Geriatric Health Assessment Quiz

Questions and Answers

Syncope in the older patient is:

Most commonly caused by a silent myocardial infarction.

Caused by an interruption of blood flow to the brain. (correct)

Generally of no concern unless the patient was injured.

Rarely life threatening but should be evaluated by a physician.

Many older victims of physical abuse may make false statements or lie about the origin of their injuries because:

Most elderly patients have dementia.

They are protective of the abuser.

They fear retribution from the abuser. (correct)

They do not want to be bothersome.

Findings during the social assessment of an older patient include all of the following, EXCEPT:

Daily activity assistance.

Interaction with others.

Delays in obtaining meals.

Outdated medications. (correct)

In contrast to delirium, dementia:

Is usually considered irreversible. Signup and view all the answers

When caring for a geriatric patient with a traumatic injury, it is important to consider that:

The injury may have been preceded by a medical condition. Signup and view all the answers

You should be MOST suspicious that a patient is experiencing:

A subdural hematoma. Signup and view all the answers

The EMT should suspect left-sided heart failure in the geriatric patient who presents with:

Tachypnea and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements regarding the aging process is correct?

Aging is a linear process; the rate at which a person loses functions does not increase with age. Signup and view all the answers

A productive cough, fever, and chills in an 80-year-old patient with a compromised immune system should make you MOST suspicious for:

Pneumonia. Signup and view all the answers

When assessing a geriatric patient who has possibly experienced an acute ischemic stroke, it is MOST important to:

Determine the onset of the patient's symptoms. Signup and view all the answers

Sedentary behavior while healing from a hip fracture would MOST likely predispose the older patient to:

Pneumonia. Signup and view all the answers

Common causes of syncope in older patients include all of the following, EXCEPT:

Vasoconstriction. Signup and view all the answers

When assessing an older patient who has multiple bruises in various stages of healing, the EMT should do all of the following, EXCEPT:

Accuse a caregiver of physical abuse. Signup and view all the answers

The purpose of the GEMS diamond is to:

Help EMS personnel remember what is different about elderly patients. Signup and view all the answers

With age, the spine stiffens as a result of shrinkage of the intervertebral disc spaces, and the vertebrae become brittle. This increases the risk of:

Compression fractures. Signup and view all the answers

An older patient with significant dehydration would MOST likely present with:

Dizziness or fainting upon standing. Signup and view all the answers

A 'silent' heart attack occurs when:

The usual chest pain is not present. Signup and view all the answers

When faced with a situation in which an older patient with a terminal illness is in cardiac arrest, but written documentation regarding the patient's wishes cannot be located, the EMT should:

Attempt to resuscitate the patient. Signup and view all the answers

An abdominal aortic aneurysm:

Is often the result of hypertension and atherosclerosis. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following patients is at highest risk for a pulmonary embolism?

71-year-old male with recent surgery to a lower extremity. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements regarding a decreased level of consciousness in the elderly patient is correct?

A decreased level of consciousness is not a normal part of the aging process. Signup and view all the answers

Upon entering the residence of a geriatric patient with a medical or trauma complaint, the EMT should:

Observe for conditions that may make the residence unsafe. Signup and view all the answers

Because of the complexity of the older patient and the vagueness of his or her complaint, you should:

Attempt to differentiate between chronic and acute problems. Signup and view all the answers

You are dispatched to a skilled nursing care facility for an 80-year-old female with abnormal behavior. As your partner administers oxygen to the patient, you should:

Determine the patient's baseline mental status. Signup and view all the answers

A 10% to 20% reduction in brain weight and volume would MOST likely increase an older person's risk for:

Head trauma. Signup and view all the answers

Upon arriving at the residence of an elderly female who apparently fainted, you find the patient lying supine on her living room floor. You should:

Direct your partner to manually stabilize her head while you open her airway and ensure that her oropharynx is clear of secretions or blood. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following observations or statements represents the 'E' in the GEMS diamond?

The patient's residence is cold due to a malfunctioning heater. Signup and view all the answers

Talking about an elderly patient in front of him or her to other members of the family:

May cause the patient to think that he or she has no say in making decisions. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a reason why the exact extent and prevalence of elder abuse is unknown?

Human resource agencies fail to investigate. Signup and view all the answers

Osteoporosis is MOST accurately defined as:

A decrease in bone mass and density. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Syncope in Older Patients

Syncope is mainly caused by an interruption of blood flow to the brain.
It should be evaluated by a physician even if it is rarely life-threatening.

Physical Abuse in Elderly

Victims may lie about their injuries due to fear of retribution from the abuser.
It is crucial to assess for signs while being sensitive to the patient's situation.

Common findings include delays in obtaining meals and assistance with daily activities.
Presence of outdated medications is not a typical finding in social assessments.

Delirium vs. Dementia

Dementia is generally considered irreversible, while delirium can be reversible with treatment.
Dementia often develops gradually, contrasting with the acute onset of delirium.

Traumatic Injuries in Geriatric Patients

Traumatic injuries may stem from underlying medical conditions rather than just the injury itself.
Geriatric patients may not exhibit classic signs of shock or pain.

Stroke and Older Patients

In case of acute ischemic stroke, knowing the onset of symptoms is critical.
Patients often present with atypical symptoms, increasing the challenge of early identification.

Pulmonary Complications

Sedentary behavior, particularly post-hip fracture, can lead to pneumonia due to reduced lung capacity.
Symptoms like productive cough, fever, and chills may indicate pneumonia, especially in immunocompromised patients.

Aging and Functionality

As people age, the decline in vital organ functions is not linear; it worsens over time.
A 10% to 20% reduction in brain weight and volume increases the risk of head trauma.

Emergency Care for Geriatric Patients

Upon finding a patient unresponsive, stabilize the head and ensure airway patency.
Assess potential safety hazards in the patient’s living environment before starting the medical assessment.

GEMS Diamond and Elderly Care

GEMS provides reminders for understanding the unique needs of elderly patients.
Observations about living conditions can indicate underlying issues (e.g., malfunctioning heaters).

Elder Abuse

The extent of elder abuse is difficult to quantify due to victim hesitance to report, societal ignorance, and varied definitions of abuse.
Investigating elder abuse is key, and many agencies play a role in its identification.

Osteoporosis

Defined as a decrease in bone mass and density, leading to increased fracture risk, especially in the spine.
The stiffness and brittleness of the spine due to aging can cause compression fractures.

Atypical Presentations in the Elderly

Patients' cognitive skills may be impaired, leading to misunderstandings during communication about their care.
Always consider the patient's baseline mental status when assessing acute changes in behavior.

Important Symptoms and Signs

Signs like dizziness or fainting upon standing indicate significant dehydration in older patients.
Left-sided heart failure may present with paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea and tachypnea.

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Description

Test your knowledge on health issues affecting elderly patients. This quiz covers topics such as syncope, physical abuse, social assessment findings, delirium versus dementia, and traumatic injuries in geriatric patients. Enhance your understanding of these critical areas in geriatric care.