MCQ Quiz-Gerotechnology

MCQ Quiz: Gerotechnology

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Gerotechnology, the use of technology to support the health and well-being of older adults, is a rapidly growing field. From telehealth consultations and remote monitoring devices to smart medication adherence aids, technology offers new ways to improve safety and independence for seniors. This quiz for PharmD students explores the applications, benefits, and challenges—like digital health equity—of using technology in geriatric pharmacy care, based on principles from the modern pharmacy curriculum.

1. What is a primary benefit of using telepharmacy to provide clinical services to geriatric patients in rural areas?

  • It increases the cost of care for the patient.
  • It overcomes transportation barriers and improves access to care.
  • It requires patients to have advanced computer programming skills.
  • It is less effective than in-person care.

Answer: It overcomes transportation barriers and improves access to care.

2. A continuous glucose monitor (CGM) is a form of wearable gerotechnology that helps manage which chronic disease?

  • Hypertension
  • Osteoporosis
  • Diabetes
  • Asthma

Answer: Diabetes

3. “Digital health equity” is a concept that addresses:

  • Ensuring all patients have the latest smartphone model.
  • The fair and equitable access to and use of digital health technologies across all populations, including older adults.
  • The process of billing for telehealth services.
  • The speed of a hospital’s internet connection.

Answer: The fair and equitable access to and use of digital health technologies across all populations, including older adults.

4. A major barrier to the adoption of health technology by some older adults is:

  • A lack of chronic diseases in this population.
  • Low digital literacy or lack of experience with technology.
  • The refusal of pharmacists to recommend technology.
  • The simplicity of all new health apps.

Answer: Low digital literacy or lack of experience with technology.

5. Smart pillboxes or mobile reminder apps are gerotechnology tools designed primarily to improve:

  • The patient’s social life.
  • Medication adherence.
  • The pharmacist’s dispensing speed.
  • The taste of the medication.

Answer: Medication adherence.

6. The use of automated dispensing cabinets in a hospital or long-term care facility is a technology that enhances medication safety for geriatric patients by:

  • Reducing the risk of dispensing the wrong drug or dose.
  • Allowing patients to select their own medications.
  • Increasing the time it takes to get a medication.
  • Requiring a pharmacist to be present for every dose removal.

Answer: Reducing the risk of dispensing the wrong drug or dose.

7. A “smart” infusion pump is an example of gerotechnology used in institutions to:

  • Increase the rate of infusion automatically.
  • Prevent medication errors by using dose error reduction software.
  • Communicate directly with the patient’s family.
  • Order its own medication refills from the pharmacy.

Answer: Prevent medication errors by using dose error reduction software.

8. When a pharmacist provides MTM services via a secure video conference, this is an example of:

  • A violation of HIPAA.
  • A traditional in-person visit.
  • Telehealth.
  • A social media interaction.

Answer: Telehealth.

9. A potential challenge for a pharmacist using telehealth to counsel an older adult is:

  • The inability to physically demonstrate how to use a device like an inhaler.
  • The requirement that all telehealth visits be free.
  • The fact that telehealth is not effective.
  • The lack of any patient interest.

Answer: The inability to physically demonstrate how to use a device like an inhaler.

10. Personal emergency response systems (PERS), such as pendants or wristbands with a help button, are a form of gerotechnology that primarily enhances:

  • Medication adherence.
  • The patient’s nutritional status.
  • The patient’s safety and ability to live independently.
  • The speed of prescription refills.

Answer: The patient’s safety and ability to live independently.

11. An Electronic Health Record (EHR) is a critical informatics tool that can support geriatric care by:

  • Providing a centralized location for a patient’s complex medical and medication history.
  • Limiting access to patient information.
  • Being accessible only from within the hospital.
  • Replacing the need for all patient communication.

Answer: Providing a centralized location for a patient’s complex medical and medication history.

12. For a geriatric patient with mild cognitive impairment, which technology would be most helpful for managing polypharmacy?

  • A complex smartphone app requiring multiple steps.
  • An automated medication dispenser that beeps and opens the correct slot at the correct time.
  • A printed leaflet with very small font.
  • A subscription to a medical journal.

Answer: An automated medication dispenser that beeps and opens the correct slot at the correct time.

13. A strategy to overcome the barrier of low digital literacy when introducing a health app to an older adult is to:

  • Tell them to ask a grandchild for help.
  • Provide clear, simple instructions and hands-on training.
  • Assume they will be able to figure it out on their own.
  • Recommend a different, more complex app.

Answer: Provide clear, simple instructions and hands-on training.

14. Remote patient monitoring (e.g., with a Bluetooth-enabled blood pressure cuff) allows healthcare providers to:

  • Control the patient’s device from the clinic.
  • Track patient data between visits, allowing for more proactive care.
  • See the patient only once per year.
  • Increase the number of medications the patient is taking.

Answer: Track patient data between visits, allowing for more proactive care.

15. A key consideration for digital health equity is ensuring that health technologies are:

  • Designed and tested with diverse populations, including older adults with varying abilities.
  • Only available in English.
  • Accessible only to those with the newest devices.
  • Available only in major metropolitan areas.

Answer: Designed and tested with diverse populations, including older adults with varying abilities.

16. Barcode medication administration (BCMA) is a technology used in hospitals that improves safety for geriatric patients by:

  • Verifying the “five rights” (right patient, drug, dose, route, time) at the bedside.
  • Increasing the speed of the medication pass.
  • Allowing nurses to skip documentation.
  • Ordering medications from the wholesaler.

Answer: Verifying the “five rights” (right patient, drug, dose, route, time) at the bedside.

17. The use of a “virtual pill box assembly” in the empathy project helps a student pharmacist understand:

  • The financial cost of medications.
  • The physical and cognitive challenges an older adult might face when managing a complex regimen.
  • The pharmacokinetics of each drug.
  • How to operate a cash register.

Answer: The physical and cognitive challenges an older adult might face when managing a complex regimen.

18. A pharmacist helping an older adult set up and understand their new continuous glucose monitor (CGM) is an example of:

  • A dispensing function.
  • An advanced patient care service incorporating gerotechnology.
  • A violation of the patient’s privacy.
  • A sales transaction only.

Answer: An advanced patient care service incorporating gerotechnology.

19. Which of the following represents a privacy concern with health-related apps and devices?

  • The use of strong encryption to protect data.
  • The secure storage of data in the EHR.
  • The potential for patient data to be shared with third parties without clear consent.
  • The ability for the patient to see their own data.

Answer: The potential for patient data to be shared with third parties without clear consent.

20. A pharmacist can use technology like video conferencing to provide MTM services, which helps to:

  • Increase the number of missed appointments.
  • Expand the reach of MTM services to patients who are not ambulatory.
  • Make the service more expensive for the pharmacy.
  • Eliminate the need for follow-up.

Answer: Expand the reach of MTM services to patients who are not ambulatory.

21. A simple gerotechnology solution for a patient with low vision is:

  • A prescription label with a very small font.
  • An audio prescription labeling system that reads the information out loud.
  • A standard prescription vial.
  • A printed medication leaflet.

Answer: An audio prescription labeling system that reads the information out loud.

22. When selecting a health app for a geriatric patient, a pharmacist should recommend one that:

  • Has a simple, intuitive user interface with large buttons and text.
  • Contains numerous advertisements and pop-ups.
  • Requires frequent software updates that change the interface.
  • Is only compatible with the newest smartphone.

Answer: Has a simple, intuitive user interface with large buttons and text.

23. The “digital divide” refers to the gap between:

  • Different brands of smartphones.
  • Those who have access to and skills to use modern information technology and those who do not.
  • The pharmacy and the physician’s office.
  • The cost of brand and generic drugs.

Answer: Those who have access to and skills to use modern information technology and those who do not.

24. For a geriatric patient with memory impairment, a gerotechnology that might be helpful is:

  • A digital clock that announces the date, time, and pre-programmed reminders.
  • A standard wall calendar.
  • A complex daily planner.
  • A subscription to a news magazine.

Answer: A digital clock that announces the date, time, and pre-programmed reminders.

25. A pharmacist providing a “Welcome Video” for a course is using technology to:

  • Make the course more difficult.
  • Provide an introduction and orientation to the course material in an accessible format.
  • Test the students’ internet speed.
  • Fulfill a legal requirement.

Answer: Provide an introduction and orientation to the course material in an accessible format.

26. The use of electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) is a technology that can reduce medication errors for geriatric patients by:

  • Eliminating issues with illegible handwriting.
  • Increasing the chance of transcription errors.
  • Making it harder for pharmacists to contact prescribers.
  • Slowing down the prescription-filling process.

Answer: Eliminating issues with illegible handwriting.

27. A key challenge of implementing telehealth in long-term care facilities is:

  • A lack of patients who could benefit.
  • Ensuring adequate Wi-Fi infrastructure and staff training.
  • The refusal of residents to participate.
  • The high cost of video conferencing software.

Answer: Ensuring adequate Wi-Fi infrastructure and staff training.

28. A pharmacist uses an online drug information database to check for interactions for a geriatric patient with polypharmacy. This is an example of:

  • A basic professional responsibility using information technology.
  • A skill that is no longer needed.
  • A violation of the patient’s trust.
  • A form of telehealth.

Answer: A basic professional responsibility using information technology.

29. What is a potential downside of relying solely on remote monitoring for a geriatric patient?

  • It is always more expensive than in-person visits.
  • It may miss important clinical signs that can only be detected during a physical assessment.
  • The technology is never accurate.
  • Patients prefer not to be monitored.

Answer: It may miss important clinical signs that can only be detected during a physical assessment.

30. The “empathy” a pharmacist develops by participating in a virtual pill box activity can help them better:

  • Understand the technological and logistical challenges of managing multiple medications.
  • Calculate medication dosages.
  • Compound sterile preparations.
  • Interpret lab results.

Answer: Understand the technological and logistical challenges of managing multiple medications.

31. The use of AI-driven algorithms to scan patient data for potential adverse drug events is an emerging technology in:

  • Pharmacovigilance.
  • Medication dispensing.
  • Patient counseling.
  • Pharmacy billing.

Answer: Pharmacovigilance.

32. For a successful telepharmacy visit with an older adult, it’s a best practice to:

  • Conduct a pre-visit tech check to ensure their camera and microphone are working.
  • Assume they know how to use the video conferencing platform.
  • Rush through the visit to save time.
  • Avoid making eye contact with the camera.

Answer: Conduct a pre-visit tech check to ensure their camera and microphone are working.

33. Which of the following is an example of assistive gerotechnology?

  • A standard telephone.
  • A hearing aid or a voice-amplifying device.
  • A regular walking cane.
  • A pair of reading glasses.

Answer: A hearing aid or a voice-amplifying device.

34. The integration of data from a patient’s wearable device (like a smartwatch) into their EHR is an example of advancing:

  • Patient-generated health data utilization.
  • Pharmacy workflow efficiency.
  • Drug-drug interaction checking.
  • Prescription billing.

Answer: Patient-generated health data utilization.

35. A key ethical consideration for gerotechnology is:

  • Ensuring the technology does not replace human connection and compassion.
  • The design of the product’s packaging.
  • The profit margin for the technology company.
  • The age of the inventor.

Answer: Ensuring the technology does not replace human connection and compassion.

36. A pharmacist can use technology to help a geriatric patient manage their warfarin therapy by:

  • Recommending an app for tracking INR results and dietary vitamin K.
  • Telling them not to worry about their INR.
  • Suggesting they use a standard pillbox.
  • Advising them to stop the medication.

Answer: Recommending an app for tracking INR results and dietary vitamin K.

37. The term “user-centered design” in gerotechnology means that the technology is:

  • Designed with the specific needs, abilities, and limitations of older adults in mind.
  • Designed to be used only by healthcare professionals.
  • The most technologically advanced option available, regardless of usability.
  • The cheapest option to manufacture.

Answer: Designed with the specific needs, abilities, and limitations of older adults in mind.

38. What role does technology play in a “medication synchronization” program?

  • It has no role; the process is entirely manual.
  • Pharmacy software is used to align refill dates and manage appointments.
  • It is used to automatically change medication doses.
  • It allows patients to bypass the pharmacist.

Answer: Pharmacy software is used to align refill dates and manage appointments.

39. A potential barrier for older adults in using online patient portals is:

  • Remembering multiple complex passwords.
  • The high cost of accessing the portal.
  • A lack of useful information in the portal.
  • The speed at which the information is updated.

Answer: Remembering multiple complex passwords.

40. The use of robotics in a central-fill pharmacy is a technology that:

  • Increases the number of dispensing errors.
  • Can improve the efficiency and accuracy of filling high-volume prescriptions.
  • Replaces the need for all pharmacists and technicians.
  • Is primarily used for patient counseling.

Answer: Can improve the efficiency and accuracy of filling high-volume prescriptions.

41. When recommending a blood pressure monitor for an older adult, a pharmacist should consider a model that has:

  • A small, hard-to-read screen.
  • A complicated calibration process.
  • A large, clear display and a simple, one-button operation.
  • Numerous advanced features that the patient will not use.

Answer: A large, clear display and a simple, one-button operation.

42. For an older adult living alone, telehealth can be a critical tool for managing:

  • Social isolation by providing face-to-face interaction with providers.
  • Home maintenance and repairs.
  • Transportation to social events.
  • Financial investments.

Answer: Social isolation by providing face-to-face interaction with providers.

43. A pharmacist providing a “Disaster Movie Assignment” is using technology (movies) to:

  • Evaluate the handling of disaster issues in a creative way.
  • Test students on their knowledge of film history.
  • Provide a break from clinical topics.
  • Assess sterile compounding skills.

Answer: Evaluate the handling of disaster issues in a creative way.

44. A key component of any technology-based health intervention for seniors is:

  • Ensuring it is only available for purchase online.
  • Providing robust technical support for users.
  • Making it incompatible with older devices.
  • Requiring a monthly subscription fee.

Answer: Providing robust technical support for users.

45. “Gamification” in health apps (e.g., earning points for taking medications on time) is a technology-based strategy to:

  • Make healthcare less serious.
  • Increase patient engagement and motivation.
  • Test the user’s video game skills.
  • Provide entertainment only.

Answer: Increase patient engagement and motivation.

46. A pharmacist uses a clinical decision support system (CDSS) to check for potentially inappropriate medications for a geriatric patient. This is an application of:

  • Gerotechnology to improve medication safety.
  • A basic calculator.
  • A social media platform.
  • A word processing program.

Answer: Gerotechnology to improve medication safety.

47. The future of gerotechnology in pharmacy will likely involve:

  • Less use of technology and a return to manual processes.
  • Greater integration of AI, remote monitoring, and personalized data to manage care.
  • Technology that completely replaces the need for human pharmacists.
  • A focus on technology for billing purposes only.

Answer: Greater integration of AI, remote monitoring, and personalized data to manage care.

48. What is a potential gerotechnology solution for a patient who often forgets if they have taken their medication?

  • A standard 7-day pillbox.
  • A “smart” pill bottle cap that tracks when the bottle was last opened.
  • A sticky note on the refrigerator.
  • A family member calling them every day.

Answer: A “smart” pill bottle cap that tracks when the bottle was last opened.

49. For technology to be successfully adopted by older adults, it must:

  • Be perceived as useful and easy to use.
  • Be the most expensive option available.
  • Require a significant amount of training.
  • Be recommended by a celebrity.

Answer: Be perceived as useful and easy to use.

50. The ultimate goal of gerotechnology in pharmacy is to:

  • Showcase the latest gadgets.
  • Use technology to help older adults maintain their health, safety, and independence.
  • Increase the profits of technology companies.
  • Replace the need for in-person healthcare.

Answer: Use technology to help older adults maintain their health, safety, and independence.

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