Module 1 Flashcards
Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care (DPOA-HC)
the surrogate for decision making.
an individual’s wishes for medical care when they lack decision-making capability.
Advanced Directive
wishes regarding resuscitation, hospitalization, treatment goals and limits
living will
ften printed on bright pink forms and wallet cards are given to patients.
POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment)/MOLST (Medical)
patient- and family-centered care that optimizes quality of life by anticipating, preventing, and treating suffering. Addresses physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and spiritual needs. Facilitates patient autonomy, access to information, and choice.
palliative care
most prevalent form of dementia that is chronic and irreversible
alzheimers
gradual onset and steady decline in cognition. Short-term memory loss along with one or more of the following:
Disorientation
disturbance in executive function (planning, organizing, and abstract thinking)
Problems with ADLs
At least one common neurologic disorder (aphasia, apraxia, or agnosia)
Alzheimer’s disease
early vs late stage AD ?
Early stages: irritability, withdrawal, and apathy
Late stages: paranoia, hallucinations, delusions, and agitation
Cognitive change in the sick or hospitalized older adult. Transient waxing and waning LOC.
Presentation: acute onset and fluctuations in orientation and attention.
Delirium
State of fluid intake deprivation and/or excess fluid loss. Electrolyte imbalances may accompany (Na is the most significant)
Dehydration
serum lytes (Na <148 mEq/L), BUN/creat (ratio of 25:1 or more suggests dehydration), H/H (elevated)
Dehydration
how to tx Dehydration?
pre-illness weight (kg)- current weight (kg)= Fluid deficit (L) Oral rehydration (up to 1500mL/day) Clysis (sub-Q fluid administration, up to 1500mL/site/day) IV (consider Na level when selecting fluid)
pt education with dehydration
Drink 6-8 eight oz cups of water daily; reduce caffeine and alcohol intake; use sports drinks, tomato juice, or bouillon if Na deficient)
7 kinds of elder abuse
physical, sexual, psychological, financial, neglect, abandonment, and self-neglect.
CM and tx of elder abuse
CM: pressure sores, bruises, change in behavior, poor hygiene or nutritional status.
Tx: report to state adult protective services and/or police.
History to gather in pt w/ hx of falls?
hx of CAD or arrythmias, vision and hearing problems, neurologic dysfunction, lower extremity joint pain/ foot problems, medications
DDROP: diseases, drugs, recovery, onset, prodrome, and precipitants) → post-fall assessment
PE in pts with hx of falls?
Romberg test, nystagmus, CV and neuro exam, mobility, function, and strength, cognition, vision, and hearing
TUG (timed up and go test): <20 secs= low risk of falls; >30 secs=high risk of falls
Diagnostics for frequent fallers
CBC (anemia and infections), electrolytes, BUN/creat, serum glucose, stool occult blood. EKG. MRI if neuro exam positive
addresses the type of care a patient wants as a disease progresses.
5 wishes
unplanned loss of 10% TBW in one year
Frailty aka Failure to Thrive (FTT) →
how to tx FTT?
Tx: adequate protein and caloric intake (options: meals on wheels), 800 IU of Vitamin D, regular exercise
diagnostic labs for frequent fallers
CBC Electrolytes and BUN Glucose stool occult EKG/ MRI if indicated
Dx labs for FTT?
CBC, CMP, BUN/creat, thyroid panel, LFT, Ca, UA, fecal occult blood
a five-step screening tool to identify adults, who are malnourished, at risk of malnutrition (undernutrition), or obese. For BMI, unintentional weight loss, and acute disease
MUST Screening Tool
acute care setting. 2 questions: loss of appetite and unintended weight loss
MST Screening Tool
six questions related to food in-take, weight loss, mobility, recent psychological stress or acute disease, dementia or depression, and body mass index
MNA-SF
Leading cause of death in Geriatrics
heart disease, cancer, unintentional injury
goal for elderly pts
maintain independence, functional and comfort
5 wishes
- The person i want to make care decisions for me
- The kind of medical tx i want/dont want
- How comfortable i want to be
- How i want people to treat me
- What i want my loved ones to know
Can be delivered at ANY point of an illness
Prediction of life expectancy is inexact
Focus is on the burden of illness (not illness itself)
FAMILY unit is central focus
Palliative Care