Frailty and deconditioning: RCSI aptitude test practice questions
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Frailty and deconditioning on the RCSI theory paper
Frailty syndromes, hospital deconditioning, Get Up Get Dressed Get Moving, mobilisation and rehabilitation.
20 multiple-choice questions, each with an explanation and the document it was checked against. Three questions are free; the pass opens the other 17 and every other topic. Wrong answers come back first the next time you practise, and a question counts as mastered after two correct answers in a row.
Sample questions from this topic
Question 1
What is the most studied modifiable intervention for preventing and treating physical frailty?
- ASedative medication to improve sleep quality
- BBed rest with protected sleep and reduced stimulation
- CPhysical activity, particularly resistance exercise
- DA low-protein, low-salt diet with fluid restriction
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Answer: C. BGS: physical activity, particularly resistance (strength) exercise, is the most studied modifiable intervention for preventing and treating physical frailty, ideally combined with adequate protein intake.
Source: British Geriatrics Society: Introduction to frailty (Fit for Frailty)
Question 2
On the CFS, how should a patient with moderate dementia be scored?
- AModerate dementia usually equates to CFS 3
- BDementia is scored separately and does not change the CFS
- CModerate dementia usually equates to CFS 9
- DModerate dementia usually equates to CFS 6
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Answer: D. Dalhousie CFS guidance: the degree of frailty corresponds to the degree of dementia. In moderate dementia recent memory is very impaired and personal care needs prompting, which matches level 6 (needs help with all outside activities and minimal assistance with dressing). Mild dementia is usually taught as CFS 5 and severe as CFS 7, a convention rather than chart text.
Source: Dalhousie University: Clinical Frailty Scale v2.0 (2020)
Question 3
What does the BGS say about routine population screening for frailty?
- ANot supported; identify frailty opportunistically instead
- BScreening only for residents in nursing homes
- CPostal screening questionnaires every two years
- DAnnual screening for everyone over 65 by the GP practice
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Answer: A. BGS: routine population screening for frailty is not currently supported because of cost and the low specificity of tools; frailty should be identified opportunistically at every health or social care interaction, for example using gait speed or the CFS.
Source: British Geriatrics Society: Introduction to frailty (Fit for Frailty)
The practice above shuffles the options each time and keeps your score. 30 more free questions across the paper, with a PDF.
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