Chapter 33 Geriatric Emergencies Flashcards
A simple rib fracture in a 40 year old can be inconsequential but the same injury in a patient who is 80 or 90 can lead to?
Pneumonia and even a deadly secondary lung infection
What are the most common conditions of geriatric patients?
Hypertension Diagnosed Arthritis Heart Disease Cancer Diabetes Sinusitis
What are the leading causes of death in geriatric patients?
Heart Disease Cancer Stroke Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Pneumonia and Influenza Diabetes Trauma
What does GEMS stand for? and NO it does not mean gender ethnic and multicultural studies
Geriatric
Environmental
Medical
Social
What is the leading cause of death among Americans older than 65 years?
PNEUMONIA which is an inflammation/infection of the lung from bacterial, viral, or fungal causes
What are the signs and symptoms of pneumonia?
Exertional Dyspnea Productive cough Chest discomfort and pain Wheezing Headache Nausea and vomiting Musculoskeletal pain Weight loss Confusion
How is the patient’s heart rate if they have pneumonia?
The patient’s heart rate is tachycardic, the blood pressure is possibly hypotensive
What is the condition that causes a sudden blockage of an artery by a venous clot?
Pulmonary Embolism
What does a patient with a pulmonary embolism complain of?
chest pain
What is a unilateral pedal edema?
Swelling in just one ankle and foot
What is Arteriosclerosis?
the stiffening of vessel walls
What is Orthostatic Hypotension?
A drop in blood pressure with a change in position
What is the condition that causes a reddish-brown discoloration on the skin and, in some cases, skin ulcers?
DEEP VENOUS THROMBOSIS
What is DYSPNEA?
the feelings of shortness of shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, is a common complaint in geriatric patients and is sometimes associated with a heart attack
What is TACHYPNEA?
fast breathing
What is CYANOTIC?
blue from insufficient oxygen
What is a leading cause of death in the elderly?
Stroke
What are the preventable risk factors regarding strokes?
Smoking, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle
What are the less preventable causes regarding strokes?
High cholesterol and hypertension
What are the uncontrollable factors with stroke?
Cardiac disease and atrial fibrillation
What are the signs and symptoms of stroke?
Acute altered level of consciousness, numbness, weakness or paralysis on one side of the body; slurred speech; difficulty speaking (aphasia); visual disturbances; headache and dizziness; incontinence, and in worst cases, seizures
What are cataracts?
clouding of the lenses or their surrounding membranes. they interfere with vision and make it difficult to distinguish colors and see clearly, increasing the likelihood of falls and accidents and accounting for some mistakes in taking medications
What is PRESBYCUSIS?
Gradual hearing loss that occurs as we age
What is DEMENTIA?
slow onset of progressive disorientation, shortened attention span and loss of cognitive function
What is a common cause of dementia?
Alzheimer’s Disease and affects nearly 4 million Americans
What is NEUROPATHY?
a disorder of the nerves of the peripheral nervous system in which function and structure of the peripheral motor, sensory, and autonomic neurons are impaired
People with PEPTIC ULCER DISEASE tend to complain of?
Gnawing, burning pain in the upper abdomen that improves after eating but returns later.
What is the med term for the inflammation of the gallbladder?
CHOLECYSTITIS
Older adults who use NSAIDS are more susceptible to what kind of disease that has complications such as bleeding, anemia, and bowel perforation?
PEPTIC ULCER DISEASE
What kind of obstructions occur frequently in the geriatric population?
BOWEL obstructions
What is HEPATOMEGALY?
Enlarged liver
Patients with gastrointestinal problems present problems such as:
pal or yellow, thin skin; frail musculoskeletal system; peripheral, sacral, and periorbital edema; hypertension; fever; tachycardia; and dyspnea
What is one of the most rapidly fatal conditions in regards to abdominal pains?
ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM (TRIPLE A) tends to develop in people who have a history of hypertension and atherosclerosis
What does a patient with triple A typically complain of?
abdominal pain radiating through to the back with occasional flank pain
