Geriatric Medicine Flashcards
1
Q
Main risk factor for delirium in old people
A
Dementia
2
Q
Precipitating factors of delirium in hospitalised elderly
A
Infection - 43%
Cerebrovascular attack - 25%
3
Q
Confusion Assessment Method (CAM)
A
- Acute onset and fluctuating course
- Inattention
PLUS - Disorganised thinking
OR - Altered level of consciousness
4
Q
Role of carbidopa in combination with levodopa for Parkinson’s treatment
A
Carbidopa reduces peripheral conversion of levodopa to dopamine - reduces nausea and vomiting side effects.
5
Q
Alzheimer’s disease - pathology
A
Beta amyloid plaques
Neurofibrillary tangles (from hyperphosphorylated tau)
Hippocampal atrophy
6
Q
Pigment of aging
A
Lipofuscin
- granular pigment of lipid residue of lysosomal digestion
- forms lipochrome around nucleus.
- found in liver, kidney, heart, adrenal, nerve, ganglion cells.
7
Q
Barthel Index
A
Record to establish patient independence, measures include:
- Feeding / Bathing / Grooming / Dressing
- Bowels / Bladder / Toilet use
- Transfers / Mobility / Stairs
8
Q
Lewy body dementia - presentation
A
- Fluctuating cognitive impairment
- Visual hallucinations
- Parkinsonism
9
Q
Lewy body dementia - additive features
A
- REM sleep behaviour disorder (similar to Parkinson’s)
- Neuroleptic sensitivity
- Low DA uptake in basal ganglia (on SPECT, PET)
