Eval and Caring - Exam 1 Flashcards
What is the goal of the geriatric assessment? What makes it challenging?
Goal of assessment = keeping patients in the community and reducing mortality
making the assessment efficient
What is a great resource for patient who have a low reading literacy?
UpToDate “The Basics” is a good resource, on a 5th grade reading level
What are the 7 aspects of the geriatric assessment?
Comprehensive History and Physical Exam
Functional assessment
Social assessment
Environmental assessment
Nutritional assessment
Psychological assessment
Patient goals
What are some important aspects of the social hx?
Living arrangements
Relationships with family and friends
Expectations of family or other caregivers
Economic status
Social activities and hobbies
Mode of transportation
Advance directives
**What are the 2 recommended tests for mental status and cognitive function testing?
MMSE: mini mental status exam
MoCA: Montreal Cognitive Assessment
**Which mental status tests is more sensitive and detects milder forms of cognitive impairment?
MoCA
**Which mini mental status test comes in multiple languages, versions for audiovisual impairment and lower literacy?
MoCA
When are postural changes in BP usually worse in the elderly?
can be worse after meals because all the blood goes to your gut
When is unintentional weight loss become a problem in the elderly? What does weight gain make you think of?
Gradual loss of small amounts of weight common; losses in excess of 5% of usual body weight over 12 months or less should prompt search of underlying disease
weight gain-> edema or ascites
What does poor personal grooming/hygiene clue you in to?
Can be signs of poor overall function, caregiver’s neglect, and/or depression; often indicates a need for intervention
Where should you check the skin turgor in an elderly pt? Why?
check skin turgor over the sterum
checking it other place might not be accurate because atrophy of subcutaneous tissues rather than volume depletion
What kind of vision loss in common in the elderly? What area of the mouth is a common site for early malignancies?
Hemianopsia
area under the tongue
What should you order if prominent aortic pulsation are found on PE in an elderly person?
Suspected abdominal aneurysms should be evaluated by ultrasound
If you see unilateral LE edema on PE, what should you work the pt up for?
Unilateral edema should prompt search for a proximal obstructive process
What is the general rule of thumb when it comes to ordering labs?
Life expectancy is >10 years no change in recommendation on management of disease
Life expectancy is <10 years (and especially when it is much less) order labs only if it will improve the patient’s prognosis and quality of life
What labs remain unchanged by aging?
What age-related change seen with sedimentation rate?
Mild elevations (10-20 mm) may be an age-related change
What age-related change seen with glucose?
Glucose tolerance decreases; elevations during acute illness are common
What age-related change seen with creatinine?
Because lean body mass and daily endogenous creatinine production decline, high-normal and minimally elevated values may indicate substantially reduced renal function