CH36 Geriatric Emergencies Flashcards
abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)
weakening and bulging of the abdominal aorta.
Advance directive
A legal document that outlines a patient’s wishes for medical care if they become unable to communicate or make decisions
Arteriosclerosis
A disease: causes the arteries to thicken, harden and calcify.
Ascites
Abnormal accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity
Atherosclerosis
A condition where fatty deposits (plaque) build up inside arteries, causing them to narrow and harden.
Decubitus Ulcers
Open sores that develop on the skin or mucous membranes, commonly in the stomach (peptic ulcers) or on the skin (pressure ulcers)
Deep Venous thrombosis
A blood clot that forms in a deep vein, usually in the legs.
Dyspnea
Shortness of breath
Hemoptysis
Coughing up blood
Jugular Vein Distention
The visible bulging of the jugular veins in the neck due to increased venous pressure.
Kyphosis
A forward curling of the back: caused by abnormal increase in the curvature of the spine
Melena
Black foul smelling stool containing digested blood.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
A type of bacteria that is resistant to several antibiotics, including methicillin: can be found on the skin and in surgical wounds, bloodstream, lungs and urinary tract.
Neuropathy
A group of conditions: the nerves leaving the spinal cord are damaged: resulting in the distortion of signals to and from the brain.
Osteoporosis
A bone disease: commonly in postmenopausal women: reduction in bone mass leasing to fractures after minimal trauma.
Peptic Ulcer Disease
An abrasion of the stomach or small intestine
Polypharmacy
The use of multiple medications on a regular basis
Presbycusis
An age related condition: progressive bilateral hearing loss
Pulmonary Embolism
A blood blot that breaks off of a large vein: travels to the blood vessels of the lung, causing obstruction of blood flow.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
Virus causing infection of the lungs and breathing: is contagious and spread through droplets: can lead to other illnesses that effect the heart and lungs such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia
Syncope
A fainting spell or transient loss of consciousness
Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE)
A bacterium: normally present in human intestines and female reproductive tract: can cause infection and is resistant to the antibiotic vancomycin.
