Assessment & Screening in Gerontological Practice Flashcards

Which tool is considered the gold standard for screening cognitive impairment in older adults in clinical settings?

Answer: Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)

The MoCA is widely regarded as the gold standard for cognitive screening due to its superior sensitivity for mild cognitive impairment compared to other tools.

The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) is specifically designed for older adults because it:

Answer: Omits somatic symptoms that may overlap with normal aging

The GDS omits somatic items (sleep, appetite, fatigue) that are common in aging and medical illness, reducing false positives in older adult populations.

Which of the following best describes a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA)?

Answer: A multidimensional evaluation of medical, functional, cognitive, and social domains

A CGA is a multidisciplinary, multidimensional process that evaluates medical, functional, cognitive, psychological, and social status to guide care planning.

The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test primarily assesses which functional domain in older adults?

Answer: Fall risk and mobility

The TUG measures the time to rise from a chair, walk 3 meters, turn, walk back, and sit, making it a reliable indicator of fall risk and overall mobility.

A score of 0-9 on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) administered to a 74-year-old indicates:

Answer: Minimal to mild depression

PHQ-9 scores of 1-4 indicate minimal depression and 5-9 indicate mild depression; scores 0-9 encompass the minimal-to-mild range.

Which assessment tool is most appropriate for evaluating an older adult's ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs)?

Answer: Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living

The Katz Index specifically measures basic ADL independence (bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, continence, feeding) and is the most widely used ADL tool in gerontology.

When using the CAGE questionnaire to screen for alcohol use disorder in older adults, which consideration is most important?

Answer: Older adults may under-report use, requiring supplemental questions

Older adults frequently minimize or under-report alcohol consumption due to stigma, isolation, or cognitive changes, so clinicians should supplement CAGE with collateral information.