Geriatric Care Assessment Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What does the acronym GEMS diamond stand for?

Geriatric Environment Medical Assessment Social Network

Why was GEMS diamond created?

It serves as an acronym for the issues to be considered when assessing every older patient.

What is polypharmacy?

The use of multiple medications by a patient, typically seen in elderly people.

Define unilateral pedal edema.

Pedal edema is a swelling of the foot and ankle caused by fluid overload, unilateral would present in only one extremity. Signup and view all the answers

What questions are important to ask when assessing why an elderly patient fell?

Do you know what happened that caused your fall? Did you lose your balance first? Did you become dizzy before the fall? Do you remember the fall? Did you have a fainting episode prior to falling? Did you injure yourself first and then fall? Are you taking any new medications or have you stopped taking a medication recently? Signup and view all the answers

Why are older patients more likely to sustain closed head injuries such as subdural hematomas?

Because brain tissue shrinks with age, and the veins are often already stretched due to brain atrophy. Signup and view all the answers

In an elderly patient with a hip fracture, why is it important to use blanket rolls?

Blanket rolls maintain the leg in a static position so that further injury does not occur. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it sometimes difficult to determine if an elderly patient is in shock based on their blood pressure?

Drugs such as beta-blockers inhibit the heart from becoming tachycardic as one would expect in shock. Signup and view all the answers

Patient care for a pulmonary embolism should focus on what?

Airway and ventilatory support Signup and view all the answers

Geriatric patients are at risk for atherosclerosis resulting in what?

Heart attack and stroke. Signup and view all the answers

Specific legal documents that direct relatives and care providers about the extent of treatment that may be given for patients who cannot speak for themselves are known as what?

Advance Directive. Signup and view all the answers

An examination of the geriatric patient's residence for steep stairs, missing handrails, adequate food, and overall appearance of the home falls under which aspect of the GEMS diamond?

Environmental assessment. Signup and view all the answers

Determining the chief complaint in the older medical patient is often how?

Difficult compared to other patients. Signup and view all the answers

Sudden unconsciousness in the older patient from standing too quickly, bearing down for a bowel movement, diabetic shock, or heart attack is called what?

Syncope. Signup and view all the answers

Symptoms such as difficulty breathing, toothache or arm cramps, and syncope in the older patient often indicate what?

Cardiovascular disease. Signup and view all the answers

Children may have experienced a serious injury, even though there may be little or no outward signs, for what reason?

Their bodies can compensate better for significant blood loss. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a consideration when immobilizing a small child with a suspected head and neck injury?

Children should be secured to a backboard with padding under the shoulders. Signup and view all the answers

In the pediatric patient when immobilization is necessary, what part of the body should be secured to the immobilization device first?

Secure the pediatric patient's torso to the immobilization device first. Signup and view all the answers

Immobilization is necessary for all children who have what possible injuries?

Head or spinal injuries after a traumatic event. Signup and view all the answers

What are the 6 steps in order when immobilizing a pediatric to an immobilization device?

<ol> <li>Maintain the child's head in a neutral position by placing a towel under the shoulders and torso. 2. Place an appropriately sized cervical collar on the pediatric patient. 3. Carefully log roll the child onto the immobilization device. 4. Secure the pediatric patient's torso to the immobilization device first. 5. Secure the child's head to the immobilization device. 6. Complete immobilization by ensuring that the child is strapped in properly.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

GEMS Diamond

GEMS stands for Geriatric, Environment, Medical assessment, Social network.
Created to address key issues in assessing elderly patients without replacing the ABCs of care.

Polypharmacy

Refers to the use of multiple medications by elderly individuals.
Highlights potential negative effects associated with taking numerous medications.

Unilateral Pedal Edema

Pedal edema involves swelling in the foot and ankle due to fluid overload.
Unilateral pedal edema means the swelling is present in only one leg.

Fall Assessment in Elderly Patients

Important questions include events leading to the fall, balance issues, dizziness before the fall, and memory of the event.
Inquire about fainting episodes or changes in medication routines.

Closed Head Injuries in the Elderly

Elderly individuals are prone to closed head injuries like subdural hematomas due to brain tissue shrinkage.
Stretched veins from brain atrophy increase risk of injury during trauma.

Management of Hip Fractures

Using blanket rolls helps maintain the leg in a static position to prevent further injury.

Shock Evaluation in Older Patients

Determining shock can be challenging due to medications like beta-blockers, which prevent tachycardia.
Normal heart rates may not accurately reflect the condition of a patient on heart medication.

Pulmonary Embolism Care

Focus on airway, ventilatory, and circulatory support.
Perform suctioning and provide high-flow oxygen; position the patient for comfort.
Follow emergency cardiovascular care guidelines if the patient is in arrest.

Risks for Geriatric Patients

Increased risk for atherosclerosis can lead to heart attack and stroke in elderly individuals.

Advance Directives

Legal documents that outline treatment preferences for patients unable to communicate their wishes.

Environmental Assessment in Geriatrics

Evaluating living conditions such as stair safety, food availability, and home upkeep are part of GEMS environmental assessment.

Challenges in Determining Chief Complaint

Older patients often present with vague or atypical symptoms, complicating diagnosis.

Syncope in Older Patients

Sudden loss of consciousness can occur due to standing quickly, straining, diabetic shock, or heart attack.

Cardiovascular Symptoms in the Elderly

Symptoms such as difficulty breathing, toothaches, and syncopal episodes often indicate underlying cardiovascular disease.

Pediatric Injury and Compensation

Children can sustain serious injuries with minimal outward signs due to their physiological ability to compensate for blood loss.

Immobilization of Small Children

When immobilizing a child with suspected injuries, secure the torso first to the backboard with appropriate padding.

Pediatric Immobilization Process

All children with potential head or spinal injuries should be immobilized after traumatic events.
Steps for immobilizing include maintaining a neutral head position, applying a cervical collar, and ensuring secure strapping to the device.

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Description

Test your knowledge on key issues in geriatric care, including GEMS, polypharmacy, unilateral pedal edema, and fall assessments. This quiz closely examines how to properly evaluate elderly patients in a clinical setting.