Watch the video version of this Q&A episode on YouTube – https://youtu.be/P2qSpOXD9AM

A physical therapist conducts an inservice on Alzheimer’s disease. Which patient profile has the GREATEST relative risk of this disease?

1. A 46-year-old male
2. A 42-year-old female
3. An 81-year-old male
4. An 83-year-old female

Welcome back to the Scorebuilders’ Question and Answer Podcast! This podcast provides members of the Scorebuilders’ team with the opportunity to explore challenging multiple-choice examination questions with students actively preparing for the licensing examination. My name is Scott Giles and I will be your host for today’s journey.

Ready? Let’s go!

A physical therapist conducts an inservice on Alzheimer’s disease. Which patient profile has the GREATEST relative risk of this disease?

1. A 46-year-old male
2. A 42-year-old female
3. An 81-year-old male
4. An 83-year-old female

Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that results in deterioration and irreversible damage within the cerebral cortex and subcortical areas of the brain. The loss of neurons results from the breakdown of several processes that would normally sustain the brain cells.

Let’s explore each of the options:

Option 1 - A 46-year-old male
The risk of Alzheimer’s disease is positively correlated with increasing age, and is also less common in males.

Option 2 - A 42-year-old female
The risk of Alzheimer’s disease is positively correlated with increasing age and is more common in females. The young age (i.e., 42) makes the relative risk of acquiring Alzheimer’s disease less than option 4.

Option 3 - An 81-year-old male
The risk of Alzheimer’s disease is positively correlated with increasing age, however, is less common in males. Though the patients in options 3 and 4 are of a similar age, the fact that the patient in option 3 is a male would make it less likely that he has Alzheimer’s disease.

Option 4 - An 83-year-old female
The risk of Alzheimer’s disease is positively correlated with increasing age and is more common in females. The advanced age (i.e., 83) combined with female gender increases the relative risk of acquiring Alzheimer’s disease.

The correct answer is Option 4

Let’s explore the all student data:
4% of students selected Option 1, A 46-year-old male
2% of students selected Option 2, A 42-year-old female
43% of students selected Option 3, An 81-year-old male
51% of students selected Option 4, An 83-year-old female, the correct response

System Classification
This question is a Neuromuscular and Nervous Systems question which represents approximately 24% of all exam items.

Content Outline Classification
This question is a Foundations for Evaluation, Differential Diagnosis, & Prognosis question which represents approximately 33% of all exam items.

Level Classification
This question is a Level 1 question since the question requires students to possess basic foundational academic knowledge. Remediation of Level 1 questions occurs through academic review of entry-level content using textbooks, review books, Basecamp, and flash cards.

Academic Focus Area
Looking to review related academic content? Check out pages 284, 330-331 in PTEXAM: The Complete Study Guide.

Thanks for joining us on the Scorebuilders Q and A podcast! See you next week!