Q.1 Which psychiatric disorder is most commonly seen in the elderly population?
Schizophrenia
Depression
Bipolar Disorder
Anxiety Disorder
Explanation - Depression is the most common psychiatric disorder in older adults, often underdiagnosed due to overlapping physical illnesses.
Correct answer is: Depression
Q.2 Which cognitive assessment tool is widely used for screening dementia in the elderly?
Beck Depression Inventory
Mini-Mental State Examination
Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale
MoCA
Explanation - The MMSE is a commonly used tool for cognitive screening and detecting dementia in older adults.
Correct answer is: Mini-Mental State Examination
Q.3 Which intervention is considered first-line for late-life depression?
Electroconvulsive therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Antidepressant medication
Psychodynamic therapy
Explanation - Pharmacological treatment with antidepressants is considered first-line for managing depression in elderly patients, often combined with psychotherapy.
Correct answer is: Antidepressant medication
Q.4 A common symptom of delirium in elderly patients is:
Gradual memory loss
Fluctuating levels of consciousness
Persistent low mood
Hallucinations without confusion
Explanation - Delirium in the elderly typically presents with sudden onset and fluctuating consciousness, unlike dementia which is gradual.
Correct answer is: Fluctuating levels of consciousness
Q.5 Which neurotransmitter imbalance is commonly implicated in Alzheimer's disease?
Dopamine deficiency
Acetylcholine deficiency
Serotonin excess
GABA deficiency
Explanation - Alzheimer's disease is associated with reduced cholinergic activity due to acetylcholine deficiency in the brain.
Correct answer is: Acetylcholine deficiency
Q.6 In elderly patients, polypharmacy increases the risk of:
Improved cognition
Medication noncompliance
Adverse drug reactions
Enhanced memory
Explanation - Polypharmacy in older adults increases the risk of drug interactions and adverse effects, impacting mental and physical health.
Correct answer is: Adverse drug reactions
Q.7 Which of the following is a non-pharmacological approach to manage agitation in dementia?
Antipsychotic medication
Restraints
Music therapy
Electroconvulsive therapy
Explanation - Non-pharmacological interventions like music therapy, reminiscence therapy, and environmental modification are preferred to manage agitation in dementia.
Correct answer is: Music therapy
Q.8 Which factor increases the risk of late-life suicide?
Social isolation
Physical activity
Strong social support
Engagement in hobbies
Explanation - Social isolation, chronic illness, and depression are key risk factors for suicide in older adults.
Correct answer is: Social isolation
Q.9 Which is a typical feature of late-onset schizophrenia in the elderly?
Early onset before 20
Prominent negative symptoms
More hallucinations than delusions
Rapid cognitive decline
Explanation - Late-onset schizophrenia often presents with more negative symptoms and fewer cognitive deficits compared to early-onset forms.
Correct answer is: Prominent negative symptoms
Q.10 Which intervention is most effective for preventing cognitive decline in the elderly?
Regular physical exercise
High-fat diet
Complete bed rest
Isolated living
Explanation - Physical exercise improves cerebral blood flow, neuroplasticity, and overall cognitive function, helping prevent cognitive decline.
Correct answer is: Regular physical exercise
Q.11 Which psychiatric condition commonly coexists with Parkinson’s disease in older adults?
Depression
Schizophrenia
Borderline Personality Disorder
OCD
Explanation - Depression is highly prevalent in Parkinson's disease due to both neurochemical changes and psychosocial factors.
Correct answer is: Depression
Q.12 The term 'sundowning' in dementia refers to:
Improved cognition in the evening
Increased confusion in the evening
Daytime agitation
Nighttime sleep improvement
Explanation - Sundowning is characterized by increased agitation and confusion in the late afternoon or evening in patients with dementia.
Correct answer is: Increased confusion in the evening
Q.13 Which vitamin deficiency is associated with cognitive impairment in the elderly?
Vitamin A
Vitamin B12
Vitamin D
Vitamin K
Explanation - Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to memory impairment, mood changes, and neuropathy in older adults.
Correct answer is: Vitamin B12
Q.14 In geriatric psychiatric nursing, the primary focus of care is:
Acute symptom control only
Holistic well-being
Physical health only
Medication management alone
Explanation - Geriatric psychiatric nursing emphasizes a holistic approach, addressing physical, mental, social, and emotional needs.
Correct answer is: Holistic well-being
Q.15 Which of the following is a common side effect of antipsychotic use in the elderly?
Weight loss
Extrapyramidal symptoms
Improved cognition
Hyperactivity
Explanation - Older adults are more prone to extrapyramidal side effects due to age-related pharmacokinetic changes and sensitivity.
Correct answer is: Extrapyramidal symptoms
Q.16 Which behavioral symptom is commonly observed in vascular dementia?
Euphoria
Apathy
Hyperactivity
Grandiosity
Explanation - Apathy and emotional blunting are frequently seen in vascular dementia due to frontal lobe involvement.
Correct answer is: Apathy
Q.17 Which of the following is a key nursing intervention for an elderly patient with anxiety?
Encourage isolation
Provide a calm environment
Avoid communication
Increase stimulants
Explanation - Creating a calm, predictable environment helps reduce anxiety and agitation in elderly patients.
Correct answer is: Provide a calm environment
Q.18 Which of the following is a risk factor for developing dementia?
Low education level
High social engagement
Regular exercise
Balanced diet
Explanation - Low education level, vascular risk factors, and genetic predisposition are associated with higher risk of dementia.
Correct answer is: Low education level
Q.19 Which sleep disorder is commonly associated with depression in the elderly?
Insomnia
Sleepwalking
Night terrors
Narcolepsy
Explanation - Insomnia, especially early morning awakening, is a common symptom of depression in older adults.
Correct answer is: Insomnia
Q.20 Which nursing approach is recommended for elderly patients with hallucinations due to dementia?
Reality orientation
Ignore them
Confrontation
Isolation
Explanation - Reality orientation helps patients stay oriented to time, place, and person and can reduce distress from hallucinations.
Correct answer is: Reality orientation
Q.21 Which class of drugs is often used to treat anxiety in elderly patients?
Benzodiazepines
Tricyclic antidepressants
SSRIs
Stimulants
Explanation - SSRIs are preferred over benzodiazepines in elderly due to lower risk of dependence and falls.
Correct answer is: SSRIs
Q.22 Which factor can worsen cognitive function in elderly patients?
Social interaction
Sedentary lifestyle
Balanced diet
Cognitive stimulation
Explanation - Physical inactivity is associated with accelerated cognitive decline in older adults.
Correct answer is: Sedentary lifestyle
Q.23 Which psychiatric disorder in the elderly may present primarily with somatic complaints?
Depression
Schizophrenia
Bipolar disorder
PTSD
Explanation - Elderly patients with depression often present with physical or somatic complaints rather than overt sadness.
Correct answer is: Depression
Q.24 Which intervention is most important for preventing falls in elderly psychiatric patients on medication?
Environmental modification
Encouraging bed rest
Increasing sedative dose
Limiting fluid intake
Explanation - Fall prevention involves removing hazards, ensuring proper lighting, and modifying the environment, especially when patients are on psychoactive medications.
Correct answer is: Environmental modification
Q.25 Which is a common challenge in diagnosing psychiatric disorders in elderly patients?
Over-reporting of symptoms
Presence of comorbid physical illnesses
Lack of family history
Rapid symptom onset
Explanation - Comorbid physical conditions can mask or mimic psychiatric symptoms, making diagnosis in older adults challenging.
Correct answer is: Presence of comorbid physical illnesses