Geriatrics 2 Flashcards
When should anti-psychotics be avoided in patients with delirium?
Which medication would you use instead?
If the patient has a background of Parkinson’s disease.
Consider Lorazepam.
Why should anti-psychotics be avoided in patients with a background of Parkinson’s disease?
Anti-psychotics have strong anti-dopaminergic action, and as such, will make the patient’s condition significantly worse.
Describe the character of behavioural changes seen in Parkinson’s disease.
Chronic, progressive, and less labile in nature.
Which medications does NICE advocate the use of in a patient with delirium (and who does not have Parkinson’s disease)?
- Haloperidol
- Olanzapine
Which scoring system is useful in determining the risk of pressure sores?
Waterlow scale
Describe the categories of risk of pressure sores using the Waterlow Scale.
0 - 9 = Normal risk
10 - 14 = Increased risk
15 - 19 = High risk
20 - 64 = Very high risk
List some factors which are taken into account when assessing patients in light of the Waterlow Score*
- Waterlow score = assessment of risk of pressure sores
- Body habitus
- Continence status
- Malnutrition
- Mobility
- Neurological status
- Presence of trauma
Which patients develop pressure ulcers?
Patients who are unable to move parts of their body due to illness, paralysis or advancing age.
Where do pressure ulcers typically develop?
Over bony prominences such as the sacrum or hell.
Which 4 factors predispose a patient to developing pressure ulcers?
- Malnourishment
- Incontinence
- Lack of mobility
- Pain (leads to a reduction in mobility)
Describe a grade 1 pressure ulcer.
- Non-blanchable erythema of intact skin.
- Discolouration of skin, warmth, oedema, induration or hardness may be used as indicators, particularly on individuals with darker skin.
Describe a grade 2 pressure ulcer.
- Partial thickness skin loss involving epidermis or dermis, or both.
- The ulcer is superficial and presents clinically as an abrasion or blister.
Describe a grade 3 pressure ulcer.
- Full thickness skin loss involving damage to - or necrosis of - subcutaneous tissue that may extend down to, but not through, underlying fascia.
Describe a grade 4 pressure ulcer.
- Extensive destruction, tissue necrosis, or damage to muscle, bone or supporting structures with or without full thickness skin loss.
Describe the management of a pressure ulcer.
- Keep wound moist to encourage healing
- Avoid swabbing (most wounds are colonised with bacteria)
- Tissue Viability Nurse referral
- Surgical debridement may be beneficial for selected wounds.
A moist wound environment encourages ulcer healing. Which dressings should be used and should you use soap?
- Hydrocolloid dressings and hydrogels may help facilitate keeping the wound moist.
- The use of soap should be discouraged (to avoid drying the wound).