CSA Senior Health and Wellness 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which screening test is recommended annually for adults aged 65 and older to detect cognitive decline early?
- Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) (Correct answer)
- Beck Depression Inventory
- PHQ-9
- Hamilton Anxiety Scale
Correct answer: Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
The MMSE is a widely used standardized tool to screen for cognitive impairment in older adults.
Question 2: What is the primary cause of preventable hospitalizations among seniors related to medication management?
- Polypharmacy and adverse drug interactions (Correct answer)
- Underuse of antibiotics
- Excessive vitamin supplementation
- Overuse of antacids
Correct answer: Polypharmacy and adverse drug interactions
Polypharmacy—taking five or more medications—significantly increases the risk of adverse drug interactions and hospitalizations in older adults.
Question 3: Which type of exercise is MOST effective for improving bone density in older adults?
- Weight-bearing and resistance exercise (Correct answer)
- Swimming
- Chair yoga
- Cycling
Correct answer: Weight-bearing and resistance exercise
Weight-bearing and resistance exercises stimulate bone remodeling and are most effective at improving bone density in seniors.
Question 4: What does the acronym 'POLST' stand for in senior care planning?
- Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (Correct answer)
- Patient-Oriented Long-term Support Treatment
- Palliative Options for Long-Stay Therapy
- Preventive Orders for Late-Stage Treatment
Correct answer: Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment
POLST is a medical order form that translates patient wishes about end-of-life care into actionable physician orders.
Question 5: Which vitamin deficiency is most commonly associated with increased fall risk and fractures in older adults?
- Vitamin D (Correct answer)
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin K
Correct answer: Vitamin D
Vitamin D deficiency impairs calcium absorption and muscle function, significantly increasing fall and fracture risk in seniors.
Question 6: A senior client reports difficulty sleeping, decreased appetite, and loss of interest in hobbies. Which condition should a CSA first consider?
- Depression (Correct answer)
- Delirium
- Hyperthyroidism
- Anemia
Correct answer: Depression
These classic symptoms—anhedonia, sleep disruption, and appetite changes—are hallmark signs of depression in older adults.
Question 7: Which of the following best describes 'sarcopenia' as it relates to senior health?
- Age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength (Correct answer)
- Bone thinning due to calcium loss
- Inflammation of joint cartilage
- Narrowing of spinal discs
Correct answer: Age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength
Sarcopenia is the progressive loss of muscle mass, strength, and function associated with aging, increasing fall and disability risk.
CSA Senior Health and Wellness 2
Which screening test is recommended annually for adults aged 65 and older to detect cognitive decline early?