Chapters 35- Geriatric Emergencies

Question 1

Abdominal aortic aneurysm

Answer 1

Where the walls of the aorta in the abdomen weaken and blood leaks into the layers of the vessels, causing it to bulge.

Question 2

Advance directives

Answer 2

Written documentation that specifies medical treatment for a competent patient should the patient become unable to make decisions; also called a living will or health care directive

Question 3

Aneurysm

Answer 3

An abnormal enlargement of a part of an artery, resulting from weakening of the arterial wall.

Question 4

Arteriosclerosis

Answer 4

A disease that causes the arteries to thicken, harden, and calcify.

Question 5

Ascites

Answer 5

Fluid in the abdomen

Question 6

Atherosclerosis

Answer 6

An accumulation of fat and cholesterol in the arteries.

Question 7

Cataracts

Answer 7

Clouding of the lens of the eye or its surrounding transparent membranes.

Question 8

Decubitus ulcers

Answer 8

Sores caused by the pressure of skin against a surface for long periods; can range from pink discoloration of the skin to a deep wound that may invade into bone or organs

Also known as bedsores

Question 9

Deep venous thrombosis

Answer 9

The formation of a blood clot within the larger veins of an extremity, typically following a period of prolonged immobilization.

Question 10

Delirium

Answer 10

A sudden change in mental status marked by the inability to focus, think logically, and maintain attention;

this condition is generally acute and reversible

Question 11

Dementia

Answer 11

A slow onset of progressive disorientation, shortened attention span, and loss of cognitive function

This condition is generally chronic and irreversible

Question 12

Dyspnea

Answer 12

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Question 13

Elder abuse

Answer 13

Any action on the part of an older person’s family member, are giver, or other associated person that takes advantage of the older person’s person, property, or emotional state.

Question 14

Geriatrics

Answer 14

The assessment and treatment of disease in someone who is 65 years or older

Question 15

Hemoptysis

Answer 15

The coughing up of blood

Question 16

Jugular vein distention

Answer 16

A visual bulging of the jugular veins in the neck that can be caused by fluid overload, pressure in the chest, cardiac tamponade, or a tension pneumothorax

Question 17

Kyphosis

Answer 17

A forward curling of the back caused by an abnormal increase in the curvature of the spine.

Question 18

Melena

Answer 18

Black, foul-smelling, tarry stool containing digested blood.

Question 19

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Answer 19

A bacterium that causes infections in different parts of the body and is often resistant to commonly used antibiotics

Can be found on the skin and in surgical counts, the bloodstream, lungs, and urinary tract

Question 20

Neuropathy

Answer 20

A group of conditions in which the nerves leaving the spinal cord are damages, resulting in distortion of signals to or from the brain.

Question 21

Osteoporosis

Answer 21

A generalized bone disease, commonly associated with postmenopausal women, in which there is a reduction in the amount of bone mass leading to fractures after minimal trauma in either sex.

Question 22

Peptic ulcer disease

Answer 22

An abrasion of the stomach or small intestine

Question 23

Pneumonia

Answer 23

An inflammation of the lung from a bacterial, viral, or fungal cause

Question 24

Polypharmacy

Answer 24

The use of multiple medications on a regular basis

Question 25

Presbycusis

Answer 25

An age-related condition. Of the ear that produces progressive bilateral hearing loss that is most noted at higher frequencies

Question 26

Pulmonary embolism

Answer 26

A condition that causes a sudden blockage of the pulmonary artery by a venous clot

Question 27

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

Answer 27

A highly contagious virus that causes an infection of the upper and lower respiratory system.

Question 28

Syncope

Answer 28

A fainting spell or transient loss of consciousness, often caused by interruptions of blood flow to the brain.

Question 29

Urinary tract infection (UTI)

Answer 29

A bacterial infection that affects the urinary tract

Question 30

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE)

Answer 30

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 antibiotic vancomycin.

Question 31

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

Answer 31

A group of complex disorders of brain development, characterized by difficulties in social interaction, repetitive behaviors, and verbal and nonverbal communication

Question 32

Cerebral palsy

Answer 32

A group of disorders characterized by poorly controlled body movements

Question 33

Colostomy

Answer 33

A surgical procedure to create an opening (stoma) between the colon and the surface of the body

Question 34

Conductive hearing loss

Answer 34

Hearing loss caused by a faulty transmission of sound waves.

Question 35

Developmental disability

Answer 35

Insufficient development of the brain, resulting in some level of dysfunction or impairment.

Question 36

Down syndrome

Answer 36

A genetic chromosomal defect that can occur during fetal development and that results in intellectual impairment as well as certain physical characteristics, such as a round head with a flat occipital and slanted, wide-set eyes.

Question 37

Ileostomy

Answer 37

A surgical procedure to create an opening (stoma) between a small intestine and the surface of the body

Question 38

Obesity

Answer 38

A complex condition in which a person has an excessive amount of body fat.

Question 39

Sensorineural deafness

Answer 39

A permanent lack of hearing caused by a lesion or damage of the inner ear.

Question 40

Shunts

Answer 40

Tubes that drain excess cerebrospinal fluid from the brain to another part of the body outside of the brain, such as the abdomen

Lowers pressure in the brain.

Question 41

Spina bifida

Answer 41

A development defect in which a portion of the spinal cord or meninges may protrude outside of the vertebrae and possibly even outside of the body, usually at the lower third of the spine in the lumbar area

Question 42

Stoma

Answer 42

An opening through the skin into an organ or other structure.

Question 43

Tracheostomy

Answer 43

A surgical procedure to create an opening into the trachea

A stoma in the neck connects the trachea directly to the skin.

Question 44

Tracheostomy tube

Answer 44

A plastic tube placed within the tracheostomy site

Question 45

Urostomy

Answer 45

A surgical procedure to create an opening (stoma) which connects the urinary system to the surface of the skin and allows urine to drain through the abdominal wall.