Geriatrics and Emergency Procedures

Question 1

Young old age?
Old age?
Very old age?

Answer 1

55-65
65-75
75+

Question 2

Anatomical and physiologic process of aging:

Answer 2

Change in hair colour
Decreases: memory, brain size, cardiac function, bone formation, height, mobility, eyesight, hearing, libido, reaction time, skin elasticity, muscle mass
Flexed posture with forward head, thoracic kyphosis, flexed hips and knees

Question 3

Arcus senilis:

Answer 3

Grayish opaque ring around cornea; may be associated with high cholesterol

Question 4

Otosclerosis

Answer 4

Formation of spongy bone around oval window affects mobility of stapes

Question 5

Presbycardia?
Presbycusis?
Presbyopia?

Answer 5

Decrease in capacity of heart (loss of myocardial elasticity)
Decrease in hearing from otosclerosis
Decrease in sight (hardened lens, loss of accommodation)

Question 6

Declining memory with visual hallucinations is indicative of which dementia?

Answer 6

Lewy Body

Question 7

Senile osteoporosis:

Answer 7

Decrease in height, senile kyphosis, easily broken bone

Question 8

Iatrogenic disease:

Answer 8

Mainly due to side effects of multiplicity of drugs prescribed

Question 9

Cardiovascular shock:
S/S
Tx

Answer 9

Blood through body decreased
Chest pain, dizziness/fainting, feeling of apprehension/doom, confusion, excessive thirst, cool clammy skin, shallow breathing, excess sweat, rapid heartbeat, pallor, Low BP
ABCDEF, 911, CPR if stop breathing (30:2) 2” in depth if adult elevate feet above heart no food or drink

Question 10

Head injury:
S/S
Tx

Answer 10

Can be open or closed
HA, behaviour change, confusion, personality change, restless, vomiting, sleep disorder, lethargy, bleeding/hematoma, seizures, fracture, discharge from nose/mouth/ear, slurred speech, neck stiff, swelling around eyes, Battle sign (bruise behind ear), raccoon sign (around eye bruise), vision changes
Glasgow coma scale, ABCDEF’s, CPR, if unconscious support head and neck in line with spine and prevent movement, stop bleeding call 911

Question 11

Heat stroke:
S/S
Tx

Answer 11

Extreme sweating, increased thirst, muscle cramps, fatigue, weakness, light headed, headache, pale/cool skin confusion, vomiting, decreased urination at start and worsen to hot red skin, fever >100oF, worsening of symptoms decreased but fast pulse and breathing, LoC, seizures
Call 911 ABCDEF’s lie in cool place, feet above heart, cool clothing to skin, cold compress on head/groin/armpits, fan drink salted water or gatorade

Question 12

Hypothermia

Answer 12

Below 95oF or 35oC
apathy/loss of interest, lethargy, slow pulse/resp, confused, drowsy, shivering, weakness, loss of coordination, cold skin, decreased BL, slurred speech
ABCDEF’s, 911, CPR if stop breathing, remove from cold/out of wind, head and neck covered, insulated from cold ground, remove wet/constricting clothing, warm compress to neck, chest wall, armpits, groin

Question 13

Near drowning

Answer 13

Submerged in liquid making breathing difficult
Absence of breathing, cough, confusion, cyanosis, vomiting, LOC, spit up water pink/frothy
Out of water, ABCDEF, 911, CPR change wet clothing, warm person, first aid for injury

Question 14

Poisoning

Answer 14

call poison center or 911 and follow instructions

Question 15

SCI

Answer 15

Loss of movement/feeling below level of injury, decreased bodily function, and position sense
ABCDEF, 911, EMT move, steroids reduce swelling, surgical fusion, rehab

Question 16

Thermal injuries

Answer 16

Destruction of skin/body tissue from heat, chemicals, radiation, electricity
1st degree: outer layer, tingling/hypersensitivity of skin, cool
2nd degree: outer and underlying layer pain, redness, swelling, blistering
3rd degree: entire skin white/soft black/char/leather not painful
911, cover with cool water 5 minutes, bandage, OTCs, tetanus shot