Chapter 14—

Question 1

The concept of spaced retrieval is based on

a. the theory of postformal thought. c. the E-I-E-I-O approach to memory.
b. circadian rhythms. d. cross-linking theory.

Answer 1

c. the E-I-E-I-O approach to memory.

Question 2

Candida has had Alzheimer’s disease for over a decade. In an effort to help slow her memory loss, therapists have begun asking her simple questions, waiting for 10 seconds, then, if Candida gets the item correct, re-asking the question after a slightly longer time delay. Candida’s intervention is based on

a. recognition. c. spaced retrieval.
b. a circadian rhythm task. d. an internal belief system.

Answer 2

c. spaced retrieval.

Question 3

Which best reflects the current scientific status concerning the role of genetics
factors in causing Alzheimer’s disease?
a. A mutation on chromosome 17 causes Alzheimer’s
b. There is evidence that specific genes may both increase and decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s disease
c. The only genetic link is from data on individuals with both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases
d. There is no scientific evidence that Alzheimer’s has a genetic component

Answer 3

b. There is evidence that specific genes may both increase and decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s disease

Question 4

In an attempt to diagnose Alzheimer’s, Dr. Moneypenny is taking a sample of cerebrospinal fluid. She would be most likely looking for a certain protein called

a. amyloid. c. thioridazine.
b. dopamine. d. dysphoria.

Answer 4

a. amyloid.

Question 5

Apolipoprotein E4 appears to play a role in

a. depression. c. Alzeimer’s disease.
b. transient ischemic attack. d. Parkinson’s disease.

Answer 5

c. Alzeimer’s disease.

Question 6

Research by Camp and Skrajner (2005) on training individuals with dementia to be group leaders led to the conclusion that

a. individuals with dementia could not become group leaders.
b. training techniques worked well with every group except those with Alzheimer’s disease.
c. effective training must include some psychoactive drug use.
d. procedures based on the Montessori method can be effective.

Answer 6

d. procedures based on the Montessori method can be effective.

Question 7

According to the text, the guiding principle behind setting up an effective family care program for dealing with Alzheimer’s patients should be

a. “love cures all.”
b. “don’t be afraid of using medication to control a loved one’s behavior.”
c. “try to keep in mind that you may be next.”
d. “create an environment that optimizes the individual’s functioning.”

Answer 7

d. “create an environment that optimizes the individual’s functioning.”

Question 8

Dr. Murray believes that depression results from an individual’s conscious focus on maladaptive beliefs about oneself. Given this information, Dr. Murray is most likely a ____ therapist.

a. behavioral c. cognitive
b. psychodynamic d. social learning theory

Answer 8

c. cognitive

Question 9

Prior to entering a restaurant, Amy starts to shake, hyperventilate, and feel light-headed. She is too terrified to enter the restaurant. She turns around immediately and catches the first taxi back home. This behavior is most consistent with

a. depression. c. an anxiety disorder.
b. Parkinson’s disease. d. Huntington’s disease.

Answer 9

c. an anxiety disorder.

Question 10

Blake’s doctor has just prescribed relaxation therapy and benzodiazepines to help solve Blake’s problem. What is his problem most likely to be?

a. An anxiety disorder c. Parkinson’s disease
b. Depression d. Vascular dementia

Answer 10

a. An anxiety disorder

Question 11

For older adults, the clear treatment of choice for anxiety disorders is

a. psychotherapy. c. Valium.
b. Librium. d. SSRIs.

Answer 11

a. psychotherapy

Question 12

What is the only definitive diagnostic test for Alzheimer’s disease?

a. CT scan c. MRI
b. Autopsy of the brain d. Blood test

Answer 12

b. Autopsy of the brain

Question 13

Teresa has just been diagnosed as exhibiting Alzheimer’s disease. If the diagnosis is correct, Teresa’s symptoms

a. will be held constant as long as the disease was diagnosed early enough.
b. will only get worse as time goes on.
c. may improve if she sticks to a healthy diet.
d. may disappear if she is treated with haloperidol.

Answer 13

b. will only get worse as time goes on.

Question 14

The loss of bladder or bowel control is called

a. impotence. c. incontinence.
b. immobility. d. impertinence.

Answer 14

c. incontinence.

Question 15

Charles has changed a great deal. He has a difficult time remembering things, even simple things like where he is or what year it is. He is having increasing difficulty understanding people or saying things that make sense to others. In addition, he rarely cleans himself anymore and acts in very inappropriate ways around others. Charles is exhibiting many signs of

a. depression. c. Parkinson’s disease.
b. anxiety disorder. d. Alzheimer’s disease.

Answer 15

d. Alzheimer’s disease.

Question 16

Dysphoria is the most prominent symptom of

a. depression. c. Alzheimer’s disease.
b. creativity. d. Parkinson’s disease.

Answer 16

a. depression

Question 17

Joanne is 65 years old. She has a difficult time motivating herself to get out of bed and explains by saying sadly, “What’s the point? There is nothing I can do to make it worthwhile anyway.” This particular experience of Joanne’s is best described as

a. wisdom. c. circadian rhythms.
b. dysphoria. d. Parkinson’s disease.

Answer 17

b. dysphoria.

Question 18

Which statement about depression is true?

a. Physical symptoms may include loss of appetite and insomnia
b. In older people, trouble breathing is a very good predictor of depression
c. It is easy to diagnose as the symptoms are unlike any other disorder
d. It does not involve any significant impairment in daily life activities

Answer 18

a. Physical symptoms may include loss of appetite and insomnia

Question 19

When Ruth’s husband dies, she thinks, “I can’t live without my husband. God is punishing me.” These types of thoughts about events are called

a. explicit memories. c. internal belief systems.
b. semantic memories. d. internal memory aids.

Answer 19

c. internal belief systems.

Question 20

Which sort of medication would be least likely prescribed for depression?

a. L-dopa c. MAOIs
b. SSRIs d. HCAs

Answer 20

a. L-dopa

Question 21

Which type of therapy for depression would be most interested in altering internal belief systems?

a. Cognitive therapy c. Using SSRIs
b. Behavior therapy d. Using HCAs

Answer 21

a. Cognitive therapy

Question 22

Because he is a cognitive therapist, Dr. Spence is most likely to suggest that the underlying cause of depression involves

a. an unconscious battle between the id and superego.
b. an imbalance of neurotransmitters.
c. a past life that includes too few rewards.
d. a thought process that focuses only on negative memories.

Answer 22

d. a thought process that focuses only on negative memories.

Question 23

While being treated for depression, 70-year-old Ian is encouraged to avoid situations that lead to negative consequences and to reward himself when something good happens to him. Ian appears to be being treated by a ____ therapist.

a. cognitive c. psychoanalytic
b. behavioral d. biomedical

Answer 23

b. behavioral

Question 24

Which patient is likely to experience the fewest and least severe side effects from their antidepressant medication?

a. Angie, who is taking an HCA
b. Gloria, who is taking an MAO inhibitor
c. Victoria, who is taking an SSRI
d. Tiffany, who is taking L-dopa

Answer 24

c. Victoria, who is taking an SSRI

Question 25

If Nathan is prescribed ____ for his depression, he will have to be very careful about what kinds of food he eats.

a. selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
b. monoamine oxidase inhibitors
c. cognitive therapy
d. an amyloid

Answer 25

b. monoamine oxidase inhibitors

Question 26

When asked how she is able to remember the names of all the students in his class, Dr. Willis-Rivera says, “I just try to match each student’s face to an image of a famous person.” This technique best exemplifies the concept of

a. spaced retrieval. c. vigilance.
b. implicit memory. d. an internal memory aid.

Answer 26

d. an internal memory aid.

Question 27

After learning the E-I-E-I-O framework, Hugh uses rehearsal to recall his new student ID number. This would be an example of an ______ memory aid.

a. implicit-internal c. explicit-internal
b. implicit-external d. explicit-external

Answer 27

c. explicit-internal

Question 28

Storing a new acquaintance’s picture in your iPhone so that you can recall what he looks like provides a good example of an _____ memory aid.

a. explicit-external c. implicit-external
b. explicit-internal d. implicit-internal

Answer 28

a. explicit-external

Question 29

Which is not one of the three abilities used to define creativity in adults by Sternberg and Lubart (2001)?

a. Producing work that is novel
b. Producing work that is task appropriate
c. Producing work that is artistic
d. Producing work that is high in demand

Answer 29

c. Producing work that is artistic

Question 30

What is the general age-related pattern of creativity when defined by the overall number of ideas an individual generates?

a. Lower in one’s 30s, higher in one’s 40s, peaks thereafter
b. High in one’s 30s, higher in one’s 40s, peaks thereafter
c. Lower in one’s 30s, higher in one’s 40s, declines thereafter
d. Higher in one’s 30s, lower in one’s 40s, declines thereafter

Answer 30

c. Lower in one’s 30s, higher in one’s 40s, declines thereafter

Question 31

The rate of severe depression

a. follows no developmental pattern.
b. declines between young adulthood and old age.
c. increases between young adulthood and old age.
d. declines between young adulthood and middle age and then rises dramatically in old age.

Answer 31

b. declines between young adulthood and old age.

Question 32

Which statement regarding wisdom is most accurate?

a. The older a person is, the wiser she is likely to be.
b. Young people are more likely to be wise than older people.
c. There is no relationship between age and wisdom.
d. Older males tend to be wiser than older females.

Answer 32

c. There is no relationship between age and wisdom.

Question 33

Which is a characteristic of wisdom?

a. Intent of the act does not matter
b. Involves a narrow focus
c. “Average” judgment or advice
d. Deals with important life issues

Answer 33

d. Deals with important life issues

Question 34

Which of the following is not an aspect of wisdom described from the psychological perspective?

a. Orchestration of mind and virtue
b. Postformal thinking
c. Action-oriented knowledge
d. Cross-linking

Answer 34

d. Cross-linking

Question 35

Akuba has a great deal of knowledge that she applies skillfully to most any situation. She does not turn her back on the difficult problems in life, but rather applies her great knowledge to give expert advice in order to aid individuals and society. Akuba would best be described as exhibiting

a. creativity. c. implicit memory.
b. wisdom. d. divided attention.

Answer 35

b. wisdom.

Question 36

If you were taking a test to assess your episodic memory, what question would you be least likely to be asked?

a. “What did you do on your last birthday?”
b. “Where were you on the 4th of July?”
c. “What happened the last time you went to the movies?”
d. “What is the capital of New Jersey?”

Answer 36

d. “What is the capital of New Jersey?”

Question 37

Jackie is playing a game in which she has to answer questions regarding the meaning of 10 random words. This sort of game would be most challenging to Jackie’s

a. implicit memory. c. semantic memory.
b. episodic memory. d. selective attention.

Answer 37

c. semantic memory.

Question 38

Gina is recalling the time last year that she hiked up a big hill in the rain with a group of her friends. This memory would be best described as a(n) ____ memory.

a. implicit c. semantic
b. vigilance d. episodic

Answer 38

d. episodic

Question 39

You would expect the greatest differences between older and younger adults on tasks assessing ____ memory.

a. implicit c. episodic
b. semantic d. procedural

Answer 39

c. episodic

Question 40

Which statement concerning autobiographical memory development is true?

a. Younger adults tend to more vividly recall information from ages 10-30, while older adults tend to recall information from after age 30
b. Older adults tend to more vividly recall information from ages 10-30, while younger adults tend to recall information from after age 30
c. Younger adults and older adults both tend to more vividly recall information from ages 10-30
d. Younger adults and older adults both tend to more vividly recall information from after age 30

Answer 40

c. Younger adults and older adults both tend to more vividly recall information from ages 10-30

Question 41

Which of the following statements is most accurate about the level of detail remembered about past events?

a. Older adults remember more details from past events than younger adults
b. Older adults remember fewer details from past events than younger adults
c. Young adults use details remembered from past events to maintain more information in working memory
d. Young adults use details remembered from past events to encode new memories

Answer 41

b. Older adults remember fewer details from past events than younger adults

Question 42

How many of the following are examples of internal memory aids: a calendar, your diary, class notes, mental notes?

a. 1 c. 3
b. 2 d. 4

Answer 42

a. 1

Question 43

If you cheat on this exam by looking at notes you have taken, you are using a(n) ____ memory aid.

a. implicit c. internal
b. spaced retrieval d. external

Answer 43

d. external

Question 44

Maura suspects that she has some memory deficit. What kind of assessment should she undergo?

a. COPD c. Neuropsychological
b. Divided attention d. Selective attention

Answer 44

c. Neuropsychological

Question 45

The key question in determining whether or not Kwan should be concerned about her memory is,

a. “Does the memory problem interfere in Kwan’s life?”
b. “Has Kwan ever forgotten to perform a household chore?”
c. “How many times has Kwan forgotten something?”
d. “Does anyone think Kwan might have a memory problem?”

Answer 45

a. “Does the memory problem interfere in Kwan’s life?”

Question 46

If older adults practice making quick responses, reaction times

a. can be eliminated.
b. can be reduced.
c. will remain the same.
d. will actually be increased.

Answer 46

b. can be reduced.

Question 47

Psychomotor slowing is a good predictor of cognitive performance in older adulthood

a. for all tasks.
b. only on tasks that require little effort.
c. only on tasks that require great effort.
d. only on tasks that tap into episodic memory.

Answer 47

b. only on tasks that require little effort.

Question 48

The Useful Field of View measure does an excellent job of assessing

a. an individual’s IQ.
b. one’s risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
c. the type of skills necessary to drive.
d. working memory.

Answer 48

c. the type of skills necessary to drive.

Question 49

Which is not one of the key functional areas assessed on the AAA Roadwise Review: A Tool to Help Seniors Drive Safely Longer?

a. Leg strength c. Visual search
b. Head flexibility d. Hearing high-pitched sounds

Answer 49

d. Hearing high-pitched sounds

Question 50

The process of simultaneously holding and using information to solve a problem relies most heavily on ____ memory.

a. working c. sensory
b. long-term d. implicit

Answer 50

a. working

Question 51

Concerning memory, implicit is to explicit as

a. fact is to fiction. c. events are to people.
b. unconscious is to intentional. d. divided is to selective.

Answer 51

b. unconscious is to intentional.

Question 52

When Judy is asked, “What’s 2 + 2?” the answer just seems to pop into her head. This is an example of

a. implicit memory. c. cross-linking.
b. attentional control. d. explicit memory.

Answer 52

a. implicit memory.

Question 53

In preparing for a date in court, Angeline commits to memory the details of the case. This sort of conscious preparation and remembering of information is an example of ____ memory.

a. implicit c. working
b. sensory d. explicit

Answer 53

d. explicit

Question 54

The key characteristic of an explicit memory is that it is

a. naughty. c. not tied to a specific time.
b. false. d. deliberate.

Answer 54

d. deliberate.

Question 55

In order to find a ballpark in a strange town, a player stops at a local gas station to get directions. The attendant tells the player, “Go to the stoplight, take a right, go two blocks, take a left, and the park will be a mile down the road on the left.” The player then gets in her car and tries to remember the directions while driving to the park. The player is demonstrating the use of

a. working memory. c. cross-linking.
b. psychomotor speed. d. transient ischemia.

Answer 55

a. working memory.

Question 56

Which sleep complaint would you least expect from an older adult?

a. “I just can’t get to sleep at night.”
b. “Once I go to sleep, I sleep way too long.”
c. “I only slept four hours last night.”
d. “If I don’t get enough sleep at night, I am just worthless the next day.”

Answer 56

b. “Once I go to sleep, I sleep way too long.”

Question 57

While at a conference dealing with issues related to aging, Eve is interested in learning about how sleep patterns change in late life. She will be best served by attending a presentation entitled “____ and the Elderly.”

a. Circadian Rhythms
b. Neuritic Plaques
c. Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
d. Selectivity

Answer 57

a. Circadian Rhythms

Question 58

Salvatore is a typical older adult who eats a well-balanced diet. Chances are he will

a. not have to take any vitamin supplements.
b. have to take protein supplements.
c. have to take vitamin C supplements.
d. have to take calcium supplements.

Answer 58

a. not have to take any vitamin supplements.

Question 59

As a person reaches old age, the metabolic rate declines. How should older people adjust their diets to compensate for this change?

a. Reduce the amount of protein in their diet
b. Consume the amount of carbohydrates in their diet they did when younger
c. Take vitamin supplements
d. Increase their intake of fiber

Answer 59

b. Consume the amount of carbohydrates in their diet they did when younger

Question 60

Who is most likely to develop cancer within the next year?

a. Jadwiga, who is 43 years old
b. Cristina, who is 58 years old
c. Chun, who is 73 years old
d. Efra, who is 88 years old

Answer 60

d. Efra, who is 88 years old

Question 61

When older adults are asked to respond to an ambiguous question, you can expect

a. slower response rates.
b. mostly incorrect answers.
c. pseudodementia.
d. accurate and speedy responses.

Answer 61

a. slower response rates.

Question 62

The only universal behavior change in aging that has been discovered is the fact that older adults

a. show improvements in vigilance.
b. exhibit dysphoria.
c. lose autobiographical memories.
d. have slower reaction times.

Answer 62

d. have slower reaction times.

Question 63

As Dr. Hallen is interested in ____, she does research in which she always measures the reaction times of her subjects.

a. neurofibrillary tangles c. psychomotor speed
b. selective attention d. implicit memory

Answer 63

c. psychomotor speed

Question 64

If you want to determine whether 80-year-old Maggie’s brain is active while she is reading, you should use

a. magnetic resonance imaging.
b. positron emission tomography.
c. functional MRI.
d. a psychomotor test.

Answer 64

c. functional MRI.

Question 65

Research on the relationship between immigration, ethnicity, and health status of older adults has shown that

a. immigration status has no impact on physical or mental health.
b. recent immigrants tend to have better health than U.S.-born individuals of the same ethnicity.
c. recent immigrants tend to have poorer health than U.S.-born individuals of the same ethnicity.
d. immigration status has a negative impact on physical health but not on mental health.

Answer 65

c. recent immigrants tend to have poorer health than U.S.-born individuals of the same ethnicity.

Question 66

The leading cause of functional blindness in older adults is the result of

a. glaucoma. c. presbyopia.
b. macular degeneration. d. cataracts.

Answer 66

b. macular degeneration.

Question 67

For maximum visual acuity to occur, light must be focused directly on the

a. optic nerve. c. rods.
b. pons. d. fovea.

Answer 67

d. fovea.

Question 68

Hank has just been informed that he is a diabetic. As a knowledgeable physician, he realizes that his risk for developing ____ has also increased.

a. macular degeneration c. retinopathy
b. Cataracts d. glaucoma

Answer 68

c. retinopathy

Question 69

The most normative hearing-related change in adulthood involves the inability to hear

a. high-pitched tones. c. bass sounds.
b. voices. d. loud tones.

Answer 69

a. high-pitched tones.

Question 70

Presbycusis is the most common age-related

a. form of dementia. c. visual disorder.
b. type of hearing problem. d. variety of COPD.

Answer 70

b. type of hearing problem

Question 71

Hilde is buying a bulb that will light up when someone rings her doorbell. She is buying this because although she can hear people fairly well during normal conversations, she has a very difficult time hearing the high-pitched sound of the doorbell. Hilde is most likely experiencing

a. Parkinson’s disease. c. presbycusis.
b. Huntington’s disease. d. COPD.

Answer 71

c. presbycusis.

Question 72

Presbycusis can be the result of

a. excessive cell development in the cochlea.
b. a deformed outer ear.
c. loss of neurons in the auditory pathway.
d. the consumption of excessive levels of vitamin E.

Answer 72

c. loss of neurons in the auditory pathway.

Question 73

You are hired by a social service agency to do safety inspections of the apartments of older adults. What would you not want to see in these apartments?

a. Night-lights by their beds
b. Handrails on both sides of stairways
c. Throw rugs on floors
d. Nonskid mats in bathtubs

Answer 73

c. Throw rugs on floors

Question 74

Dr. Aoyama has to prescribe a syrupy medication for one of her elderly patients. She has two choices: one that smells bad but tastes good or one that smells good but tastes bad. Since her patient is 75 years old, and assuming she wants to prescribe the medicine that is most tolerable, which medicine should she prescribe?

a. The one that smells bad
b. The one that tastes bad
c. Either one, because people that old have little or no sense of taste or smell
d. If the patient is male, she should prescribe the one that tastes bad; if the patient is female, she should prescribe the one that smells bad

Answer 74

a. The one that smells bad

Question 75

Presbycusis can occur due to all of the following except

a. diminished supply of nutrients to the cells in the receptor area.
b. atrophy and degeneration of receptor cells.
c. loss of neurons in the auditory pathway.
d. softening of the vibration structures in the receptor area.

Answer 75

d. softening of the vibration structures in the receptor area.

Question 76

After assessing Nalini’s brain, her physician comments, “You have significantly reduced amounts of dopamine in your midbrain.” Since she is a nurse, Nalini would most likely suspect that she has

a. Huntington’s disease.
b. Alzheimer’s disease.
c. Parkinson’s disease.
d. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Answer 76

a. Huntington’s disease.

Question 77

Despite the fact that Feodor’s hands shake and he has a difficult time walking, positioning, and moving his body to get in and out of chairs, he remains mentally sharp. Feodor appears to have

a. Parkinson’s disease.
b. Alzheimer’s disease.
c. Huntington’s disease.
d. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Answer 77

a. Parkinson’s disease.

Question 78

After Winston has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s, his doctor would be most likely to suggest that he begin a treatment involving

a. statins.
b. implanting a neurostimulator to act as a brain pacemaker.
c. the injection of amyloids into the affected area of his brain.
d. thioridazine.

Answer 78

b. implanting a neurostimulator to act as a brain pacemaker.

Question 79

Visual adaptation involves the ability to adjust to changes in

a. an object’s position. c. illumination.
b. an object’s distance.
d. acceleration.

Answer 79

c. illumination.

Question 80

As we grow old, our

a. lenses tend to yellow and the muscles controlling the eye loosen.
b. lenses tend to blacken and the muscles controlling the eye loosen.
c. lenses tend to yellow and the muscles controlling the eye stiffen.
d. lenses tend to blacken and the muscles controlling the eye stiffen.

Answer 80

c. lenses tend to yellow and the muscles controlling the eye stiffen.

Question 81

When someone hands Russ a menu to read, he has to hold it at arm’s length in order to be able to see the words well enough to read them. This behavior indicates that Russ is experiencing

a. presbycusis. c. telomeres.
b. presbyopia. d. neuritic plaques.

Answer 81

b. presbyopia.

Question 82

As he has presbyopia, Viggo has difficulty seeing

a. color. c. depth.
b. far-away objects. d. close objects.

Answer 82

d. close objects.

Question 83

While at her yearly medical checkup, Martha is informed that she has extremely high pressure in her eye. This indicates that Martha likely has

a. presbyopia. c. glaucoma.
b. cataracts. d. macular degeneration.

Answer 83

c. glaucoma.

Question 84

Joyce’s doctor has just told her that the fluid in her eyes is not draining properly and that she’ll have to administer eye drops to prevent experiencing damage from the pressure in her eyes. Joyce has most likely been diagnosed with

a. diabetic retinopathy. c. glaucoma.
b. cataracts. d. macular degeneration.

Answer 84

c. glaucoma.

Question 85

When visiting your eye specialist, you are informed that you have large opaque spots on the lens of your left eye. As a knowledgeable student, you would know that this means that you have

a. presbyopia. c. a cataract.
b. glaucoma. d. myopia.

Answer 85

c. a cataract.

Question 86

After a series of strokes, Jerry is unable to recognize family members and has a very difficult time understanding his native language. The most probable diagnosis is

a. Huntington’s disease. c. vascular dementia.
b. neuritic plaques. d. presbycusis.

Answer 86

c. vascular dementia.

Question 87

Juliana has just suffered an interruption of blood flow to her brain. Her doctor has told her that she has just experienced a(n) ____ and that they should now do what they can to prevent the onset of a stroke.

a. transient ischemic attack c. amyloid
b. presbycusis d. circadian rhythm

Answer 87

a. transient ischemic attack

Question 88

What is a more common term used to describe a cerebral vascular accident?

a. Parkinson’s disease c. Presbycusis
b. Presbyopia d. Stroke

Answer 88

d. Stroke

Question 89

A cerebral hemorrhage occurs when a blood vessel in the brain

a. tangles. c. ruptures.
b. blocks. d. stiffens.

Answer 89

c. ruptures.

Question 90

The defining characteristic of a cerebral vascular accident is

a. death.
b. neuritic tangling.
c. an interruption of blood flow to the brain.
d. the cessation of respiratory output.

Answer 90

c. an interruption of blood flow to the brain.

Question 91

The key factor in determining the impact of vascular dementia is

a. which areas of the brain are damaged.
b. the age of the individual involved.
c. which areas of the heart are damaged.
d. the sex of the individual involved.

Answer 91

a. which areas of the brain are damaged.

Question 92

Which does not belong?

a. Emphysema
b. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
c. Dysphoria
d. Asthma

Answer 92

c. Dysphoria

Question 93

Carmen has a very difficult time breathing. Even after walking short distances, she is gasping for air. Carmen is exhibiting symptoms of

a. Parkinson’s disease.
b. circadian rhythms.
c. presbycusis.
d. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Answer 93

d. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Question 94

As a typical 80-year-old, Joan’s ____ would have decreased significantly since she was 20.

a. lung size
b. ability to take a big, deep breath
c. chance for developing a COPD
d. chance for being short of breath following exercise

Answer 94

b. ability to take a big, deep breath

Question 95

What is not used as a diagnostic test for vascular dementia?

a. Computer tomography
b. Magnetic resonance imaging
c. Neuropsychological tests
d. Measurement of neurotransmitter levels

Answer 95

d. Measurement of neurotransmitter levels

Question 96

When you see a book titled How Neurons Communicate with Each Other, you could be sure it would discuss

a. dendrites. c. internal aids.
b. working memory. d. cerebral vascular accidents.

Answer 96

a. dendrites.

Question 97

When viewed through a microscope, a _____ would most resemble a spiral-shaped mass.

a. telomere c. neurofibrillary tangle
b. free radical d. neurotransmitter

Answer 97

c. neurofibrillary tangle

Question 98

While doing an autopsy of a brain, Dr. Howard shakes her head in disgust, saying, “This is just awful.” When an assistant asks her what she sees, she says, “Two words … deformed axons.” What was the source of Dr. Howard’s disgust?

a. Neuritic plaques c. Presbycusis
b. Neurotransmitters d. Neurofibrillary tangles

Answer 98

d. Neurofibrillary tangles

Question 99

If the programmed cell theory of aging is correct,

a. people under stress should die sooner than those not under stress.
b. a low-fat diet should extend life.
c. the elimination of free radicals should greatly extend life.
d. humans are born with a “prewired death clock.”

Answer 99

d. humans are born with a “prewired death clock.”

Question 100

If a neuron becomes extremely tangled,

a. a person will develop Parkinson’s disease.
b. information can no longer flow through the neuron.
c. electrochemical energy begins to flow from the axon to the dendrite instead of from the dendrite to the axon.
d. it will not significantly affect neural functioning as such tangling is a sign of normal development.

Answer 100

b. information can no longer flow through the neuron.

Question 101

What does not typically happen to the cardiovascular system as we age?

a. The heart begins to pump more blood per minute
b. The arteries stiffen
c. Fat deposits form in the heart and arteries
d. The amount of muscle tissue in the heart decreases

Answer 101

a. The heart begins to pump more blood per minute

Question 102

Concerning brain imaging, MRI is to fMRI as

a. structure is to function.
b. internal is to external.
c. central nervous system is to peripheral nervous system.
d. explicit is to implicit.

Answer 102

a. structure is to function.

Question 103

Fifty-year-old Keith is informed by his doctor that his brain is showing signs of the initial development of neuritic plaques and a few neurofibrillary tangles. This is

a. normal.
b. a definite indicator of Parkinson’s disease.
c. a definite indicator of Alzheimer’s disease.
d. a definite indicator of Huntington’s disease.

Answer 103

a. normal.

Question 104

While looking at slides of brain tissue in a physiology class, you see groups of damaged neurons that have collected around a core of protein. What are you looking at?

a. Neurotransmitters
b. Neuritic plaques
c. Neurofibrillary tangles
d. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

Answer 104

b. computerized tomography (CT scan).

Question 105

As a demographer, Sherwood would be most interested in studying

a. how the number of young people in a population has changed over the past 50 years.
b. the number of neural connections contained in the central nervous system.
c. the distinction between presbyopia and presbycusis.
d. implicit memory.

Answer 105

a. how the number of young people in a population has changed over the past 50 years.

Question 106

Chatava is a professional who does research to determine the numbers of people in different countries, their ages, and how these numbers might change in the years to come. Chatava would best be described as a

a. social worker. c. demographer.
b. metabolic theorist. d. cartographer.

Answer 106

c. demographer.

Question 107

Which industrialized nation is expected to show the most dramatic increase in the percent of its population over age 65?

a. United States c. China
b. Sweden d. Japan

Answer 107

d. Japan

Question 108

If you were in charge of developing programs aimed at elderly individuals in the United States, for which group would you least plan to expand services in the next decade?

a. Native Americans c. European Americans
b. Asian Americans d. Pacific Islanders

Answer 108

c. European Americans

Question 109

As the over-80 population increases dramatically in the next 40 years, which will probably be most affected in the United States?

a. Defense systems c. Social service systems
b. Housing d. Transportation systems

Answer 109

c. Social service systems

Question 110

If your goal was to get the best image of a brain structure, you should use a

a. single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT).
b. computerized tomography (CT scan).
c. positron emission tomography (PET).
d. functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

Answer 110

b. computerized tomography (CT scan).

Question 111

In order to depict the number of people of different ages in the population, Dr. Gillen would be best served using a graphing technique called a(n)

a. demography. c. external aid.
b. presbycusis. d. population pyramid.

Answer 111

d. population pyramid.

Question 112

Marty asks his doctor, “How long do you think I can live, doc?” Marty is asking for information regarding his

a. longevity. c. useful life expectancy.
b. average life expectancy. d. maximum life expectancy.

Answer 112

a. longevity.

Question 113

Longevity appears to be determined

a. exclusively by genetic factors.
b. exclusively by environmental factors.
c. jointly by genetic and environmental factors.
d. by unexplained factors.

Answer 113

c. jointly by genetic and environmental factors.

Question 114

Average life expectancy is also known as the ____ life expectancy.

a. mean c. modal
b. median d. maximum

Answer 114

b. median

Question 115

Useful life expectancy is defined as the number of years an individual

a. lives free from debilitating chronic disease or impairment.
b. is capable of contributing within the workforce.
c. is able to reproduce.
d. can live on his or her own (i.e., has not moved to a nursing home or retirement community).

Answer 115

a. lives free from debilitating chronic disease or impairment.

Question 116

Which headline concerns maximum life expectancy?

a. Women Continue to Outlive Men
b. Most Humans Retain Vitality through Age 90
c. World’s Oldest Human Celebrates 120th Birthday
d. Average American Now Dies at Age 80

Answer 116

c. World’s Oldest Human Celebrates 120th Birthday

Question 117

Elijah asks his doctor how long he can plan to live without any major medical problems or impairments. Elijah is asking about _____ life expectancy.

a. maximum c. average
b. useful d. modal

Answer 117

b. useful

Question 118

Which American is just about to reach the current average life expectancy for their sex?

a. Garth, a male who just turn 60
b. Reba, a female who just turned 70
c. Faith, a female who just turned 80
d. Billy Ray, a male who just turned 90

Answer 118

c. Faith, a female who just turned 80

Question 119

In the country of Casfeldt, 50 percent of the population who died in 2002 were older than 85. Thus, 85 would be the _____ life expectancy.

a. maximum c. average
b. useful d. modal

Answer 119

c. average

Question 120

According to your text, the United States is ____ financially for the increasing numbers of elderly.

a. very well prepared c. somewhat prepared
b. well prepared d. unprepared

Answer 120

d. unprepared

Question 121

In 1950, the population distribution of the United States resembled a(n)

a. rectangle. c. pyramid.
b. square. d. upside down pyramid.

Answer 121

c. pyramid.

Question 122

____ is best explained by the wear-and-tear theory of aging.

a. AIDS
b. A misshapen blood cell in sickle-cell disease
c. Joint deterioration during osteoarthritis
d. Alzheimer’s disease

Answer 122

c. Joint deterioration during osteoarthritis

Question 123

The cellular theory of aging most focuses on

a. deterioration of cells over a lifetime.
b. the number of chromosomes in a cell.
c. the size of cells.
d. the sudden death of cells in one system

Answer 123

a. deterioration of cells over a lifetime.

Question 124

In explaining why people age and eventually die, Dr. Filipovsky talks about “free radicals” and how their buildup produces tissue damage. Dr. Filipovsky is promoting a _____ theory of aging.

a. wear-and-tear c. cellular
b. metabolic d. programmed cell death

Answer 124

c. cellular

Question 125

Telomeres are found exclusively on

a. the tips of chromosomes. c. cancer cells.
b. neurons. d. X and Y chromosomes.

Answer 125

a. the tips of chromosomes.

Question 126

What best describes the potential role of telomeres in the aging process?

a. They are the packets of fuel that feed each cell.
b. They are “glue” that binds together the base pairs of DNA molecules.
c. They are a portion of a chromosome that gets shorter until DNA replication is no longer possible.
d. They are the scrubber cells that clear all debris from our arteries.

Answer 126

c. They are a portion of a chromosome that gets shorter until DNA replication is no longer possible.

Question 127

As a proponent of cross-linking theory, Dr. Rennie would be most interested in

a. brain cells. c. hormones.
b. muscles and arteries. d. telomeres.

Answer 127

b. muscles and arteries.

Question 128

Dr. Mbiti believes that people age because their muscles and arteries become less flexible as they interact with certain proteins. Her lecture describing this position is most likely to focus on

a. wear and tear. c. neurofibrillary tangles.
b. cross-linking. d. free radicals.

Answer 128

b. cross-linking.

Question 129

Wilbur has decided to increase his intake of antioxidants like vitamins A and E in order to lower the development of certain age-related diseases and to live longer. The most recent evidence in aging suggests that Wilbur

a. will both be less likely to develop certain age-related diseases and will live longer.
b. will be less likely to develop certain age-related diseases but will not live any longer.
c. will live longer but will not show any decrease in the susceptibility to age-related diseases.
d. will neither be less likely to develop certain age-related diseases nor will live longer.

Answer 129

b. will be less likely to develop certain age-related diseases but will not live any longer.

Question 130

____ are chemicals produced during normal cell metabolism that may cause cellular damage that impairs functioning.

a. Neurofibrillary tangles c. Transient ischemic attacks
b. Neuritic plaques d. Free radicals

Answer 130

d. Free radicals

Question 131

Which would most dramatically impact the levels of free radicals in one’s body?

a. Consuming antioxidants like vitamin E
b. Getting an injection of telomerase
c. Contracting sickle-cell anemia
d. Engaging in aerobic exercise

Answer 131

a. Consuming antioxidants like vitamin E

Question 132

Within the U.S. population, which is likely to be the shortest estimate of longevity?

a. Maximum life expectancy
b. Average life expectancy
c. Useful life expectancy
d. All these estimates are the same length

Answer 132

b. Average life expectancy

Question 133

The third age is to the fourth age as

a. longevity is to health.
b. positive life experience is to negative life experience.
c. chronic is to acute.
d. afterlife is to life.

Answer 133

b. positive life experience is to negative life experience.

Question 134

As you age, gravity will ultimately compress your spine, which will result in a loss of height. This effect is best explained by the ____ theory of aging.

a. metabolic c. wear-and-tear
b. cellular d. programmed cell death

Answer 134

c. wear-and-tear

Question 135

Which statement concerning sex differences in longevity is true?

a. In the U.S., women’s average longevity is about one year longer than that of men.
b. The reduction of death during childbirth has led to an increase in longevity of women over the past century.
c. In industrial countries, factors like education and work opportunities do not appear to impact longevity in women.
d. The rate of dying from one of the top 15 causes of death is significantly higher in women than men.

Answer 135

b. The reduction of death during childbirth has led to an increase in longevity of women over the past century.

Question 136

One common characteristic of the fourth age is

a. a high level of dementia.
b. a virtual absence of chronic stress.
c. establishment of one’s career.
d. a great probability of major improvement on physical strength/flexibility.

Answer 136

a. a high level of dementia.

Question 137

Fourth age is also characterized as

a. young-young. c. old-young.
b. young-old. d. oldest-old.

Answer 137

d. oldest-old.

Question 138

Mickey is currently experiencing “the third age.” He could best be described as one of the

a. young-old. c. old-young.
b. oldest-old. d. young-young.

Answer 138

a. young-old.

Question 139

If you wanted to visit the country with the lowest average life expectancy, you should book a trip to

a. Uganda. c. Sierra Leone.
b. Fiji. d. Guyana.

Answer 139

c. Sierra Leone.

Question 140

Genetic factors appear to play _____ role in determining whether people reach centenarian status.

a. no c. some
b. a minimal d. a major

Answer 140

d. a major

Question 141

Lo is a member of an ethnic minority group in the United States. Given this, how is her longevity most likely to be negatively impacted?

a. The fact that she is a female is a risk factor for reduced longevity
b. She likely has less access to quality medical care
c. Her diet will likely lack the amount of lead necessary for proper cell development
d. She is significantly more likely to have AIDS

Answer 141

b. She likely has less access to quality medical care

Question 142

Which statement concerning the life expectancy of African Americans and European Americans is true?

a. At birth, African Americans have a greater life expectancy than European Americans.
b. At age 45, African Americans have a greater life expectancy than European Americans.
c. At age 85, African Americans have a greater life expectancy than European Americans.
d. African Americans never have a greater life expectancy than European Americans.

Answer 142

c. At age 85, African Americans have a greater life expectancy than European Americans.

Question 143

Environmental toxins appear to play _____ role in determining longevity.

a. no c. some
b. a minimal d. a major

Answer 143

d. a major

Question 144

Based on data gathered from the Human Genome Project, researchers have attempted to increase longevity and health through

a. cloning.
b. transplanting of key organs (e.g., heart and liver).
c. implanting genetically “corrected” genes.
d. encouraging diets lower in saturated fats.

Answer 144

c. implanting genetically “corrected” genes.