Elderly Pathologies

Question 1

Complicating factors of elderly assessment

Answer 1

variability, response to illness, presence of multiple pathologies, altered illness/injury presentations, communicative problems, polypharmacy

Question 2

Misleading findings found in an elderly pt physical exam

Answer 2

inelastic skin mimics decreased turgor
mouth breathing mimics dehydration 
pedal oedema from inactivity
non-pathological crepitus or rales in lung bases
peripheral pulses difficult to feel

Question 3

Pneumonia in the elderly

Answer 3

assoc with presence of other chronic diseases

signs and symptoms: cough, fever, SOB, tachycardia, tachypnoea

Question 4

Signs and symptoms of COPD in elderly pt

Answer 4

extreme anxiety, cyanosis, wheezing, abnormal or diminished breath sounds, dyrhythmias, reduced O2 levels

Question 5

Pulmonary Embolism in elderly pt

Answer 5

sudden dyspnoea and reduced motility and no other idetntified cause
travel through femoral veins, IVC, heart to lungs

Question 6

Signs and symptoms of pulmonary embolism

Answer 6

unexplained tachycardia
left ventricular failure and sudden tachypnoea
calf discomfort without tenderness

Question 7

Congestive Heart Failure in elderly pt

Answer 7

ventricular output cannot meet demand

Question 8

Causes of congestive heart failure

Answer 8

ischaemic heart disease, valvular heart disease, cardiomyopathy, dysrthythmias, thyroid disease

Question 9

signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure

Answer 9

nocturia, paroxysmal nocturnal confusion, large blisters on legs, dyspnoea, fatigue, orthopnoea, dry hacking cough progressing to productive cough with frothy sputum, oedema to legs and feet

Question 10

Acute MI in elderly pts

Answer 10

most common is silent MI

Question 11

signs and symptoms of MI

Answer 11

weakness/fatigue, dyspnoea, acute abdo, nausea, syncope, incontinence, confusion

Question 12

Dysrhythmias

Answer 12

any condition that reduces blood flow to the heart can cause dysrhythmias

Question 13

Aortic Dissection/aneurysm in elderly pts

-thoracic and abdo

Answer 13

thoracic: tearing chest pain, often assoc with neuro signs and symptoms, asymmetry of upper extremity pulses
Abdo: tearing abdo pain, pulsating mass, unexplained lower back pain, lower extremity weakness numbness pallor and coolness

Question 14

Signs and symptoms of Stroke

Answer 14

dizziness, behaviour change, headache, ataxia, diplopia (double vision), language disturbance, numbness, vertigo, visual disturbance

Question 15

causes of GI haemorrhage in elderly pts

Answer 15

peptic ulcer, gastritis, eosophageal varices, NSAID abuse, tumours, divertivulosis

Question 16

Signs and symptoms of GI haemorrhage in elderly pts

Answer 16

coffee ground emesis, dark or bloody stool, orthostatic hypotension, confusion, increased angina symptoms, weakness, dyspnoea

Question 17

Causes of bowel obstruction

Answer 17

tumours, surgery, meds, vertebral fractures

Question 18

signs and symptoms of bowel obstruction

Answer 18

diffuse pain, distension, nausea and vomiting, reduced bowel sounds, fever, weakness, shock

Question 19

Ptioritis in elderly pts

Answer 19

itching, may indicate underlying liver or kidney disease

Question 20

Herpes Zoster in elderly pts

Answer 20

from chicken pox virus

painful skin rash with blisters, often in a strip

Question 21

Debcuitus Ulcers in elderly pts

Answer 21

bed sores

frequently change position and clean, provide padding

Question 22

Causes of depression in aging pts

Answer 22

growing older, health problems, loneliness and isolation, reduced sense of purpose, fears of dying, recent bereavment

Question 23

Gerontology

Answer 23

scientific study of effects of aging and age related diseases of the aged

Question 24

Geriatrics

Answer 24

study and treatment of diseases of aged

Question 25

Chronological Age

Answer 25

number of years elapsed since a person’s birth

only a rough index of physiological or biological development

Question 26

Biological Age

Answer 26

estimate of a person’s position with respect to his/her potential lifespan
measure of vitality and neurobiological health
may differ in relation to chronological age

Question 27

Psychological Age

Answer 27

an individual’s adaptive capabilities
adapt by drawing on various characteristics:
learning and memory, intelligence, emotional control and motivational strengths, coping styles

Question 28

Social Age

Answer 28

refer to social roles and expectations

age graded expectations of peers and family

Question 29

Types of actions in relation to successful aging

Answer 29

avoidance of disease and disability
continuation of effective physical and psychological functioning in later years
continued active social engagement

Question 30

Negative associations with aging

Answer 30

economic burden on society and family 
emotional burden 
forgetful/senile
useless/inadequate 
irrelevant/forgotten

Question 31

Societal issues impacting on successful aging

Answer 31

living environments, poverty, loneliness/isolation, social support

Question 32

Progeria

Answer 32

a rare genetic condition where symptoms reembling aspects of aging are manifested at an early age
lifespan of approx 13 yo
lamin A gene defective

Question 33

Werner’s Disease

Answer 33

autosomal dominant WRN gene on chrom 8, unwinds DNA
emerges around puberty
lifespan 40-50yo