Chapter 5: Symptoms and Syndromes

Question 1

The term “geriatric syndrome” is best described as:

Answer 1

A condition that has multiple underlying factors and involves multiple systems

Question 2

The anal wink reflex is used to test:

Answer 2

Sensation and pudental nerve function

Question 3

Atypical presentation of acute coronary syndrome is:

Answer 3

More common in females

Question 4

What disease can mimic and often co-exists with myocardial infarctions in elders with coronary artery disease?

Answer 4

Esophageal disease

Question 5

Thoracic aortic dissection presents typically as:

Answer 5

Severe retrosternal chest pain that radiates to the back and both arms

Question 6

Medications known to contribute to constipation include all of the following except:

Answer 6

Broad-spectrum antibiotics

Question 7

Bordetella pertussis is best characterized by:

Answer 7

Sub-acute cough lasting greater than two weeks

Question 8

The routine testing of tuberculosis should occur in all of the following vulnerable populations except:

Answer 8

Hospitalized elderly

Question 9

Which of the following statements about fluid balance in the elderly is false?

Answer 9

Assessment of skin turgor at the sternum is a reliable indicator of dehydration in the elderly.

Question 10

Distinguishing delirium from dementia can be problematic since they may co-exist. The primary consideration in the differential is

Answer 10

Rapid change and fluctuating course of cognitive function

Question 11

Presbystasis is best described as:

Answer 11

Age-related disequilibrium of unknown pathology characterized by a gradual onset of difficulty walking

Question 12

If dizziness has a predictable pattern associated with it, the clinician should first consider:

Answer 12

Hypoglycemia

Question 13

All of the following are considered as contributors to dysphagia except:

Answer 13

Smooth muscle relaxants

Question 14

Evidence shows that the most important predictor of a fall is:

Answer 14

Prior history of a fall

Question 15

The most cost-effective interventions used to prevent falls are:

Answer 15

Tai Chi exercises

Question 16

Chronic fatigue syndrome is best described as:

Answer 16

Fatigue lasting longer than six months and not relieved by rest

Question 17

Which form of headache is bilateral?

Answer 17

Tension

Question 18

Microscopic hematuria is defined as:

Answer 18

Three or more RBCs on three or more samples of urine

Question 19

Risk factors associated with the finding of a malignancy in a patient with hemoptysis include all of the following except:

Answer 19

Childhood asthma

Question 20

Recent weight loss is defined as:

Answer 20

loss of >10 pounds over the past 3-6 months

Question 21

The most common cause of disability in the elderly is due to:

Answer 21

Arthritis

Question 22

Lipedema is best described as:

Answer 22

Bilateral distribution of fat in the lower extremities

Question 23

Drug-induced pruritus is distinguished because it:

Answer 23

May occur right after the drug is taken or months later

Question 24

A form of syncope that is more common in the elderly than younger adults is:

Answer 24

Orthostatic hypotension

Question 25

All of the following statements about tremor are true except:

Answer 25

The most common tremor is the Parkinson tremor

Question 26

Overflow incontinence is usually associated with:

Answer 26

Bladder outlet obstruction

Question 27

Wandering is best described as:

Answer 27

Purposeful excessive ambulatory behavior