Chapter 31 Flashcards
You have been asked to deliver a talk about the geriatric population to the new OEC class. Which of the following points would you emphasize in your presentation?
a. Assessment can be difficult because most individuals older than 70 suffer from dementia.
b. Many elderly individuals have a combination of different diseases in various stages.
c. Geriatric patients actually account for a small number of emergency medical calls and transports.
d. Dementia is an inevitable part of aging.
Assessment can be difficult because most individuals older than 70 suffer from dementia.
b. Many elderly individuals have a combination of different diseases in various stages.
c. Geriatric patients actually account for a small number of emergency medical calls and transports.
d. Dementia is an inevitable part of aging.
Answer: b
Objective: 31-1
Reference: 1002
A new OEC Technician asks you why the elderly are at higher risk for developing pneumonia than younger individuals. You inform him that the elderly are more susceptible to respiratory infections because of:
a. impaired swallowing of saliva.
b. decreased alveolar gas exchange.
c. a reduced cough reflex.
d. hardening of the major arteries.
a. impaired swallowing of saliva.
b. decreased alveolar gas exchange.
c. a reduced cough reflex.
d. hardening of the major arteries.
Answer: c
Objective: 31-1
Reference: 1002
The son of an 88-year-old patient states that he told his mother to increase the amount of an antibiotic she was taking so she would “feel better faster.” This represents a problem because the elderly have:
a. decreased respiratory function.
b. an increased risk for stroke.
c. decreased liver and kidney function.
d. an increased risk for cancer.
a. decreased respiratory function.
b. an increased risk for stroke.
c. decreased liver and kidney function.
d. an increased risk for cancer.
Answer: c
Objective: 31-1
Reference: 1002
Which of the following statements shows that an OEC Technician has an accurate understanding of vital signs in relation to geriatric patients?
a. “The typical resting heart rate in geriatric patients is less than 60 beats per minute.”
b. “Fever tends to be more common and more severe in elderly patients.”
c. “There is no difference between the vital signs of a geriatric patient and those of a young adult.”
d. “Respiratory capacity is greatly reduced in geriatric patients.”
a. “The typical resting heart rate in geriatric patients is less than 60 beats per minute.”
b. “Fever tends to be more common and more severe in elderly patients.”
c. “There is no difference between the vital signs of a geriatric patient and those of a young adult.”
d. “Respiratory capacity is greatly reduced in geriatric patients.”
Answer: d
Objective: 31-1
Reference: 988
Some elderly patients have osteoporosis, a condition that results in:
a. decreased bone density.
b. decreased renal output.
c. decreased insulin production.
d. gall stone production.
a. decreased bone density.
b. decreased renal output.
c. decreased insulin production.
d. gall stone production.
Answer: a
Objective: 31-1, 31-5
Reference: 989
An elderly woman has fallen down three steps and is complaining of back pain. After you perform a primary assessment, which of the following questions should you ask to illicit the next important piece of information?
a. “Did you become dizzy before you fell?”
b. “Why didn’t you use the ramp on the other side?”
c. “Do you have a history of high blood pressure?”
d. “Who is your family doctor?”
a. “Did you become dizzy before you fell?”
b. “Why didn’t you use the ramp on the other side?”
c. “Do you have a history of high blood pressure?”
d. “Who is your family doctor?”
Answer: a
Objective: 31-5
Reference: 996
Family members tell you that three hours ago their 76-year-old mother suddenly became confused and had great difficulty speaking. However, within 15 minutes she returned to normal. Based on this description, an OEC Technician should be suspicious of:
a. a stroke.
b. dementia.
c. Alzheimer’s disease.
d. a transient ischemic attack.
a. a stroke.
b. dementia.
c. Alzheimer’s disease.
d. a transient ischemic attack.
Answer: d
Objective: 31-3
Reference: 992
Which of the following statements about traumatic injuries in the elderly is true?
a. Motor-vehicle collisions are responsible for over 75 percent of deaths.
b. Head injuries are easier to detect in the elderly than in younger adults.
c. Hyperthermia is an early sign of trauma.
d. Injuries are most commonly caused by falls.
a. Motor-vehicle collisions are responsible for over 75 percent of deaths.
b. Head injuries are easier to detect in the elderly than in younger adults.
c. Hyperthermia is an early sign of trauma.
d. Injuries are most commonly caused by falls.
Answer: d
Objective: 31-5
Reference: 996
Which of the following statements concerning insulin pumps is false?
a. They have an external on/off button.
b. They are implanted in the patient’s chest.
c. They supply insulin via a catheter.
d. They are commonly found on a patient’s belt.
a. They have an external on/off button.
b. They are implanted in the patient’s chest.
c. They supply insulin via a catheter.
d. They are commonly found on a patient’s belt.
Answer: b
Objective: 31-3
Reference: 1000
Which of the following strategies is best for OEC Technicians for communicating with a geriatric patient who has diminished eyesight?
a. Write your questions in large print on paper.
b. Increase both the pitch and the volume of your voice.
c. Stand in front of the patient and talk calmly.
d. Obtain needed information from family members.
a. Write your questions in large print on paper.
b. Increase both the pitch and the volume of your voice.
c. Stand in front of the patient and talk calmly.
d. Obtain needed information from family members.
Answer: c
Objective: 31-2
Reference: 1000
A hearing-impaired patient wearing a hearing aid is having a great deal of difficulty hearing your questions. Which of the following actions should you take first?
a. . Ensure that their hearing aid is turned on.
b. Increase the pitch of your voice.
c. Write your questions on paper.
d. Position yourself in front of the patient and shout.
a. . Ensure that their hearing aid is turned on.
b. Increase the pitch of your voice.
c. Write your questions on paper.
d. Position yourself in front of the patient and shout.
Answer: a
Objective: 31-2
Reference: 1000
Which of the following conditions is associated with pulmonary embolism?
a. Infection
b. Hypertension
c. Pulmonary edema
d. Hypoxia
a. Infection
b. Hypertension
c. Pulmonary edema
d. Hypoxia
Answer: d
Objective: 31-3
Reference: 1001
A 77-year-old man got out of bed, became dizzy, and fell onto the floor, hitting the right side of his face. You find him sitting on the floor with his wife next to him. His wife states that he did not lose responsiveness and that this has happened several times over the past few days, ever since the doctor put him on a new blood pressure medication. Presently, the patient is alert and oriented and complaining of dizziness and a headache. He has a history of coronary artery disease, emphysema, and hypertension. Which of the following actions should you take first?
a. Check the patient’s airway and breathing.
b. Establish manual in-line spinal stabilization.
c. Position the patient supine with his feet elevated.
d. Provide oxygen at 15 LPM.
a. Check the patient’s airway and breathing.
b. Establish manual in-line spinal stabilization.
c. Position the patient supine with his feet elevated.
d. Provide oxygen at 15 LPM.
Answer: b
Objective: 31-5
Reference: 1003
You have been called by the caregiver of a 91-year-old woman with dementia. The patient is complaining of a possible fracture to her upper left arm. As you talk to the caregiver and note various bruises on the patient’s body, you become suspicious of elder abuse. Which of the following actions is most appropriate at this time?
a. Contact the police to report your suspicion.
b. Confront the caregiver regarding the bruises on the patient’s body.
c. Ask the patient if she is being abused.
d. Treat the patient for a possible broken arm.
a. Contact the police to report your suspicion.
b. Confront the caregiver regarding the bruises on the patient’s body.
c. Ask the patient if she is being abused.
d. Treat the patient for a possible broken arm.
Answer: d
Objective: 31-5
Reference: 998
You and your partner respond to the lodge to aid an elderly woman who is not feeling well. When you perform a secondary assessment:
a. you and your partner should take turns asking the patient questions.
b. you and your partner should ignore the patient and ask the family for information.
c. you should stand to the patient’s side and raise your voice so the patient can hear you.
d. only one of you should ask the patient questions to avoid confusion.
a. you and your partner should take turns asking the patient questions.
b. you and your partner should ignore the patient and ask the family for information.
c. you should stand to the patient’s side and raise your voice so the patient can hear you.
d. only one of you should ask the patient questions to avoid confusion.
Answer: d
Objective: 31-2
Reference: 1001
