Adult Cognitive Development

Question 1

What can be defined as the mechanisms used to prepare to process stimuli, focus on what to process, and determine how much to process the stimuli?

Answer 1

attention

Question 2

What can be defined as focusing on a specific aspect of experience that is relevant while ignoring others that are irrelevant?

Answer 2

selective attention

Question 3

Describe the generational differences in terms of divided attention

Answer 3

When tasks are easy, age differences are minimal. However the more difficult the tasks, the less effectively older adults divide attention.

Question 4

What can be defined as the ability to direct and focus cognitive activity on specific stimuli; readiness to detect and respond to small changes occurring at random times in the environment?

Answer 4

sustained attention

Question 5

Perceptual speed accounts for greater than __% of age-related variance in performance on memory tasks

Answer 5

80%

Question 6

What are 3 times of memory?

Answer 6

• explicit
• implicit
• source

Question 7

Describe explicit memory

Answer 7

memory of facts and experiences that individuals consciously know and can state

Question 8

Describe implicit memory

Answer 8

memory without conscious recollection; skills and routines that are automatically performed

Question 9

Describe source memory

Answer 9

ability to remember where learned something

Question 10

Which type of memory is the most affected by age?

Answer 10

explicit

Question 11

What are 4 sources of age differences in memory?

Answer 11

• encoding and retrieval problems
• failure to use encoding strategies, such as organizing information
• less blood flow/brain activity during encoding for older adults
• older adults more susceptible to false memories

Question 12

What can be defined as the score derived from performance on an intelligence test; it is an indicator of the “amount” of intelligence possessed by the individual?

Answer 12

IQ or intelligence quotient

Question 13

What are 6 factors that reduce the risk of intellectual decline in older adulthood?

Answer 13

• Absence of cardiovascular and other chronic diseases
• Favorable environment mediated by high socioeconomic status
• Involvement in complex and intellectually stimulating environment
• Flexible personality style
• High cognitive status of spouse
• Maintain high levels of perceptual processing speed

Question 14

What can be defined as the development of advanced skills and knowledge in a particularly well-practiced activity?

Answer 14

Expertise

Question 15

True or False

Expertise is immune to aging effects

Answer 15

True

Question 16

What can be defined as an expert knowledge system applied to the fundamental pragmatics of life that permits exceptional insight, judgment, and advice involving the conduct and meaning of life?

Answer 16

Wisdom

Question 17

True or False

There is a positive relationship between wisdom and age

Answer 17

False

Question 18

Are personality or cognitive factors better predictors of wisdom?

Answer 18

personality

Question 19

What is the condition that lies between normal aging and dementia called?

Answer 19

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)

Question 20

The prevalence of mild cognitive impairment increases as a function of age so that:

_% at age 60
_% at age 65
\_\_% at age 75
\_\_% at age 80 
\_\_% at age 85

Answer 20

1

6

12

30

42

Question 21

What ethnicity is MCI most prevalent in?

Answer 21

African Americans

Question 22

What can be defined as sudden and sometimes rapid change in mental function?

Answer 22

Delirium

Question 23

When is delirium the most common in the elderly?

Answer 23

post-op

Question 24

Agitation is associated with delirium __% of the time

Answer 24

25

Question 25

Hypoactive or quiet delirium is often confused with what?

Answer 25

dementia

Question 26

What are the risk factors for delirium?

Answer 26

- Old age (> 65) - Admission to hospital with infection or dehydration - Physical frailty - Visual Impairment - Severe illness - Deafness - Multiple diseases - Polypharmacy - Dementia - Renal Impairment - Alcohol excess - Malnutrition

Question 27

A hematocrit below __% leads to increased risk of delirium

Answer 27

30

Question 28

What can be defined as a group of disorders that affect the brain and present as symptoms that commonly affect memory and language?

Answer 28

Dementia

Question 29

What is the essential feature of dementia?

Answer 29

The development of multiple cognitive deficits that include memory impairment and at least of the of the following cognitive disturbances: aphasia, apraxia, agnosia, or a disturbance of executive functioning.

Question 30

What is the most common type of dementia?

Answer 30

Alzheimer's Disease

Question 31

What is Alzheimer's Disease?

Answer 31

a slowly progressive disease of the brain that is characterized by impairment of memory and eventually by disturbances in reasoning, planning, language, and perception

Question 32

Alzheimer's Disease is characterized by 3 pathologic changes in the brain, what are they?

Answer 32

- Amyloid plaques - Formation of neurofibrillary tangles within the neurons - Loss of connections between neurons that are responsible for memory and learning

Question 33

How many stages of AD are there?

Answer 33

3

Question 34

Describe early stage AD

Answer 34

They display frequent recent memory loss, particularly of recent conversations and events. Questions are frequently repeated. They may have some problems expressing and understanding language. Writing and using objects become difficult and depression and apathy can occur.

Question 35

What is the typical duration of early stage AD?

Answer 35

2-4 years

Question 36

Describe second stage AD

Answer 36

They can no longer cover up heir cognitive problems. Pervasive and persistent memory loss impacts life across many settings. Rambling speech, unusual reasoning, confusion about current events, time, and place.  Potential to become lost in familiar settings, sleep disturbances, and mood or behavioral symptoms accelerate. Slowness, rigidity, tremors, and gait problems impact mobility and coordination. 

Question 37

What is the typical duration of second stage AD?

Answer 37

2-10

Question 38

Nearly __% of patients in the second stage of AD exhibit emotional and behavioral problems which are aggravated by stress and change.

Answer 38

80

Question 39

Describe last stage AD

Answer 39

Confused about past and present. Loss of recognition of familiar people and places. Generally incapacitated with severe to total loss of verbal skills. Unable to care for self.  Falls possible and immobility likely. Problems with swallowing, incontinence, and illness. Extreme problems with mood, behavioral problems, hallucinations, and delirium.

Question 40

What is the typical duration of last stage AD?

Answer 40

1-3 years

Question 41

What do patients with AD often die from?

Answer 41

infection or pneumonia