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CSW-G practice questions

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Question 1Gerontology

Which biological theory of aging proposes that aging results from the gradual accumulation of random molecular damage over time, rather than from a genetically timed program?

  1. Immunological clock theory
  2. Stochastic damage theory Correct answer.
  3. Neuroendocrine control theory
  4. Programmed senescence theory

Explanation

Stochastic theories treat aging as the cumulative result of random errors and damage, such as oxidative injury to DNA, proteins, and lipids, with no predetermined schedule. Programmed theories instead argue that aging follows a genetically regulated timetable.

Question 2Gerontology

A gerontological social worker uses the term 'life course perspective.' Which statement best captures its core assumption?

  1. Aging is determined almost entirely by genetic inheritance fixed at conception.
  2. Aging outcomes reflect the timing and sequence of earlier life events and social roles. Correct answer.
  3. Older adults share one universal developmental pathway regardless of cohort.
  4. Social roles in later life are unrelated to earlier occupational history.

Explanation

The life course perspective holds that trajectories of aging are shaped by when events occur, the sequence of roles, and historical cohort context. It emphasizes cumulative advantage and disadvantage rather than a single universal pathway.

Question 3Gerontology

In the context of normal aging, which change in the cardiovascular system is most typical?

  1. Marked increase in maximum cardiac output during exercise
  2. Increased arterial stiffness with rising systolic blood pressure Correct answer.
  3. Increased resting heart rate with reduced stroke volume
  4. Reduction in left ventricular wall thickness

Explanation

Normal vascular aging includes stiffening of large arteries, which raises systolic pressure and pulse pressure. Maximum heart rate and maximal cardiac output typically decline, while resting function is largely preserved.

Question 4Gerontology

Which term describes the age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength?

  1. Osteopenia
  2. Dysphagia
  3. Sarcopenia Correct answer.
  4. Presbycusis

Explanation

Sarcopenia refers specifically to the progressive decline in muscle mass, strength, and function with age. It is distinct from bone loss and from sensory or swallowing changes.

Question 5Gerontology

A 78-year-old presents with sudden onset of confusion, fluctuating attention, and visual hallucinations two days after hip surgery. Which condition should be highest on the differential?

  1. Normal age-related cognitive slowing
  2. Major depressive disorder
  3. Delirium Correct answer.
  4. Dementia with Lewy bodies

Explanation

Acute onset, fluctuating attention, and a clear precipitant such as surgery are hallmark features of delirium, which is a medical emergency in older adults. Dementia and depression have more insidious courses and do not typically present with acute fluctuating attention.

Question 6Gerontology

Which screening instrument is most commonly used to assess basic activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, and toileting in older adults?

  1. Timed Up and Go test
  2. Mini-Mental State Examination
  3. Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living Correct answer.
  4. Geriatric Depression Scale

Explanation

The Katz Index specifically rates independence in basic self-care tasks like bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, continence, and feeding. The other instruments measure cognition, mood, or mobility rather than basic ADLs.

Question 7Gerontology

A community program aims to reduce fall risk among older adults. Which intervention has the strongest evidence for reducing falls in community-dwelling older adults?

  1. Bed rest to reduce opportunities for falling
  2. Widespread prescription of benzodiazepines for sleep
  3. Routine use of hip protectors for all older adults
  4. Structured balance and strength exercise programs Correct answer.

Explanation

Exercise programs targeting balance, strength, and gait have the strongest evidence for preventing falls in community-dwelling older adults. Sedating medications and immobility increase fall risk rather than reduce it.

Question 8Gerontology

Which concept describes the maximum number of years a member of a species could live under ideal conditions?

  1. Median survival
  2. Life span Correct answer.
  3. Life expectancy
  4. Mortality rate

Explanation

Life span refers to the maximum potential longevity of a species under optimal conditions. Life expectancy is the average number of years actually lived by a population.

Question 9Gerontology

An older adult reports that she eats very little because food 'doesn't taste right' and she feels full quickly. Which age-related changes best explain these complaints?

  1. Heightened olfactory sensitivity with accelerated peristalsis
  2. Increased gastric acid secretion with faster intestinal transit
  3. Decline in taste and smell acuity with delayed gastric emptying Correct answer.
  4. Increased saliva production with enhanced hunger signaling

Explanation

Normal aging reduces olfactory and gustatory acuity and slows gastric emptying, promoting early satiety and reduced intake. These changes contribute to the risk of undernutrition in older adults.

Question 10Gerontology

Which pharmacokinetic change in older adults most commonly increases the risk of drug toxicity from water-soluble drugs?

  1. Increase in hepatic blood flow
  2. Increase in total body water
  3. Increase in serum albumin
  4. Decline in renal clearance Correct answer.

Explanation

Glomerular filtration rate declines with age, reducing clearance of renally excreted drugs and prolonging their half-life. This raises the risk of accumulation and toxicity for water-soluble medications.

Question 11Gerontology

A practitioner suspects that an older patient's new confusion and falls are caused by a medication. Which concept best describes this clinical concern?

  1. Normal age-related cognitive decline
  2. Deliberate self-harm
  3. Sundowning unrelated to medications
  4. Drug-related adverse event contributing to a geriatric syndrome Correct answer.

Explanation

Medication side effects are a leading reversible cause of geriatric syndromes such as confusion and falls. Reviewing the drug regimen, including anticholinergic and sedative burden, is the appropriate next step.

Question 12Gerontology

Which statement best reflects the 'compression of morbidity' hypothesis?

  1. Medical advances inevitably extend the period of disability.
  2. Life expectancy cannot be increased further.
  3. Healthy behaviors can shorten the period of illness before death. Correct answer.
  4. Chronic disease is unavoidable regardless of lifestyle.

Explanation

The compression of morbidity hypothesis proposes that preventive behaviors and public health measures can postpone the onset of disability so that illness is compressed into a shorter period near the end of life. It contrasts with expansion-of-morbidity scenarios.

Question 13Gerontology

An older adult is diagnosed with presbyopia. Which description of this condition is accurate?

  1. Increased intraocular pressure damaging the optic nerve
  2. Reduced ability to focus on near objects due to lens stiffening Correct answer.
  3. Clouding of the lens that obstructs light transmission
  4. Loss of peripheral visual field due to retinal degeneration

Explanation

Presbyopia is the age-related loss of near accommodation caused by lens stiffening and reduced elasticity. It is corrected with reading glasses or multifocal lenses.

Question 14Gerontology

Which factor is the strongest modifiable risk factor for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias according to current evidence?

  1. Uncontrolled hypertension in midlife Correct answer.
  2. Blue eye color
  3. Height above average
  4. Left-handedness

Explanation

Midlife hypertension is among the best-established modifiable risk factors for later cognitive decline and dementia. Vascular risk reduction is therefore a key prevention target.

Question 15Gerontology

A nursing home resident has advanced dementia and is no longer able to recognize family or communicate verbally. Which stage of dementia does this best describe?

  1. Early stage
  2. Severe or late stage Correct answer.
  3. Preclinical stage
  4. Mild cognitive impairment

Explanation

Severe-stage dementia is characterized by loss of verbal communication, recognition of close others, and dependence in basic self-care. Earlier stages retain more communication and recognition.

Question 16Gerontology

Which concept refers to the tendency of older adults to recall positive information better than negative information?

  1. Cohort effect
  2. Positivity effect Correct answer.
  3. Practice effect
  4. Primacy effect

Explanation

The positivity effect describes an age-related bias toward processing and remembering positive over negative emotional information, often explained by socioemotional selectivity theory. It is distinct from cohort and test-order effects.

Question 17Gerontology

An older adult with osteoarthritis reports knee pain that limits walking. Which non-pharmacologic intervention is a first-line recommendation?

  1. Routine opioid therapy
  2. Prolonged immobilization of the joint
  3. Supervised low-impact exercise and weight management Correct answer.
  4. Avoidance of all weight-bearing activity

Explanation

Guidelines recommend exercise, weight management, and self-management education as core non-pharmacologic treatments for knee osteoarthritis. Immobility and opioids carry substantial risk in older adults.

Question 18Gerontology

Which of the following best describes elder mistreatment known as 'financial exploitation'?

  1. Intentional infliction of physical pain
  2. Failure to provide necessary care by a caregiver
  3. Improper use of an older adult's funds or property by someone in a position of trust Correct answer.
  4. Threatening language that causes fear

Explanation

Financial exploitation involves the unauthorized or improper use of an older person's money or assets, often by a trusted person. It is one of several recognized categories of elder mistreatment.

Question 19Gerontology

A caregiver reports feeling exhausted and resentful while caring for a spouse with advanced dementia. Which assessment is most appropriate?

  1. Caregiver burden assessment Correct answer.
  2. Braden Scale
  3. Mini-Cog for the caregiver
  4. Clock-drawing test

Explanation

Caregiver burden instruments such as the Zarit Burden Interview quantify the physical, emotional, and financial strain of caregiving. This guides respite and support planning.

Question 20Gerontology

Which statement about the demography of aging is accurate?

  1. Life expectancy at age 65 has fallen in most developed nations.
  2. The number of centenarians has declined globally.
  3. The proportion of older adults is decreasing worldwide.
  4. The oldest-old population is the fastest-growing age segment in many countries. Correct answer.

Explanation

The oldest-old, often defined as age 85 and older, is the fastest-growing segment in many nations due to improved survival at advanced ages. The global older population is increasing, not decreasing.

Question 21Gerontology

Which concept refers to the idea that biological age and chronological age can diverge, with some individuals aging more slowly than others?

  1. Chronological determinism
  2. Ageism
  3. Disengagement
  4. Successful aging Correct answer.

Explanation

Successful aging refers to maintaining high physical, cognitive, and social function in later life, reflecting divergence between biological and chronological age. It emphasizes modifiable lifestyle and psychosocial factors.

Question 22Gerontology

Which factor most strongly predicts an older adult's risk of institutionalization?

  1. Living in a two-story home
  2. Mild hearing loss
  3. Occasional forgetfulness
  4. Functional dependence in activities of daily living Correct answer.

Explanation

Dependence in basic ADLs, especially with limited caregiver support, is the strongest predictor of nursing home placement. Sensory or memory changes alone are weaker predictors.

Question 23Gerontology

Which of the following best describes 'ageism' as defined in gerontology?

  1. A government policy on retirement age
  2. A biological theory of cellular aging
  3. A clinical syndrome of cognitive decline
  4. Prejudice or discrimination based on a person's age Correct answer.

Explanation

Ageism refers to stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination directed at people because of their age. It can affect employment, health care, and social participation.

Question 24Gerontology

An older adult with type 2 diabetes has an HbA1c of 8.5% and a history of severe hypoglycemia. Which approach is most consistent with geriatric diabetes guidelines?

  1. Discontinue all monitoring and treatment
  2. Add a sulfonylurea to lower glucose further
  3. Intensify therapy to reach an HbA1c below 6.0%
  4. Individualize targets and relax glycemic goals to reduce hypoglycemia risk Correct answer.

Explanation

In older adults with hypoglycemia history and multimorbidity, guidelines recommend less stringent individualized glycemic targets to avoid hypoglycemia. Overly tight control increases harm in this population.

Question 25Gerontology

Which finding most strongly suggests that an older adult's weight loss is due to a serious underlying disease rather than normal aging?

  1. Modest loss of height due to vertebral changes
  2. Unintentional loss of more than 5% of body weight in 6 to 12 months Correct answer.
  3. Slight decrease in appetite with maintained weight
  4. Stable weight over several years

Explanation

Clinically significant unintentional weight loss, often defined as more than 5% in 6 to 12 months, warrants evaluation for malignancy, depression, and other disease. Stable weight and height loss alone do not suggest serious disease.

Question 26Gerontology

Which theory of aging proposes that aging results from the gradual accumulation of random molecular damage, such as oxidative injury to DNA and proteins, rather than from a genetically timed program?

  1. Programmed senescence theory
  2. Disengagement theory
  3. Stochastic damage theory Correct answer.
  4. Immunologic theory of aging

Explanation

Stochastic theories hold that aging arises from cumulative random damage, with oxidative stress and DNA damage as central examples. The distinction from programmed theories is that no internal clock drives the process; it is probabilistic wear and tear.

Question 27Gerontology

A 78-year-old woman has a serum creatinine of 0.9 mg/dL, which appears normal. Her clinician wants a more accurate estimate of kidney function before dosing a renally cleared drug. Which measure is most appropriate?

  1. 24-hour urine volume
  2. Estimated glomerular filtration rate from cystatin C or creatinine-based equations Correct answer.
  3. Blood urea nitrogen level
  4. Serum creatinine concentration alone

Explanation

Low muscle mass in older adults lowers creatinine production, so a normal serum creatinine can mask reduced filtration. Estimating GFR with an equation, ideally incorporating cystatin C, gives a better approximation of kidney function for drug dosing.

Question 28Gerontology

Which age-related change in the respiratory system most directly explains why older adults are more vulnerable to respiratory infections and aspiration?

  1. Elevated resting oxygen partial pressure
  2. Decreased mucociliary clearance and weakened cough reflex Correct answer.
  3. Increased chest wall compliance
  4. Increased vital capacity

Explanation

Aging impairs mucociliary transport and blunts the cough and gag reflexes, reducing clearance of secretions and aspirated material. Together these changes raise susceptibility to pneumonia and other respiratory infections.

Question 29Gerontology

An 82-year-old man living alone has lost 6 kg over six months and reports that groceries are hard to carry and prepare. He has no known illness. Which intervention best addresses the most likely primary driver of his weight loss?

  1. Routine multivitamin supplementation
  2. Immediate prescription of an appetite stimulant
  3. Referral to home-delivered meals and an occupational therapy assessment for meal preparation Correct answer.
  4. Placement on a mechanically softened diet

Explanation

Weight loss in community-dwelling older adults often stems from psychosocial and functional barriers such as limited access to food and difficulty preparing meals. Addressing those barriers with meal delivery and functional assessment targets the cause rather than a symptom.

Question 30Gerontology

Which statement accurately describes the normal age-related change in body composition?

  1. Both fat mass and lean mass increase
  2. Both fat mass and lean mass decrease equally
  3. Fat mass increases while lean muscle mass decreases Correct answer.
  4. Fat mass decreases while lean mass increases

Explanation

With aging, adipose tissue tends to accumulate, particularly centrally, while skeletal muscle mass declines, a process termed sarcopenia. This shift affects mobility, metabolic health, and drug distribution.

Question 31Gerontology

A 70-year-old presents with sudden-onset severe headache, jaw claudication, and a tender temporal artery. Which condition should be the leading concern, and why is prompt treatment important?

  1. Giant cell arteritis, because of the risk of irreversible vision loss Correct answer.
  2. Trigeminal neuralgia, because of lancinating facial pain
  3. Tension headache, because of chronic pain amplification
  4. Cervical spondylosis, because of nerve root compression

Explanation

The combination of new headache, jaw claudication, and a tender temporal artery is classic for giant cell arteritis. Urgent corticosteroid treatment is essential because arterial inflammation can cause sudden irreversible blindness.

Question 32Gerontology

Which sleep change is most characteristic of normal aging?

  1. Increased time spent in lighter sleep stages with more frequent awakenings Correct answer.
  2. Progressive lengthening of total nocturnal sleep time
  3. Marked increase in slow-wave sleep duration
  4. Elimination of rapid eye movement sleep

Explanation

Older adults typically spend more time in lighter stages of sleep and experience more fragmented sleep with frequent awakenings. Slow-wave sleep and total sleep time usually decline rather than increase.

Question 33Gerontology

An older adult with heart failure is prescribed a new diuretic. Which monitoring plan best reflects age-related changes in fluid balance and renal function?

  1. Recheck electrolytes only at the next annual visit
  2. Check weight, electrolytes, and renal function within the first week of therapy Correct answer.
  3. Rely on thirst as the indicator of hydration status
  4. Restrict all fluids to less than one liter daily

Explanation

Older adults have reduced renal reserve and blunted thirst, so diuretics can quickly cause dehydration, electrolyte disturbances, and worsening renal function. Early monitoring of weight, electrolytes, and renal indices detects these problems before they become severe.

Question 34Gerontology

Which term describes the age-related decline in the ability to hear high-frequency sounds, often making speech in background noise difficult to understand?

  1. Tinnitus
  2. Presbyopia
  3. Presbycusis Correct answer.
  4. Vertigo

Explanation

Presbycusis is sensorineural hearing loss associated with aging, typically affecting high frequencies first and impairing speech discrimination in noise. It is distinct from visual and vestibular conditions.

Question 35Gerontology

An 80-year-old with mild cognitive impairment wants to reduce her risk of progression to dementia. Which combination is best supported by current evidence?

  1. High-dose vitamin E supplementation alone
  2. Regular physical activity, blood pressure control, and cognitive and social engagement Correct answer.
  3. Isolation at home to avoid overstimulation
  4. Discontinuation of all antihypertensive medications

Explanation

Vascular risk factor control, physical exercise, and cognitive and social stimulation are the interventions with the strongest support for reducing dementia risk. No single supplement has been shown to prevent progression.

Question 36Gerontology

Which finding on a routine assessment most strongly suggests that an older adult is experiencing delirium rather than dementia?

  1. Stable word-finding difficulty over months
  2. Gradual decline in memory over several years
  3. Preserved attention with isolated naming errors
  4. Acute onset with fluctuating attention and level of consciousness Correct answer.

Explanation

Delirium is characterized by acute onset, fluctuating course, and impaired attention, distinguishing it from the insidious and progressive course of dementia. Identifying these features is critical because delirium often signals an underlying medical cause.

Question 37Gerontology

Which statement best describes the purpose of a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA)?

  1. A single screening blood panel for age-related diseases
  2. A brief test of cognitive function used alone to diagnose dementia
  3. A financial eligibility review for long-term care insurance
  4. A multidimensional evaluation of medical, functional, psychological, and social status used to build an integrated care plan Correct answer.

Explanation

CGA is a multidimensional, interdisciplinary process that assesses medical, functional, psychological, and social domains and translates findings into a coordinated care plan. It is not a single test or an administrative review.

Question 38Gerontology

A hospitalized 85-year-old becomes agitated and confused two days after admission for a urinary tract infection. Which initial management step is most appropriate?

  1. Transfer the patient to a psychiatric unit
  2. Start an antipsychotic as the first-line treatment
  3. Apply physical restraints to prevent falls
  4. Identify and treat the precipitating cause while providing reorientation and a calm environment Correct answer.

Explanation

Delirium management begins with identifying and correcting the underlying cause, such as infection, plus nonpharmacologic measures like reorientation and environmental calm. Antipsychotics are reserved for severe distress and are not first-line therapy.

Question 39Gerontology

Which statement about polypharmacy in older adults is most accurate?

  1. It rarely affects clinical outcomes if each drug is prescribed for a valid indication
  2. It should be managed by stopping all medications for chronic disease
  3. It is defined solely by taking more than two medications
  4. It is associated with increased risk of adverse drug events and is best addressed through periodic medication review Correct answer.

Explanation

Polypharmacy, often defined as use of multiple medications, raises the risk of interactions and adverse events, and structured medication review is the recommended response. Simply counting drugs misses the importance of appropriateness and cumulative risk.

Question 40Gerontology

Which concept describes a prescribing cascade in gerontology?

  1. A drug is prescribed at a lower dose because of reduced renal clearance
  2. Two drugs are intentionally combined to treat a single disease
  3. A new medication is prescribed to treat a symptom that is actually an adverse effect of another medication Correct answer.
  4. A medication is switched to a generic formulation to reduce cost

Explanation

A prescribing cascade occurs when an adverse drug effect is misattributed to a new condition and treated with an additional drug. Recognizing the original culprit avoids unnecessary medication accumulation.

Question 41Gerontology

Which statement best describes the role of advance care planning in geriatric care?

  1. A requirement to refuse all life-sustaining treatment
  2. A process of discussing goals, values, and preferences to guide future medical decisions when a person loses decision-making capacity Correct answer.
  3. A decision made solely by the physician at the time of crisis
  4. A one-time legal document that cannot be revised

Explanation

Advance care planning is an ongoing conversation about values and goals that informs care if capacity is lost, and it can be revisited as circumstances change. It is not a mandate to refuse treatment or a physician-only decision.

Question 42Gerontology

An older adult with chronic pain and mild renal impairment needs analgesia. Which approach aligns best with geriatric prescribing principles?

  1. Use aspirin at analgesic doses indefinitely
  2. Use long-term high-dose ibuprofen as first-line therapy
  3. Begin with meperidine for chronic pain
  4. Start with acetaminophen at an appropriate dose and avoid routine nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs Correct answer.

Explanation

Acetaminophen is generally the preferred first-line analgesic in older adults, while nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs carry renal, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular risks that are amplified with age. Meperidine is avoided because of neurotoxic metabolites.

Question 43Gerontology

Which finding is most consistent with normal age-related change in the musculoskeletal system rather than disease?

  1. Sudden loss of range of motion after minor activity
  2. New bone pain with night sweats
  3. Acute unilateral joint swelling with warmth
  4. Gradual loss of muscle mass and strength with preserved symmetry Correct answer.

Explanation

Sarcopenia, the gradual and symmetric loss of muscle mass and strength, is a normal age-related change. Acute unilateral swelling, systemic symptoms, and sudden functional loss suggest pathology requiring evaluation.

Question 44Gerontology

A 76-year-old woman has a bone mineral density T-score of -2.7 at the hip and no prior fracture. Which management step is most appropriate?

  1. Reassure her that this is normal for age and take no action
  2. Repeat the scan in five years without intervention
  3. Initiate pharmacologic therapy for osteoporosis along with calcium, vitamin D, and fall prevention Correct answer.
  4. Recommend bed rest to prevent falls

Explanation

A T-score at or below -2.5 defines osteoporosis and warrants treatment to reduce fracture risk, combined with adequate calcium and vitamin D and fall prevention. Watchful waiting leaves her at substantial fracture risk.

Question 45Gerontology

Which statement about urinary incontinence in older adults is most accurate?

  1. It occurs only in women
  2. It is an unavoidable part of aging and requires no assessment
  3. It should always be treated with an indwelling catheter
  4. It is common but not an inevitable consequence of aging and should be evaluated for reversible causes Correct answer.

Explanation

Incontinence is prevalent in later life but is not a normal result of aging; reversible contributors such as infection, medications, and mobility problems should be sought. Many cases improve with behavioral and other targeted treatment.

Question 46Gerontology

An older adult with diabetes and a history of falls has an HbA1c of 8.9%. Which approach is most consistent with geriatric diabetes guidance?

  1. Pursue an HbA1c below 6.0% regardless of symptoms
  2. Add a sulfonylurea to lower glucose rapidly
  3. Set a less stringent glycemic target and prioritize avoidance of hypoglycemia Correct answer.
  4. Stop monitoring glucose entirely

Explanation

For older adults with functional limitations or fall risk, guidelines favor less stringent glycemic targets and avoidance of hypoglycemia, which can cause falls and injury. Individualized goals matter more than a single universal number.

Question 47Gerontology

Which statement best describes the 'geriatric giants' framework?

  1. A schedule of routine immunizations for older adults
  2. A set of common multifactorial syndromes, such as falls, incontinence, immobility, and cognitive impairment, that drive disability in later life Correct answer.
  3. A classification of age-related cancers
  4. A list of the most common infectious diseases in old age

Explanation

The geriatric giants are prevalent multifactorial syndromes, including falls, incontinence, immobility, cognitive impairment, and pressure ulcers, that strongly contribute to disability. They are the focus of comprehensive geriatric assessment.

Question 48Gerontology

Which intervention best reflects a person-centered approach when an older adult with moderate dementia resists morning bathing?

  1. Insist on the standard schedule to maintain discipline
  2. Discontinue all bathing assistance
  3. Adapt the routine to the person's preferences and life history, offering choice and a calm environment Correct answer.
  4. Use physical force to complete the task quickly

Explanation

Person-centered care tailors routines to the individual's history, preferences, and current abilities, reducing distress and resistance. Flexibility and choice are more effective than rigid enforcement or coercion.

Question 49Gerontology

Which statement about hospice and palliative care for older adults is accurate?

  1. Palliative care is appropriate only after curative treatment has stopped
  2. Hospice care is limited to patients with cancer
  3. Palliative care can be provided alongside curative treatment, whereas hospice typically requires a limited prognosis Correct answer.
  4. Both are restricted to patients in acute care hospitals

Explanation

Palliative care focuses on symptom relief and quality of life at any stage of illness and can accompany curative treatment, while hospice eligibility usually requires a prognosis of months. Both can be delivered in multiple settings.

Question 50Gerontology

Which factor most strongly predicts functional decline after hospitalization in an older adult?

  1. Male sex alone
  2. Mild seasonal allergies
  3. A single elevated blood pressure reading
  4. Pre-existing limitations in activities of daily living and low mobility Correct answer.

Explanation

Baseline functional status and mobility are among the strongest predictors of post-hospital functional decline. Pre-existing ADL limitations identify patients who need early rehabilitation and discharge planning.