Podcast
Questions and Answers
A productive cough, fever, and chills in an 80-year-old patient with a compromised immune system should make you MOST suspicious for:
A productive cough, fever, and chills in an 80-year-old patient with a compromised immune system should make you MOST suspicious for:
An abdominal aortic aneurysm:
An abdominal aortic aneurysm:
An elderly patient might understate or minimize the symptoms of his or her illness because:
An elderly patient might understate or minimize the symptoms of his or her illness because:
Common causes of depression in the elderly include all of the following EXCEPT:
Common causes of depression in the elderly include all of the following EXCEPT:
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Fractures of the pelvis in older patients often occur as the result of a combination of:
Fractures of the pelvis in older patients often occur as the result of a combination of:
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Good general communication techniques with the elderly include:
Good general communication techniques with the elderly include:
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Many older victims of physical abuse might make false statements or lie about the origin of their injuries because:
Many older victims of physical abuse might make false statements or lie about the origin of their injuries because:
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Osteoporosis is defined as:
Osteoporosis is defined as:
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Patients who have experienced even minor-appearing head injuries should be suspected of having a brain injury, especially if they:
Patients who have experienced even minor-appearing head injuries should be suspected of having a brain injury, especially if they:
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Poor maintenance of home, poor personal care, and dietary neglect are all possible indicators of ____________ elder abuse.
Poor maintenance of home, poor personal care, and dietary neglect are all possible indicators of ____________ elder abuse.
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Syncope in the older patient is:
Syncope in the older patient is:
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The EMT should suspect left sided heart failure in the geriatric patient who presents with:
The EMT should suspect left sided heart failure in the geriatric patient who presents with:
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The purpose of the GEMS diamond is to:
The purpose of the GEMS diamond is to:
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The reduction in brain weight and volume increases an older person's risk for:
The reduction in brain weight and volume increases an older person's risk for:
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The use of multiple prescription drugs by a single patient, causing the potential for negative effects such as overdosing or drug interaction is called:
The use of multiple prescription drugs by a single patient, causing the potential for negative effects such as overdosing or drug interaction is called:
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To minimize distractions and confusion when assessing an older patient you should:
To minimize distractions and confusion when assessing an older patient you should:
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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:
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:
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When transporting a stable older patient to the hospital, the MOST effective way to reduce his or her anxiety is to:
When transporting a stable older patient to the hospital, the MOST effective way to reduce his or her anxiety is to:
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Which of the following is the MOST common mechanism of injury in older patients?
Which of the following is the MOST common mechanism of injury in older patients?
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Which of the following observations or statements represents the 'E' in the GEMS diamond?
Which of the following observations or statements represents the 'E' in the GEMS diamond?
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The LEAST common cause of death in patients over 65 years of age is:
The LEAST common cause of death in patients over 65 years of age is:
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According to the GEMS diamond, a person’s activities of daily living are evaluated during the:
According to the GEMS diamond, a person’s activities of daily living are evaluated during the:
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A condition that clouds the lens of the eye is called:
A condition that clouds the lens of the eye is called:
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You are called to a neatly kept residence for an 80-year-old woman who lives by herself. She burned her hand on the stove and experienced a full-thickness burn. When treating this patient, it is important to note that:
You are called to a neatly kept residence for an 80-year-old woman who lives by herself. She burned her hand on the stove and experienced a full-thickness burn. When treating this patient, it is important to note that:
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The slow onset of progressive disorientation, shortened attention span, and loss of cognitive function is called:
The slow onset of progressive disorientation, shortened attention span, and loss of cognitive function is called:
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A 71-year-old man with a history of hypertension and vascular disease presents with tearing abdominal pain. His blood pressure is 80/60 mm Hg, his heart rate is 120 beats/min, and his respirations are 28 breaths/min. Your assessment reveals that his abdomen is rigid and distended. Considering his medical history and vital signs, you should be MOST suspicious for a(n):
A 71-year-old man with a history of hypertension and vascular disease presents with tearing abdominal pain. His blood pressure is 80/60 mm Hg, his heart rate is 120 beats/min, and his respirations are 28 breaths/min. Your assessment reveals that his abdomen is rigid and distended. Considering his medical history and vital signs, you should be MOST suspicious for a(n):
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Which of the following is a physiologic change that occurs during the process of aging?
Which of the following is a physiologic change that occurs during the process of aging?
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Which of the following conditions makes the elderly patient prone to fractures from even minor trauma?
Which of the following conditions makes the elderly patient prone to fractures from even minor trauma?
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Polypharmacy is a term used to describe a patient who takes:
Polypharmacy is a term used to describe a patient who takes:
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Inflicted bruises are commonly found in all of the following areas, EXCEPT:
Inflicted bruises are commonly found in all of the following areas, EXCEPT:
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Study Notes
Vital Signs and Symptoms in Geriatric Patients
- Pneumonia is suspected with productive cough, fever, and chills in elderly patients, especially immune-compromised individuals.
- An abdominal aortic aneurysm often results from hypertension and atherosclerosis, potentially leading to palpation of a mass in the groin area.
Patient Communication and Understanding
- Elderly patients may minimize symptoms due to fear of hospitalization.
- Effective communication includes frequently checking for patient understanding without using complex medical jargon.
Depression and Elderly Care
- Common causes of depression in the elderly are chronic medical conditions and alcohol abuse, but an acute onset of dementia is not a factor.
- Indicators of physical elder abuse include poor home maintenance and personal neglect.
Risk Factors and Injuries in Older Adults
- Osteoporosis significantly increases the risk of fractures from low-energy trauma, underscoring the importance of bone health in aging.
- Even minor head injuries warrant suspicion of brain injury, particularly in patients on blood thinners.
Medical Procedures and Treatment Decisions
- When treating a cardiac arrest patient without clear end-of-life documentation, resuscitation efforts should be attempted.
- Movement to a familiar hospital can significantly reduce anxiety in stable elderly patients.
Understanding Aging and Medical Conditions
- Falls are the most common mechanism of injury in older adults, leading to substantial health risks.
- Conditions like cataracts cloud vision, impacting elderly patients' quality of life.
Mental Health Considerations
- Dementia is characterized by progressive disorientation and cognitive decline, distinct from conditions like delirium.
Specific Medical Conditions in Older Adults
- Aortic aneurysms, characterized by tearing abdominal pain and shock-like vital signs, are a critical concern in older patients with vascular histories.
- Physiological decline during aging includes reduced kidney function, emphasizing the importance of renal monitoring in elderly care.
Polypharmacy and Its Implications
- Polypharmacy refers to the concurrent use of multiple medications, increasing the risk of adverse reactions and complicating treatment.
Identification of Abuse
- Inflicted bruises are commonly found in areas like buttocks and inner thighs, but are less likely to appear on forearms, aiding in the recognition of potential abuse cases.
Assessment Tools
- The GEMS diamond aids EMS personnel in considering the unique aspects of elderly care, stressing environmental observations during assessments.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Test your knowledge of Chapter 36 with these flashcards, which cover key medical terms and conditions. This quiz includes scenarios and definitions that are crucial for understanding various health issues. Perfect for students of medical terminology and healthcare professionals.
