Introductory Concepts of Geriatrics Flashcards

1
Q

Conventional age to define “seniors” or “older adults” is…

A

65+

Is debatable - spectrum because 65 is relatively young (increased longevity)

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2
Q

Seniors have an important implication on healthcare because…

$

A

They account for a large amount of healthcare spending

(43.6%)

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3
Q

Aging is a ____ process

A

Heterogenous

Higher age does not equal being sick

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4
Q

Protocols and guidelines in geriatric care are less useful compared to younger ages because…

A

Increased diversity of health with aging

Care must be individualized

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5
Q

Factors that can affect health as we age include…

A

Lifestyle
Genetics
Socioeconomic status
Education
Social engagements and support

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6
Q

Life expectancy refers to…

A

Proportion of maximum age a person may live

Male avg 81, Female avg 84

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7
Q

Health span refers to…

A

Number of years that are spent free from functional limitations, morbidity, and pain

Goal of most geriatric models of care is to prolong the health span

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8
Q

Functional capacity is an indicator of…

A

Ability to carry out everyday tasks

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9
Q

Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s) may include…

A

Bathing
Ambulation
Toileting
Transfers
Eating
Dressing

BATTED

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10
Q

Instrumental activities of daily living (IADL’s) may include…

Supportive tasks that are required to maintain independence

A

Shopping
Cooking/Cleaning
Using transportation/communication
Managing money/medication

SCUM

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11
Q

The clinical frailty scale is measured based off of…

A

Degree of functionality and ability to carry out ADL’s and IADL’s, with/without help

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12
Q

Functional reserve refers to…

A

When body systems have capability beyond what is needed for everyday activities

Older adults have a lower functional reserve compared to younger adults

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13
Q

Impairment in function relates to functional capacity in that…

A

An individual experiences Impairment in function when their demands exceed their functional capacity (ability to carry out everyday tasks)

Lower functional reserve in adults (ex: increase risk of decline when faced with illness/injury)

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14
Q

Functional decline refers to…

A

Reduction in ability to perform ADL’s or IADL’s due to decreased physical/cognitive function

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15
Q

Changes in the GI system with absorption involve…

A

Decreased gastric acid secretion
Slower gastric emptying + delayed intestinal transit
Decreased blood flow

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16
Q

The extent of absorption for some medications may be impacted due to…

Some examples of medications include…

A

Decrease in gastric acid secretion

Iron supplements
Calcium carbonate
Ketoconazole

16
Q

Generally speaking, absorption in geriatrics is impacted by…

A

A decrease in rate of drug absorption
No change in extent of drug absorption (does have some exceptions)

16
Q

Percutaneous absorption is impacted in geriatrics via…

A

Drier, lower lipid content - decrease rate of percutaneous absorption of lipophilic medications (extent is the same)

Fentanyl
Testosterone
Estradiol

16
Q

Distribution of drugs associated with body composition changes with aging because of…

A

increase in body fat (lipophilic drugs), and decrease in muscle mass/body water (hydrophilic)

17
Q

Highly lipophilic drugs are impacted by aging via…

Some examples include…?

A

Distributing out into fat tissues - longer half-life, more re-distribution needed to eliminate

Diazepam, amiodarone

17
Q

Highly hydrophilic drugs are impacted by aging via…

Some examples include…

A

Less lean body tissue = more drug in bloodstream, increased concentration of drug

Lithium, aminoglycoside antibiotics

17
Q

Metabolizing enzymes that are affected with aging include…

A

Some reduction in Phase 1 (CYP mediated) - longer half-lives, decreased dose requirements or increase in dosing interval

Phase 2 is NOT affected

Heterogenous - can vary via individual

17
Q

Protein-binding is impacted with aging via…

Some medication examples include…

A

Decreased albumin levels in frail/malnourished older adults - decreased protein binding of highly bound medications

Phenytoin, warfarin, VPA

Overtime, increased metabolism/elimination compensates for increased free drug
Start low, go slow

18
Q

Elimination in older adults is primarily affected by…

A

Decrease in renal size, blood flow, GFR and tubular secretion - elimination is slower and may require decreased dosages to avoid toxicity.

18
Q

First-pass extraction in older adults is affected by…

Some examples include…

A

Decrease in liver size and blood flow; drugs with high first-pass extraction will have increased bioavailability

Metoprolol, morphine, amitriptyline

Start low, go slow

19
Q

Using serum creatinine alone to estimate kidney function is…

A

Not reliable - muscle mass tends to decrease with age, so SCr may be falsely low

Also does not account for effect of age on kidney function

20
Q

The equation that drug-dosing recommendations are generally based on for estimating renal function is…

A

Cockcroft-Gault - incorporates SCr, age, gender, and weight to estimate CrCl

21
Q

Pharmacodynamic changes refer to…

A

Changes in medication response associated with aging

22
Q

Pharmacodynamic changes may be due to…

A

Changes in receptor sensitivity or altered homeostatic mechanisms

23
Q

Pharmacodynamic changes related to the CV system involve…

(4)

A

Decreased BP lowering response to beta-blockers
Decreased arterial compliance and decreased baroreceptor reflex (predisposition to orthostatic hypotension)
Increased stiffness of large blood vessels (isolated systolic hypertension)
Increased susceptibility to QT prolongation

24
Q

Pharmacodynamic changes related to CNS involve…

A

Increased permeability of BBB - increased susceptibility to CNS adverse effects

Decreased dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra - increaed susceptibility to EPS of dopamine-blocking medications

25
Q

Pharmacodynamic changes associated with fluid and electrolyte homeostasis involve…

A

Decreased thirst response, GFR, response to ADH, and aldosterone

More susceptible to dehydration, hyponatremia, SIADH, hyperkalemia

26
Q

Older adults have a lower hematopoietic reserve, which means…

A

Increased risk of hematological toxicities associated with chemotherapeutic drugs

27
Q

Older adults have an ____ response to antiepiletic drugs at lower serum concentration, which…

A

Increased response - increases susceptibility to adverse effects

28
Q

Immunosenescence changes with aging, because…

A

Reduced ability to fight infection
Reduced immune response following vaccination
Increased susceptibility to malignancy

29
Q

Gastric mucosa changes with aging by…

A

Decreasing regenerative capacity of gastric mucosa - increased risk of GI bleeds (NSAID, ASA)

30
Q

Therapeutic window changes with aging by…

A

Narrowing the window between therapeutic response and toxic response

Hence, dosing is important to avoid AE’s

31
Q

Geriatric syndromes are…

A

Common health conditions in older adults that have multifactorial causes, and do not fit into discrete disease categories