Chapter 11 Terminology

Question 1

ageism

Answer 1

discriminating against people because of their age

Question 2

comorbidity

Answer 2

multiple disease process

Question 3

delirium

Answer 3

acute onset and generally reversible

Question 4

dementia

Answer 4

slow progressive onset & not reversible

Question 5

depression

Answer 5

the most common affective (mood) disorder of old age;

Question 6

durable power of attorney (DPOA)

Answer 6

a person to answer for us. A part of advanced directives

Question 7

Elder abuse

Answer 7

the physical, emotional, or financial harm to an older person by one or more of the individual’s children, caregivers, or others; includes neglect

Question 8

geriatric syndrome

Answer 8

common conditions found in older adults that tend to be
multifactorial and do not fall under discrete disease categories, such as falls, delirium, frailty, dizziness, and urinary incontinence

Question 9

geriatrics

Answer 9

practice focused on physiology, pathology, diagnosis and management of diseases and disorders of older adults

Question 10

Gerontologic/ geriatric nursing

Answer 10

field of nursing that specializes in care of older adults. Can be in acute care setting, home. Goal is to maintain functional status of older adults

Question 11

gerontology

Answer 11

scientific study of aging. Multiple disciplinary: biological, social, and physical sciences.

Question 12

polypharmacy

Answer 12

using multiple drugs at the same time