Chapters 35- Geriatric Emergencies Flashcards
Abdominal aortic aneurysm
Where the walls of the aorta in the abdomen weaken and blood leaks into the layers of the vessels, causing it to bulge.
Advance directives
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
Aneurysm
An abnormal enlargement of a part of an artery, resulting from weakening of the arterial wall.
Arteriosclerosis
A disease that causes the arteries to thicken, harden, and calcify.
Ascites
Fluid in the abdomen
Atherosclerosis
An accumulation of fat and cholesterol in the arteries.
Cataracts
Clouding of the lens of the eye or its surrounding transparent membranes.
Decubitus ulcers
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
Deep venous thrombosis
The formation of a blood clot within the larger veins of an extremity, typically following a period of prolonged immobilization.
Delirium
A sudden change in mental status marked by the inability to focus, think logically, and maintain attention;
this condition is generally acute and reversible
Dementia
A slow onset of progressive disorientation, shortened attention span, and loss of cognitive function
This condition is generally chronic and irreversible
Dyspnea
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Elder abuse
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.
Geriatrics
The assessment and treatment of disease in someone who is 65 years or older
Hemoptysis
The coughing up of blood
Jugular vein distention
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
Kyphosis
A forward curling of the back caused by an abnormal increase in the curvature of the spine.
Melena
Black, foul-smelling, tarry stool containing digested blood.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
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
Neuropathy
A group of conditions in which the nerves leaving the spinal cord are damages, resulting in distortion of signals to or from the brain.
Osteoporosis
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.
Peptic ulcer disease
An abrasion of the stomach or small intestine
Pneumonia
An inflammation of the lung from a bacterial, viral, or fungal cause
Polypharmacy
The use of multiple medications on a regular basis
Presbycusis
An age-related condition. Of the ear that produces progressive bilateral hearing loss that is most noted at higher frequencies
Pulmonary embolism
A condition that causes a sudden blockage of the pulmonary artery by a venous clot
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
A highly contagious virus that causes an infection of the upper and lower respiratory system.
Syncope
A fainting spell or transient loss of consciousness, often caused by interruptions of blood flow to the brain.
Urinary tract infection (UTI)
A bacterial infection that affects the urinary tract
Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE)
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.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
A group of complex disorders of brain development, characterized by difficulties in social interaction, repetitive behaviors, and verbal and nonverbal communication
Cerebral palsy
A group of disorders characterized by poorly controlled body movements
Colostomy
A surgical procedure to create an opening (stoma) between the colon and the surface of the body
Conductive hearing loss
Hearing loss caused by a faulty transmission of sound waves.
Developmental disability
Insufficient development of the brain, resulting in some level of dysfunction or impairment.
Down syndrome
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.
Ileostomy
A surgical procedure to create an opening (stoma) between a small intestine and the surface of the body
Obesity
A complex condition in which a person has an excessive amount of body fat.
Sensorineural deafness
A permanent lack of hearing caused by a lesion or damage of the inner ear.
Shunts
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.
Spina bifida
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
Stoma
An opening through the skin into an organ or other structure.
Tracheostomy
A surgical procedure to create an opening into the trachea
A stoma in the neck connects the trachea directly to the skin.
Tracheostomy tube
A plastic tube placed within the tracheostomy site
Urostomy
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.
