Special Considerations for the Geriatric Patient Chapter 24 Flashcards
Geriatric patients often are less able to defend against illness and may take much longer to recover when they do become ill. This often results in: A. Multiple simultaneous illnesses B. Forgetting doctor appointments C. Taking the wrong medications D. Hearing loss
A. Multiple simultaneous illnesses
The average geriatric patient takes \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ medications per day. A. 2.5 B. 3.0 C. 4.5 D. 10.0
C. 4.5
Which one of the following can cause a patient's illness or disease process to become worse? A. Overdosing B. Underdosing C. Dementia D. Incontinence
B. Underdosing
The loss of mobility is a common complaint among the elderly & can lead to other problems, such as: A. Skeletal fractures B. Hearing loss C. Depression D. Nearsightedness
C. Depression
The inability to retain urine or feces is called: A. Dementia B. Aphasia C. Priaprism D. Incontinence
D. Incontinence
When assessing a geriatric patient who has an altered mental status, you must:
A. Do your best to keep him awake and alert
B. Determine if his mental state is normal
C. Determine if he has had any recent surgeries
D. Find out from family if he can walk
B. Determine if his mental state is normal
All of the following are ways the respiratory system is affected by the aging process EXCEPT:
A. Increased strength of respiratory muscles
B. Decreased flexibility of the chest
C. Collapse of the smaller airways
D. Loss of elasticity
A. Increased strength of respiratory muscles
The aging process can cause a degeneration of the heart's electrical system, which can lead to: A. Hearing loss B. Vision loss C. Dysrhythmia D. Stroke (brain attack)
C. Dysrhythmia
Age-related changes in the musculoskeletal system can lead to changes in posture, range of motion, and: A. Awareness B. Medication usage C. Mental status D. Balance
D. Balance
Most states have laws that require emergency medical responders to report suspected cases of: A. Dementia B. Abuse and neglect C. Alzheimer's disease D. Overdose
B. Abuse and neglect
You have been called to the home of an elderly person & discover that she is refusing care. She states that she just wants to be left alone. You observe that the patient lives alone, is wearing only undergarments, & has multiple open sores & bruises over her body. These are most likely the signs of: A. Abuse B. Neglect C. Self-neglect D. Alzheimer's
C. Self-neglect
While caring for an elderly patient, he shares with you that his caregiver frequently leaves him alone in his bedroom for days & refuses to respond to his calls for assistance. This may be a form of what type of abuse? A. Physical B. Emotional C. Financial D. Sexual
B. Emotional
The assessment and emergency care of geriatric patients can sometimes be challenging due to normal age-related changes in human body. True, or false?
True
What is the exception to these statements for geriatric patients?
A. They often have multiple illnesses and to take numerous prescriptions and over-the-counter medications
B. They do not have many memory problems
C. A have problems with mobility
D. They have issues of incontinence
B. They do not have many memory problems
What 3 things contribute to respiratory challenges for the geriatric patient?
- A reduction in strength and endurance of the muscles that assist in breathing
- A loss of lung elasticity
- Collapsing of the smaller airways structures
What are the effects of aging for the geriatric patient on the circulatory system?
- A thickening of the walls of the heart
- A reduction in the effectiveness of the heart’s conduction system
- A loss of elasticity of the blood vessels
Age-related deterioration of the nervous system can cause:
- Slowing of psycho motor functioning
- Decreased reactions times
- Forgetfulness
- The loss of sensation and coordination
What is often the cause of falls among the elderly?
Deterioration of the nervous system
Osteoporosis and degeneration of the musculoskeletal system can cause ______ & _______, which can lead to falls and serious injuries.
Bone weakness, and
general instability
______________ & ______________ is a challenge for the elderly because of degeneration related curvature of the spine.
Immobilization, and
Airway maintenance
How does age change the skin?
- Skin becomes thinner and weaker
- It becomes more susceptible to tears and injuries
- Due to sluggish cellular regeneration, it can be very slow to heal
When assessing the geriatric patient, what should you remember to look for in the patient’s environment?
- Unsafe conditions
- Nonworking heating and cooling systems
- Signs that may indicate abuse or neglect
What is the meaning of geriatric?
People over the age of 65; of or relating to an elderly person
What are the common misconceptions regarding elderly people?
They are usually ill, hard of hearing, and have an altered mental state to the point of not being able to provide reliable information to caregivers.
What does OTC mean?
Over the counter (relates to medication)
On average, how many medications do elderly patients take per day?
4.5 medications per day
Elderly patients on fixed incomes may cut their medications in half or take them only every other day in an attempt to get them to last longer than prescribed. This is termed as underdosing and can cause the patient’s illness or disease process to get worse. True, or false?
True
What are some of the age-related sensory changes geriatric patients have which directly impact communication?
- Lower sensitivity to pain or touch
- An altered sense of smell or taste
- A certain amount of hearing loss
- Impaired vision or blindness
What percentage of the elderly suffer from some form of incontinence?
Between 15% and 60%
What factors predispose elderly persons to the inability to retain urine or feces?
- Diseases such as diabetes
- Illnesses that cause diarrhea
- Certain medications
Without regular exercise, the lungs will begin the aging process with decreased ability to ventilate properly at what age?
As early as the age of 30.
Geriatric trauma patients who have lost a good amount of blood should be treated for ________, even if their signs and symptoms do not indicate it.
Shock
The brain loses about ___% of its overall ________ between the ages of 20 and 90 years.
10%
Weight
Depression is a common condition found among elderly patients, especially among males. True, or false?
True
What is osteoporosis?
The loss of minerals from bones.
Age-related changes in them musculoskeletal system can lead to changes in:
- Posture
- Range of motion
- Balance
Aging causes a substantial decrease in the overall number of nerve fibers & the speed at which the impulses travel across them. Over time, those deterioration’s mean that elderly patients may experience:
- Decreased reaction times
- Difficulty with recent memory
- Psychomotor slowing
Dark areas of pigment on the skin are usually called?
Age spots, or liver spots
What is Alzheimer’s disease?
A progressive, degenerative disease that attacks the brain and results in impaired memory, thinking, and behavior.
What is the leading cause of trauma injury death among the elderly?
Falls
What is self-neglect?
The inability or unwillingness to provide or care for oneself. Self-neglect can be a deliberate act on the part of the elderly person, or it can also be the result of the inability to properly care for oneself due to illness, dementia, or physical limitations.
What is Elder neglect?
The abandonment or the deprivation of basic needs such as water, food, housing, clothing, or medical care.
What is elder abuse?
The physical, sexual, or emotional abuse of an elderly person, usually one who is disabled or frail.
