Q.1 Which of the following is the most common cause of falls in older adults?
Visual impairment
Polypharmacy
Arthritis
Environmental hazards
Explanation - Polypharmacy increases the risk of dizziness, confusion, and imbalance, making it the leading contributor to falls in geriatric patients.
Correct answer is: Polypharmacy
Q.2 Which screening test is most appropriate for early detection of cognitive decline in elderly patients?
MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination)
MRI Brain
EEG
Carotid Doppler
Explanation - The MMSE is a simple bedside tool to screen for cognitive decline and dementia in geriatric patients.
Correct answer is: MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination)
Q.3 What is the first-line pharmacological treatment for osteoporosis in elderly women?
Vitamin D
Bisphosphonates
Estrogen therapy
Calcitonin
Explanation - Bisphosphonates reduce bone resorption and are the first-line treatment for osteoporosis in elderly women.
Correct answer is: Bisphosphonates
Q.4 Which vaccine is recommended for all adults over 65 years of age?
Hepatitis B
Pneumococcal vaccine
HPV vaccine
Varicella vaccine
Explanation - The pneumococcal vaccine protects against pneumonia and sepsis, conditions to which elderly individuals are more vulnerable.
Correct answer is: Pneumococcal vaccine
Q.5 A major risk factor for delirium in hospitalized elderly patients is:
Hypertension
Infection
Asthma
Hypothyroidism
Explanation - Infections such as UTIs and pneumonia are common precipitants of delirium in elderly patients.
Correct answer is: Infection
Q.6 Which condition is the most frequent cause of reversible dementia in the elderly?
Hypothyroidism
Alzheimer’s disease
Parkinson’s disease
Stroke
Explanation - Hypothyroidism can mimic dementia but is reversible with thyroid hormone replacement therapy.
Correct answer is: Hypothyroidism
Q.7 In geriatric care, the term 'polypharmacy' is typically defined as the use of:
2 or more drugs
3 or more drugs
5 or more drugs
10 or more drugs
Explanation - Polypharmacy is generally defined as the use of five or more medications simultaneously, increasing the risk of adverse effects.
Correct answer is: 5 or more drugs
Q.8 Which of the following is the most appropriate non-pharmacological intervention for insomnia in elderly patients?
Sedative use
Daytime naps
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Alcohol before bedtime
Explanation - CBT is the first-line non-drug approach for insomnia in the elderly, focusing on sleep hygiene and cognitive restructuring.
Correct answer is: Cognitive behavioral therapy
Q.9 The most common cause of visual impairment in the elderly is:
Cataract
Glaucoma
Macular degeneration
Diabetic retinopathy
Explanation - Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness worldwide, particularly in elderly individuals.
Correct answer is: Cataract
Q.10 Which of the following is considered a normal age-related change in the cardiovascular system?
Decreased systolic BP
Increased arterial stiffness
Reduced risk of arrhythmia
Decreased LV wall thickness
Explanation - Aging causes arterial stiffening, leading to isolated systolic hypertension commonly seen in older adults.
Correct answer is: Increased arterial stiffness
Q.11 What is the most common cause of urinary incontinence in elderly women?
Stress incontinence
Urge incontinence
Overflow incontinence
Functional incontinence
Explanation - Urge incontinence, often due to detrusor overactivity, is the most frequent type of incontinence in older women.
Correct answer is: Urge incontinence
Q.12 Which of the following is a key principle in prescribing for elderly patients?
Start high, go slow
Start low, go slow
Avoid non-pharmacological measures
Use as many drugs as possible
Explanation - Due to altered pharmacokinetics and dynamics in elderly patients, medications should be started at low doses and increased gradually.
Correct answer is: Start low, go slow
Q.13 The 'Get Up and Go' test is used to assess:
Hearing
Memory
Mobility and fall risk
Vision
Explanation - The Timed Up and Go test is a simple tool to evaluate gait, balance, and fall risk in the elderly.
Correct answer is: Mobility and fall risk
Q.14 Which electrolyte imbalance is most common in elderly patients due to diuretic use?
Hyperkalemia
Hypokalemia
Hypernatremia
Hypercalcemia
Explanation - Diuretics, especially loop and thiazide diuretics, commonly cause hypokalemia in elderly patients.
Correct answer is: Hypokalemia
Q.15 Which of the following is the most effective intervention for preventing pressure ulcers in bedridden elderly patients?
High-protein diet
Use of topical antibiotics
Regular repositioning
Daily massage
Explanation - Regular turning and repositioning reduces prolonged pressure on bony prominences, preventing pressure ulcers.
Correct answer is: Regular repositioning
Q.16 Which sensory deficit is most associated with social isolation in elderly individuals?
Vision loss
Hearing loss
Smell loss
Taste loss
Explanation - Hearing impairment often leads to difficulty in communication and increases the risk of social isolation in older adults.
Correct answer is: Hearing loss
Q.17 What is the most appropriate first-line management for mild depression in elderly patients?
Electroconvulsive therapy
SSRIs
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Benzodiazepines
Explanation - Non-pharmacological approaches such as CBT are effective and safe in managing mild depression in elderly patients.
Correct answer is: Cognitive behavioral therapy
Q.18 Which condition is the leading cause of disability in older adults?
Stroke
Arthritis
COPD
Parkinson’s disease
Explanation - Arthritis, particularly osteoarthritis, is the most common cause of disability in older adults due to chronic pain and limited mobility.
Correct answer is: Arthritis
Q.19 Elderly patients taking benzodiazepines are at increased risk of:
Seizures
Falls and fractures
Hyperactivity
Weight loss
Explanation - Benzodiazepines cause sedation and impaired coordination, increasing the risk of falls and fractures in the elderly.
Correct answer is: Falls and fractures
Q.20 What is the most common cause of hearing loss in elderly individuals?
Noise trauma
Presbycusis
Otosclerosis
Infections
Explanation - Presbycusis is age-related sensorineural hearing loss and is the leading cause of hearing impairment in the elderly.
Correct answer is: Presbycusis
Q.21 In geriatric nutrition, which deficiency is most common due to decreased gastric acid production?
Vitamin B12
Vitamin D
Vitamin C
Iron
Explanation - Decreased gastric acid in older adults impairs B12 absorption, leading to deficiency and neurological problems.
Correct answer is: Vitamin B12
Q.22 Which of the following is the most common psychiatric disorder in the elderly?
Dementia
Depression
Schizophrenia
Bipolar disorder
Explanation - Depression is the most prevalent psychiatric disorder in older adults, often underdiagnosed and undertreated.
Correct answer is: Depression
Q.23 Which pharmacokinetic change occurs with aging?
Increased renal clearance
Decreased hepatic metabolism
Increased lean body mass
Increased protein binding
Explanation - Liver metabolism slows with age, affecting drug clearance and increasing the risk of adverse effects.
Correct answer is: Decreased hepatic metabolism
Q.24 Which geriatric syndrome is characterized by weakness, weight loss, and low activity?
Frailty
Delirium
Dementia
Parkinsonism
Explanation - Frailty is a clinical syndrome in older adults associated with weakness, low physical activity, and weight loss.
Correct answer is: Frailty
Q.25 What is the safest analgesic for long-term use in elderly patients with osteoarthritis?
NSAIDs
Paracetamol
Opioids
Corticosteroids
Explanation - Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is the first-line analgesic for chronic pain in elderly patients due to fewer side effects compared to NSAIDs and opioids.
Correct answer is: Paracetamol