CPC Geriatric Care and Fall Prevention 2

Question 1

Sarcopenia in elderly patients is BEST defined as:

Accepted Answer

Progressive and generalized loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength associated with adverse outcomes

Answer

Sarcopenia (from Greek: 'sarco' = muscle, 'penia' = loss) is the age-related progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength, and function — a major driver of frailty, falls, and functional dependence in the elderly.

Question 2

The FRAIL scale is a validated tool for assessing frailty in older adults. Which of the following correctly lists all 5 domains assessed?

Accepted Answer

Fatigue, Resistance, Ambulation, Illness, and Loss of weight

Answer

The FRAIL scale assesses: Fatigue, Resistance (difficulty climbing stairs), Ambulation (difficulty walking one block), Illness (>5 diseases), and Loss of weight (>5% in 1 year). 0 = robust, 1–2 = pre-frail, 3–5 = frail.

Question 3

A community paramedic visits an 82-year-old patient who takes 12 prescription medications. The Beers Criteria specifically warn against the use of which medication class in older adults due to its high risk of cognitive impairment, sedation, and falls?

Accepted Answer

First-generation antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine)

Answer

First-generation antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) are strongly anticholinergic and are explicitly listed on the Beers Criteria as potentially inappropriate in older adults due to high risk of cognitive impairment, confusion, sedation, urinary retention, and falls.

Question 4

Delirium in hospitalized or recently discharged elderly patients is BEST described as:

Accepted Answer

An acute disturbance in attention and cognition that fluctuates over the course of the day and has an identifiable medical cause

Answer

Delirium is an acute, fluctuating neuropsychiatric syndrome characterized by impaired attention and cognition, with an identifiable underlying cause (infection, medications, metabolic derangement) — distinct from the chronic, stable cognitive decline of dementia.

Question 5

Which of the following community paramedicine interventions MOST directly addresses the risk of social isolation in elderly patients?

Accepted Answer

Connecting the patient to befriending programs, senior centers, and community social activities, and screening using the UCLA Loneliness Scale

Answer

Social isolation is a major determinant of physical and mental health in the elderly. Community paramedics screen using validated tools (UCLA Loneliness Scale) and actively connect patients to befriending programs, senior centers, faith community outreach, and telephone/video companionship programs.

(CPC) Community Paramedic Certification Practice Test

(CPC) Community Paramedic Certification Practice Test

CPC Geriatric Care and Fall Prevention 2