ECare - Chapter 34 (Geriatric Emergencies)

Question 1

assessing airway

Answer 1

jaw thrust and remove dentures if loose/unconscious

Question 2

assessing breathing

Answer 2

might be foreign object or dentures

Question 3

assessing circulation

Answer 3

pulse might be irregularly irregular

Question 4

History

Answer 4

if can tell the year, he is oriented to time

Question 5

confabulation

Answer 5

replacing lost circumstances with imaginary ones; get info from other sources if necessary

Question 6

vitals

Answer 6

BP is high

pupils not as reactive

Question 7

Physical exam

Answer 7

diminished breath sounds bc less lung capacity
hip fracture
abnormal curvature of spine

Question 8

reassessment

Answer 8

slow, steady decline

mental status, ABC, skin, vitals

Question 9

drug-patient interactions

Answer 9

patient can’t clear drug

Question 10

drug-drug interactions

Answer 10

more than one drug interact

Question 11

SOB

Answer 11

can be experience during MI without chest pain

Question 12

chest pain

Answer 12

can radiate to back and shoulder blades

Question 13

altered mental status

Answer 13

common causes: medication, hypoglycemia, stroke, sepsis, hypothermia

Question 14

abdominal pain and GI bleed

Answer 14

common causes: AAA, bowel obstruction, diverticulitis.

ask about their stool and vomit

Question 15

dizziness, weakness and malaise

Answer 15

can be life-threatening, don’t ignore

Question 16

rash, pain flu

Answer 16

common causes: shingles

Question 17

falls

Answer 17

assess injuries and why they fell