Chapter 11 (MIDTERM) Flashcards
What is the leading cause of fatal injuries or non injuries in older adults
Falls
What is the type of fall that refers to a series of falls that occur before the onset of illness or disease?
Prodromal falling
After a fall what are the key initial assessment points??
Level of consciousness
Circulation
Airway and breathing
Head to toe assessment and vitals after assessing the patient is stable
What are risk for falling with older adults?
Vision changes
Hearing changes
Cardiovascular factors
Musculoskeletal factors
Neurologic factors
In advancing years and eye glare may occur, causing temporary visual disturbances. What is this called?
Cataracts
Loss of high tone frequencies is called what
Presbycusis
What is age related changes affecting the inner ear?
Atrophy of the ossicle in the inner ear, which causes changes in sound conduction
Older individuals with hearing impairments are more susceptible to falling because of what?
The feedback to the brain is altered and balance is disrupted
With orthostatic hypotension it is important to educate the client on what
Change position slowly, and dangle the legs a few minutes once arising from a supine position
One of the most universal age related changes affecting the neurological system is what
Slowing in reaction time
What type of shoes are preferred for fall risk patients?
Leather sole
Low heeled with laces
How is fall risk categorized?
Intrinsic factors (illness or disease related)
Extrinsic (environmental)
As you are keeping your patient safe from falls, it is still important to keep in mind what?
Still have respect for the patients autonomy
What is the most commonly cited place where falls occur in the home?
Last step of the staircase
What interventions can help patients with reducing the risk of falling on steps
Teach individual to count the steps
Reinstalling new hand rails
What should be avoided in a shower for an older adult?
Bar soap
Type of intervention that alter behaviors to achieve positive outcomes.
This intervention first requires the patient to recognize the behaviors that are contributing to problems. It also requires the patients to make conscious attempts
Behavioral modification
What is the term bipedal/ambulatory mean with falls
The patient is upright or walking when they fall
What is the term nonbipedal with falls?
The patient is sitting or lying down when they fall
What is Isolated falling?
A fall that is a one-time event that was most likely purely accidental
What are Cluster falls?
A group of falls that are observed among individuals with specific diseases who decompensate
What are premonitory falls?
Falls that are produced due to a specific medical illness.
Ex: new onset of stroke, seizure, positional vertigo
What is prodromal falling?
Onset of frequent fall heralding an acute medical problem.
Ex: infection
Type of fall:
Sudden leg weakness without loss of consciousness
Drop attack
What are intentional falls?
An individual throws themself on the ground on purpose with the desire to do harm.
Common in older adults with depression
Serious injury from falling is more likely to occur among those with?
Osteoporosis;
Weak bones, partially weight bearing bones, such as; femur are more susceptible to breaking
Why may some patients become physically dependent after there first fall?
They fear falling and will avoid activities
How can you assess the patients fear of falling?
Ask open ended questions;
“How do you define fear of falling, and what does it mean to you?”
Is falling normal with the aging process?
No it is not normal, the patient should be assessed
The fall acronym SPLATT helps further evaluate what might have happened before a fall. What is this acronym?
Symptoms at time of fall
Previous fall
Location of fall
Activity as time of fall
Time of fall
Trauma, post fall
What is a helpful test for static balance?
Sternal nudge;
One examiner stands in front of patient, the other stands behind. The examiner pushes on the patients sternum. If the patient begins to lose balance and fall the test is considered positive
What is the study of the interaction of effects of injury on the host, the environment, and the agent?
Injury epidemiology
Hot water tank temperatures should be below what to prevent burns?
140°F
What are the rules with cigarette smoking related to safety?
Never smoke in a bed or chair
Do not smoke after taking mind altering meds
Place all smoking debris in a container
Have a multipurpose “ABC” fire extinguisher available
Kitchen fires are frequently the result of what in the older adult community
“Dry fires” from an unattended stove with water boiling in pan or kettle
What are some fire safety tips
Home fire drills are recommended
Identification of exits and a meeting spot outside of the house
What are signs of CO poisoning?
Feeling dizzy
Lightheaded
Nauseous
Tips on how to prepare food safely
Wash hands
Wash all fruits and vegetables
Keep meat out of the danger zone 40°-140°F
Clean all surfaces before and after food preparation
What is defined as the core body temp dropping down to less than 95° F
Hypothermia
What does shivering do?
Increases rate of heat production for the body
What are symptoms of hypothermia?
Fatigue
Apathy
Confusion
Lethargic
Shivering
Numb
Slurred speech
Possible coma
When a patients temp drops below 93°F what may happen?
Cardiac arrhythmias
Brady arrhythmias
What causes respiratory alkalosis with hypothermia?
Hyperventilation
Disorder where the body reaches a core body temperature greater than 105° F
Hyperthermia
Symptoms of hyperthermia are what?
Hot dry skin
CNS dysfunction: hallucinations, combativeness, bizarre behaviors
What medication can help manage shivering?
Benzodiazepines
Failure or refusal of a caregiver to provide an older adults basic needs
Neglect
Occurs when an older adult is injured, assaulted, threatened
Physical assault
The willful desertion of an older person by a caregiver or other responsible person
Abandonment
Suicide in the older adult community is often associated with what?
Alcohol and drug dependence
