Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment

Question 1

What is the difference between Life Expectancy and Life Extension?

Answer 1

Life Expectancy = promoting longer, healthy lives

Life Extension = promoting longer lives but with illness

Question 2

What is the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA)?

Answer 2

Screening tool used to assess the status of an elderly, frail patient to maximise treatment

Question 3

What are the components of the CGA?

Answer 3

Medical
- Medical problems, comorbidities, nutritional status and medications
Mental
- Mental and cognitive state, mood testing e.g. depression
Functional
- Exercise, activity levels and how they work on a day-day basis
Societal
- Informal needs and assets, social circle
Spiritual

Question 4

What is a Problem List?

Answer 4

List of issues (medical and non-medical) that a patient faces

Question 5

Are syndromes a diagnosis?

Answer 5

NO.

Simply a collection of symptoms

Question 6

What are symptoms of Frailty Syndrome?

Answer 6

Falls
Poor mobility 
Continence issues 
Confusion 
Polypharmacy

Question 7

How can acute illness in the elderly appear, aside from the classical, textbook presentation?

Answer 7

Atypical presentations e.g. in MI
Differing pathophysiology e.g. in Infection
Comorbidities have to be co-managed
Varying reactions to medications

Question 8

In regards to investigations and management, what must be done for each geriatric patient?

Answer 8

Tailored and appropriate to individual needs

Review medications and treatment

Question 9

What is an atypical presentation of a MI in an elderly patient?

Answer 9

Delirium
Dizziness
NO CHEST PAIN IN 1/3

Question 10

What is an atypical presentation of an infection in an elderly patient?

Answer 10

HyPOthermia
Delirium
Dizziness
Antibiotics have to be targeted due to increased risk of C.Diff
Titrate carefully due to potential hard fluid balance from heart failure