Chapter 33 Flashcards
abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)
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
advance directives
Written documentation that specifies medical treatment for a competent patient should the patient become unable to make decisions; also called living wills
aneurysm
An enlargement of a part of an artery, resulting from weakening of the arterial wall
ascites
Fluid in the abdomen
cataracts
Clouding of the lens of the eye or its surrounding transparent membranes
decubitus ulcers
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.
deep venous thrombosis
The formation of a blood clot within the larger veins of an extremity, typically following a period of prolonged immobilization
delirium
A more or less sudden change in mental status marked by the inability to focus, think logically, and maintain attention
dementia
The slow onset of progressive disorientation, shortened attention span, and loss of cognitive function
dyspnea
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
elder abuse
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
geriatrics
The assessment and treatment of disease in someone who is 65 years or older
jugular vein distention
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
kyphosis
A forward curling of the back caused by an abnormal increase in the curvature of the spine
melena
Black, tarry stools
methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
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
neuropathy
A group of conditions in which the nerves leaving the spinal cord are damaged, resulting in distortion of signals to or from the brain
osteoporosis
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
peptic ulcer disease
An abrasion of the stomach or small intestine
pneumonia
An inflammation/infection of the lung from a bacterial, viral, or fungal cause
polypharmacy
The use of multiple medications by a patient as typically seen in elderly people
presbycusis
An age-related condition of the ear that produces progressive bilateral hearing loss that is most noted at higher frequencies
pulmonary embolism
A condition that causes a sudden blockage of the pulmonary artery by a venous clot
respiratory syncytial virus
A highly contagious virus that causes an infection of the upper and lower respiratory system
syncope
A fainting spell or transient loss of consciousness, often caused by an interruption of blood flow to the brain
unilateral pedal edema
Pedal edema is a swelling of the foot and ankle caused by fluid overload; unilateral would present in only one extremity
urinary tract infection
A bacterial infection that affects the urinary tract
