Chapter 35-geriactric Emergencies Flashcards
Geriatric
The assessment and treatment of disease in someone older than 65
Pneumonia
An inflammation of the lungs from bacterial, viral, or fungal causes
Pulmonary embolism
A condition that causes a sudden blockage of an artery by a venous clot. Clots develop in the veins of the legs or pelvis and break off and embolize (move) to the pulmonary artery and get lodged
Hemoptysis
The coughing up of blood
Arteriosclerosis
A disease that causes the arteries to thicken, Hawarden, and calcify – contributes to systolic hypertension in many older patients
Atherosclerosis
A buildup of cholesterol and fat in the arteries
Aneurism
An abnormal, blood filled dilation of the wall of a blood vessel. Severe blood loss can occur when an aneurysm rupture’s
Orthostatic hypotension
Postural hypotension, which is a drop in blood pressure with the change in position
Venous statis
Statis means motionless state.
A loss of proper function of the veins in the legs that would normally carry blood back to the heart
Venous thrombosis
Deep vein thrombosis is a serious concern because it can lead to pulmonary embolism
When does right sided heart failure occur
When the fluid backs up in the Body
Jugular venous distention
Visual bulging of the jugular veins in the neck
Ascites
Fluid in the abdomen
What will you see with right-sided heart failure?
Jugular vein distention, ascites, and peripheral edema in the body tissues
Left sided heart failure
When fluid backs up into the lungs. Usually associated with severe shortness of breath and hypoxia with crackles in the lungs
Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
A condition that is characterized by sudden attack of respiratory distress that wakes the person at night when the patient is in a reclining position. It’s caused by fluid accumulation in the lungs
Hemorrhagic stroke
When a broken blood vessel causes bleeding into the brain
Ischemic stroke
Occur when a blood clot blocks the flow of blood to a portion of the brain
Neurons
Responsible for transmission of impulses
Cataracts
Clouding of the lenses or their surrounding membrane
Macular degeneration
Deteriorating of the macula, which is in the center portion of the retina
Presbycusis
Age related hearing loss
Dementia
The slow onset of progressive disorientation, shortened attention span, and loss of cognitive function
Delirium
A sudden change in mental status, consciousness, or cognitive processes, and is marked by the inability to focus, think logically, and maintain attention
Urinary tract infection
Infection of the urinary tract caused by bacteria
Syncope
Often caused by an interruption of blood flow to the brain.
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
Diverticulosis
A condition in which the walls of the gut weaken and small pouches protrude from the: along those we can segments
Peptic ulcer disease
The patient will report a gnawing, burning pain in the upper abdomen that improves after eating but returns later. More common in older adults
Abdominal aortic aneurysm
One of the most rapidly fatal conditions. The walls of the aorta weaken, and blood begins to leak into the layers of the vessel, causing the aorta to bulge like a bubble on a tire. If the vessel wall bursts, it rapidly leads to fatal loss
What does someone with a AAA feel
Abdominal pain radiating through to the back with occasional flank pain. It can be felt as a pulsating mass just above and slightly to the left of the naval during your physical examination
Responsible for maintaining the bodies fluid and electrolyte balance and have important roles in maintaining the bodies long-term acid-base balance and eliminating drugs
Kidneys
Lack of control over urine or feces
Incontinence
Stress Incontinence
Occurs during activity such as coughing, laughing, sneezing, lifting, and exercise
Urge incontinence
Triggered by hot or cold fluids, running water, and even thinking about going to the bathroom
Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome
A diabetic complication in older people, and occurs more often in people with type two diabetes turn in those with type one. Results in dehydration
Kyphosis
If forward curling of the spine, also called hump back or hunchback
Osteoporosis
A condition that affects men and women, is characterized by a decrease in bone mass leading to reduction in bone strength in greater susceptibility to fracture
Osteoarthritis
A progressive disease of the joints that destroys cartilage, promotes the formation of bone spurs in joints, and leads to joint stiffness
Decubitis ulcers
Pressure ulcers, caused by a patient lying or sitting in the same position for a long time. The pressure from the weight of the body cuts off the flow of the area to the skin
Explain the four stages of development in ulcers
1- non blanching redness with damage under skin
2- blister or ulcer that can affect the dermis and epidermis
3- invasion of the fat layer through to the fascia
4. Invasion to muscle or bone
Polypharmacy
The use of multiple prescription medications by one patient
GEMS Pneumonic
Geriatric patients (remember how to communicate
Environmental assessment
Medical assessment
Social assessment
Methicillin resistant staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
A bacterium that causes infections in different parts of the body and is often resistant to commonly used in a biotics, can be found on the skin and in surgical wounds, the bloodstream, lungs, or urinary tract
Clostridium difficule
A bacterium responsible for the most common cause of hospital acquired infection has diarrhea and regularly causes cases of diarrhea in nursing homes
Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE)
Enterococci are bacteria that are normally present in the human intestines in the female reproductive system. These bacteria can cause infection. The specific enterococci are resistant to vancomycin
Respiratory syncytial virus
Causes an infection of the upper and lower respiratory tract
Advanced directives
Specific legal papers that direct relatives and caregivers about what kind of medical treatment may be given to a patient who cannot speak for themselves
Elder abuse
Defined as any action on the part of an older person’s family member, caregiver, or other associated person that takes advantage of the older persons person
