Ch. 45 Flashcards
You have been asked to deliver a talk about EMS and the geriatric population. Which one of the following points would you emphasize in your presentation?
A) Many of the elderly have a combination of different diseases in various stages.
B) Assessment can be difficult since most persons older than 70 suffer from dementia.
C) Dementia is an inevitable part of the aging process.
D) Geriatrics actually comprises a small number of EMS calls and transports.
A) Many of the elderly have a combination of different diseases in various stages.
Page Ref: 993
An elderly man mistakenly presses the gas pedal instead of the brake, causing him to crash into a convenience store. This scenario is commonly related to:
A) dementia.
B) confabulation.
C) Alzheimer’s disease.
D) proprioception.
D) proprioception.
Page Ref: 996
The cumulative effects of vascular disease and inflammatory processes can lead to:
A) Alzheimer’s disease.
B) dementia.
C) proprioception.
D) delirium.
B) dementia.
Page Ref: 996
Degeneration of the vertebrae and intervertebral disc caused by ________, can affect the neck and back, limiting mobility and increasing the risk for spine injury.
A) arthritis
B) pathological fractures
C) osteoporosis
D) spondylosis
D) spondylosis
Page Ref: 1006
You respond for an elderly female who has apparently taken the wrong medication. She tells you that she thought she took an aspirin for her headache, but instead she is feeling real tired. You check her medication and see that the aspirin looks like her sleeping pills. Which of the following likely led to the problem?
A) Presbyopia
B) Presbycusis
C) Menopause
D) Proprioception
A) Presbyopia
Page Ref: 994
Decreased clearance of drugs that are metabolized by the liver may contribute to:
A) constipation and bowel obstruction.
B) signs and symptoms of drug overdose.
C) increased risk of infection.
D) impaired proprioception.
B) signs and symptoms of drug overdose.
Page Ref: 1006
You respond for a 66-year-old man complaining of severe pain on the back of his neck and right shoulder. You examine the area and see fluid-filled blisters in a horizontal line across his shoulder. You should suspect:
A) kyphosis.
B) spondylosis.
C) shingles.
D) chicken pox.
C) shingles.
Page Ref: 1005
Which of the following can increase the potential for organ injury in blunt trauma in the elderly?
A) Decreased bone density
B) Decreased sensitivity to pain
C) Decreased circulation to the organs
D) Decreased amount of adipose tissue
D) Decreased amount of adipose tissue
Page Ref: 1007
You are called for a motor vehicle collision involving two elderly women. You are concerned because you know that elderly patients are often prescribed blood thinner for cardiac problems. This can be a problem because?
A) Impaired blood clotting can exacerbate blood loss.
B) It means they most likely have cardiac problems.
C) It increases their risk for pulmonary embolism.
D) It leads to diminished liver and kidney function.
A) Impaired blood clotting can exacerbate blood loss.
Page Ref: 1007
Which of the following patients would be the MOST likely to be abused?
A) A 68-year-old man with asthma
B) A 62-year-old woman with decreased enjoyment of food
C) An 82-year-old woman with Alzheimer’s disease
D) A 74-year-old man with hypertension
C) An 82-year-old woman with Alzheimer’s disease
Page Ref: 997
All of the following are risk factors for elder abuse EXCEPT:
A) The caregiver has other responsibilities besides caring for the elder patient.
B) The patient is wheelchair bound and incontinent.
C) The elderly patient is destitute and must depend on family for housing.
D) The patient is 68 years old and plays golf every day.
D) The patient is 68 years old and plays golf every day.
Page Ref: 997
Which of the following would be appropriate to care for an elderly patient?
A) Cut away excess clothing when trying to examine the chest.
B) Recheck breath sounds after the patient has taken a few breaths.
C) Apply more pressure to open the airway if the neck is stiff.
D) Pad the cervical collar with extra padding to keep it snug.
B) Recheck breath sounds after the patient has taken a few breaths.
Page Ref: 1001
You have been called for a 91-year-old woman who fell. Since your assessment reveals bruises to her body in various stages of healing and inconsistencies in information related to the fall from her family, you are suspicious of geriatric abuse. Your BEST action would be to:
A) notify the Office of Elder Affairs prior to leaving the scene.
B) quietly transport and inform the emergency department physician.
C) confront the family members regarding your suspicions.
D) have the EMS supervisor contact the patient’s primary care physician.
B) quietly transport and inform the emergency department physician.
Page Ref: 997-998
To BEST communicate with a geriatric patient who has diminished hearing, the AEMT should do which one of the following?
A) Increase both the pitch and volume of your voice.
B) Ask the family members about the patient’s history.
C) Try to communicate using sign language.
D) Be sure the patient has his hearing aid in place.
D) Be sure the patient has his hearing aid in place.
Page Ref: 998
Your patient states that he “passed out” and fell down. He regained consciousness a few moments later but had shortness of breath and sharp chest pain. Which of the following in the patient’s history is of greatest concern?
A) He had hip surgery two years ago.
B) The patient states his left calf is tender and painful.
C) The patient took nitroglycerin and now has a headache.
D) The patient injured his wrist when he fell.
B) The patient states his left calf is tender and painful.
Page Ref: 1003
