Deck 17: Physical and Cognitive Development in Late Adulthood

Question 1

Cordelia is 83, and her brain is changing with age. The area of her brain that will be the last to show loss is responsible for ______.

A) vision
B) memory
C) personality
D) emotion

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Macular degeneration can be prevented through ______.

A) performing eye exercises that help the muscles in the eye to stay active
B) wearing corrective contact lenses
C) going for a yearly eye exam
D) eating a healthy diet including foods high in vitamins A, C, and E, and carotenoids

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Pigmented marks that often appear on the hands and face of older adults are called ______.

A) age spots
B) oil deposits
C) melanoma
D) glia

Answer 3

A

Question 4

A reason hearing aids are underused is because ______.

A) of stigma associated with being seen wearing hearing aids
B) hearing aids typically interfere with wearing glasses
C) social attitudes value hearing without aids
D) aids fail to correct hearing to the degree most older adults need

Question 5

In older adulthood, the nose and ears change in that they ______.

A) grow smaller
B) grow broader
C) become deformed
D) decrease thickness

Question 6

Neurogenesis plays a role in ______.

A) physical impairments
B) lack of emotional responses
C) suppression of plasticity
D) cognitive abilities

Question 7

Cataracts are treated through ______.

A) laser technology
B) the use of medicated eye drops
C) a surgical procedure in which the lens is replaced with an artificial lens
D) changing the diet to include antioxidants and omega-3 supplements

Question 8

Which type of exercise has been found to strengthen muscles and offset losses into the nineties?

A) aerobic
B) strength training
C) low-impact
D) resistance

Question 9

Many older adults experience chronic illnesses that pose demands for ______.

A) conformity
B) emotions
C) adaptation
D) solitude

Question 10

More physically fit and active older adults tend to show more efficient activity in areas key to ______.

A) hearing
B) vision
C) anger
D) memory

Question 11

A typical way older adults compensate for their hearing loss is to ______.

A) stand away from the person who is talking
B) reduce background noise
C) look away from the person who is talking
D) ignore distracting body language

Question 12

Age-related hearing loss typically begins at what phase of life?

A) young adulthood
B) middle adulthood
C) young-old
D) old-old

Question 13

The ability to make flexible and efficient use of available brain resources that permits efficiency, flexibility, and adaptability is called ______.

A) synaptogenesis
B) cognitive reserve
C) working memory
D) neurogenesis

Question 14

A substantial loss of cells in the center area of the retina causing blurring and eventual loss of central vision is called ______.

A) retinopathy
B) visual atrophy
C) cataracts
D) macular degeneration

Question 15

Maria is bilingual, and speaks in Spanish and English on a daily basis. Because of this she receives the benefits of ______.

A) emotional control
B) mental conformity
C) inhibition deficit
D) memory improvement

Question 16

What type of activity has been shown to restore brain volume, especially in the hippocampus, a region closely involved with memory?

A) spending time with teenagers
B) a program of aerobic exercise
C) eating a healthy diet that has antioxidants
D) reading and communicating with others

Question 17

Brain aging involves declines in neuronal communication, especially in areas responsible for executive functioning and judgment, which are located in the ______.

A) amygdala
B) corpus callosum
C) prefrontal cortex
D) hippocampus

Question 18

Macular degeneration is the leading cause of ______.

A) blindness
B) colorblindness
C) migraines
D) vertigo

Question 19

Byron has decided to increase his physical activity from moderate to more intense. Which cognitive change can also be expected?

A) decrease in brain plasticity
B) improvement in spatial memory
C) decrease in recognition
D) improvement in vision analysis

Question 20

Cataracts can be caused by ______.

A) carbon monoxide
B) sunlight
C) insufficient diet
D) diabetes

Question 21

Beatrice is a woman in her early 80s who lives in her own home but needs some assistance with housework and cooking. She has some physical impairments that require her to go to the doctor about once every 2 weeks. How would gerontologists categorize her?

A) old
B) young-old
C) old-old
D) oldest-old

Question 22

Olfactory loss might indicate which event?

A) enhanced health
B) lack of cognition
C) low digestive enzymes
D) deteriorating health

Question 23

David is having trouble breathing, feels out of breath when he rides his bike, and has a hard time catching his breath when he walks any distance. His doctor will most likely check for and recommend a test for ______.

A) respiratory system changes and recommend a physical exercise plan and diet
B) cardiovascular functioning and recommend a physical exercise plan and diet
C) immune system declines and recommend stress reduction
D) both immune and respiratory system declines and recommend medication

Question 24

Liz is an older adult whose sense of taste is declining. Her health is at risk because she will be ______.

A) nervous to try new foods
B) unable to detect spoiled food
C) less able to secrete saliva
D) unable to swallow efficiently

Question 25

What is the most notable contributor to increases in life expectancy?

A) advances in health care
B) reduction in infant mortality
C) sanitation improvements
D) genetic variations

Question 26

The fastest growing population in Western countries are people who are what age?

A) 100 and above
B) 90 and above
C) 80 and above
D) 70 and above

Question 27

Which factor is used as a predictor for mortality because it indicates overall physiology?

A) standing ability
B) swimming speed
C) gait speed
D) stretching ability

Question 28

A physiological change in the cardiovascular system that occurs due to aging is ______.

A) red blood cells become less able to carry oxygen
B) the heart becomes too flexible
C) the heart becomes less responsive to signals to contract
D) arteries decrease in rigidity

Question 29

The ability to control the body's position in space is called ______.

A) posture
B) balance
C) mobility
D) strength

Question 30

Steve has noticed that he has been stumbling a bit more lately, and is concerned he may end up falling. Which activity would most help him improve balance?

A) tai chi
B) swimming
C) weight lifting
D) rowing

Question 31

Corbin has hearing problems. He has to turn the TV on very loud, and he has a hard time following conversations. He cannot always hear cars as he is walking in a parking lot, which is embarrassing to him when drivers yell at him to move. What socioemotional outcome does this cause?

A) avoidance of doctor appointments
B) conflict with family members
C) anxiety disorders
D) lower self-esteem

Question 32

Sensitivity to smell declines throughout adulthood beginning during the ______.

A) 20s
B) 30s
C) 40s
D) 50s

Question 33

Which factor damages both the respiratory and cardiovascular systems?

A) carbon monoxide
B) excessive salt intake
C) arterial plaque buildup
D) cigarette smoking

Question 34

Omar is 74 years old, lives independently, has mild hearing loss, and continues the same swimming regimen he has had since college. He has a large social network, and few physical complaints. Gerontologists would put him in the category of ______.

A) successful aging
B) impaired aging
C) declining
D) recuperating

Question 35

The health of centenarians is such that up to one-quarter reach age 100 without ______.

A) living independently
B) chronic disease
C) physical declines
D) cognitive declines

Question 36

Research indicates that older adults decline in their abilities to identify and remember which type of odors?

A) sharp
B) burning
C) pleasant
D) unpleasant

Question 37

Individuals in which category are at the highest risk for physical and mental health problems?

A) emerging adult
B) young adult
C) old-old
D) oldest-old

Question 38

In response to stress, older adults often show greater impairment than younger adults in which system?

A) immune
B) respiratory
C) digestive
D) muscular

Question 39

Individuals who live past 100 years are called ______.

A) septuagenarians
B) octogenarians
C) nonagenarians
D) centenarians

Question 40

The cancer survival rate is defined as living how many years after diagnosis?

A) 3
B) 4
C) 5
D) 6

Question 41

Cora has been showing some signs of memory decline. Which supplement would be most effective in helping protect her cognitive function?

A) calcium
B) vitamin E
C) catechin
D) vitamin A

Question 42

Individuals as old as 80 show gains similar to those of much younger adults when they being a program of ______.

A) cardiovascular activity
B) weight lifting
C) flexibility
D) endurance

Question 43

Who is most likely to be diagnosed with osteoporosis?

A) Caleb, who 74, sedentary, and has three drinks every evening
B) Marjorie, who is 69, does weight training, and has a drink once or twice a month
C) Horace, who is 85, walks two miles every day, and has never smoked
D) Nola, who is 77, does tai chi, and has never smoked

Question 44

Low socioeconomic status is associated with greater arthritis-related symptoms, poorer well-being, and greater use of maladaptive coping strategies among which group of people?

A) African Americans
B) Hispanic Americans
C) Asian men
D) Caucasian men

Question 45

Which nutritional supplement has an antioxidant effect and may protect against age-related declines in cognitive functions?

A) calcium
B) vitamin E
C) catechin
D) vitamin A

Question 46

Which condition is an autoimmune illness?

A) osteoarthritis
B) rheumatoid arthritis
C) osteoporosis
D) Parkinson's disease

Question 47

Mary is a 75-year-old woman who is less active than she should be. When her doctor asks her why she resists going for walks to increase her physical activity, she is most likely to give ______ as a reason.

A) fear of falling
B) too little time
C) lack of friends for company
D) neighborhood is difficult to navigate

Question 48

In the first 10 years after menopause, women typically lose what percentage of their bone mass?

A) 10%
B) 25%
C) 35%
D) 50%

Question 49

Ben has been a long distance runner his whole life. He has run in fifteen marathons and countless smaller road races. When he turned 75, he started feeling pain and a loss of movement. He went to see a physician who said that he had a wearing-away of cartilage and his joints have become less flexible and prone to swelling. Which condition is Ben diagnosed with?

A) osteoarthritis
B) rheumatoid arthritis
C) osteoporosis
D) Parkinson's disease

Question 50

Which hormone is protective against bone loss?

A) insulin
B) cortisol
C) testosterone
D) progesterone

Question 51

Which nutritional supplement is associated with both a reduction in arthritis and decreased risk of Alzheimer's disease?

A) folic acid
B) catechin
C) calcium
D) omega-3

Question 52

Which factor contributes to quality of life in those who live to an advanced age?

A) feeling little control over health issues
B) choosing little social interaction
C) conformity
D) adaptability

Question 53

Ray has begun adding a lot of salt and sugar into his foods. Since he has hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes, the change in his diet has negatively impacted his health. Ray is most likely adding the salt and sugar because he ______.

A) is rebelling against the doctors telling him what he should eat
B) is experiencing a decline in the sense of taste and smell
C) thinks it makes his food more nutritious
D) cannot remember how much he added the first time

Question 54

When older adults experience a decline in the sense of taste and smell they tend to ______.

A) seek satisfaction through added salt and sugar
B) take medications to renew their sense of taste
C) stop eating because nothing tastes good
D) seek out foods with bitter odors

Question 55

Which effect on the brain does exercise in older adults have?

A) increased activity in the occipital lobes resulting in improved vision
B) decreased hippocampal volume
C) increased activity in areas that control attention
D) decreased activity in areas of executive function

Question 56

Which benefit of weight-bearing exercise occurs in the oldest-old?

A) increased muscle size
B) reduced joint inflammation
C) greater endurance
D) increased self-esteem

Question 57

There are more than how many types of arthritis?

A) 25
B) 50
C) 75
D) 100

Question 58

Changing dietary needs means that older adults are at risk for ______.

A) overeating
B) nutritional deficiency
C) nutritional overload
D) heightened metabolic activity

Question 59

Arthritis is classified as a chronic disease because ______.

A) individuals have it for a long period of time
B) it is managed, and without a cure
C) so many people are diagnosed with it
D) it causes chronic stress in individuals

Question 60

Candice has osteoarthritis. Which joint of hers was most likely affected first?

A) wrist
B) hip
C) neck
D) toe

Question 61

What happens in Alzheimer's disease when the hippocampus experiences altered neurogenesis and brain functioning declines?

A) disruption in messages sent from one neuron to the other, resulting in confusion and disorientation
B) generation and development of new neurons is impaired resulting in an inability to replace dead neurons
C) prefrontal cortex compensates for loss of neuronal activity resulting in little loss in problem-solving but a greater decline in memory
D) interference in signals sent to muscles resulting in jerky, uncontrollable movements

Question 62

Which term means a progressive deterioration in mental abilities due to changes in the brain that influence higher cortical functions?

A) dementia
B) medical fragility
C) senescence
D) attention disorder

Question 63

Geographic differences in dementia rates are due to ______.

A) increased numbers of centenarians
B) developments in nutrition
C) higher than average birth rates
D) poor access to education

Question 64

Which symptoms are associated with the final stages of Alzheimer's disease?

A) loss of the ability to comprehend and produce speech
B) problems with concentration and short-term memory
C) failure to recognize objects and familiar people
D) impairments in attentional control

Question 65

What are the earliest symptoms of Alzheimer's disease?

A) personality changes
B) problems with concentration
C) episodic memory problems
D) impairments in attentional control

Question 66

What does driving a car represent to older adults?

A) prestige
B) autonomy
C) intelligence
D) cognition

Question 67

The most recent version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) has replaced the term dementia with ______.

A) attention disorder
B) neurocognitive disorder
C) memory incapacitation
D) mental incapacitation

Question 68

Per mile traveled, crash rates and fatal crash rates also start increasing when the driver reaches age ______.

A) 55
B) 60
C) 65
D) 70

Question 69

Jim is a 78-year-old man who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. He has lost the ability to comprehend and produce speech. His family can expect that Jim will now ______.

A) become paranoid and angry
B) lose the ability to control bodily functions
C) become forgetful and misplace things
D) develop depression

Question 70

Dementia is defined by an inability to ______.

A) understand complex mathematics
B) learn another language
C) engage in everyday activities
D) analyze spatial relationships

Question 71

Which age group has the lowest percentage of individuals with Alzheimer's disease?

A) 75-84
B) 85 and older
C) 65-74
D) 65 and under

Question 72

Ron has Alzheimer's disease. He frequently forgets doctor's appointments and almost started a fire in his kitchen because he forgot a pan on the stove. Recently, his son was concerned because Ron blamed him for stealing his car keys when Ron simply forgot where he put them. What phase of Alzheimer's disease is Ron in?

A) early phase
B) beyond the early phases and he may be unable to care for himself
C) he absolutely cannot care for himself and will need 24-hour assistance
D) final phase

Question 73

The average patient progresses to the final stage of Alzheimer's disease over the course of how many years?

A) 5
B) 10
C) 15
D) 20

Question 74

Falls are a serious hazard for older adults because ______.

A) they involve damage to the brain resulting in an acceleration of cognitive decline
B) natural loss of bone increases the risk of hip fractures which take a long time to heal
C) few gerontologists know how to prevent them which puts health at risk
D) they exacerbate the negative effects of other diseases such as diabetes or arthritis

Question 75

Which approach can help prevent falls and increase an older adult's confidence in her or her body?

A) strength training
B) mindful meditation
C) resting more
D) taking omega-3

Question 76

Alzheimer's disease is diagnosed through ______.

A) exclusion involving ruling out all other causes of dementia
B) a PET scan to see how the brain and its tissues are working
C) an MRI or CT scan to observe the structure of the brain
D) neurological tests that indicate symptoms specific symptoms

Question 77

The fact that Alzheimer's disease often runs in families means what factor is involved?

A) genetics
B) context
C) culture
D) education

Question 78

How are the plaques formed in the brain in patients who have Alzheimer's disease?

A) Beta-amyloid causes the myelin in the brain to harden and deteriorate.
B) The protein tau creates twisted bundles of threads that occur when neurons collapse.
C) Neurons combine due to an increase in dopamine and create blockages between other neurons.
D) Inflammation causes beta-amyloid to accumulate and join with clumps of dead neurons and glial cells.

Question 79

Education acts as a protective factor against Alzheimer's disease by ______.

A) determining personality traits
B) decreasing synaptic connections
C) regulating emotional control
D) boosting cognitive reserves

Question 80

A diet rich in which nutrients can help prevent osteoporosis?

A) vitamin C and calcium
B) vitamin A and magnesium
C) vitamin D and calcium
D) vitamin E and phosphorous