Chapter 35 - Geriatric Emergencies Flashcards
In contrast to younger patients, older patients are more prone to decrease in blood pressure (BP) upon standing because:
A. The body is less able to adapt the BP to rapid postural changes
B. any change in position causes blood to be shunted to the brain
C. the aging process in an overall increase in blood volume
D. their red blood cells are destroyed at a faster than normal rate.
A. The body is less able to adapt the BP to rapid postural changes
An abdominal aortic aneurysm:
A. can sometimes be palpated as a mass in the groin area
B. causes dull pain that often radiates to the shoulders
C. is usually not repairable, even if discovered early
D. is often the result of hypertension and atheroclerosis
D. is often the result of hypertension and atheroclerosis
Sedentary behavior while healing from a hip fracture would MOST likely predispose the older patient to:
A. Heart failure
B. ischemic stroke
C. Osteoporosis
D. Pneumonia
D. Pneumonia
Blood levels of medications may raise in the elderly, sometimes to toxic levels. This MOST likely due to:
A. renal insufficiency
B. pancreatic failure
C. splenic dsyfuncion
D. intentional overdose
A. renal insufficiency
A 77 year old presents with an acute onset of altered mental status. Her son is present and advises that she has a history of hypertension, atrial fibrillation, type 2 diabetes, and glaucoma. He further advises that she takes numerous medications that she is normally alert. When you assess this patient, it is important to note that:
A. because of her age and medical history, you should suspect Alzheimer disease
B. The patient is experiencing delirious behavior, which suggests a new health problem
C. her mental status is likely the result of hypoglycemia and you should give her sugar
D. dementia typically presents as an acute onset of deterioration of cognitive function
B. The patient is experiencing delirious behavior, which suggests a new health problem
During the natural process of aging, the number of functional cilia in the respiratory system decreases, resulting in:
A. an increased risk of COPD
B. air trapping within the alveoli
C. a decreased ability to cough
D. baseline respiratory distress
C. a decreased ability to cough
Poor maintenance of home, poor personal care, and dietary neglect are all possible indicators of ____ elder abuse
A. psychological
B. physical
C. financial
D. emotional
B. physical
The EMT should suspect left sided heart failure in the geriatric patient who presents with:
A. jugular venous distention and peripheral edema
B. fever and a cough that produces green sputum
C. tachypnea and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
D. swelling of the lower extremities and weakness
C. tachypnea and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
The stopped posture of some older people, which gives them a humpback appearance is called:
A. artritis
B. scoliosis
C. kyphosis
D. miosis
C. kyphosis
Clouding of the lenses of the eye is called:
A: retinitis
B: cataracts
C: conjunctivites
D. glaucoma
C: conjunctivites
Common causes of depression in the elderly include all of the following, EXCEPT:
A. chronic medical conditions
B. an acute onset of dementia
C. alcohol abuse and dependence
D. prescription medication use
B. an acute onset of dementia
When immobilizing a patient with a kyphotic spine to a long backboard, the EMT would MOST likely have to:
A. secure the patients head before the torso
B. place blankets behind the patients head
C. force the head into a neutral alignment
D. use a scoop stretcher of a log roll
B. place blankets behind the patients head
A specific legal document that directs relatives and caregivers regarding the medical treatment that may be given to patients who cannot speak for themselves is called:
A. power of attorney
B. statue of care
C. physician directive
D. advanced directive
D. advanced directive
