Q.1 Which of the following is the most common cause of dementia in older adults?
Vascular dementia
Alzheimer’s disease
Lewy body dementia
Frontotemporal dementia
Explanation - Alzheimer’s disease accounts for about 60–80% of dementia cases in the elderly, making it the most common cause.
Correct answer is: Alzheimer’s disease
Q.2 A 78-year-old woman presents with a history of recurrent falls. What is the most likely contributing factor?
Hypotension
Hyperthyroidism
Iron deficiency
Asthma
Explanation - Older adults are prone to orthostatic hypotension due to autonomic dysfunction and medications, leading to falls.
Correct answer is: Hypotension
Q.3 Which vitamin deficiency is commonly associated with delirium in older adults?
Vitamin A
Vitamin D
Vitamin B12
Vitamin K
Explanation - Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause cognitive decline, confusion, and delirium in elderly patients.
Correct answer is: Vitamin B12
Q.4 In geriatric medicine, polypharmacy is defined as:
Use of 2 or more drugs
Use of 5 or more drugs
Use of 10 or more drugs
Use of any over-the-counter drug
Explanation - Polypharmacy is typically defined as the use of 5 or more medications concurrently, common in older adults.
Correct answer is: Use of 5 or more drugs
Q.5 Which of the following is NOT a risk factor for osteoporosis in the elderly?
Postmenopausal status
Long-term corticosteroid use
High body mass index
Smoking
Explanation - Low BMI increases osteoporosis risk; higher BMI is generally protective due to mechanical load on bones.
Correct answer is: High body mass index
Q.6 The 'get up and go' test is used to assess what in elderly patients?
Cognitive function
Cardiac function
Mobility and fall risk
Hearing ability
Explanation - The Timed Up and Go test is a simple assessment of mobility and balance to identify fall risk.
Correct answer is: Mobility and fall risk
Q.7 Which electrolyte imbalance is most associated with thiazide diuretic use in the elderly?
Hyperkalemia
Hypokalemia
Hypernatremia
Hypercalcemia
Explanation - Thiazide diuretics increase urinary potassium loss, leading to hypokalemia in many patients.
Correct answer is: Hypokalemia
Q.8 What is the most appropriate initial management for delirium in an elderly patient?
Start antipsychotic medication
Identify and treat underlying cause
Start antidepressant medication
Use benzodiazepines immediately
Explanation - Delirium is often due to reversible causes such as infections or medications, so treating the cause is key.
Correct answer is: Identify and treat underlying cause
Q.9 What is the most common cause of visual impairment in elderly populations in developed countries?
Cataracts
Macular degeneration
Glaucoma
Diabetic retinopathy
Explanation - Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of irreversible visual loss in older adults.
Correct answer is: Macular degeneration
Q.10 Which screening tool is commonly used to assess depression in the elderly?
Beck Depression Inventory
Hamilton Anxiety Scale
Geriatric Depression Scale
Mini-Mental State Examination
Explanation - The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) is designed specifically for use in older adults.
Correct answer is: Geriatric Depression Scale
Q.11 Which of the following is a reversible cause of dementia?
Alzheimer’s disease
Vascular dementia
Vitamin B12 deficiency
Lewy body dementia
Explanation - Vitamin B12 deficiency can mimic dementia but is reversible if treated early.
Correct answer is: Vitamin B12 deficiency
Q.12 Which pharmacological principle is particularly important in geriatric medicine?
Absorption is increased with age
Metabolism is increased with age
Renal clearance declines with age
Drug sensitivity decreases with age
Explanation - Renal clearance and hepatic metabolism decline with age, requiring dose adjustments.
Correct answer is: Renal clearance declines with age
Q.13 Which of the following is the most important risk factor for falls in the elderly?
Obesity
Previous history of falls
Diabetes
Asthma
Explanation - The strongest predictor of future falls is a past history of falling.
Correct answer is: Previous history of falls
Q.14 Which of the following changes in sleep patterns is common in older adults?
Prolonged deep sleep
Increased REM sleep
Early morning awakening
Reduced sleep latency
Explanation - Older adults tend to have more fragmented sleep and earlier waking times.
Correct answer is: Early morning awakening
Q.15 Which syndrome is characterized by weight loss, weakness, and reduced physical activity in older adults?
Dementia
Parkinson’s disease
Frailty syndrome
Sarcopenia
Explanation - Frailty is a clinical syndrome involving multiple deficits including weight loss, exhaustion, and weakness.
Correct answer is: Frailty syndrome
Q.16 What is the most common cause of hearing loss in the elderly?
Otitis media
Presbycusis
Cerumen impaction
Meniere’s disease
Explanation - Presbycusis is age-related sensorineural hearing loss, common in older adults.
Correct answer is: Presbycusis
Q.17 Which intervention has been shown to reduce falls in older adults?
Vitamin B12 supplementation
Exercise programs for strength and balance
Antidepressant use
High-protein diet
Explanation - Strength and balance training is effective in reducing fall risk among older adults.
Correct answer is: Exercise programs for strength and balance
Q.18 Which immunization is especially recommended for older adults over 65 years?
Hepatitis B vaccine
Varicella vaccine
Pneumococcal vaccine
Yellow fever vaccine
Explanation - Pneumococcal vaccination is strongly recommended to prevent pneumonia in older adults.
Correct answer is: Pneumococcal vaccine
Q.19 Which type of urinary incontinence is most common in elderly women?
Stress incontinence
Urge incontinence
Overflow incontinence
Functional incontinence
Explanation - Urge incontinence due to detrusor overactivity is the most common type in elderly women.
Correct answer is: Urge incontinence
Q.20 What is the preferred first-line treatment for hypertension in elderly patients?
ACE inhibitors
Beta-blockers
Thiazide diuretics
Calcium channel blockers
Explanation - Thiazide diuretics are often first-line therapy due to proven efficacy in elderly hypertensives.
Correct answer is: Thiazide diuretics
Q.21 Which cognitive test is commonly used for screening dementia in elderly patients?
Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale
Mini-Mental State Examination
Trail Making Test
Rorschach Test
Explanation - The MMSE is widely used for cognitive screening in elderly patients.
Correct answer is: Mini-Mental State Examination
Q.22 Which of the following drugs is most associated with increased risk of falls in the elderly?
Statins
Benzodiazepines
Antacids
Antibiotics
Explanation - Benzodiazepines cause sedation and impaired balance, increasing fall risk in older adults.
Correct answer is: Benzodiazepines
Q.23 Which of the following is a common age-related cardiovascular change?
Increased arterial stiffness
Decreased systolic blood pressure
Increased cardiac output
Decreased heart size
Explanation - Aging leads to stiffening of arteries, contributing to isolated systolic hypertension.
Correct answer is: Increased arterial stiffness
Q.24 What is the most common psychiatric disorder in the elderly?
Depression
Schizophrenia
Bipolar disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Explanation - Depression is the most common psychiatric disorder among older adults, often underdiagnosed.
Correct answer is: Depression
Q.25 Which of the following is the safest sleeping medication for elderly patients with insomnia?
Benzodiazepines
Antihistamines
Melatonin
Alcohol
Explanation - Melatonin is safer than sedative-hypnotics, which increase fall and delirium risk in elderly patients.
Correct answer is: Melatonin