American Board of Geriatric Medicine Practice Exam
1. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of a Comprehensive Geriatric
Assessment (CGA)?
A. To perform a surgical evaluation
B. To screen for specific infectious diseases
C. To evaluate physical, cognitive, psychological, social, and medical domains
D. To solely assess cognitive function
Answer: C
Explanation: A CGA is designed to assess multiple domains of an older adult’s health, allowing
for individualized care planning.
2. In a CGA, which tool is most commonly used to screen for cognitive impairment?
A. Visual Analog Scale
B. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
C. Beck Depression Inventory
D. Timed Up and Go Test
Answer: B
Explanation: The MMSE is widely used to screen for cognitive deficits in older adults as part of
the CGA.
3. What is a major benefit of conducting a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment?
A. It guarantees the elimination of polypharmacy
B. It identifies multifactorial issues that affect an older adult’s quality of life
C. It immediately cures cognitive disorders
D. It reduces the need for family support
Answer: B
Explanation: The CGA identifies diverse issues across multiple domains, which can improve
overall management and outcomes.
4. When taking a patient history from an older adult, what is a key challenge to consider?
A. Overreporting of medication adherence
B. The absence of chronic conditions
C. Sensory impairments affecting communication
D. The irrelevance of social history
Answer: C
Explanation: Sensory impairments such as hearing or vision loss can affect effective
communication during history taking.
5. Which physical examination strategy is particularly important when evaluating older
adults?
A. Relying solely on family reports
B. Ignoring subtle signs of functional decline
C. Using modified examination techniques for sensory impairments
,D. Focusing only on cardiovascular status
Answer: C
Explanation: Modified techniques are essential due to common sensory deficits in the elderly,
ensuring accurate assessment.
6. What is the primary goal of fall risk assessment in older adults?
A. To reduce hospital admissions for heart failure
B. To prevent injuries by identifying risk factors
C. To evaluate medication efficacy
D. To assess nutritional status only
Answer: B
Explanation: Fall risk assessment identifies factors that may lead to falls, thereby preventing
injury and loss of independence.
7. Which of the following is a key component of risk assessment in geriatric patients?
A. Genetic profiling
B. Nutritional assessment
C. Daily exercise logs
D. Employment history
Answer: B
Explanation: Nutritional assessment is integral as malnutrition and weight changes are common
risk factors in older adults.
8. In the context of CGA, what does the “social” domain evaluate?
A. Medication interactions
B. Functional limitations in daily activities
C. The patient's social support and living situation
D. Cognitive speed
Answer: C
Explanation: The social domain addresses factors like isolation, support networks, and living
conditions that impact health.
9. Which screening tool is best suited for detecting mild cognitive impairment in older
adults?
A. Visual Field Exam
B. Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
C. Geriatric Depression Scale
D. Timed Chair Stand Test
Answer: B
Explanation: The MoCA is more sensitive than the MMSE in detecting early cognitive changes
or mild cognitive impairment.
10. What challenge is commonly encountered during the physical examination of older
adults?
A. Excessively high metabolic rates
B. Misinterpretation due to age-related sensory losses
,C. Inability to assess blood pressure
D. Over-diagnosis of acute illnesses
Answer: B
Explanation: Sensory losses can hinder effective communication and assessment, requiring
tailored examination approaches.
11. When performing a medication review for an older adult, what is a primary concern?
A. Ensuring the patient can afford all medications
B. Identifying potential drug-drug interactions and polypharmacy
C. Avoiding all use of vitamins
D. Exclusively increasing dosages
Answer: B
Explanation: Polypharmacy increases the risk of interactions and adverse events, making
medication review critical in this population.
12. Which factor is least likely to be a focus in a geriatric risk assessment?
A. Fall risk
B. Nutritional status
C. Hair color
D. Social determinants of health
Answer: C
Explanation: Hair color does not have a clinical impact on the overall risk assessment in older
adults.
13. What is the role of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) in geriatric
assessments?
A. To evaluate mood disorders
B. To test physical strength
C. To assess cognitive function
D. To determine social support
Answer: C
Explanation: The MMSE is a tool used specifically to evaluate cognitive function in older adults.
14. Which strategy is most effective in communicating with older adults with sensory
impairments?
A. Speaking quickly
B. Using clear, slow speech and visual aids
C. Relying on technical jargon
D. Using loud background music
Answer: B
Explanation: Clear and slow speech, along with visual aids, helps overcome communication
challenges related to sensory impairments.
15. In a comprehensive evaluation, why is a nutritional assessment performed?
A. To diagnose gastrointestinal cancers
B. To evaluate malnutrition or obesity which may affect recovery
, C. To solely track calorie intake
D. To recommend a specific diet brand
Answer: B
Explanation: Nutritional assessments help identify malnutrition or obesity, which are important
for overall health and recovery in older adults.
16. How does the CGA contribute to improved patient outcomes?
A. By focusing exclusively on laboratory tests
B. By integrating multiple health domains for a holistic care plan
C. By reducing the number of patient visits
D. By eliminating the need for specialist referrals
Answer: B
Explanation: Integrating assessments from multiple domains allows for tailored interventions,
leading to better outcomes.
17. What is a significant barrier when obtaining the patient history of an older adult?
A. Overabundance of digital records
B. Cognitive impairment interfering with recall
C. Excessive physical activity
D. Overuse of diagnostic imaging
Answer: B
Explanation: Cognitive impairment can hinder accurate history taking, making supplementary
collateral information important.
18. Which of the following best describes a functional assessment in geriatrics?
A. A test solely for evaluating memory
B. An evaluation of activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental ADLs (IADLs)
C. A measure of the patient’s genetic predispositions
D. A screening tool for malignancies
Answer: B
Explanation: Functional assessments focus on how well an older adult performs daily activities
and tasks needed for independent living.
19. When assessing social determinants of health in the elderly, what aspect is most
critical?
A. Internet usage
B. Level of social support and isolation
C. Favorite hobbies
D. Preferred television shows
Answer: B
Explanation: Social isolation and the availability of a support network significantly affect health
outcomes in older adults.
20. Which factor is NOT typically included in the medical domain of a CGA?
A. Medication review
B. Cognitive testing
1. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of a Comprehensive Geriatric
Assessment (CGA)?
A. To perform a surgical evaluation
B. To screen for specific infectious diseases
C. To evaluate physical, cognitive, psychological, social, and medical domains
D. To solely assess cognitive function
Answer: C
Explanation: A CGA is designed to assess multiple domains of an older adult’s health, allowing
for individualized care planning.
2. In a CGA, which tool is most commonly used to screen for cognitive impairment?
A. Visual Analog Scale
B. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
C. Beck Depression Inventory
D. Timed Up and Go Test
Answer: B
Explanation: The MMSE is widely used to screen for cognitive deficits in older adults as part of
the CGA.
3. What is a major benefit of conducting a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment?
A. It guarantees the elimination of polypharmacy
B. It identifies multifactorial issues that affect an older adult’s quality of life
C. It immediately cures cognitive disorders
D. It reduces the need for family support
Answer: B
Explanation: The CGA identifies diverse issues across multiple domains, which can improve
overall management and outcomes.
4. When taking a patient history from an older adult, what is a key challenge to consider?
A. Overreporting of medication adherence
B. The absence of chronic conditions
C. Sensory impairments affecting communication
D. The irrelevance of social history
Answer: C
Explanation: Sensory impairments such as hearing or vision loss can affect effective
communication during history taking.
5. Which physical examination strategy is particularly important when evaluating older
adults?
A. Relying solely on family reports
B. Ignoring subtle signs of functional decline
C. Using modified examination techniques for sensory impairments
,D. Focusing only on cardiovascular status
Answer: C
Explanation: Modified techniques are essential due to common sensory deficits in the elderly,
ensuring accurate assessment.
6. What is the primary goal of fall risk assessment in older adults?
A. To reduce hospital admissions for heart failure
B. To prevent injuries by identifying risk factors
C. To evaluate medication efficacy
D. To assess nutritional status only
Answer: B
Explanation: Fall risk assessment identifies factors that may lead to falls, thereby preventing
injury and loss of independence.
7. Which of the following is a key component of risk assessment in geriatric patients?
A. Genetic profiling
B. Nutritional assessment
C. Daily exercise logs
D. Employment history
Answer: B
Explanation: Nutritional assessment is integral as malnutrition and weight changes are common
risk factors in older adults.
8. In the context of CGA, what does the “social” domain evaluate?
A. Medication interactions
B. Functional limitations in daily activities
C. The patient's social support and living situation
D. Cognitive speed
Answer: C
Explanation: The social domain addresses factors like isolation, support networks, and living
conditions that impact health.
9. Which screening tool is best suited for detecting mild cognitive impairment in older
adults?
A. Visual Field Exam
B. Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
C. Geriatric Depression Scale
D. Timed Chair Stand Test
Answer: B
Explanation: The MoCA is more sensitive than the MMSE in detecting early cognitive changes
or mild cognitive impairment.
10. What challenge is commonly encountered during the physical examination of older
adults?
A. Excessively high metabolic rates
B. Misinterpretation due to age-related sensory losses
,C. Inability to assess blood pressure
D. Over-diagnosis of acute illnesses
Answer: B
Explanation: Sensory losses can hinder effective communication and assessment, requiring
tailored examination approaches.
11. When performing a medication review for an older adult, what is a primary concern?
A. Ensuring the patient can afford all medications
B. Identifying potential drug-drug interactions and polypharmacy
C. Avoiding all use of vitamins
D. Exclusively increasing dosages
Answer: B
Explanation: Polypharmacy increases the risk of interactions and adverse events, making
medication review critical in this population.
12. Which factor is least likely to be a focus in a geriatric risk assessment?
A. Fall risk
B. Nutritional status
C. Hair color
D. Social determinants of health
Answer: C
Explanation: Hair color does not have a clinical impact on the overall risk assessment in older
adults.
13. What is the role of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) in geriatric
assessments?
A. To evaluate mood disorders
B. To test physical strength
C. To assess cognitive function
D. To determine social support
Answer: C
Explanation: The MMSE is a tool used specifically to evaluate cognitive function in older adults.
14. Which strategy is most effective in communicating with older adults with sensory
impairments?
A. Speaking quickly
B. Using clear, slow speech and visual aids
C. Relying on technical jargon
D. Using loud background music
Answer: B
Explanation: Clear and slow speech, along with visual aids, helps overcome communication
challenges related to sensory impairments.
15. In a comprehensive evaluation, why is a nutritional assessment performed?
A. To diagnose gastrointestinal cancers
B. To evaluate malnutrition or obesity which may affect recovery
, C. To solely track calorie intake
D. To recommend a specific diet brand
Answer: B
Explanation: Nutritional assessments help identify malnutrition or obesity, which are important
for overall health and recovery in older adults.
16. How does the CGA contribute to improved patient outcomes?
A. By focusing exclusively on laboratory tests
B. By integrating multiple health domains for a holistic care plan
C. By reducing the number of patient visits
D. By eliminating the need for specialist referrals
Answer: B
Explanation: Integrating assessments from multiple domains allows for tailored interventions,
leading to better outcomes.
17. What is a significant barrier when obtaining the patient history of an older adult?
A. Overabundance of digital records
B. Cognitive impairment interfering with recall
C. Excessive physical activity
D. Overuse of diagnostic imaging
Answer: B
Explanation: Cognitive impairment can hinder accurate history taking, making supplementary
collateral information important.
18. Which of the following best describes a functional assessment in geriatrics?
A. A test solely for evaluating memory
B. An evaluation of activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental ADLs (IADLs)
C. A measure of the patient’s genetic predispositions
D. A screening tool for malignancies
Answer: B
Explanation: Functional assessments focus on how well an older adult performs daily activities
and tasks needed for independent living.
19. When assessing social determinants of health in the elderly, what aspect is most
critical?
A. Internet usage
B. Level of social support and isolation
C. Favorite hobbies
D. Preferred television shows
Answer: B
Explanation: Social isolation and the availability of a support network significantly affect health
outcomes in older adults.
20. Which factor is NOT typically included in the medical domain of a CGA?
A. Medication review
B. Cognitive testing
