Weeks 1-4 content

Week Topics

1 Developmental changes

o Review Kennedy and Dunphy readings for age related changes

o Physiological the major impact that occurs with physiological changes are –

all of the above

the strongest evidence regarding normal physiological ageing is availiable through longitudinal studies

5-5 Beginning at about age 55, most people can expect which of the following changes? A. A 1- to 2-in. 

decline in height B. Stable body weight C. Sharper vision and hearing D. Increased strength

5-31 Which of these musculoskeletal changes accompany older adulthood? A. Change in stature B. 

Increased stride length

5-35 Which one of the following is a normal physiological change of aging? A. A decrease in strength and 

speed of muscle contraction in the extremities B. Degenerative arthritis C. Rheumatoid arthritis D. 

Bulging intervertebral disks

5-37 Evaluating an older adult client according to the successful aging paradigm involves assessment of 

A. cognition, problem-solving, physical skills, and memory. B. health, social engagement, mental activity, 

and life satisfaction. C. vision, hearing, balance, and strength. D. coping, social support, fi nancial 

resources, and living arrangement.

5-49 The benefi ts of exercise during middle adulthood include which of the following? A. Less need for 

an increase in dietary calcium B. Slower decli ne in central nervous system processing

5-50 When completing the health history and review of systems for a healthy 88-year-old woman, you 

would expect which age-related change to be reported? A. Mildly blurry vision B. Chronically dry and 

itchy eyes and eyelids C. Increasing presbyopia

5-61 Which cognitive change is expected in healthy older adults aged 65 and older? A. Decrease in IQ B. 

Slower information processing C. Low capacity for learning D. Decreased attentional focus

5-57 Sleep in older adults is characterized by which pattern? A. Increased time spent in REM sleep B. 

Increased overall sleep time C. Increased sleep latency D. Increased proportion of deep sleep

5-67 Risks for automobile accidents are increased in older adult drivers due to which normal changes

associated with aging? A. Decreased ability to understand driving-related dangers B. Lack of recognition 

of their own physical challenges C. Magnifi ed physiological response to stressful situations D. Increased 

reaction time

5-85 Older adults face greater risks for fl uid imbalance than young adults and middle adults due to 

which age-related factor? A. Increased amounts of intracellular fl uid and total body water B. Higher 

proportion of fat to muscle cells C. Faster speed of metabolism D. Increased intestinal motility

5-86 Which strategy for care of older adults is inconsistent with an approach supportive of aging in 

place? A. Make changes to the home environment that can accommodate an individual’s changing 

needs. B. Refer for home care and adult day-care services. C. Hire assistants to help with activities of 

daily living. D. Emphasize the individual’s limitations and likely need for long-term care placement.

5-96 Which theory of aging focuses on older adults’ development of specifi c strategies to manage losses 

of function over time? A. Disengagement theory B. Activity/developmental task theory C. Personenvironment fi t theory D. Selective optimization with compensation theory

5-107 Why is Alzheimer’s disease (AD) considered a specifi c disease, distinct from the normal . changes 

of aging? A. There are types of AD that are inherited and present before age 60. B. There are changes in 

biological processes that occur with normal aging. C. There is a notable decline in cognitive functioning 

as people age. D. There are multiple changes in organ functioning, especially in the brain.

5-115 Physiological changes of aging can affect functional mobility. Screening for functional mobility of 

older adults involves which screening tool? A. Katz Index B. Get Up and Go Test C. Functional 

Independence Measure D. Mini Mental State Exam

5-112 Your 66-year-old patient is able to correctly interpret the meaning of the proverb “A penny saved 

is a penny earned.” This helps to establish the patient’s expected ability to A. access long-term memory. 

B. engage in abstract reasoning. C. execute concrete operations. D. follow complex instructions.

13-68 In the older adult, which physiological change affects pharmacokinetics? A. Decreased creatinine 

clearance B. Increased lean muscle mass C. Decreased total body fat D. Increased serum albumin level

18-98 Physiological changes in the immune system of older adults include A. an increase in 

immunoglobulin A and G antibodies. B. a high rate of T-lymphocyte proliferation. C. an increase in the 

number of cytotoxic T cells. D. an increase in CD8, which affects regulation of the immune system.