Special Considerations for the Geriatric Patient Chapter 24 Flashcards
Geriatric patients often are less able to defend against illness and may take much longer to recover when they do become ill. This often results in: A. Multiple simultaneous illnesses B. Forgetting doctor appointments C. Taking the wrong medications D. Hearing loss
A. Multiple simultaneous illnesses
The average geriatric patient takes \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ medications per day. A. 2.5 B. 3.0 C. 4.5 D. 10.0
C. 4.5
Which one of the following can cause a patient's illness or disease process to become worse? A. Overdosing B. Underdosing C. Dementia D. Incontinence
B. Underdosing
The loss of mobility is a common complaint among the elderly & can lead to other problems, such as: A. Skeletal fractures B. Hearing loss C. Depression D. Nearsightedness
C. Depression
The inability to retain urine or feces is called: A. Dementia B. Aphasia C. Priaprism D. Incontinence
D. Incontinence
When assessing a geriatric patient who has an altered mental status, you must:
A. Do your best to keep him awake and alert
B. Determine if his mental state is normal
C. Determine if he has had any recent surgeries
D. Find out from family if he can walk
B. Determine if his mental state is normal
All of the following are ways the respiratory system is affected by the aging process EXCEPT:
A. Increased strength of respiratory muscles
B. Decreased flexibility of the chest
C. Collapse of the smaller airways
D. Loss of elasticity
A. Increased strength of respiratory muscles
The aging process can cause a degeneration of the heart's electrical system, which can lead to: A. Hearing loss B. Vision loss C. Dysrhythmia D. Stroke (brain attack)
C. Dysrhythmia
Age-related changes in the musculoskeletal system can lead to changes in posture, range of motion, and: A. Awareness B. Medication usage C. Mental status D. Balance
D. Balance
Most states have laws that require emergency medical responders to report suspected cases of: A. Dementia B. Abuse and neglect C. Alzheimer's disease D. Overdose
B. Abuse and neglect
You have been called to the home of an elderly person & discover that she is refusing care. She states that she just wants to be left alone. You observe that the patient lives alone, is wearing only undergarments, & has multiple open sores & bruises over her body. These are most likely the signs of: A. Abuse B. Neglect C. Self-neglect D. Alzheimer's
C. Self-neglect
While caring for an elderly patient, he shares with you that his caregiver frequently leaves him alone in his bedroom for days & refuses to respond to his calls for assistance. This may be a form of what type of abuse? A. Physical B. Emotional C. Financial D. Sexual
B. Emotional
The assessment and emergency care of geriatric patients can sometimes be challenging due to normal age-related changes in human body. True, or false?
True
What is the exception to these statements for geriatric patients?
A. They often have multiple illnesses and to take numerous prescriptions and over-the-counter medications
B. They do not have many memory problems
C. A have problems with mobility
D. They have issues of incontinence
B. They do not have many memory problems
What 3 things contribute to respiratory challenges for the geriatric patient?
- A reduction in strength and endurance of the muscles that assist in breathing
- A loss of lung elasticity
- Collapsing of the smaller airways structures
What are the effects of aging for the geriatric patient on the circulatory system?
- A thickening of the walls of the heart
- A reduction in the effectiveness of the heart’s conduction system
- A loss of elasticity of the blood vessels
Age-related deterioration of the nervous system can cause:
- Slowing of psycho motor functioning
- Decreased reactions times
- Forgetfulness
- The loss of sensation and coordination
What is often the cause of falls among the elderly?
Deterioration of the nervous system
Osteoporosis and degeneration of the musculoskeletal system can cause ______ & _______, which can lead to falls and serious injuries.
Bone weakness, and
general instability
______________ & ______________ is a challenge for the elderly because of degeneration related curvature of the spine.
Immobilization, and
Airway maintenance
How does age change the skin?
- Skin becomes thinner and weaker
- It becomes more susceptible to tears and injuries
- Due to sluggish cellular regeneration, it can be very slow to heal
When assessing the geriatric patient, what should you remember to look for in the patient’s environment?
- Unsafe conditions
- Nonworking heating and cooling systems
- Signs that may indicate abuse or neglect
What is the meaning of geriatric?
People over the age of 65; of or relating to an elderly person
What are the common misconceptions regarding elderly people?
They are usually ill, hard of hearing, and have an altered mental state to the point of not being able to provide reliable information to caregivers.