Chapter 39 - Geriatrics

Question 1

constriction or narrowing of a passage or opening, for example of the valves of the heart

Answer 1

stenosis

Question 2

an increase in the size of the heart from a thickening of the heart wall, without a parallel increase in the size of the cavity. which decreases stroke volume and decreases cardiac output.

Answer 2

cardiac hypertrophy

Question 3

irregular contractions of the myocardium secondary to electrical disturbances in the heart

Answer 3

dysrhythmias

Question 4

wide spread hardening of the arteries

Answer 4

arteriosclerosis

Question 5

clouding of the lens of the eye. can be slight, causing some visual disturbance, or significant, severely obstructing light from entering the eye. if sufficient light cannot pass into the eye for focusing the retina, then it becomes difficult of impossible to see clearly

Answer 5

cataracts

Question 6

second leading cause of blindness in US, a disease process in which increased intraocular pressure damages the optic nerve and inhibits the ability of the eye to transmit visual info properly

Answer 6

glaucoma

Question 7

typically occurs in older adults and affects the ability to see objects in the center of the visual field. there may be enough peripheral vision left intact that the person can still carry on with most activities of daily life

Answer 7

macular degenerating

Question 8

condition where the retina (the light-sensitive portion of the posterior eye) becomes detached from the supportive tissue behind it. the retina converts light images to nerve impulses for transmission via the optic nerve to the bran.

Answer 8

retinal detachment

Question 9

progressive, bilateral, and symmetrical hearing loss from the effects of aging

Answer 9

presbycusis

Question 10

any derangement or abnormal function of the motor, sensory, and autonomic nerve tracts. could be diffuse, involving multiple neurons and nerve tracts that affect many parts of the body, or focal neurons that affect a single, specific nerve and part of the body. generally includes pain, numbness, tingling, swelling, muscle weakness, or even absent pain perception.

Answer 10

neuropathy

Question 11

is a form of low blood pressure that happens when you stand up from sitting or lying down. can make you feel dizzy or lightheaded, and maybe even faint.

Answer 11

Orthostatic hypotension

Question 12

a medical condition in which the bones become brittle and fragile from loss of tissue, typically as a result of hormonal changes, or deficiency of calcium or vitamin D

Answer 12

osteoporosis

Question 13

the four most common causes of SOB:

Answer 13

pulmonary embolism

pulmonary edema

pneumonia

COPD

Question 14

adverse or toxic reaction to a drug or drugs, a condition for which the elderly patient is more at risk than the younger patient

Answer 14

drug toxicity

Question 15

condition resulting from the malfunctioning of normal brain activity. a chronic, irreversible condition that can be severely worsened by infection, med change, trauma, or other acute condition.

Answer 15

dementia

Question 16

a serious disturbance in mental abilities that results in confused thinking and reduced awareness of your environment.

Answer 16

delirium

Question 17

believed to be a disease of the nerve cells in which brain cells degenerate and die. the disease causes confusion, emotional depression, irritability, and violence between lucid intervals.

Answer 17

alzheimers