Ch 36 - Geriatrics - Vocab

Question 1

abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)

Answer 1

A rapidly fatal condition in which the walls of the aorta in the abdomen weaken and blood leaks into the layers of the vessel, causing it to bulge.

Question 2

advance directive

Answer 2

Written documentation that specifies medical treatment for a competent patient should the patient become unable to make decisions; also called a living will or health care directive.

Question 3

aneurysm

Answer 3

A swelling or enlargement of the wall of a blood vessel that results from weakening of the vessel wall.

Question 4

arteriosclerosis

Answer 4

A disease that causes the arteries to thicken, harden, and calcify.

Question 5

ascites

Answer 5

An abnormal accumulation of excess fluid in the peritoneal cavity.

Question 6

atherosclerosis

Answer 6

A disorder in which cholesterol and calcium build up inside the walls of the blood vessels, forming plaque, which eventually leads to a partial or complete blockage of blood flow.

Question 7

cataracts

Answer 7

Clouding of the lens of the eye or its surrounding transparent membranes.

Question 8

decubitus ulcers

Answer 8

Sores caused by the pressure of skin against a surface for long periods; can range from a discoloration of the skin to a deep wound that may invade into bone or organs; also known as bedsores.

Question 9

deep venous thrombosis

Answer 9

The formation of a blood clot within the larger veins of an extremity, typically following a period of prolonged immobilization.

Question 10

delirium

Answer 10

A temporary change in mental status characterized by disorganized thoughts, inattention, memory loss, disorientation, striking changes in personality and affect, hallucinations, delusions, or a decreased level of consciousness.

Question 11

dementia

Answer 11

The slow onset of progressive disorientation, shortened attention span, and loss of cognitive function; this condition is generally chronic and irreversible.

Question 12

dyspnea

Answer 12

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.

Question 13

elder abuse

Answer 13

Any action on the part of an older person’s family member, caregiver, or other associated person that takes advantage of the older person’s person, property, or emotional state.

Question 14

geriatrics

Answer 14

The assessment and treatment of disease in someone who is age 65 years or older.

Question 15

hemoptysis

Answer 15

The coughing up of blood.

Question 16

jugular vein distention

Answer 16

A visual bulging of the jugular veins in the neck that can be caused by fluid overload, pressure in the chest, cardiac tamponade, or tension pneumothorax.

Question 17

kyphosis

Answer 17

A forward curling of the back caused by an abnormal increase in the curvature of the spine.

Question 18

melena

Answer 18

Black, foul-smelling, tarry stool containing digested blood

Question 19

methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Answer 19

A bacterium that causes infections in different parts of the body and is often resistant to commonly used antibiotics; can be found on the skin and in surgical wounds, the bloodstream, lungs, and urinary tract.

Question 20

neuropathy

Answer 20

A group of conditions in which the nerves leaving the spinal cord are damaged, resulting in distortion of signals to or from the brain.

Question 21

osteoporosis

Answer 21

A generalized bone disease, commonly associated with postmenopausal women, in which there is a reduction in the amount of bone mass leading to fractures after minimal trauma in either sex.

Question 22

peptic ulcer disease

Answer 22

An abrasion of the stomach or small intestine.

Question 23

pneumonia

Answer 23

An infectious disease of the lung that damages lung tissue.

Question 24

polypharmacy

Answer 24

The use of multiple medications on a regular basis.

Question 25

presbycusis

Answer 25

An age-related condition of the ear that produces progressive bilateral hearing loss that is most noted at higher frequencies.

Question 26

pulmonary embolism

Answer 26

A blood clot that breaks off of a large vein that travels to the blood vessels of the lung, causing obstruction of blood flow.

Question 27

respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

Answer 27

A virus that causes an infection of the lungs and breathing passages; can lead to other serious illnesses that affect the lungs or heart, such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia; it is highly contagious and spread through droplets.

Question 28

syncope

Answer 28

A fainting spell or transient loss of consciousness.

Question 29

urinary tract infection (UTI)

Answer 29

An infection, usually of the lower urinary tract (urethra and bladder), that occurs when normal flora bacteria enter the urethra and grow.

Question 30

vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE)

Answer 30

A bacterium that is normally present in the human intestines and the female reproductive tract, but which can cause infection and which is resistant to the antibiotic vancomycin.