Chapter 33

Question 1

abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)

Answer 1

A condition in which the walls of the aorta in the abdomen weaken and blood leaks into the layers of the vessel, causing it to bulge

Question 2

advance directives

Answer 2

Written documentation that specifies medical treatment for a competent patient should the patient become unable to make decisions; also called living wills

Question 3

aneurysm

Answer 3

An enlargement of a part of an artery, resulting from weakening of the arterial wall

Question 4

ascites

Answer 4

Fluid in the abdomen

Question 5

cataracts

Answer 5

Clouding of the lens of the eye or its surrounding transparent membranes

Question 6

decubitus ulcers

Answer 6

Also known as bedsores. These are sores caused by the pressure of skin against a surface for long periods. These sores can range from a pink discoloration of the skin to a deep wound that may invade into bone or organs.

Question 7

deep venous thrombosis

Answer 7

The formation of a blood clot within the larger veins of an extremity, typically following a period of prolonged immobilization

Question 8

delirium

Answer 8

A more or less sudden change in mental status marked by the inability to focus, think logically, and maintain attention

Question 9

dementia

Answer 9

The slow onset of progressive disorientation, shortened attention span, and loss of cognitive function

Question 10

dyspnea

Answer 10

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Question 11

elder abuse

Answer 11

Any action on the part of an older person’s family member, caregiver, or other associated person that takes advantage of the older person’s person, property, or emotional state; also called granny beating and parent battering

Question 12

geriatrics

Answer 12

The assessment and treatment of disease in someone who is 65 years or older

Question 13

jugular vein distention

Answer 13

A visual bulging of the jugular veins in the neck that can be caused by fluid overload, pressure in the chest, cardiac tamponade, or tension pneumothorax

Question 14

kyphosis

Answer 14

A forward curling of the back caused by an abnormal increase in the curvature of the spine

Question 15

melena

Answer 15

Black, tarry stools

Question 16

methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Answer 16

A bacterium that causes infections in different parts of the body and is often resistant to commonly used antibiotics; can be found on the skin, in surgical wounds, in the bloodstream, lungs, and urinary tract

Question 17

neuropathy

Answer 17

A group of conditions in which the nerves leaving the spinal cord are damaged, resulting in distortion of signals to or from the brain

Question 18

osteoporosis

Answer 18

A generalized bone disease, commonly associated with postmenopausal women, in which there is a reduction in the amount of bone mass leading to fractures after minimal trauma in either sex

Question 19

peptic ulcer disease

Answer 19

An abrasion of the stomach or small intestine

Question 20

pneumonia

Answer 20

An inflammation/infection of the lung from a bacterial, viral, or fungal cause

Question 21

polypharmacy

Answer 21

The use of multiple medications by a patient as typically seen in elderly people

Question 22

presbycusis

Answer 22

An age-related condition of the ear that produces progressive bilateral hearing loss that is most noted at higher frequencies

Question 23

pulmonary embolism

Answer 23

A condition that causes a sudden blockage of the pulmonary artery by a venous clot

Question 24

respiratory syncytial virus

Answer 24

A highly contagious virus that causes an infection of the upper and lower respiratory system

Question 25

syncope

Answer 25

A fainting spell or transient loss of consciousness, often caused by an interruption of blood flow to the brain

Question 26

unilateral pedal edema

Answer 26

Pedal edema is a swelling of the foot and ankle caused by fluid overload; unilateral would present in only one extremity

Question 27

urinary tract infection

Answer 27

A bacterial infection that affects the urinary tract