Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment and Acute Illness

Question 1

What are some medical factors which should be considered in the comprehensive geriatric assessment?

Answer 1

Problem list

Co-morbidities

Medication review

Nutrition

Question 2

What are some social factors which should be considered as part of the comprehensive geriatric assessment?

Answer 2

Isolation

Care

Safety

Question 3

What are some psychological factors which should be considered in the comprehensive geriatric assessment?

Answer 3

Cognitive function

Mood testing

Question 4

What are some ‘functioning’ factors which should be considered as part of the comprehensive geriatric assessment?

Answer 4

ADLs

Gait and balance

Question 5

What investigation is usually not performed in elderly people with an MI due to increased risk of harm?

Why may anti-platelets be prescribed with caution in elderly patients post-MI?

Why may anti-hypertensives be prescribed with caution in elderly patients post-MI?

Answer 5

Angiogram

GI bleed risk

Falls risk

Question 6

In acute illness, what should you be aware of in patients on vasodilating drugs (e.g. Ca++ blockers or ACE inhibitors)?

Answer 6

Hypotension is a physiological response to illness, but these drugs can cause this to occur early