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Flashcards in Geriatric's Deck (30)
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0
Q

What are four reasons that the geriatric population has been increasing?

A

Mean survival rate of older persons is increasing

Birth rate is declining

Absence of major wars or catastrophes

Healthcare and standards of living has been improved since WW2

1
Q

Between 1960 and 1990 the geriatric population has rose by how much?

A

Doubled

2
Q

Define Gerontology

A

Study of aging on the human body

3
Q

Define geriatrics

A

The study and treatment of diseases related to elderly

4
Q

What sort of societal issues do geriatric patients face?

A

Sense of social isolation

Reduced usefulness

Retirement related issues; reduced income, relocation, loss of family, friends, spouse and/or partner.

5
Q

What two types of living environments do the elderly live in?

A

Independent and dependent living environments

6
Q

__% of persons over 75 report feelings of loneliness.

A

60%

7
Q

90% of elderly persons who live alone choose to maintain their independence, why?

A

Fear of being helpless

Wish not to burden friends and family

They see their illnesses as a part of aging and refuse to ask for help or complain

8
Q

What risks are associated with elderly patients that have limited mobility and limited finances?

A

Accidental hypothermia

Carbon monoxide poisoning

Fires

Taking half-doses of medications to save money

9
Q

What is an advanced directive?

A

A legal document prepared while a patient is competent, alive and able to make informed decisions regarding healthcare. Provides guidelines on treatment if a person is no longer competent to make decisions

10
Q

What costs do Medicare part A, part B and part D cover?

A

Part A covers in-hospital treatment

Part B covers physician and outpatient treatment

Part D covers prescription drugs

11
Q

Although medicaid was designed to assist low-income families and persons with disabilities, the high cost of healthcare has brought many elderly patients into the medicaid program. Medicaid contributes __% of financing for nursing facilities.

A

45%

12
Q

The best intervention for elderly patients is?

A

Prevention

13
Q

Medical disorders in the elderly often present as what?

A

Functional impairment (decreased ability to meet daily needs on an independent basis), should be treated as early signs of possibly undetected medical disorder.

14
Q

Signs and symptoms for elderly patients may not necessarily point to the underlying cause, why is that?

A

Elderly patients often suffer from a wide range of disorders. I.E.

Confusion may indicate brain disease in a younger patient however, an elderly patient may be suffering from drug toxicity, malnutrition, and/or accidental hypothermia

15
Q

Define comorbidity

A

Having more than one disease at a time.

16
Q

Complaints of the elderly may not necessarily be related to one disorder, what are common complaints of the elderly?

A

Fatigue and weakness

Dizziness/vertigo/syncope

Falls

Headaches

Insomnia

Dysphagia

Loss of appetite

Inability to void

Constipation and diarrhea

17
Q

Define polypharmacy

A

Multiple drug therapy in which there is concurrent use of two or more drugs

18
Q

Because of pharmacokinetic changes in the body at older ages such as loss of body fluid and atrophy of organs what happens to concentrations of drugs in the body?

A

Concentrate more readily into the plasma and tissues

As a result of this drug dosages must be adjusted to prevent toxicity

19
Q

When taking a medical history of an elderly patient regarding their medications what is a important question to ask?

A

If the patient is compliant with taking the medications as prescribed.

20
Q

What are the two most effective preventative measures or ensuring mobility in the elderly?

A

Regular exercise

Good diet

21
Q

What is the leading cause of accidental death in the elderly?

A

Fall-related injuries

22
Q

Define incontinence

A

Inability to retain urine or fecal matter due to loss of sphincter control or cerebral or spinal lesions

23
Q

Effective continence require several physical factors, these include

A

Anatomically correct GI/GU tract

Competent sphincter mechanism

Adequate cognition and mobility

24
Q

In elderly patients with cerebrovascular disease or impaired baroreceptors, efforts to force a bowel movement may lead to what?

A

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

Syncope

25
Q

In assessing an elderly patient for constipation what drugs may cause constipation?

A

Opioids

Anticholinergics (I.E. antidepressants, antihistamines, muscle relaxants, antiparkinsonian, drugs)

Cation containing agents (I.E. antacids, calcium supplements, iron supplements)

Neurally active agents (I.E. opiates, anticonvulsants)

Diuretics

26
Q

What are three physical changes that may develop in the cardiovascular system on an elderly patient?

A

Hypertrophy of the left ventricle wall

Fibrosis develops in the heart and peripheral vascular system

Aorta lengthens and stiffens

27
Q

With patients that have cardiac compromise or complaints what can be an effective way to manage these complaints?

A

Ask patient to stop all physical activity

DO NOT walk a patient around and/or to the ambulance.

28
Q

Unlike cells in other systems what can the nervous system cells NOT DO?

A

Reproduce

29
Q

Define pneumonia

A

Infection of the lung caused by bacterium or virus