Exam 1 Flashcards
Is urinary incontinence a normal change with aging?
- No
Most likely pathogen to cause septic arthritis in elderly. Management
- S. Aureus - Aggressive abx therapy combined with serial arthrocentesis in uncomplicated case. Surgical drainage required when conservative strategy fails.
Prevalence of dementia
- In patients over 65: between 10-50% of community dwelling have it, in nursing home > 50% - Over 85: up to 50%
Nail changes in elderly
- Slower growth - Dull appearance - Brittle, flake, fragmented tips - Color changes to yellow/opaque - Longitudinal ridges
Define diffuse Lewy body dementia. Treatment
- Lewy bodies = intraneuronal inclusions contains alpha-synuclein, phosphorylated neurofilament proteins and ubiquitin - Features = a.) dementia b.) fluctuating cognition (very good and very bad days – unique to this disease) c.) recurrent visual hallucinations d.) motor features of PD (later in dz, bent over, mask like face, shuffle) - Tx: AchE inhibitor (Aricept or exalon), can add Namenda (stabilizes glut NMDA-R antagonist)
Describe the antagonistic pleiotropy theory of aging
- Aging is an adaptive trait in which genes influence several traits are selected for and affect fitness in opposite ways at different stages of life
Signs of financial exploitation of elderly
- disparity bw pt’s living condition or appearance and his/her assets - inability of pt to account for money, property or pay for essential care - reports of demands for money or goods in exchange for caregiving - unexplained loss of SS, pension checks - statements about exploitation by pt
Cure for lymphedema?
- none, managed
Pillars of geriatric medicine
1.) Evaluation of confusion, dementia 2.) Falling 3.) Urinary incontinence 4.) Altered homeostasis 5.) Iatrogenesis 6.) Psychiatry 7.) Derm 8.) ID 9.) Interdisciplinary collaboration 10.) Preventive medicine and wellness
Types of treatments of psych patients
- SSRIs (work equally well, pick per side effects) - TCAs (work as well as SSRIs, challenging side effects) - Stimulants that augment NE/Epi pathways in brain - Bupropion - MAO inhibitors - SNRIs - ECT (effective and safe in geriatric population in tx life threatening and psychotic depression)
2 mortal sins with depression
- Not reaching the diagnosis of depression - Not treating it • Depression is worst of all human suffering
Cross-linkage theory of aging
- Damage via free radicals, glucose, UV which promote nicks in adjacent molecules + formation of bonds (cross-linkages) resulting in altered molecules and function. This damage accumulates in aging.
What are delusions? Interventions.
- False beliefs, occur frequently in dementia patient, often paranoid and accusatory, may simply result from misidentification or misinterpretation of environment - Intervention: 1.) Non-pharm: reassurance, distraction, benign neglect, validation therapy, remove objects being misidentified 2.) Pharm: newer atypical antipsychotics
Minimum criteria for initiating abx therapy for respiratory infection
1.) Fever > 102 AND RR > 25 or productive cough 2.) Fever bw 100-102 AND RR > 25, pulse > 100, rigors, or new-onset delirium 3.) If afebrile, but with COPD: new or increased cough with purulent sputum 4.) If afebrile, without COPD: new or increased cough AND either RR ? 25 or new-onset delirium
How can patient leaving AMA be an area of liability for physician?
- Physician must be involved in AMA process, nurse/front office cannot administer - Pt not warned about medical condition and risks - No documentation of AMA process - No family involvement - Patient not competent to sign - Inadequate or failure to provide aftercare instructions
Management of UI patients
- non pharm: decrease caffeine, etoh, evening fluid, Kiegel exercises, timed toileting, biofeedback, PT referral, pessaries - pharm: E replacement for women with stress or urge UI. Alpha stimulant with Sudafed for stress ui (increases tone of external sphincter). Anticholinergic for urge incontinence - silver alloy hydrogel catheters (reduces UTIs) - surgical: last resort
Consequences of immobilization in geriatric population
- Stiffness/contractures - Loss of muscle strength - Confusion, sensory loss, depression - Dependence and institutionalization - Instability and loss of confidence - Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance – esp in hot water - Malnutrition - Pressure sores
What is Fregoli syndrome?
- Everybody looks familiar and like family member / friend etc.
What is the most common and frustrating behavioral difficulty in dementia? Intervention?
- Resistiveness to care - intervention: 1.) non-pharm: limit goals, used gentle, slow approach avoiding too many directions at once, some patients cooperate for reward 2.) pharm: pre-care administration of low dose benzo
What is the single most effective method of maintaining homeostasis in geriatric population?
- Healthy lifestyle, which in seniors = socialization, exercise, stress reduction, use of talents for self and others (Freudian), avoidance of accidents on road and in home, nothing in excess, rest one day per week, have a good health care team, maximize one’s spiritual life
Unusual causes of UI
- Bladder-sphincter dyssynergia, fistula, reduced detrusor compliance, recurrent cystitis
Risk factors for poor adherence to abx regimen
- Poor cognitive function, impaired hearing/vision, multiple meds, financial constraints
What has research showed about maintaining social life and friendships when it comes to aging?
- Extends your life - Recovery times go down - Immunity boosted - Mental health: reduces anxiety, protects against mental decline
Four greatest causes of dementia in industrialized countries
- Alzheimer’s dz (most common, as much as 80%) - Diffuse Lewy body dz - Vascular dementia - Frontotemporal dementia
Meds to sleep disorders
- Avoid benzos (except restoril). - Sonata, ambien, low dose atypical antipsychotic like Seroquel - Trazadone - Melatonin
What alterations are seen in geriatric musculoskeletal system? Clinical implication
1.) decreased bone mass, muscle mass, lean body mass, repair of microfractures 2.) flattening of foot arch - Clinical consequences: osteoporosis, decreased strength, loss of height, increased curvature of spine, strength of breathing, gait impairment
What distinguishes dementia from delirium?
- Dementia is persistent (chronic) and stable
How to evaluate elderly patient with fever of unknown origin?
1.) Confirm fever, conduct through H&P, discontinue non-essential meds 2.) Labs: CBC, liver ez, ESR, blood cultures, PPD testing, TSH, ANA, consider antineutrophilic cytoplasmic ab or HIV ab testing 3.) Imaging, biopsy 4.) BM biopsy OR liver biopsy 5.) Nuclear scan 6.) Laparoscopy / laparotomy 7.) Empiric trial: antiTB therapy in rapidly declining host or high suspicion for TB
Define young old, middle old and old-old
- Young old: 65-74 - Middle old: 75-84 - Old-old: 85+
NT changes involved in aging
- Decrease in dopamine - Decrease in ACh - GABA changes?
Calcium theory of aging
- Abnormal Ca movement results from: ROS damage, inadequate energy supply from damaged mt, increased glucocorticoids - Abnml Ca = abnml cell function esp in muscle, nerves and BVs
What happens to DNR order during surgery?
- suspended
What is the iceberg phenomenon seen in elderly?
- Underreporting/minimizing of issues by elderly for fear of hospitalization, unpleasant investigations, tx, fear of removal from home, low expectations for health, failure to recognize a problem
Is decreased muscle mass / strength considered normal in geriatric population?
- No. Maintain with regular resistance training throughout ROM
Urge urinary incontinence. What is it? Treatment?
- sudden urge to urinate, frequent intervals, detrusor muscle responds to small urinary volumes, post void residual is
Nutritional model theory of aging
- Animal fed ~50% less than it eats on own, lives longer. Lean mass results in greater health and age.
Intervention in sundowning patient
- Similar approach to other psych treatments. - Keep living area well lit decreasing gradually before bedtime - Give some meds 30-60 mins before anticipated behaviors. Trazadone, benzos and antipyschotics can be tried.
Minimum criteria for initiating abx therapy for skin/soft-tissue infection
- Fever OR one of following: redness, tenderness, warmth, new or increasing swelling at site
What is apathy? Intervention?
- Lack of interest, decrease in activity, decreased efforts at personal hygiene. Can be part of depression - Intervention: a.) Non-pharm: lower expectations set by caregivers b.) Pharm: Provigil and Ritalin
Minimum criteria for initiating abx therapy for UTI infection
1.) UTI without cath: Fever + one of following: new/worsening urgency, frequency, suprapubic pain, gross hematuria, CVAT, incontinence 2.) UTI with cath: Fever OR one of following: new CVAT, rigors, new-onset delirium
What alterations are seen in geriatric CNS? Clinical implication
- cerebral atrophy and decrease in blood flow to brain = cognitive decline
Why are the elderly afraid of talking about the difficult subjects with healthcare providers?
- Fear of losing independence
What is a living will?
- Competent patient documents medical treatment options or a health care proxy. Health care team gets clear directions on what pt wants and / or who they want to decide. Person whose living will it is, must discuss with decision maker and family so those individuals know what the patient wants. - In IA it is just for life-sustaining procedures.
What is the concern with glomeruli # decrease in elderly?
- Glomeruli decreases = GFR decrease = risk of overdosing with medication.
Why do many long-term care facilities have such a high rate of PPD positive tests?
- Prevalence of reactivity is 30-50% d/t high exposure in 1900s
Stress urinary incontinence. What is it? Treatment?
- loss of urine when intraabdominal pressure increases (laughting, coughing etc), failure of sphincter mechanisms d/t often insufficient pelvic support in women and secondary to trauma from prostate surgery in men - Tx: Kiegel exercises, alpha stimulation with agents like sudafed, E replacement in women is considered (even topical E)
Treatment of lower UTIs (cystitis)
- 3-7 days of fluoroquinolones for uncomplicated case - Some settings, give amoxicillin and first-gen cephalosporin if patient has fluoroquinolone intolerance - Not required to culture prior to treating.
Is health literacy an issue in older adults?
- Yes, 7 out of 10 have trouble using everyday health info - Persons over 65 have smallest percentage of ppl with proficient health literacy skills
Physiologic theories of aging
1.) DNA damage: cumulative deletions, mutations and translocations 2.) MtDNA damage: efficiency of respiration/ATP production changed, more free radicals produced 3.) Telomere: loss of activity + length 4.) Developmental genetic: genetically programmed induction into aging 5.) Error catastrophe: cumulative errors in RNA and protein synthesis 6.) Free radicals (most well known): ROS damage proteins, lipids and DNA 7.) Accumulation: abnml proteins not removed 8.) Endocrine: levels of secretion of hormones? Decrease / increase 9.) Immunologic: deficits in immune response and T-cell function
Compare and contrast features of delirium vs dementia in terms of development, progression, duration, altered consciousness, onset
1.) Delirium - Abrupt, nonprogressive, short duration, fluctuating consciousness, precise time onset 2.) Dementia - Slow, progressive, many years, rare to have altered consciousness, uncertain date/time onset
Signs and symptoms of physical abuse of elderly
- Anxiety, nervousness in presence of caregiver - Excessive deference to caregiver - Bruises/welts at various healing stages especially bilateral inner arms or thighs - Fractures at various healing stages - Cigarette, rope, chain or chemical burns - Lacs and abrasions of face, lips, eyes - Repeated falls or injuries requiring ED visits - Head injuries, hair loss, hemorrhages beneath scalp as a result of hair pulling - Unusual discharges around genitalia or rectum - Delays in seeking tx, inconsistent f/u - Statements about abuse by pt
Physical and physiologic manifestations of aging
- Thinning, graying of hair - Deterioration of teeth - Body weight loss and redistribution - Loss of nerve cells - Loss of muscle mass - Increased cellular inclusion of aging pigments - Decline in motor activity - Impaired homeostasis
Factors that contribute to iatrogenic disease in elderly if not done properly
- Communication: set positive tone for medical intervention - Diagnosis: gently, tactfully, radiology is a wealthy third world nation, ask if proposed exam or test will reveal enough info to outweigh inconvenience and risk to patient - Therapy (med, surg): greatest opportunity for iatrogenesis is here, ask if potential benefits outweigh risks - Environment: ~40% chance that something bad will happen just because pt is in the hospital – delirium, falls, nosocomial infections, restraints, foley cath, unnecessary testing - Cost, Quality of life
Is AAMI part of dementia or normal change with age?
- No known
How to evaluate a demented patient?
1.) Comprehensive H&P, including accurate time of problem to assess delirium vs dementia 2.) Folstein’s mini-mental exam (nml = 26-30) – note: full scores can still mean you get diagnosed with dementia 3.) Lab tests: electrolytes, BUN, mag, cal, gluc, TSH, cre, CBC, B12, folate, VDRL, consider homocysteine level (reflective of B12) 4.) Neuro imaging: start with CT w/o, or MRI. PET, SPECT scans for difficult cases.
What is representative payee?
- Appointed when beneficiary is incapable of managing his/her benefits and it is in best interest
Psych problems commonly seen in geriatric population
- dementia - delirium - depression - agitation and aggressive behavior
What is agitation?
- Nonspecific umbrella term referring to: anxiety, irritability, restlessness, aggression, screaming, rummaging, sundowning and catastrophic reactions.
General treatment plan for lymphedema using OMM
1.) open thoracic inlet and treat down from it 2.) treat central to distal
Why treat herpes zoster in elderly?
- Postherpetic neuralgia is most disabling complication
During what phase of growth/development in the 2nd half of life are the elderly more vulnerable to external forces strong-arming them into making changes
- Phase 3: recapitulation, resolution and contribution
What type of hallucinations are common in dementia patients? Intervention.
- Visual, other senses can be involved. - Intervention: 1.) non-pharm: reassurance, distraction, benign neglect 2.) pharm: atypical antipsychotics
Factors affecting aging rate
- Cell wear/tear - Free radicals - DNA damage - Hormonal changes - Immune system changes - Programmed longevity - Glycation
How to take care of dry skin in geriatrics population?
- Wet it and lock in moisture with eucerin or Vaseline
Treatment of influenza in elderly
- Oseltamivir within 48 hours of symptom onset. Sooner the better.
In order to reduce risks of polypharmacy in the elderly, what tool can be used by healthcare providers
- BEERS criteria
Define Alzheimer’s disease. Treatment
- Gradual decline that is steady - Neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles are pathologic hallmarks – causative nature not well understood - Features = a.) amnesia: short term memory b.) agnosia: difficulty recognizing things c.) apraxia: inability to carry out motor functions d.) aphasia: difficulty naming familiar items - Tx: AchE inhibitor (Aricept or exalon), stabilize glutamate (Namenda, NMDA-R antagonist)
How to pharmacologically treat osteoporosis?
1.) Give 1500 mg of elemental Ca per day 2.) Normalize vit D3 3.) Normalize PTH
Should a pt with CHF receive lymphedema treatment?
- No
Types of surrogate decision makers
- Durable power of attorney: patient is competent when they signed a document (power of attorney) designating a person (attorney in fact) to make decisions for them in patient’s best interests and according to patient’s wishes - Guardianship: court-appointed person (Guardian ad litem, at law) limited to set powers - Family hierarchy: spouse, adult children, parents, special friend - Health care provider: with best interests of patient
Compare and contrast: life span, longevity, mean longevity and maximum longevity
- Life span: length of life - Longevity: number of years of life - Mean longevity: life expectancy - Maximum longevity: maximum life span
Psychological changes with aging
- Attitude towards life - Self-image/worth - Value to society - Changes with retirement
Meds that affect memory in elderly if not used appropriately
- Diphenyhydramine - Loratidine - Lorazepam - Zolpidem - Triazolam - Paroxetine
Forms of elder mistreatment
- Physical - Psychological - Neglect - Self-neglect - Financial exploitation - Abandonment
Facial nerve palsy (Bell’s) associated with what infectious causes
- HSV, VZV, Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme)
Extrinsic factors that lead to falls
- Home hazards: loose rugs, slippery floors, uneven door thresholds, poor lighting, inappropriate fixtures and furnishings.
Geriatric patient comes in and presents with diarrhea-like symptoms. Does this patient have diarrhea?
- Common presentation of constipation is seepage around fecal impaction. Before you make the diagnosis of diarrhea, do a rectal exam. Take a radiograph to make sure it is not impacted.
Treatment of TB in geriatric patient
- Similar to that in younger adult – 3 different drugs - Anyone with positive PPD should be treated with isoniazid for 9 months if: they have never been treated in past, active disease is excluded.
Lyme dz tx
- Amox, doxy or IV ceftriaxone
Presentation of TB in older pt
- Fatigue, anorexia, decreased functional status, or low-grade fever instead of classic symtpoms - 75% = lung involvement, can involve any tissue though
Neuro-aging theory
- Cells undergo NS degeneration resulting in changes in hormonal release leads to decline in cell function
Is DNR order signed by patient or physician?
- Physician order, exception = out-of-hospital DNR which according to Iowa law applies to adults with terminal illness, requires order or identifier (Medic Alert) - Same with full code
Treatment of nursing home/hospital-acquired pneumonia
- Broad initially - If MRSA-colonized or in unit where MRSA rates high, tx with vanc or linezolid until MRSA is excluded.
Compare contrast symptoms of lower UTI and upper UTI
- lower: dysuria, frequency, urgency - upper: fever, chills, nausea, flank pain
Code green
- Elopement
Reversible causes of urinary incontinence
- Mnemonic = DRIPP - D: delirium - R: restricted mobility - I: infection, inflammation, impaction of stool - P: polyuria secondary to DM, caffeine, volume overload - P: pharmaceuticals (diuretics, ANS agents, psych meds)
Do L16 cases
Do L16 cases