Introduction to geriatric medicine Flashcards
What proportion of >75s live in care homes?
7%.
You run a heart failure service. Resources are limited. There is convincing evidence that a racial group is much less likely to benefit from currently available heart failure treatments. It is reasonable to exclude this racial group from your service: true or false?
False.
You run an intensive care unit. Resources are limited. There is convincing evidence that people over 80 are much less likely to benefit from admission to intensive care units. It is reasonable to exclude this age group from your service: true or false?
False. Why does ageism not trouble us so much?
A common presentation: 90y/o lady with drowsiness and vomiting. Hx: OA, HTN, dementia. Rx: amlodipine, omeprazole. Chest clear, abdomen SNT. Severe AKI. CRP 11, urine dip WC+, nil-. Initial CT brain: age-related atrophy. Admitting doctor's plan: IVI, broad spectrum ABx, USS abdomen. AKI resolving with fluid and cessation of Rx. USS was normal. Vomiting persists. Likely underlying diagnosis and plan? a) bacterial gastroenteritis b) drug side effect c) UTI d) viral encephalitis e) viral gastroenteritis
Faecal impaction (?due to amlodipine). Decisive intervention: PR examination, enema, macrogol, medication review.
What are the ‘inputs and outputs’ of balance?
Inputs: vision, vestibular (motion/rotation), joint position, muscle stretch, peripheral sensation (feet).
Outputs: skeletal muscles, eye movements, joints.
Environment: floor, lighting, obstacles, distractions.
Higher brain functions: intentions and plans, concentration, memory, confidence/fear.
What goes wrong in old people?
Age-related changes/risk = illness = reduced function/mobility = reduced confidence = loss of muscle/fitness = age-related changes/risk, etc.
What are the key factors predicting poor outcome from frailty?
Age, sex, smoking status.
Comorbidities, e.g. cardiorespiratory, CKD, CA.
Biomarkers (albumin, creatinine).
Function.
What is the comprehensive geriatric assessment?
CGA works, particularly on inpatients in specialist units, and to high-risk frail patients.
Acute changes vs. progression. How far from baseline?
Is the new problem the main problem?
Declining? Dying?
What can we achieve?
How can we improve QOL/ independence?
Confusion assessment method (CAM), positive result?
Acute onset- until proven otherwise?
Inattention- distractible.
Disorganised thinking- rambling?
Altered consciousness- drowsy/ hypervigilant?
What are the consequences of delirium?
Patients with acute delirium, 1 year later: twice as likely to die, twice as likely to be in institutional care, 12x more likely to have a dementia diagnosis.
What are the causes of delirium?
20-30% of hospital inpatients. Hypoxia. Constipation. Urinary retention. Urosepsis. Change of environment. Withdrawal from sedatives/alcohol/analgesia. Sedatives/alcohol/analgesia. Anticholinergics.
What is the treatment of delirium?
Make the diagnosis, then consider cause(s).
Treat the underlying cause.
Also: supportive care, orientation, appropriate environment, stop making it worse.
What is delirium?
Acute onset change in brain function.
Serious but treatable, but recovery can be slow/incomplete.
Distractible, disorganised, drowsy/hyperalert.
Look up the CAM (and do the 4AT).
Multiple possible causes- be comprehensive.
Which of these is most suggestive of delirium?
a) AMT <7
b) agitation
c) cognitive inattention
d) positive urine dipstick
e) raised serum ammonia level
Cognitive inattention.
Which medication is most likely to cause confusion, urinary retention, and dry mouth?
a) Calcichew D3 (vitamin D supplement)
b) furosemide (loop diuretic)
c) nitrazepam (benzodiazepine)
d) oxybutynin (anticholinergic)
e) oxycodone (opioid)
Oxybutynin (anticholinergic).
