Chapter 36 Geriatric Emergencies Flashcards
A rapidly fatal 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
Abdominal aortic aneurism (AAA)
Written documentation that specifies medical treatment for a competent paitent should the patient become unable to make decisions; also called living will or health care directive
Advanced directive
A swell or enlargement of the wall of a blood vessel that results from weakening of the vessel wall
Aneurysm
A disease that causes the arteries to thicken, harden, and calcify
Arteriosclerosis
An abnormal accumulation of excess fluid in the peritoneal cavity
Ascites
A disorder in which cholesterol and calcium build up inside the walls of the blood vessels, forming plaque, which eventually leads to a partial or complete blockage of blood flow
Atherosclerosis
Clouding of the lens of the eye or it’s surrounding transparent membranes
Cateracts
Sores caused by the pressure of skin against a surface for long periods; can range from a discoloration of the skin to a deep wound that may invade into bone or organs; also known as bedsores
Decubitus ulcers
The formation of a blood clot within the larger veins of an extremity, typically following a period of prolonged immobility
Deep venous thrombosis
A temporary change in mental status characterized by disorganized thoughts, inattention, memory loss, disorientation, striking changes in personality and affect, hallucinations, delusions, or a decreased L.O.C
Delerium
The slow onset of progressive disorientation, shortened attention span, loss of cognitive function; this condition is generally chronic and irreversible
Dementia
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Dyspnea
Any action on the part of an older persons family member, caregiver, or other associated person that takes advantage of the older persons person, property, or emotional state
Elder abuse
The assessment and treatment of disease on someone who is older than 65
Geriatrics
Coughing up blood
Hemoptysis
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 phnemothorax
Jugular Vein Distension
A forward curling of the back caused by abnormal increase in the curvature of the spine
Kyphosis
Black, foul smelling, tarry stool containing digested blood
Melena
A bacterium that causes infection in different parts of the body and is often resistant to commonly used antibiotics; can be found on the skin and in surgical wounds, the blood stream, lungs, and urinary tract.
Methicillin- resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
A group of conditions in which the nerves leaving the spinal cord are damaged, resulting from the brain
Neuropathy
A generalized bone disease, commonly associated with post menopausal women in which there is a reduction in the amount of bone mass leading to fractures after minimal trauma in either sex
Osteoporosis
An abrasion of the stomach or small intestine
Peptic ulcer disease
An infectious disease of the lungs that damaged lung tissue
Phenomena
The use of multiple medications on a regular basis
Polypharmacy
An age related condition of the ear that produces progressive bilateral hearing loss that is most noted at higher frequencies
Presbycusis
A blood clot that breaks off of a large vein that travels to the blood vessels of the lung, causing obstruction of blood flow
Pulmonary embolism
A virus that causes infection of the lungs and breathing passages; can lead to Bronchiolitis and phnemonia; highly contagious and spread through droplets
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
A fainting spell or transient loss of consciousness
Syncope
An infection usually of the lower urinary tract (urethra and bladder) that occurs when normal flora bacteria enter the urethra and grow
Urinary tract infection (UTI)
A bacterium that is normally present in the human intestines and the female reproductive tract but which can cause infection and which is resistant to the antibiotic vancomycin
Vancomycin- resistant enterococci (VRE)
