Emergency Issues in Geriatrics

Question 1

What are some risk factors for falls in the elderly?

Answer 1

hx of falls

lower extremity weakness

increased age, female gender

cognitive impairment

dizziness, balance problems

psychotropic drug use

arthritis

hx of stroke

orthostatic hypotension

trip hazards in home/poor footwear

DM

parkinson’s disease

Question 2

elderly patients are ______ likely to have typical symptoms of cardiac ischemia

Answer 2

they are LESS likely

Question 3

What are some common infections in the elderly?

Answer 3

UTI

pneumonia

influenza

diverticulities

C. diff

sepsis/bacteremia

cellulitis

Question 4

What are some less common infections in the elderly?

Answer 4

STD/STI

infected prosthetic devices

herpes zoster

Question 5

What are some risk factors for SERIOUS disease?

Answer 5

T > 103

RR > 30

WBC > 11k

HR > 120

(+) CXR

Question 6

progressive

insidious onset

slow, chronic decline

irreversible

Answer 6

dementia

Question 7

acute onset

condition fluctuates

reversible

hyperactive, hypoactive, mixed

Answer 7

delirium

Question 8

What are some possible causes of delirium?

Answer 8

infection

hypoxia

metabolic (Na GLU)

CVA

polypharmacy

med side effect

substance withdrawal/abuse

Question 9

Why does drug metabolism change in the elderly?

Answer 9

changes in kidney function

increased risk of drug-drug interactions

Question 10

up to what percent of all ED visits are for patients > 65 yrs old?

Answer 10

up to 25%