Component 9: Care for Special Patient Populations Flashcards
An overview of identification and care for patients considered to be Special Patients. Including obstetrical, pediatrics, and geriatrics.
Differentiate kyphosis from lordosis.
- Kyphosis: extensive outward curvature of the upper spine.
- Lordosis: extensive curvature of the lower spine, swayback.
What is the medical term for bedsores?
Decubitus Ulcers
Differentiate dementia from alzheimer’s.
- Dementia: A slow decline in normal brain functions, including loss of memory and reasoning skills.
- Alzheimer’s: A specific disease process.
Differentiate mechanical fall(s) and physiologic fall(s).
- Mechanical Fall(s): Includes external forces, such as tripping or being knocked down.
- Physiologic Fall(s): Results from an internal malfunction, such as syncope, stroke, or vision disturbances.
Why is polypharmacology an additional concern with geriatric patients?
Because of the normal aging process and deterioration of normal bodily functions, and the likelihood that a geriatric patient is prescribed multiple medications.
What does the acronym APGAR stand for and when should the assessment be performed?
APGAR scoring should be completed at one minute and 5 minutes after the child has been delivered.
Appearance
Pulse
Grimace
Activity
Respiratory
During childbirth, what is the term when the baby’s buttocks presents first in the vagina?
breech presentation
Why is a prolapsed cord lethal to the fetus?
During delivery, the fetus’s head will put pressure on the cord, cutting off its own circulation of oxygenated blood.
Differentiate primigravida and multigravida.
- Primigravida: A woman’s first pregnancy.
- Multigravida: A woman’s second and future pregnancies.
What is an imminent sign of delivery?
crowning
The presence of the fetus’s head at the vaginal opening.
Define:
eclampsia
It is hypertension during a pregnancy that progresses to seizures.
What is the medical term for when the placenta separates from the wall of the uterus before childbirth?
abruptio placenta
How should a nuchal cord be assessed?
Once the infant’s head has presented, visualize and feel for the presence of the cord around the infant’s neck. If present, slip the cord over the baby’s head.
List:
Tools in an Obstetrical (OB) kit
- Umbilical clamps
- Scalpel or scissors
- Blanket
- Infant cap
- Bulb suction
- Sterile gloves
- Plastic bag
- Towels, drape and/or sheets
How far from the newborn should the first umbilical clamp be placed?
The first umbilical clamp should be placed six inches (15 cm) from the newborn.
The second clamp should be placed two to four inches from the first.
True or false.
It is important to ask if the pregnant mother has had prenatal care during their current pregnancy.
True
What stage of labor is the delivery of the baby?
Second stage of labor
- Cervical dilatation
- Expulsion or delivery
- Placental delivery
The mother says that her bag of waters has broken. The fluid is a green/brown color with a foul odor. What is the concern with this information?
- The fetus has had their first bowel movement in utero.
- Be prepared for meconium to be present during the delivery of the baby and provide aggressive airway suction and management.
Describe:
During pregnancy, what is lightning?
This is when the fetus drops into the mother’s pelvic region, positioning itself for birth, usually 2 to 4 weeks prior to childbirth.
True or false.
When stimulating a newborn after delivery, it is best done by spanking the neonate’s butt.
False
The best practice is to rub the baby’s back while drying and/or flick the baby’s feet.
True or false.
Pregnant women have an increased possibility of physical abuse.
True
Describe:
ectopic pregnancy
This is when an embryo develops outside the uterus, most often in the uterine (fallopian) tubes.
What position should a pregnant patient be placed in to avoid supine hypotensive syndrome?
Place the patient in the left lateral recumbent (LLR) or recovery position on the left.
Define:
term gestation
It is when the pregnancy has reached 39 weeks but not exceeded 40 weeks and 6 days.
Fill in the blank.
If the newborn’s pulse is below 60 beats per minute, we should __________ _____.
start CPR
List:
Anatomical differences between adults and children
- Children’s occipital regions are larger
- Infants and young children’s tongues are larger
- Children’s abdominal muscles are less developed
- The cartilaginous rings of the trachea are less developed than adults
- A child’s bones are softer, more pliable
List
The components of the Pediatric Assessment Triangle (PAT)
- Appearance (generally muscle tone, movement)
- Work/effort of breathing
- Circulation (skin color)
True or false.
Suspected abuse or neglect of any age group is required to be reported to the proper authorities.
True
What is the disease called that is caused by swelling and enlargement of the epiglottis?
epiglottitis
Approximately at what age does the fontanelle become fused or closed?
Around 18 months of age.
What is another term for pertussis?
whooping cough
What upper airway disorder/disease in children presents with a seal-like barking cough?
croup
What syndrome does the picture represent?
Shaking/shaken baby syndrome
True or false.
The definitive diagnosis of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) can only be done from a thorough autopsy.
True
List:
A 16 month old’s mother states that the child has had a recent respiratory infection and today has developed a very rapid onset of a high temperature. What are some critical concerns for this child?
- febrile seizure
- respiratory compromise
- dehydration
- sepsis
What age group commonly experiences their world by putting things in their mouths?
toddlers (1 to 3 years old)
What is the leading medical cause of death in small children?
Respiratory emergencies/compromise
Why would we consider padding under the infants’ shoulders and body to provide airway management?
An infant’s head (occipital region) is larger disproportionately to their body. If we don’t pad under the infant’s body, their heads will hyperflex causing kinking or obstruction of their airway.
You want to provide high flow oxygen (O2) for a patient with a stoma. Where should the non-rebreather mask be placed?
The mask should be placed over the patient’s stoma.
When lifting/moving and packaging patients with disorders such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, or paralysis, what additional concerns might you have?
- Communications may be challenging.
- Due to changes in their body’s sensations, or inability to feel, they will not be able to report painful movement or pinching.
True or false.
Poverty and/or homelessness are NOT included in our awareness of special populations.
False
Define:
obesity
It is defined as an excessive or abnormal amount of body fat that causes additional health concerns.
