Geriatrics Flashcards
What is considered the age range for the older adult?
65 and older
Young old is what age?
65-74
Middle old is what age?
75 to 84
old old is what age?
85 and older?
What are considered areas of concern for the geriatric population?
- Mobility
- Palliative care
- Pulmonary Support
- Nutritional Support
- Delirium reduction
- Dementia Assessment
- Drug interaction and safety
8 Appropriate documentation - System widestaff education
- Family care giving
- Community awareness
- Cultural diversity
Factors contributing to planning care for deciding operative/invasive procedure in the elderly?
- Evaluation of the disease course and its effects on life expectancy
- How the procedure affects the patient’s independence motivation of the pt and surgical risks, medical management
Three factors that influence preoperative mortality in older pts?
- Presence of existing disease
- Emergency Surgery
- Site of surgery
What are some common procedures geriatric pt have?
- Thyroid
- Abdominal
- Hernia
- Genitourinary
- Ophthalmic
- Orthopedic
- Vascular
- Cardiovascular
Cancer accounts for what percent in 65 year and older?
70%
Geriatric pt may not benefit from this type of surgery because of use of carbon dioxide-pneumoperituneum?
Minimally invasive Surgery
Geriatrics are at risk for skin breakdown because of?
- fagile tissue
- poor elasticity
- decrease subcutaneous fat
- dry skin
What consideration should be made about geriatric’s airway?
- facial contour
2. Lack of teeth can hinder effective ventilation
What should be taken into consideration when positioning a geriatric pt?
- Neck, spine and extremity may not fully extend
What is one of the most common ambulatory procedures for older adults?
Cataract surgery
Geriatric pt are at high risk for?
Hypothermia
Geriatric pt may rely on who for health care issue?
family member
What assistive devices should be taken into consideration with older adults?
- eye glasses
- hearing aids
- dentures
- walkers
- canes
- wheelchair
- supplemental oxygen
Geriatric pt may be at risk for what with surgery?
- Infection
- UTI
- Pneumonia
- Surgical Site Infection
- Delay wound healing
*What routine should be followed in the prevention of Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infection?
- Routine placement is discouraged except for identified reasons
- Strict adherence to sterile technique during insertion
- Protecting sterile connections, hand hygiene
- Keep catheter below level of bladder and tubing straight
What are some physical abuse the elderly may experience?
- Bruises
- Slapmarks
- Blisters
- Burns
- Cigarette burns
What are some emotional abuse the elderly may experience?
- Withdrawal from normal activities
- Changes in alertness
- Visual
- Behavioral changes
What sexual abuse would an elderly person experience?
- Bruises around breast or genital
2. unexplained stds
What are signs of exploitation in the elderly?
- Sudden change in finances
- Altered will, trust
- Unusual bank withdrawals
- checks written as loans or gifts
- Loss of property
Signs of neglect in the elderly?
- Pressure ulcer
- filth
- lack of medical care
- malnutrition
- dehydration
- abandonment
What is self neglect?
Inability to understand the consequences of one’s own actions or inactions which may lead to harm or endangerment.
