Ch. 5 - Chronic Illness and Older Adults

Question 1

Define Acute Illness ?

Answer 1

Diseases that have a rapid onset and short duration

Question 2

Examples of Acute Illnesses ?

Answer 2

• Colds
• Influenza
• Acute gastroenteritis

Question 3

Characteristics of Acute Illnesses ?

Answer 3

• Usually self - limiting
• Responds readily to treatment
• Complications are Infrequent
• After illness, person returns to previous level of functioning

Question 4

Define Chronic Illness ?

Answer 4

Diseases that are prolonged and do not resolve spontaneously, and are rarely cured completely

Question 5

Characteristics of Chronic Illnesses ?

Answer 5

• Permanent impairments or deviations from normal
• Nonreversible pathologic changes
• Residual disability
• Special rehabilitation required
• Need for long-term medical and/or nursing management

Question 6

_________ illnesses are found in ALL socioeconomic, ethnic, cultural, and racial groups ?

Answer 6

Chronic illnesses

Question 7

Chronic illnesses are more common in who ?

Answer 7

Lower socioeconomic groups

Question 8

What does the trajectory of Chronic Illness look like ?

Answer 8

• Onset
• Stable
• Acute decline
• Comeback
• Stable
• Crisis
• Stable
• Comeback
• Stable
• Downward decline
• Dying

Question 9

Diagnosis and acute phase/acute exacerbations of chronic illnesses are managed where ?

Answer 9

In a Hospital

Question 10

Aside from diagnosis/acute exacerbations of chronic illnesses, where are all others phases of chronic illnesses managed ?

Answer 10

In the community

Ex: Home, Nursing home, Assisted living

Question 11

Nurses should never assume patients with chronic illnesses knows what ?

Answer 11

How to care for themselves

Question 12

_____________ needs may change over time as disease trajectory changes ?

Answer 12

Educational

Question 13

What age group is considered a Young-Old adult ?

Answer 13

65-74 years of age

Question 14

What age group is considered an Old-old adult?

Answer 14

85 years of age

Question 15

What constitutes a Frail Older Adult ?

Answer 15

• 3 or more of the following*
• unplanned weight loss (> or = 10lbs per yr)
• Weakness
• Poor endurance and energy
• Slowness
• Low activity

Question 16

Frail Older Adults can also be considered whom ?

Answer 16

Older persons that have physical or mental disabilities that may interfere with the ability to independently perform ADL’s

Question 17

Frail Older Adults are not directly related to ______, but it is a risk factor.

Answer 17

Age

Question 18

Frail Older Adults are especially at risk for what ?

Answer 18

Malnutrition and dehydration

Question 19

Fluid intelligence ___________ during middle age

Answer 19

Declines

Question 20

Crystallized Intelligence __________ with aging ?

Answer 20

Improves

Question 21

Vocabulary and verbal reasoning ________ with aging ?

Answer 21

Improves

Question 22

Spatial perception remains _________ or _________ with aging ?

Answer 22

Constant or Improves

Question 23

Synthesis of new information ___________ during middle age ?

Answer 23

Declines

Question 24

Mental Performance speed __________ during middle age ?

Answer 24

Declines

Question 25

Short-term recall memory ________ during old age ?

Answer 25

Declines

Question 26

Long-term recall memory remains ________ with aging ?

Answer 26

Constant

Question 27

* Older adults may _____ or ___________ for health issues ?

Answer 27

Hide or Compensate

Question 28

With older adults, most accidents occur where ?

Answer 28

In and around the home

Question 29

In older adults, disease symptoms are often _________ ?

Answer 29

atypical Ex: "Aching in the joint" may really be a broken hip

Question 30

In older adults what should you monitor for, in terms of medications ?

Answer 30

Polypharmacy

Question 31

What things should you do before conducting an interview with an older adult ?

Answer 31

- Make sure they have all assistive devices (Ex: hearing aids, dentures, glasses) - Offer toileting before you start - May need to do interview in multiple small chunks to avoid fatigue ** Make sure to address the older adult ! DO NOT talk above them to other HCP or their families

Question 32

if possible, how should you interview an older adult ?

Answer 32

privately

Question 33

** Health care workers are mandated to report suspected or actual EM (Elder mistreatment) to Whom ?

Answer 33

Adult Protective Services