Geriatrics Practice Questions

Q: In clinical assessment of an elderly patient, 'the get up and go test' is used to evaluate which of the following?

Gait and balance. Gait and balance - The **Timed Up and Go (TUG) test** is a widely used clinical tool designed to assess a person's **mobility**, **balance**, and **fall risk**. [2] - It measures the time taken for an individual to rise from a chair, walk 3 meters, turn, walk back, and sit down again. *Cognition* - While physical and cognitive functions are related, the TUG test does not directly assess **cognitive abilities** like memory, executive function, or language. - Cognitive assessment typically involves tools such as the **Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)** or **Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)**. [1] *Urinary incontinence* - The TUG test does not evaluate **urinary function** or the presence of incontinence. - Assessment of urinary incontinence involves patient history, bladder diaries, and physical examination. *Driving ability* - Although mobility and balance are important for driving, the TUG test alone is not a direct measure of **driving ability**. - Driving assessments are more comprehensive, often involving on-road tests and specialized cognitive and visual evaluations.

Q: Incontinence in elderly females is most commonly due to:

Detrusor instability. ***Detrusor instability*** - This condition is the most common cause of **urge incontinence** in elderly females, characterized by **involuntary contractions of the detrusor muscle** [1]. - It leads to a sudden, strong urge to urinate that is difficult to postpone, often resulting in **leaking of urine** [1]. *Vesicovaginal fistula* - A **vesicovaginal fistula** is an abnormal connection between the bladder and the vagina, usually caused by trauma or surgery, leading to continuous leakage. - While it causes incontinence, it is a relatively **rare cause** compared to detrusor instability in the general elderly female population. *Outlet obstruction* - **Outlet obstruction** in females is uncommon and typically presents with **overflow incontinence**, not urge incontinence, where the bladder cannot empty properly. - Causes can include severe prolapse or urethral strictures, which are not the most frequent cause of incontinence in this demographic. *True stress incontinence* - **Stress incontinence** occurs when there is leakage of urine due to increased **intra-abdominal pressure** (like coughing, sneezing, or laughing) in the absence of a detrusor contraction. - While common in older women, **detrusor instability (urge incontinence)** becomes more prevalent with advanced age as the primary cause of incontinence [1].

Question 1

Age-related dementia has been associated with increased levels of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Homocysteine

Answer

Cysteine

Answer

Taurine

Answer

Methionine

Question 2

In clinical assessment of an elderly patient, 'the get up and go test' is used to evaluate which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Gait and balance

Answer

Cognition

Answer

Urinary incontinence

Answer

Driving ability

Question 3

Incontinence in elderly females is most commonly due to:

Accepted Answer

Detrusor instability

Answer

Outlet obstruction

Answer

Vesicovaginal fistula

Answer

True stress incontinence

Geriatrics — MCQs

Geriatrics — MCQs

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