CSA Senior Health and Wellness 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which dietary pattern is most evidence-supported for reducing cognitive decline risk and cardiovascular disease in older adults?
- Mediterranean diet (Correct answer)
- Ketogenic diet
- Low-fat diet (under 20% fat)
- BRAT diet
Correct answer: Mediterranean diet
The Mediterranean diet—rich in olive oil, fish, vegetables, and whole grains—has the strongest evidence base for reducing dementia and cardiovascular risk in seniors.
Question 2: A senior has a BMI of 17.5. According to standard classifications, this individual is:
- Underweight, which increases risk of frailty and mortality in older adults (Correct answer)
- At a healthy weight typical for seniors over 75
- Overweight due to reduced height with aging
- Obese by the geriatric BMI standard
Correct answer: Underweight, which increases risk of frailty and mortality in older adults
A BMI below 18.5 indicates underweight status; in seniors this is linked to frailty, immune suppression, poor wound healing, and higher mortality.
Question 3: What is 'sundowning' and in which condition is it most commonly observed?
- Increased confusion and agitation in the late afternoon or evening, most common in Alzheimer's disease (Correct answer)
- A sleep disorder causing seniors to wake at sunrise with anxiety
- Daytime drowsiness caused by excess sun exposure
- Seasonal depression triggered by shorter days in winter
Correct answer: Increased confusion and agitation in the late afternoon or evening, most common in Alzheimer's disease
Sundowning refers to the worsening of confusion, agitation, and behavioral symptoms in dementia patients as daylight fades.
Question 4: Which federal program provides the MOST comprehensive coverage for skilled nursing facility care following a qualifying hospital stay?
- Medicare Part A (Correct answer)
- Medicaid
- Medicare Part B
- Medicare Advantage only
Correct answer: Medicare Part A
Medicare Part A covers up to 100 days in a skilled nursing facility after a qualifying 3-day hospital stay, making it the primary payer for short-term skilled care.
Question 5: Which of the following is the BEST example of 'secondary prevention' in senior health care?
- Performing annual mammograms to detect early-stage breast cancer (Correct answer)
- Recommending exercise to prevent the onset of diabetes
- Providing physical therapy after a hip fracture
- Administering flu vaccines before flu season
Correct answer: Performing annual mammograms to detect early-stage breast cancer
Secondary prevention focuses on early detection of existing disease before symptoms worsen; mammograms detect cancer early, before it progresses.
Question 6: A CSA learns that a 78-year-old client refuses recommended medical treatment for religious reasons. The MOST appropriate response is to:
- Respect the client's autonomy and ensure they understand the consequences of refusal (Correct answer)
- Contact the client's physician to override the decision for the client's safety
- Notify Adult Protective Services immediately
- Inform the client's family so they can pressure the client to comply
Correct answer: Respect the client's autonomy and ensure they understand the consequences of refusal
Competent adults have the legal and ethical right to refuse medical treatment; the CSA's role is to ensure informed decision-making, not override autonomy.
Question 7: What does a 'Timed Up and Go (TUG)' test measure in a geriatric assessment?
- Mobility and fall risk by timing how long it takes a person to rise from a chair, walk, turn, and sit back down (Correct answer)
- Cognitive processing speed by timing verbal responses to questions
- Cardiovascular endurance during a timed walking protocol
- Upper body strength through a timed grip assessment
Correct answer: Mobility and fall risk by timing how long it takes a person to rise from a chair, walk, turn, and sit back down
The TUG test is a validated clinical tool that assesses mobility, balance, and fall risk; a score over 12 seconds indicates increased fall risk.
CSA Senior Health and Wellness 5
Which dietary pattern is most evidence-supported for reducing cognitive decline risk and cardiovascular disease in older adults?