Gerontology, Patients with Special Challenges

Question 1

What is important to remember when communicating with elderly patients with a hearing impairment?

Answer 1

Make sure your patients can see you when you are speaking to them.

Question 2

When palpating the pulse of an elderly patient, you notice that there is an irregular pulsation without any kind of pattern or cycle to it. What is this called?

Answer 2

An irregularly irregular pulse.

Question 3

A diastolic blood pressure over how many mmHg is considered hypotensive.

Answer 3

90 mmHg

Question 4

Which fracture is most common among elderly women due to falls?

Answer 4

Proximal femur

Question 5

80-year-old male, lower “ripping” back pain radiating to abdomen, pale, diaphoretic, anxious, BP: 210/100 mmHg, pulse: 112 BPM, Resp: 20 Breaths/min. What condition is most likely?

Answer 5

An abdominal aortic aneurysm

Question 6

Of the older patients seen in the emergency dept. due to a fall, what percent will die within 1 year?

Answer 6

25 %

Question 7

What best describes when positive pressure is applied to the patient’s airway using a CPAP machine?

Answer 7

During both inhalation and exhalation

Question 8

Which is the correct position to use when transporting a patient who has a tracheostomy tube?

Answer 8

Head slightly elevated

Question 9

Can an EMT working on a patient being shocked with a automatic implanted cardiac defibrillator (AICD) feel the shock when delivered to the patient?

Answer 9

The EMT cannot feel the shock.

Question 10

What is the best course of action to take when caring or a patient with an automatic implanted cardiac defibrillator (AICD) who goes into cardiac arrest?

Answer 10

CPR and an AED should be used as indicated while on-scene or transporting the patient.

Question 11

What is the easiest way for an EMT to communicate with a patient with drastic hearing loss?

Answer 11

Write your questions using paper and pen

Question 12

Assessing BP on a patient with an AV shunt, fistula, or graft could lead to what?

Answer 12

Damage to the AV shunt, fistula, or graft, requiring surgery.

Question 13

Obesity increases the risk for what health problem?

Answer 13

Type 2 diabetes

Question 14

What serious health problem is related to homelessness?

Answer 14

Tuberculosis

Question 15

What refers to a condition that interferes significantly with a person’s ability to engage in activities of daily living?

Answer 15

Disability

Question 16

Obesity is defined as a body mass index greater than what number?

Answer 16

30