geriatrics final Flashcards
in 2000, our Life expectancy is ~__ years
75 years
main causes of death now
Heart disease, cancer, stroke, pneumonia
main causes of death in 1900s
Trauma, infectious disease (TB, pneumonia), HD, stroke and cancer
life expectancy in 1900s
55 years
currently does acute or chronic illness predominate?
chronic
people lose ___% of renal mass by the age of 90
20-30%
30-40% of geriatric patients fall in functioning glomeruli by age __
80
Reduced blood flow is seen in up to___% of people by age 80
50%
there is __% GFR loss with aging
50%
Geriatric Syndromes (5)
1.Sensory loss
o Hearing, vision
- Incontinence
- Balance and gait changes
4. Falls and fractures o Strength and balance o Vestibular function o Medication effects o Bone density
- Polypharmacy and drug interactions
Memory peaks in what age?
30s
Cognitive capacity is more than memory, it includes what three things?
o Visual-spatial perception
o Cognitive processing
o Sensory and motor dependent
Apparent Cognitive changes may reflect what three things?
3 D’S:
o Delirium: may be evidence of reduced cognitive reserves with fluctuations in level of consciousness
o Depression: bimodal distribution
o Dementia: final common pathway of many diseases but is not “normal”
Risk factors which increase vulnerability to infectious disease (14)
- Decreased PF and cough reflex
- Decreased gastric acidity and GI motility
- Atherosclerosis and reduced cap blood flow
- Thin, easily injured skin
- Reduced activity (motor and balance)
- Impaired host defense mechanisms
- Inadequate nutrition
- Lack of immunization
- Neuropsych disease and reduced MS
- Chronic medications
- Chronic diseases
- Previous exposures
- Hospitalizations and LTC facility
- Invasive devices (urinary and venous catheters)
Healthy aging occurs without ____ and _____.
functional impairment and disability
Disability pathway results from the impact of what 4 things?
genetics, disease, lifestyle and behaviors
Risk factors for functional impairment
o Age, gender
o Obesity, exercise
o Chronic illnesses
what are Basic ADLs (6)
o Walking o Dressing o Eating o Bathing o Toilet o Transfer
what are Instrumental ADLs (6)
o Walking distances o Shopping o Cooking (food preparation) o Housekeeping o Using the phone o Managing finances
pt should get Tdap vaccination when/how often?
once at age 65
pt should get Td vaccination when/how often?
every 10 years
pt should get influenza vaccination when/how often?
yearly during flu season
pt should get Pneumococcal vaccination when/how often?
once after age 65
If <65 when received, and 5 years since shot, then give again at or after age 65
pt should get Prevnar 13 vaccination when/how often?
once at 65
At least 3 months after Polyvalent 23
pt should get Zostavax vaccination when/how often?
Once at 65 (or earlier)
Cancers for which we may screen older patients and how to screen for them (5)
- Breast - mammogram
- Cervical – pap test
- Colon - colonoscopy
- Prostate – PSA
- Skin – physical exam
Implementing Preventive Care and screening in older people- 4 questions to consider
- Is the patient at risk for the disease?
- Is it likely to have a proximate benefit?
o Test performance
o Post-test probability - What is the level of risk of the intervention?
o Competing mortality - Is it consonant with patient values and preferences?
what are 3 patient factors when considering CA screening in older patients
o Competing mortality and individual prognosis
o Patient beliefs, level of anxiety, preferences, ie. values
o Life expectancy
4 Physiologic Changes in geriatric patients
- Less body water more body fat
- Less muscle mass
- Decreased hepatic metabolism and renal excretion
- Decreased responsiveness and sensitivity of the baroreceptor reflex
Excretion changes in geriatric patients
- Reduced kidney clearance
o 30-40% fall in functioning glomeruli by 80
o 1% (at age 20) ->30% sclerotic glomeruli - Serum creatinine not accurate predictor of renal function due to decreased muscle mass
o Creatinine secretion reduced ~40%
Generally the elderly are more sensitive to drug effects, especially with what 2 drug classes?
o Anticholinergics
o Benzodiazepines
Homeostasis is more effected by drugs because of what three things?
o Postural BP
o EPS
o Cognition
Risk Factors for Adverse Drug Events (6)
- > 6 chronic disease states
- > 12 doses/day
- > 9 Medications
- Low BMI (<22 kg/m2)
- Creatinine clearance <50 mL/min
- Female
Adverse Drug Events are Linked to preventable problems in the elderly, such as? (6)
o Depression o Constipation o Falls o Immobility o Confusion o Hip fractures
what is Beers Criteria
o Medications that should generally be avoided because they are either ineffective or they pose a high risk
o Medications that should not be used in older persons known to have specific medical conditions
Beers Criteria: Anticholinergic Agents
what are the 3 drug Classes?
o Tricyclic antidepressants
o Antihistamines
o Antispasmodics and muscle relaxants
Beers Criteria: Anticholinergic Agents
what are adverse events with these medications?
o Urinary incontinence
o Constipation
o Confusion, delirium, behavior changes
o Exacerbation of dementia
Beers Criteria: Benzodiazepines
long acting and short acting adverse events
Long-acting
o Prolonged half-life in older adults (days)
o Sedation, cognitive impairment, depression
o Increased risk of falls and fractures (Haldol)
Short-acting
o Increased sensitivity in older adults
o If necessary, use lower doses
what are 2 Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) that should be avoided completely?
o Indomethacin has significant CNS side effects
o Ketorolac (Toradol) can cause serious GI and renal effects
Beers Criteria: Pain medications
Long-term use of NSAIDS can cause what adverse effects?
o Potential for GI bleed
o Renal failure
o Heart failure
o High blood pressure
Meperidine (Demerol) has low oral efficacy, active metabolites and __effects
CNS
Beers Criteria: Cardiovascular Agents
Digoxin Should not exceed 0.125 mg/day except when treating ________.
atrial arrhythmias
Beers Criteria: Cardiovascular Agents
Digoxin causes Decreased______ which results increase in toxic effects
decreased renal clearance
Beers Criteria: Cardiovascular Agents
Amiodarone is Associated with ___ interval problems. It has a Lack of efficacy in older adults
QT
according to beers criteria, you should avoid what meds in Parkinson’s disease?
metoclopromide and anti-psychotics (Haldol)
according to beers criteria, you should avoid what meds in Stress incontinence
alpha-blockers
according to beers criteria, you should avoid what meds in Hyponatremia
SSRIs
according to beers criteria, you should avoid what meds in constipation
CCBs
according to beers criteria, you should avoid what meds in cognitive impairment
Anticholinergics, antispasmodics, and muscle relaxants
Three medications caused 1/3 of ED visits in elderly patients, what were they?
o Insulin
o Warfarin
o Digoxin