CPC Geriatric Care and Fall Prevention 3

Question 1

The 'SPICES' framework used in geriatric nursing assessment stands for Sleep problems, Problems with eating, Incontinence, Confusion, Evidence of falls, and Skin breakdown. In community paramedicine, this framework is used to:

Accepted Answer

Systematically identify common geriatric syndromes that require targeted interdisciplinary intervention

Answer

SPICES is a geriatric assessment framework designed to systematically identify the most common and impactful geriatric syndromes — each of which signals functional vulnerability and guides targeted interdisciplinary care planning.

Question 2

A community paramedic's elderly patient reports increasingly frequent urinary urgency with involuntary leakage when they have the sudden urge to void. This presentation MOST describes which type of urinary incontinence?

Accepted Answer

Urge incontinence (overactive bladder)

Answer

Urge incontinence (overactive bladder) is characterized by a sudden, strong urge to void followed by involuntary urine leakage — caused by uninhibited detrusor muscle contractions, often exacerbated by caffeine, diuretics, and neurological conditions.

Question 3

Which of the following nutritional assessment findings in an elderly patient warrants referral for malnutrition intervention?

Accepted Answer

Unintentional weight loss of 10% body weight over 6 months

Answer

Unintentional weight loss ≥10% of body weight over 6 months is a major diagnostic criterion for severe malnutrition, associated with muscle wasting, immune dysfunction, impaired wound healing, and increased mortality.

Question 4

When a community paramedic identifies an elderly patient with a new diagnosis of atrial fibrillation who has a CHA₂DS₂-VASc score of 3, the MOST appropriate care coordination action is:

Accepted Answer

Notify the supervising physician and coordinate urgent cardiology follow-up for anticoagulation evaluation

Answer

A CHA₂DS₂-VASc score of 3 indicates high stroke risk (~3.2% annual) in AF patients. Current guidelines recommend oral anticoagulation — this requires urgent physician coordination, not aspirin, not routine follow-up timing.

Question 5

Which of the following BEST describes 'advance care planning' (ACP) as it applies to community paramedicine practice?

Accepted Answer

An ongoing conversation process helping patients clarify and document healthcare preferences and goals for future medical decisions

Answer

Advance care planning is a patient-centered process of reflection, conversation, and documentation about values, preferences, and goals for medical care — ideally conducted in advance of a health crisis so decisions are known to the care team.

(CPC) Community Paramedic Certification Practice Test

(CPC) Community Paramedic Certification Practice Test

CPC Geriatric Care and Fall Prevention 3