Agent’s Underwriting "Challenge" Test

This month’s newsletter is a test. RiskTutor has developed an extensive library of essential underwriting topics since 1998 that is provided to all agents free of charge. It is time to test your "risk assessment" knowledge.

Now more than ever there are important reasons for all life insurance agents to upgrade their expertise in the area of field underwriting. At the top of the list is the constant pressure by the financial services industry to turn life insurance into a pure commodity. Important and sensitive conversations about medical issues provide the perfect antidote against having the life insurance process turned into a commodity. It is called "building relationships." Yes, the standard offer is important, but the conversation about the heart attack, the cancer, the long struggle with diabetes may be the only thing that makes you "unique" in the eyes of the client. With an aging population, the opportunity to engage in these conversations increases daily. So good luck and keep building those relationships!

1) How much did Americans spend in 2001 on prescribed medications?
a) $75 billion
b) $100 billion
c) $125 billion
d) $150 billion

2) The most important predictor of response to therapy in applicants with a history of Hepatitis C is:
a) Age
b) Alcohol Use
c) Genotype
d) Length of treatment

3) Treatment of Polycythemia Vera (PV) usually involves:
a) Removal of spleen
b) Observation
c) Medications
d) Phlebotomy

4) FEV-1 is measure of:
a) Lung function
b) Heart function
c) Liver function
d) None of the above

5) Which of the following medications is a red flag drug from "heart group?"
a) Tenormin
b) Lanoxin
c) Imdur
d) Accupril

6) What does a "Gleason Score" tell you about prostate cancer?
a) The aggressiveness of the tumor
b) The degree of involvement of the tumor
c) The source of the tumor
d) The total of "free" and bound PSA

7) Intermittent Claudication is:
a) Leg pain associated with a fever
b) Leg pain relieved by stretching
c) Leg pain secondary to trauma
d) Leg pain triggered by walking

8) All of the following are used to treat bipolar disorder except:
a) Lithium
b) Depakote
c) Neurontin
d) Ativan

9) How many older Americans skip doses of their medications or do not fill prescriptions because of cost?
a) 5%
b) 10%
c) 15%
d) 25%

10) A client taking Exelon probably has:
a) Heart disease
b) Dementia
c) Edema
d) Rheumatoid Arthritis

11) A client taking Zoladex probably has:
a) High cholesterol
b) Asthma
c) Prostate cancer
d) Breast cancer

12) Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAAs) require surgical intervention when they are what size in diameter?
a) 2 cm
b) 4cm
c) 6cm
d) 8cm

13) Cardiomyopathy is a:
a) Disease of the heart’s valves
b) Disease of the heart’s arteries
c) Disease of the heart’s muscle
d) None of the above

14) All of the following are risk factors for "stroke" except:
a) Age
b) Blood pressure
c) Prior stoke
d) Chronic vertigo

15) The most common complication of Crohn’s disease is:
a) Anemia
b) Intestinal blockage
c) Rectal bleeding
d) Arthritis

16) Which of the following treatments for COPD is an "automatic" decline?
a) Chronic oral steroids
b) Multiple inhalers
c) Repeated courses of antibiotics
d) Home oxygen therapy

17) All of the following can help reduce the severity of sleep apnea except:
a) Loosing weight
b) Increased caffeine intake
c) Reducing alcohol intake
d) Reducing or stopping smoking

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ANSWERS

1. d
2. c - http://risktutor.com/demo/may_02.html
3. d - http://risktutor.com/demo/june_02.html
4. a - http://risktutor.com/demo/sep_02.html
5. c - http://risktutor.com/demo/jan_02.html
6. a - http://risktutor.com/demo/oct_01.html
7. d - http://risktutor.com/demo/sep_01.html
8. a - http://risktutor.com/demo/july_02.html
9. d
10. b - http://risktutor.com/demo/feb_02.html
11. c - http://risktutor.com/demo/feb_02.html
12. c - http://risktutor.com/demo/aug_01.html
13. c - http://risktutor.com/demo/may_01.html
14. d - http://risktutor.com/demo/mar_01.html
15. b - http://risktutor.com/demo/feb_01.html
16. d - http://risktutor.com/demo/jan_01.html
17. b - http://risktutor.com/demo/sep_00.html