Lecture 3 - Frailty Flashcards
What is the physioloigcal definition of frailty?
Clinically recognisable state of increased vulnerability resulting from ageing associated decline in reserve and function across multiple physioloigcal systems such that the ability to cope with everyday or acute stressors is comprised
Essentially unable to maintaint HOMEOSTASIS efficiently
What is the phenotypic definition of frailty?
Low grip strength, low energy, slowed walking speed, low physical activity and or unintentional weight loss
Look at page 9, what is the diagnosis?
Acute MI
What medications should the patient from slide 9 be sent home with?
(MI)
Aspirin (anti platelet)
Atorvastatin (anti cholesterol)
ACEi (Ramipril)
Beta Blocker (bisoprolol)
What is the general Definiton of frailty ?
Ageing related physiological changes across multiple systems
Loss of physiological reserve
Increased vulnerability to a wide range of stressors
Why is ibuprofen contraindicated with Aspirin especially in the elderly?
Aspirin is an anti platelet so increases the risk of GI bleeds
Ibuprofen exacerbates the risk of GI bleeds
Why isn’t treating the elderly a straight forward process?
They often have comorbidities that we need to carefully. Consider
What should be done when considering how to treat an elderly patient?
Write a problem list so can fully appreciate any comorbidities along with the acute problem to decide most appropriate treatment method
What is the main key descriptive difference between the 2 patients on page 15?
L. = old but but not frail
R = old and frail
What is delirium?
Acute or chronic brain failure (can’t stand and fall)
Why can constipation be dangerous for frail individuals?
Can disrupt their homeostatic mechanisms enough to cause illness
What is Clinical Frailty scale?
When you stratify individual into groups depending on their frailty
A set of word pictures to assess how severe an individuals frailty is
What are geriatric giants/very prevalent in geriatrics?
Immobility
Instability (falls)
Incontinence
Impaired memory (dementia, delirium)
Iatrogenesis
Do people who are very frail ever fully recover?
No, their homeostatic function doesn’t allow for it
What is the point of doing a comprehensive geriatric assessment>
Allows a care plan to be generated that can modify trajectories
