Deck 15: Physical and Cognitive Development in Middle Adulthood

Question 1

Compared with middle age, which of the following best describes late middle age for many individuals?

A) Health problems start to decline.
B) Losses may begin to outnumber gains.
C) Life changes decrease; the path is relatively fixed.
D) Losses and gains even out.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Which of the following best explains why middle adulthood starts later and lasts longer now than in the early 1900s?

A) People today have fewer children than people in the early 1900s.
B) People today have a higher income than people in the early 1900s.
C) People today have less anxiety in their lives than people in the early 1900s.
D) People today have healthier lifestyles than people in the early 1900s.

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Many experts on middle adulthood describe the age period of 55 to 65 as

A) late adulthood.
B) early midlife.
C) late midlife.
D) early adulthood.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

________ adulthood is the developmental period that begins at approximately 40 to 45 years of age and extends to about 60 to 65 years of age.

A) Late
B) Middle
C) Early
D) Emerging

Question 5

Which of the following statements is true of late midlife?

A) Compared with earlier midlife, late midlife is more likely to be characterized by the preparation for retirement.
B) Compared with earlier midlife, late midlife is less likely to be characterized by the death of a parent.
C) People in this age range seldom have health problems.
D) For most people in late midlife, the number of gains outnumber losses.

Question 6

Which of the following is a sign of aging for the average adult in middle adulthood?

A) increase in height
B) decrease in weight
C) brittle fingernails
D) loss of memory

Question 7

Questions such as, "To which age group do you belong?" and "How old do you feel?" reflect the concept of

A) mental age.
B) age identity.
C) chronological age.
D) age stereotype.

Question 8

Which of the following statements is true of changes in weight in middle age?

A) A recent study revealed that decrease in weight from early adulthood to middle adulthood was linked to an increased risk of major chronic diseases and unhealthy aging.
B) A large-scale study found that being overweight or obese in middle age decreases an individual's risk of dying earlier.
C) On average, body fat accounts for about 20 percent or more of body weight in middle age.
D) Individuals who were obese at age 50 had a 20 to 40 percent higher risk of earlier death, whereas those who were overweight at age 50 had a 100 to 200 percent higher risk of premature death.

Question 9

Age-related loss of muscle strength is especially marked in

A) the upper arms.
B) the back and legs.
C) the jaw and face.
D) the chest and abdomen.

Question 10

Which of the following is a consistent finding regarding age identity?

A) As adults become older, their age identity is younger than their chronological age.
B) Most adults feel that their age identity is five years more than their chronological age.
C) The age identity of adults is directly proportional to their chronological age.
D) Most adults feel that their age identity is much older than their chronological age.

Question 11

James is in his mid-40s and has little time to exercise as he runs a business. However, he knows that he should focus more on his health, eat healthy meals at regular intervals, and exercise as often as he can. One of the age-related conditions that James is most likely to face at his age is

A) increased strength in his upper arms.
B) sensitivity to high-pitched sounds.
C) joint stiffness.
D) decreased bladder control.

Question 12

Mildred is in her 20s. Her doctor tells her that she is gradually losing muscle mass and strength especially in her back and legs. Her doctor has advised her to exercise regularly and focus on her diet as a strategy to slow down the decline of muscle mass and strength. Which of the following terms best describes Mildred's condition?

A) sarcoma
B) osteopenia
C) osteoporosis
D) sarcopenia

Question 13

The rectangularization of the age structure of the population, which can be represented by a pyramid, has been created by

A) work-place stress that lowers longevity.
B) the aging of the baby-boom cohort.
C) rising male-to-female sex ratio.
D) high fertility rates.

Question 14

Which of the following statements is true of the trends in midlife?

A) Middle age is starting earlier and is shorter for increasing numbers of active and healthy people.
B) The U.S. Census Bureau of 2018 indicates that 15 percent of the U.S. population is older than 65.
C) Compared with previous decades and centuries, a decreasing percentage of the population is made up of middle-aged and older adults.
D) As medical discoveries are slowing down the aging process, the boundaries of middle age are being pushed downward.

Question 15

The average adult in middle adulthood ________ height and ________ weight.

A) loses; loses
B) loses; gains
C) gains; gains
D) gains; loses

Question 16

Which of the following statements is true of the trends in life expectancy?

A) The average life expectancy in the 21st century is 50 years.
B) The percentage of population living to an older age has drastically decreased.
C) People today take longer to grow up and longer to age than in past centuries.
D) In 1900, the average life expectancy was only 30 years of age.

Question 17

Compared with earlier and later periods, middle age is influenced most by ________ and biological factors.

A) sociocultural
B) humanistic
C) psychodynamic
D) neurological

Question 18

In Patricia Cohen's analysis, which of the following has fueled the emergence of thinking about middle age?

A) more people entering adolescence earlier than in the past
B) increased pressure to remain in the workforce and delay retirement
C) advances in health and more people living to older ages
D) the decrease of life expectancy

Question 19

Which of the following is a reason for the decrease in height with age advancement?

A) brittleness of bones of the limbs
B) increase in weight
C) a stooping posture
D) bone loss in the vertebrae

Question 20

Mark is an orthopedic surgeon. He has been asked to conduct a seminar for middle-aged individuals on bone density. During the seminar, he informs the audience that they should include a lot of fruits and vegetables in their diet as they are known to increase bone density in middle-aged and older adults. Which of the following facts best supports Mark's advice?

A) Maximum bone density occurs in late adolescence.
B) Maximum bone density occurs by the mid- to late 30s.
C) Peak functioning of the body's joints occurs in the 50s.
D) The rate of bone density loss accelerates and then decelerates with further aging.

Question 21

Cholesterol comes in two forms, ________ and HDL.

A) LDL
B) BDL
C) GAL
D) QUL

Question 22

Samantha gets a blood test done, and the test results indicate that her level of bad cholesterol is high and that she will have to keep it under control. She researches online and finds out that low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is referred to as bad cholesterol. Which of the following best explains the reason why LDL is referred to as bad cholesterol?

A) High levels of LDL increase the risk of breast cancer.
B) High levels of LDL cause arteriosclerosis.
C) Low levels of LDL accelerate the process of aging.
D) Low levels of LDL cause atherosclerosis.

Question 23

Which of the following is the result of reduced blood supply to the eye in the 50s and 60s?

A) an increase in accommodation of the eye
B) an increase in the eye's blind spot
C) an increase in the visual field's size
D) an increase in the amount of light entering the eye

Question 24

Landon is 45 years old, and he is obese and suffers from hypertension. He was recently diagnosed with a condition called metabolic syndrome and was advised to exercise every day as well as eat small and healthy meals. In this scenario, which of the following is Landon most likely to suffer from because of his condition?

A) arteriosclerosis and cirrhosis of the liver
B) pancreatic cancer and fatty liver
C) irritable bowel syndrome and gastric ulcers
D) diabetes and cardiovascular disease

Question 25

Which of the following is a reason for the reduction in light received by the retina during middle adulthood?

A) an increase in the size of the iris
B) an increase in blood supply to the eye
C) reduced size of the pupil
D) reduced opacity of the lens

Question 26

LDL is often referred to as ________ cholesterol.

A) "simple"
B) "good"
C) "bad"
D) "white"

Question 27

As an orthopedic surgeon, Carla is advising her patient who is in his mid-20s to make some changes to his diet and include exercises in his daily routine as that would ensure his bone density is normal. Which of the following statements, if true, best supports her advice?

A) Peak functioning of the body's joints usually occurs in the 30s.
B) By the end of midlife, bones break more easily and heal more slowly.
C) Maximum bone density occurs by the mid- to late 20s.
D) The rate of bone density loss decelerates in the 50s.

Question 28

Which of the following statements is true of cardiovascular disease?

A) When HDL is high and LDL is low, the risk of cardiovascular disease is lessened.
B) When HDL is high and LDL is low, the risk of cardiovascular disease is increased.
C) When HDL is low and LDL is high, the risk of cardiovascular disease is lessened.
D) When both HDL and LDL are low, the risk of cardiovascular disease is lessened.

Question 29

Sandra is turning 50 this year. At this age, she can expect certain age-related conditions, such as loss of strength in her legs and back and difficulty in viewing objects and hearing clearly, to affect her. Of the vision-related issues that affect individuals, which of the following is Sandra most likely to experience because of her age?

A) difficulty in viewing moving objects
B) difficulty in viewing bright objects
C) difficulty in viewing close objects
D) difficulty in viewing complicated patterns

Question 30

Which of the following statements is true of the physical changes in bones?

A) Maximum bone density occurs in late adolescence.
B) By the end of early adulthood, bones break more easily and heal more slowly.
C) The rate of bone loss is steady throughout the life span.
D) Women lose bone mass twice as fast as men do.

Question 31

Vanessa was never prescribed glasses as a child as she did not have any vision problem. Now, at the age of 45 years, which of the following tasks is most likely to cause her difficulty?

A) reading a newspaper
B) watching TV
C) looking at a turn signal indicator on a vehicle
D) reading a road sign during the day

Question 32

Which of the following is an outcome of reduced blood supply to the eye during late middle age?

A) decrease in the visual field's size
B) decrease in the eye's blind spot
C) formation of wrinkles under the eyes
D) increase in the size of the pupil

Question 33

Silas is a man who is in his late 70s. He has a condition characterized by hypertension, obesity, and insulin resistance. This is otherwise known as

A) diabetic neuropathy.
B) metabolic syndrome.
C) internal atrophy.
D) neurodegeneration.

Question 34

Sensitivity to ________ sounds usually declines first among ________.

A) high-pitched; women
B) high-pitched; men
C) low-pitched; women
D) low-pitched; men

Question 35

The ability to focus and maintain an image on the retina is referred to as ________ of the eye.

A) muscle integrity
B) focal power
C) visual acuity
D) accommodation

Question 36

During middle age, the sensitivity to ________ sounds declines first.

A) low-pitched
B) high-volume
C) high-pitched
D) high-amplitude

Question 37

At 60 years of age, the retina receives only ________ as much light as it did at 20 years of age.

A) two-thirds
B) one-fourth
C) half
D) one-third

Question 38

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is often referred to as ________ cholesterol because when it is high and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is low, the risk of cardiovascular disease is lower.

A) good
B) simple
C) complex
D) compound

Question 39

Michelle's blood test reveals that her level of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) is very high and that it makes the LDL stick to the sides of the blood vessels, thus causing the arteries to harden. In this scenario, Michelle is most likely to suffer from a condition known as

A) arteriosclerosis.
B) osteoporosis.
C) multiple sclerosis.
D) atherosclerosis.

Question 40

Accommodation of the eye experiences its sharpest decline between ________ years of age.

A) 20 and 29
B) 60 and 79
C) 40 and 59
D) 30 and 35

Question 41

What is the most common change in sleep patterns of adults during middle age?

A) Sleep-disordered breathing becomes less prevalent.
B) Wakeful periods become less frequent during the night.
C) The total number of hours slept dramatically increases.
D) There is a decrease in the deepest type of sleep.

Question 42

Compared with men, women have a higher incidence of ________ during middle age.

A) arthritis
B) hypertension
C) stroke
D) cardiovascular disease

Question 43

Which of the following are the most common chronic disorders for men during middle age?

A) cancer, heart disease, and stroke
B) arthritis, bursitis, and varicose veins
C) hearing and vision impairments
D) sinus and respiratory problems

Question 44

________ was the main cause of death in the United States until the middle of the 20th century.

A) Infectious disease
B) Accident
C) Chronic disease
D) Homicide

Question 45

Which of the following statements is true of the immune system and stress?

A) NK cells are a type of white blood cell that is more likely to be present in high-stress circumstances.
B) Higher levels of NK cells in stressful situations indicate a weakened immune system.
C) Immune system functioning increases with normal aging.
D) Aerobic fitness is related to the presence of a lower level of senescent T cells.

Question 46

Which of the following is an example of a nonfatal chronic disorder?

A) stroke
B) bursitis
C) cancer
D) cardiovascular disease

Question 47

Compared with men, women have a higher incidence of ________ disorders during middle adulthood.

A) genetic
B) fatal chronic
C) nonfatal chronic
D) congenital

Question 48

Which of the following statements is true of cholesterol levels in humans?

A) High-density cholesterol leads to the hardening of the arteries when its level increases and sticks to the lining of the blood vessels.
B) Low-density cholesterol is referred to as good cholesterol as it reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.
C) High-density cholesterol is referred to as bad cholesterol as the risk of cardiovascular disease increases when low-density cholesterol is high.
D) The level of cholesterol in the blood increases during the adult years and in midlife and begins to accumulate on the artery walls.

Question 49

Which of the following statements is true of sleep in middle age?

A) An increasing number of experts note that 11 hours of sleep or more per night are necessary for adults to perform optimally the next day.
B) Habitual sleep deprivation in adults is linked to morbidity, especially among people with cardiovascular disease.
C) Sleep-disordered breathing and restless legs syndrome become less prevalent in middle age.
D) The total number of hours slept usually varies, but beginning in the 40s, wakeful periods are less frequent and there is more of the deepest type of sleep.

Question 50

Which of the following statements is true of chronic conditions?

A) Women have a higher incidence of fatal chronic conditions in middle age.
B) Men have a higher incidence of nonfatal chronic conditions in middle age.
C) Hypertension is the leading chronic disorder in early adulthood.
D) Chronic disorders are rare in early adulthood.

Question 51

Which of the following statements is true of the immune system?

A) Its machinery consists of billions of red blood cells.
B) When a person is under stress, the levels of bacteria and viruses drop dramatically.
C) Lower levels of natural killer (NK) cells in stressful situations indicate a weakened immune system.
D) Stress increases the number of natural killer (NK) cells in the body.

Question 52

Which of the following is an example of a fatal chronic disorder?

A) varicose veins
B) bursitis
C) arthritis
D) cardiovascular disease

Question 53

Which of the following are prematurely aging cells that result from persistent immune activation?

A) NK cells
B) red blood cells
C) B lymphocytes
D) senescent T cells

Question 54

Which of the following statements is true of metabolic syndrome?

A) Weight loss and exercise are strongly recommended as part of the treatment of metabolic syndrome.
B) Metabolic syndrome usually reduces any risk of diabetes or any other cardiovascular disease.
C) Metabolic syndrome often leads to anorexia nervosa.
D) Waist circumference is the least recommended method in predicting metabolic syndrome.

Question 55

Which of the following statements is true of lung capacity in middle age?

A) There is significant change in lung capacity through most of middle adulthood.
B) In late middle age, the proteins in lung tissue become more elastic.
C) Stiffening of the chest wall decreases the lungs' capacity to shuttle oxygen.
D) The lung capacity of smokers increases drastically in middle age.

Question 56

Which of the following statements is true of mortality rates in the United States and the world?

A) The least number of deaths in the 20th century were due to infectious diseases.
B) The rates of chronic disorders have decreased and the rate of infectious diseases have increased.
C) In old age, many deaths are caused by a single, readily identifiable condition.
D) Men usually have higher mortality rates than women for all of the leading causes of death.

Question 57

Margie Lachman and her colleagues argue that having a ________ is one of the most important modifiable factors in delaying the onset of diseases in middle adulthood and reducing the frequency of diseases in late adulthood.

A) high body mass index
B) sense of control in middle age
C) low-calorie diet in middle adulthood
D) low number of NK cells

Question 58

Which of the following is typical of the health condition during early and late middle age?

A) Frequency of accidents increases.
B) Susceptibility to colds and allergies decreases.
C) Wakeful periods during sleep decrease.
D) Incidence of chronic disorders decreases.

Question 59

The type of white blood cell that is more likely to be present in low-stress circumstances are ________.

A) plasma cells
B) natural killer (NK) cells
C) lymphocytes
D) monocytes

Question 60

Individuals with metabolic syndrome who ________ reduced their risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

A) maintained a high blood glucose level
B) were physically active
C) maintained a high LDL level
D) were physically inactive

Question 61

Crystallized intelligence is

A) an individual's ability to reason abstractly.
B) an individual's accumulated information and verbal skills.
C) an individual's ability to think hypothetically.
D) an individual's ability to use deductive reasoning.

Question 62

At present, the main causes of death in middle adulthood in the United States are

A) infectious diseases.
B) accidents.
C) chronic diseases.
D) homicide.

Question 63

According to studies, which of the following is one of the most common sexual problems of older women?

A) lack of foreplay
B) lack of sexual interest
C) partner non-cooperation
D) reduced muscular movements

Question 64

Why is menopause an important marker for women?

A) It signals the loss of active sexual life for most women.
B) They have to make final decisions about having children.
C) They are at greater risk of contracting infectious diseases.
D) They are at an increased risk of developing dementia.

Question 65

Douglas is diagnosed with erectile dysfunction. He consults his doctor to know about the treatment options available for his condition. Which of the following drugs that are similar to Viagra will the doctor most likely prescribe to treat Douglas's condition?

A) Rogaine and Prozac
B) Levitra and Cialis
C) Oxycodone and Prozac
D) Naproxen and OxyContin

Question 66

Meghan is showing initial signs of menopause. She decides to research online about menopause and familiarize herself with the causes, symptoms, and the treatments related to this process. After reading about the treatment plans and other details online, she decides that she will not opt for hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Which of the following statements favors Meghan's decision to forego HRT?

A) HRT is least favorable in reducing negative menopausal symptoms for women 60 years and younger who are within 10 years of menopausal onset.
B) HRT is least favorable in reducing bone loss or fracture for women 60 years and younger who are within 10 years of menopausal onset.
C) HRT is less favorable for women who are more than 10 or more years from menopausal onset because of greater risk for cardiovascular disease.
D) HRT is less favorable for women who are below 50 years because of greater risk for Alzheimer disease.

Question 67

Lillian is 50 years old. Her doctor has noticed a sharp decrease in her estrogen levels, and Lillian is complaining of nausea and fatigue. Based on these symptoms, what could be her initial diagnosis?

A) She has hyperthyroidism.
B) She is going through menopause.
C) She is going through postpartum depression.
D) She has atherosclerosis.

Question 68

The gradual decline in men's testosterone levels in middle age can reduce their

A) lung capacity.
B) sexual activity.
C) infertility.
D) thyroid levels.

Question 69

Which of the following statements about menopause is true?

A) The age at which menopause occurs has increased dramatically in recent years.
B) There is a correlation between the onset of menarche and the onset of menopause.
C) Perimenopause takes up to 2 years or less in most women.
D) Later menopause is linked with increased risk of breast cancer.

Question 70

Howard, a middle-aged man, is suffering from erectile problems. He consults his doctor to know about the likely causes for his condition. He tells his doctor that he has been suffering from diabetes and low blood pressure. He also tells his doctor that he is a weight lifter and hence spends 2 hours every day at the gym. He also tells his doctor that his recent blood test shows a lower level of natural killer (NK) cells. In this scenario, which of the following would the doctor mention as the most likely cause for Howard's condition?

A) diabetes
B) low blood pressure
C) low level of NK cells
D) excessive weight lifting

Question 71

Ruth is currently in menopause. This indicates that the production of ________ by her ovaries will decline drastically.

A) testosterone
B) estrogen
C) adrenaline
D) insulin

Question 72

Fluid intelligence is the ability to

A) reason abstractly.
B) recall information.
C) accumulate information.
D) accumulate verbal skills.

Question 73

Which of the following statements about the onset of menarche and menopause is true?

A) The timing of menarche has significantly decreased in the 20th century.
B) The average age at which U.S. women have their last period is 61.
C) Women who reported early menarche were prone to have earlier menopause.
D) In menarche, production of estrogen by the ovaries declines dramatically.

Question 74

Which of the following is most likely a factor that is associated with erectile problems in middle-aged men?

A) smoking
B) moderate exercises
C) excessive sexual activity
D) high testosterone levels

Question 75

Which of the following types of hormones is most commonly administered during hormone replacement therapy?

A) estrogen
B) testosterone
C) follicle stimulating hormone
D) luteinizing hormone

Question 76

________ is the transitional period from normal menstrual periods to no menstrual periods at all.

A) Postmenopause
B) Postmenarche
C) Perimenopause
D) Periadrenarche

Question 77

Brandon is a chain smoker and has been smoking cigarettes since college. He is currently 50 years old and has been recently diagnosed with erectile dysfunction. He consults his doctor to know more about his condition. Which of the following would the doctor most likely tell Brandon during the consultation?

A) Erectile dysfunction only occurs in males over 70 years of age and seldom occurs in younger males.
B) Erectile dysfunction is a fatal condition in males.
C) Obesity and elevated cholesterol levels are the only known causes for erectile dysfunction.
D) The main treatment for men with erectile dysfunction has focused on Viagra and similar drugs.

Question 78

According to studies, which of the following is one of the most common sexual problems of older men?

A) premature ejaculation
B) partner non-cooperation
C) lack of foreplay
D) lubrication difficulties

Question 79

Diana is 50 years old and has recently started experiencing a few symptoms of menopause. Which of the following symptoms is Diana most likely to experience?

A) bipolar disorder
B) psychotic depression
C) hot flashes
D) high blood sugar

Question 80

________ is a term that is used to describe the midlife transition in which fertility declines.

A) Puberty
B) Menarche
C) Spermarche
D) Climacteric