Med surge Ch 4 info Flashcards
What is Delirium?
An acute and fluctuating cognitive disorder characterized by inattention, disorganized thinking, and an altered level of consciousness.
What is Dementia?
A broad term for a syndrome involving a slowly progressive cognitive decline, representing a global impairment of intellectual function that is generally chronic and progressive.
What is Depression?
A mood disorder with cognitive, affective, and physical manifestations, which can be primary or secondary and range from mild to severe.
What is Fall?
An unintentional change in body position resulting in the person’s body coming to rest on the floor or ground.
What is Geriatric Syndromes?
Major health issues associated with late adulthood in community and inpatient settings that are not considered normal aging changes.
What is Health Literacy?
The degree to which a person can obtain, communicate, process, and understand basic health information to make appropriate health decisions.
What is Neglect?
Failure of a caregiver to provide for an older adult’s basic needs, such as food, clothing, medications, or assistance with ADLs.
What is Nocturia?
Urination during the night.
What is Polypharmacy?
The use of multiple drugs, duplicative drug therapy, high-dosage drugs, and drugs prescribed for too long a period of time.
What is Presbycusis?
Hearing loss associated with the aging process.
What is Presbyopia?
Farsightedness that worsens with aging.
What is Relocation Stress Syndrome?
The physical and emotional distress that can occur after a person moves from one setting to another.
What is Restraint?
Any device or drug that prevents the patient from moving freely and must be prescribed by a primary health care provider.
What are the risk factors for decreased mobility in older adults?
Falls, chronic illness, pain, weakness, medications, incontinence, age-related decline.
What are examples of decreased sensory perception related to vision?
Presbyopia, cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration.
What are the risk factors for decreased sensory perception related to hearing?
Presbycusis.
What are the risk factors for decreased sensory perception related to touch?
Peripheral neuropathy.
What factors contribute to delayed sensory perception?
Delayed reaction times and slower sensory input.
What are the falls risk factors?
Past falls, age, chronic illness, weak muscles, poor gait, confusion, medications, poor vision/hearing, clutter.
What are the strategies for falls prevention?
Modify home, assistive devices, tai chi/exercise, medication review, clear walkways, call lights, low beds.
What are the best practices for using restraints?
Only use with prescription and as a last resort; try all alternatives first; monitor every 30–60 mins; release every 1–2 hrs; use least restrictive device, follow policy.
What are key health promotion strategies for older adults?
Vaccines: flu, pneumonia, shingles, tetanus; quit smoking, limit alcohol, seatbelts, safe homes; exercise, stress relief, balanced diet (fiber, Ca, Vit D), social support.
What should be included in a medication risk assessment?
Review all medications (Rx, OTC, supplements); look for polypharmacy, high doses, long-term use; use Beers Criteria; ask about purpose, effect, side effects, interactions.
What are the risks associated with elder neglect and abuse?
Risk factors: dependence, isolation, dementia, caregiver stress or substance abuse; signs: poor hygiene, dehydration, injuries, fear, missing money.
