sudden. C) Occurs over years. D) Non-existent. Correct Answer: B) Acute and sudden. 24. "Dementia" onset is typically: A) Sudden. B) Gradual and progressive. C) Seasonal. D) Occurs at night. Correct Answer: B) Gradual and progressive. 25. "Fall" prevention requires: A) Increased clutter. B) Environmental modifications like removing rugs and installing grab bars. C) Low light. D) Slippery floors. Correct Answer: B) Environmental modifications like removing rugs and installing grab bars. 26. "Polypharmacy" leads to: A) Better health. B) Adverse interactions. C) Muscle growth. D) No change. Correct Answer: B) Adverse interactions. 27. "Palliative" care starts: A) At diagnosis of serious illness. B) At end of life only. C) After recovery. D) When medicine fails. Correct Answer: A) At diagnosis of serious illness. 28. "Sarcopenia" is reversible with: A) Resistance exercise. B) Resting. C) Avoiding protein. D) Sleeping. Correct Answer: A) Resistance exercise. 29. "Frailty" increases: A) Mortality. B) Strength. C) Speed. D) IQ. Correct Answer: A) Mortality. 30. "Ageism" limits: A) Access to care. B) Hospital speed. C) Doctor's pay. D) Medicine cost. Correct Answer: A) Access to care.