E. Geriatric Assessment/Incontinence/Falls Flashcards

1
Q

Overall theme from Geriatric Assessment lecture?

A

Everything is underreported by patients & often goes unrecognized by MDs –> need specific screenings/tests/checklist/questions to assess everything otherwise you will miss a lot

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2
Q

What are ADLs? What are IADLs?

A

Activities of daily living = being able to dress themselves, go to the bathroom …

Independent activities of daily living = managing finances, shopping …

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3
Q

Approximately when should screenings for geriatric patients begin & how often should they be performed?

A

About 65 or when the patient becomes frail

About every year

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4
Q

What is the preferred test for cognition?

A

Mini-cog

Slightly higher specificity & sensitivity + easier/faster to administer

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5
Q

How is a Mini-cog performed?

A

Do 3 item memory test

If get more than 1 wrong –> clock test

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6
Q

What are the advantages of the Mini-cog?

A

Quick to administer
Not language dependent
Not education dependent

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7
Q

What are the cutoffs for the MMSE? When are these cutoffs not accurate?

A

> 24 = OK
18-23 = mild impairment
t fluent in English get false +

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8
Q

What is the MMSE used for?

A

Screening for dementia (NOT diagnosis)

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9
Q

What area of cognition is not adequately tested with MMSE?

A

Visuospatial (test is highly verbal)

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10
Q

Who should the MMSE not be used on?

A

People with less than an 8th grade education

People who are not fluent in english

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11
Q

What is the test for gait assessment?

A

Get up & Go

Stand from chair without using arms, pause, walk forward, turn around & return

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12
Q

Assessment for Driving Ability?

A

At least 20/70 vision
Adequate cognition
Adequate Motor skills

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13
Q

How does focus of preventative care change with aging?

A

As life expectancy changes switch from things like cancer screenings to frailty screening

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14
Q

What type of autonomics controls the detrusor muscle? Which inhibits detrusor contraction?

A

Parasympathetics

Sympathetics

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15
Q

What type of autonomics controls the internal urethral sphincter? External?

A

Sympathetics

Striated muscles

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16
Q

Where is the micturation center located?

A

Pons

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17
Q

What changes occur as the bladder ages?

A

Decreased bladder capacity
Decrease in ability to inhibit reflex bladder contractions
Lower urethral closure pressure
Increased residual volume

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18
Q

What is detrusor instability?

A

Urge incontinence

Strong sudden need to urinate –> loss of urine

Usually elderly men

Due to CNS problem or excitability

19
Q

What is overflow incontinence?

A

Bladder pressure can’t overcome pressure needed to open valve –> overly full bladder –> loss of urine

Due to blockage of urinary flow (BPH) or weak detrusor muscle (Diabetic nueropathy)

20
Q

What is Stress Incontinence?

A

Cough, sneeze or exercise –> loss of small amount of urine

Due to week muscles (Sphincter or pelvic floor) from estrogen excess or urology surgery

21
Q

What is Functional Incontinence?

A

Bladder is working but due to mental capacity or physical limits cannot get to bathroom fast enough

22
Q

What are the types of Urinary Incontinence?

A
Overflow
Stress
Urge/detrusor instability 
Functional 
Mixed
23
Q

Criteria for referral to Urodynamics?

A
Prior pelvic surgery/radiation 
Pelvic Prolapse
Prostatic obstruction 
Increased residual volume (>100mL) 
Uncertain diagnosis/doesnt respond to treatment
24
Q

What is part of Urodynamics?

A
Post void residual volume
Urine Flow (how fast can empty)
Cystometry (measures created pressure)
Cystoscopy (endoscopy) 
Electromyography (electrical activity of the bladder)
25
What drug(s) cause(s) polyuria?
Diuretic
26
What drug(s) cause(s) urinary retention?
Anticholinergics Narcotics Alpha & beta agonists
27
What drug(s) cause(s) detrusor irritation?
Caffeine
28
What drug(s) cause(s) bladder sphincter relaxation?
Alpha blockers
29
What is the treatment for Detrusor Instability? Side effects?
Anticholinergics (Bladder relaxation) or Imiprimine --> decrease detrusor contractions Dry mouth, constipation & CNS
30
Lifestyle changes for Detrusor Instability?
Less caffeine Urinary schedule Biofeedback + Kegels
31
Treatment for Overflow Incontinence?
Alpha blockers or anti-androgens for blockage Catheterization for weakness
32
Treatment for Stress Incontinence?
``` Kegels Estrogen Bladder training/scheduling Surgery Sympathomimmetrics ```
33
About what % of elderly will fall in a given year? How does the chances of falls & the chances of fall related mortality change with age?
1/3 Increase linearly with aging Increases exponentially with aging
34
What are the consequences of falls when there is no injury?
The "Fear of Falling" can cause people to restrict activity, isolate themselves & become less independent even when no physical injury has occurred
35
The causes of falls can fall into what 2 major categories? About what percentage are related with each?
Intrinsic (IPO) Extrinsic (enviroment or meds) 50% for each
36
How does homeostasis change with aging?
Lose homeostatic reserve
37
Input related causes of falls can fall into what 3 categories?
Input Processing Output
38
How is processing/CNS cognition altered with aging?
Decreased processing speed Meds can effect CNS Increased prevalence of dementia & stroke
39
How is output altered with aging?
Decreased muscle mass Decreased bone strength Increased chances of arthritis & foot deformities Increased chances of movement disorders such as parkinsons
40
How is vision (input) altered with aging?
Decreased light dark adaption & decreased contrast sensitivity (cant see at night) Decreased dynamic visual acuity (cant see moving objects well) Presbyopia (decreased ability to focus on near objects) Increased chances of cataracts, glaucoma & diabetic retinopathy
41
How is PNS effected by aging?
Decreased proprioception Decreased sense of vibration Increased prevalence of diabetic & alcoholic related neuropathy
42
How is the vestibular system (input) effected by aging?
Degeneration of ampulla mechanism of semicircular canal | Degeneration of otolithic membranes or sensory epithelium of utricle & sacule
43
What drugs can increase the likelihood of falls?
Psychotropic drugs (Antidepressants, antipsychotics & sedative hypnotics like lunesta) CV drugs Opiates
44
What are the key questions to ask for a complete fall histroy?
= SPLAT ``` Symptoms (to differentiate from syncope) Previous falls Location Activity Time of fall ```