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Phase 3a - Geriatrics > Environmental > Flashcards

Environmental Flashcards

1
Q

What is hyperthermia?

A

Hyperthermia refers to an abnormally high body temperature, usually above 38°C (100.4°F), resulting from an impaired thermoregulatory system, environmental heat exposure, or other underlying conditions.

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2
Q

True/False Flashcard
Hyperthermia is the body’s inability to regulate temperature, causing it to rise above the normal range.

A

t

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3
Q

Hyperthermia is defined as a body temperature greater than ________°C.

A

38°C

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4
Q

What are the common causes of hyperthermia in elderly patients?

A

Common causes include heat stroke, infection (e.g., sepsis), dehydration, medications (e.g., anticholinergics, diuretics), and underlying chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease.

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5
Q

True/False Flashcard
Heat stroke, infection, and medications are potential causes of hyperthermia in elderly individuals.

A

t

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6
Q

________ and ________ can contribute to hyperthermia in elderly patients due to their effects on thermoregulation and hydration.

A

Heat stroke; dehydration

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7
Q

What is heat stroke, and how does it contribute to hyperthermia?

A

Heat stroke is a severe form of hyperthermia where the body’s temperature exceeds 40°C (104°F) due to prolonged exposure to hot environments or strenuous physical activity, impairing the body’s cooling mechanisms.

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8
Q

True/False Flashcard
Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition characterized by a body temperature exceeding 40°C.

A

t

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9
Q

Heat stroke occurs when the body temperature exceeds ________°C, leading to potential organ failure.

A

40°C

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10
Q

How does dehydration contribute to hyperthermia in elderly individuals?

A

Dehydration reduces the body’s ability to sweat and regulate temperature, increasing the risk of hyperthermia during hot weather or physical exertion.

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11
Q

True/False Flashcard
Dehydration can impair thermoregulation and increase the risk of hyperthermia in elderly patients.

A

t

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12
Q

Dehydration can decrease the body’s ability to ________, which increases the risk of hyperthermia.

A

Sweat

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13
Q

What medications can increase the risk of hyperthermia in elderly patients?

A

Medications such as anticholinergics, diuretics, and psychotropic drugs can impair thermoregulation and increase the risk of hyperthermia.

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14
Q

True/False Flashcard
Anticholinergic medications can impair thermoregulation, raising the risk of hyperthermia.

A

t

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15
Q

_______ medications can impair the body’s ability to regulate temperature, increasing the risk of hyperthermia.

A

Anticholinergic

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16
Q

How do chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease contribute to hyperthermia in elderly patients?

A

Cardiovascular diseases can impair blood flow, reducing the body’s ability to dissipate heat through the skin, thus increasing the risk of hyperthermia.

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17
Q

T/F: Cardiovascular disease can reduce the body’s ability to dissipate heat, increasing the risk of hyperthermia.

A

t

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18
Q

Chronic conditions such as ________ disease can reduce heat dissipation and contribute to hyperthermia.

A

Cardiovascular

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19
Q

What are the signs and symptoms of hyperthermia in elderly patients?

A

Symptoms include confusion, dizziness, flushed skin, rapid heartbeat, nausea, vomiting, and in severe cases, seizures, organ failure, or coma.

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20
Q

True/False Flashcard
Symptoms of hyperthermia can include confusion, dizziness, and nausea.

A

t

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21
Q

Severe hyperthermia can lead to ________, organ failure, and even coma.

A

Seizures

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22
Q

How is hyperthermia diagnosed in elderly patients?

A

Diagnosis is primarily clinical, based on signs and symptoms, but core body temperature should be measured, preferably using a rectal thermometer for accurate readings.

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23
Q

True/False Flashcard
Q: Core body temperature should be measured using a rectal thermometer for accurate diagnosis of hyperthermia.

A

t

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24
Q

Hyperthermia is diagnosed clinically, and core body temperature is best measured using a ________ thermometer.

A

Rectal

25
Q

What are the main treatments for hyperthermia in elderly patients?

A

Treatment includes cooling the patient through methods like removing excess clothing, applying cool compresses, or immersion in cool water, rehydration, and addressing underlying causes such as infection or dehydration.

26
Q

True/False Flashcard
Rehydration and cooling measures are key components in the treatment of hyperthermia in elderly patients.

A

t

27
Q

In the treatment of hyperthermia, rehydration and ________ methods are crucial for reducing body temperature.

A

Cooling

28
Q

What cooling methods are used to treat hyperthermia in elderly individuals?

A

Cooling methods include removing excess clothing, applying cool compresses to the skin, using fans or cool baths, and in severe cases, intravenous cold fluids or cooling blankets may be required.

29
Q

True/False Flashcard
Severe cases of hyperthermia may require the use of cooling blankets or intravenous cold fluids.

A

t

30
Q

________ can be used in severe cases of hyperthermia to rapidly reduce body temperature.

A

Cooling blankets

31
Q

How can hyperthermia be prevented in elderly patients?

A

Prevention involves staying hydrated, avoiding exposure to extreme heat, using air conditioning or fans, wearing light clothing, and monitoring medications that may impair thermoregulation.

32
Q

True/False Flashcard
Preventive measures for hyperthermia include staying hydrated and avoiding extreme heat exposure.

A

t

33
Q

Wearing ________ clothing and using air conditioning can help prevent hyperthermia in elderly individuals.

A

Light

34
Q

Why are elderly individuals at a higher risk for hyperthermia?

A

Elderly individuals are at higher risk due to reduced thermoregulatory function, chronic medical conditions, medication use, and age-related changes in hydration and circulation.

35
Q

True/False Flashcard
Elderly individuals are at a higher risk for hyperthermia due to age-related changes in thermoregulation and hydration.

A

t

36
Q

What is hypothermia?

A

Hypothermia is a medical emergency that occurs when the body’s core temperature drops below 35°C (95°F), impairing normal body function.

37
Q

Hypothermia is defined as a body temperature below ________°C

A

35°C

38
Q

What are the common causes of hypothermia in elderly patients?

A

Common causes include prolonged exposure to cold environments, inadequate clothing, impaired thermoregulation, chronic medical conditions, and medications that affect temperature regulation.

39
Q

________ and ________ are common causes of hypothermia in elderly patients.

A

Prolonged cold exposure; inadequate clothing

40
Q

How does aging affect thermoregulation and increase the risk of hypothermia?

A

Aging reduces the body’s ability to regulate temperature due to a decline in metabolic rate, decreased subcutaneous fat, and impaired vasoconstriction, making elderly individuals more susceptible to hypothermia.

41
Q

Aging can reduce the body’s ability to ________ temperature, increasing the risk of hypothermia.

A

Regulate

42
Q

How can chronic medical conditions contribute to hypothermia in the elderly?

A

Conditions like hypothyroidism, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease can impair thermoregulation, reducing the body’s ability to respond to cold.

43
Q

Chronic conditions such as ________ and ________ can impair thermoregulation, increasing the risk of hypothermia.

A

Hypothyroidism; diabetes

44
Q

How do medications contribute to the risk of hypothermia in elderly patients?

A

Certain medications, such as sedatives, antipsychotics, and diuretics, can impair the body’s thermoregulatory mechanisms, increasing the risk of hypothermia.

45
Q

Medications like ________ and ________ can impair thermoregulation and increase the risk of hypothermia.

A

Sedatives; diuretics

46
Q

What are the signs and symptoms of hypothermia?

A

Symptoms include shivering, confusion, slurred speech, poor coordination, drowsiness, weak pulse, and in severe cases, unconsciousness, and respiratory or cardiac failure.

47
Q

Symptoms of hypothermia include ________, confusion, and slurred speech.

A

Shivering

48
Q

How is hypothermia diagnosed in elderly patients?

A

Diagnosis is made clinically by recognizing symptoms and confirming the core body temperature with a thermometer. Blood tests may be done to assess organ function and electrolyte imbalances.

49
Q

Diagnosis of hypothermia is confirmed by measuring the ________ temperature

A

Core body

50
Q

What is the management for mild hypothermia?

A

Management includes passive rewarming, such as moving the patient to a warm environment, removing wet clothing, and covering them with warm blankets. Oral warm fluids may also be given if the patient is alert.

51
Q

For mild hypothermia, ________ rewarming techniques, such as warm blankets, are used.

A

Passive

52
Q

How is moderate to severe hypothermia treated?

A

Moderate to severe hypothermia requires active rewarming, such as using warm intravenous fluids, heated blankets, or warm air. In severe cases, external warming devices or even extracorporeal rewarming may be necessary.

53
Q

Severe hypothermia is treated with ________ rewarming techniques, including heated intravenous fluids.

A

Active

54
Q

What are the potential complications of hypothermia if left untreated?

A

Complications include organ failure, arrhythmias, respiratory failure, and death. Severe hypothermia can also lead to permanent tissue damage and neurological deficits.

55
Q

Untreated hypothermia can lead to ________, respiratory failure, and even death.

A

Organ failure

56
Q

How can hypothermia be prevented in elderly individuals?

A

Prevention involves dressing in layers, avoiding prolonged exposure to cold environments, ensuring proper heating in living spaces, and monitoring medications that may impair thermoregulation.

57
Q

To prevent hypothermia, elderly individuals should dress in ________ and avoid prolonged exposure to cold.

A

layers

58
Q

Why are elderly individuals at a higher risk for hypothermia?

A

Elderly individuals have a diminished ability to regulate body temperature, which, combined with age-related changes in circulation, metabolism, and the presence of chronic illnesses, makes them more vulnerable to cold.

59
Q

Elderly individuals are at higher risk for hypothermia due to reduced ________ and age-related changes in ________.

A

Thermoregulation; metabolism

Phase 3a - Geriatrics (7 decks)

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