Patients with Special Challenges Flashcards

Questions and Answers

In contrast to conductive hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss is caused by:

Eardrum perforation

Barotrauma

Nerve damage (correct)

Earwax accumulation

Which of the following statements regarding hearing aids is correct?

Hearing aids cannot restore hearing to normal levels. (correct)

A whistling sound indicates correct hearing aid placement.

Over time, hearing aids can restore normal hearing.

In-the-canal hearing aids fit in the outer part of the ear.

Which of the following statements regarding cerebral palsy is correct?

A key clinical feature of cerebral palsy is paralysis of the respiratory muscles, which confines the patient to a ventilator.

Conditions such as brain injury at birth, postpartum infections, and fetal hypoxia can cause cerebral palsy. (correct)

Most cases of cerebral palsy develop within the first 10 years of life and are typically caused by meningitis.

In contrast to an automated implanted cardioverter/defibrillator, an internal cardiac pacemaker:

Regulates the patient's heart rate if it falls below a preset value Signup and view all the answers

The tip of a central venous catheter rests in the:

Vena cava Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements regarding gastrostomy (gastric) tubes is correct?

Patients with gastrostomy tubes may still be at risk for aspiration. Signup and view all the answers

Vagal nerve stimulators may be an alternative treatment to medication for patients with:

Chronic seizure disorders Signup and view all the answers

What should EMTs do if they find bleeding from the tubing attached to a malfunctioning central venous catheter?

Apply direct pressure to the tubing and transport. Signup and view all the answers

For an apneic 2-month-old male, what should you do when he is conscious and active with adequate vital signs?

Transport the infant to the hospital and bring the apnea monitor with you. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a developmental disorder characterized by impairment of social interaction?

Autism Signup and view all the answers

Known risk factors for Down syndrome include:

Increased maternal age Signup and view all the answers

The Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) states that:

All patients must be treated regardless of their ability to pay for care Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following may be difficult to perform on a patient with Down syndrome?

Intubation Signup and view all the answers

Most patients with this disease also have hydrocephalus.

Spina bifida Signup and view all the answers

What does the DOPE mnemonic help you to recognize?

Causes of airway obstruction Signup and view all the answers

What device is placed directly into the stomach to feed patients?

Gastrostomy tube Signup and view all the answers

What do vagal nerve stimulators do?

Both A and C Signup and view all the answers

An important part of the assessment process for a patient with special needs is to:

Interact with the caregiver Signup and view all the answers

What improves a patient's quality of life shortly before death?

Comfort care Signup and view all the answers

When caring for a patient who is visually impaired, it is important to:

Tell him or her what is happening, identify noises, and describe the situation and surroundings Signup and view all the answers

Under what circumstances is a left ventricular assist device used?

As a bridge to heart transplantation while a donor heart is being located Signup and view all the answers

Down syndrome is a genetic defect that occurs as the result of:

A triplication of chromosome 21 Signup and view all the answers

Down syndrome patients are at an increased risk for medical complications. Which of the following is NOT one of those potential complications?

Respiratory complications Signup and view all the answers

A 70-year-old male complains of shortness of breath. During your assessment, you note that he has bilateral hearing aids. When you ask him questions related to his chief complaint, he does not answer you. You can hear a whistling sound coming from his hearing aids. You should:

Try repositioning the hearing aid or remove it and turn down the volume Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements regarding interaction with the caregiver of a child or adult with special health care needs is correct?

Communication with the patient's caregiver or family members is important because they are the most familiar with the patient's condition Signup and view all the answers

A surgical procedure that creates an opening between the intestine and the surface of the body that allows for elimination of waste products is called a(n):

Colostomy Signup and view all the answers

A person is said to be obese when he or she is ________ over his or her ideal weight.

30% or more Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements regarding patients with intellectual disabilities is correct?

Patients with intellectual disabilities are susceptible to the same disease processes as other patients Signup and view all the answers

The purpose of a ventricular peritoneum shunt is to:

Prevent excess cerebrospinal fluid from accumulating in the brain Signup and view all the answers

Cerebral palsy is characterized by poorly controlled ________ movement.

Body Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements regarding autism is correct?

Most cases of autism are diagnosed by 3 years of age Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following would be the MOST practical method of communicating with a hearing-impaired patient until his or her hearing aids can be located?

Using a piece of paper and writing utensil to ask questions Signup and view all the answers

Spina bifida is defined as:

A birth defect caused by incomplete closure of the spinal column Signup and view all the answers

A ventricular atrium shunt drains excess fluid from the ventricles of the brain into the:

Right atrium of the heart Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following conditions would MOST likely be encountered in a patient with cerebral palsy?

Seizure disorder Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is NOT true regarding the care of a patient with cerebral palsy?

Walkers or wheelchairs should not be taken in the ambulance Signup and view all the answers

According to the 'E' in the DOPE mnemonic, which of the following actions should you perform to troubleshoot inadequate ventilation in a patient with a tracheostomy tube?

Check the mechanical ventilator for malfunction Signup and view all the answers

You are assessing a 440-lb man who complains of shortness of breath and lower back pain. The patient is conscious and alert, his blood pressure is 148/98 mm Hg, and his heart rate is 120 beats/min. Your MOST immediate action should be to:

Avoid placing him in a supine position if possible and administer oxygen Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is NOT true regarding patients with autism?

They will talk with normal tone and speech patterns Signup and view all the answers

Because a tracheostomy tube bypasses the nose and mouth:

Secretions can build up in and around the tube Signup and view all the answers

A 13-year-old child is on a home ventilator. The parents called because the mechanical ventilator is malfunctioning and the child has increasing respiratory distress. You should:

Disconnect the ventilator and apply a tracheostomy collar Signup and view all the answers

When caring for a patient with a previous head injury, you should:

Watch the patient for signs of anxiety Signup and view all the answers

A tube from the brain to the abdomen that drains excessive cerebrospinal fluid is called a:

Shunt Signup and view all the answers

Because hearing-impaired patients typically have more difficulty hearing high-frequency sounds, it is important for you to:

Lower the pitch of your voice Signup and view all the answers

By placing one hand on your head and the other hand over your abdomen, you are asking a hearing-impaired patient if he or she:

Is sick Signup and view all the answers

Cerebral palsy is a condition that results from damage or injury to the:

Brain Signup and view all the answers

EMTs are dispatched for a fall. The patient, a 16-year-old female with Down syndrome, is experiencing difficulty walking and says that her fingers 'feel like needles.' The EMTs should suspect:

A cervical spine injury Signup and view all the answers

General care for a patient with a tracheostomy tube includes all of the following, EXCEPT:

Removing the tube if the area around it appears to be infected Signup and view all the answers

General techniques for communicating with hearing-impaired patients include:

Positioning yourself approximately 18 inches directly in front of the patient Signup and view all the answers

When assessing or providing care to a patient with an intellectual disability, you should:

Be observant for signs of fear or reluctance from the patient Signup and view all the answers

When caring for patients with cerebral palsy, it is important to remember that:

Their limbs are often underdeveloped and are prone to injury Signup and view all the answers

When enlisting the help of an interpreter who signs, it is important for you to ask the interpreter to:

Report exactly what the patient signs and not to add any commentary Signup and view all the answers

When interacting with an intellectually disabled patient, the best approach is to:

Ask your team members to wait until you can establish a rapport with the patient Signup and view all the answers

Common complications associated with central venous catheters include all of the following, EXCEPT:

Rupture of a central vein Signup and view all the answers

Autism is defined as a:

Pervasive developmental disorder characterized by impairment of social interaction Signup and view all the answers

Common associated conditions in patients with spina bifida include all of the following, EXCEPT:

Spastic limb movement Signup and view all the answers

Characteristic anatomic features of Down syndrome include:

A round head with a flat occiput Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Developmental Disorders and Genetic Conditions

Autism is a developmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction.
Down syndrome results from a triplication of chromosome 21, leading to cognitive and physical challenges.
Risk factors for Down syndrome include increased maternal age.
Spina bifida is a birth defect caused by the incomplete closure of the spinal column and is commonly associated with hydrocephalus.

Emergency Medical Treatment Regulations

EMTALA mandates that all patients must be treated regardless of their ability to pay for care.

Patient Care Challenges

Intubation may be particularly difficult for patients with Down syndrome.
Assessing a patient with special needs involves interacting with the caregiver, who is vital for understanding the patient's condition.
Communication strategies include explaining procedures to intellectually disabled patients and ensuring they feel comfortable and reassured.

Medical Devices and Support

Gastrostomy tubes are inserted directly into the stomach for feeding patients unable to eat by mouth.
Vagal nerve stimulators help control seizures and can serve as alternative treatments to medication.
Patients with cerebral palsy often have poorly controlled body movement and may also experience seizure disorders.

Care Best Practices

For patients who are visually impaired, verbal communication about their environment is crucial.
For hearing-impaired patients, using a lower pitch voice and writing down questions can facilitate communication.
Comfort care significantly improves the quality of life for patients nearing death.

Special Health Considerations

Patients with intellectual disabilities are susceptible to the same diseases as others, and care should be tailored to their understanding level.
In a patient with obesity, a classification of obese is made when their weight exceeds 30% over the ideal body weight.
Frequent monitoring for complications associated with central venous catheters is essential, while avoiding actions that could worsen the patient's condition.

Patient Assessment Techniques

Look for signs of anxiety in patients with previous head injuries and provide reassurance.
Assess heart and respiratory functions carefully in patients with body mass concerns, ensuring they are positioned comfortably during care.

Communication Tools

When using an interpreter, it's important that they report precisely what the patient communicates without adding personal commentary.
Establishing a rapport with intellectually disabled patients may involve patience and more direct interaction as opposed to relying on family input.

Recognizing Care Nuances

Hearing aids do not restore hearing to normal levels and can be affected by factors like battery life.
Diagnoses of conditions, such as cerebral palsy, can be influenced by events like brain injury at birth, highlighting the importance of historical context in medical evaluations.
In emergencies involving a malfunctioning tracheostomy setup, immediate disconnecting and alternative support measures should be implemented to ensure patient safety.### Heart Rate Regulation
A system regulates heart rate when it drops below a predetermined threshold.

Central Venous Catheter

The tip of a central venous catheter is positioned in the vena cava.

Gastrostomy Tubes

Gastrostomy tubes pose an aspiration risk for patients despite being inserted into the stomach, not the small intestine.
Most gastrostomy tubes are typically temporary and are not sutured.

Vagal Nerve Stimulator

Vagal nerve stimulators can serve as an alternative treatment for patients with chronic seizure disorders.

Response to Catheter Malfunction

In the event of a malfunctioning central venous catheter causing bleeding, applying direct pressure to the tubing is the appropriate response.

Infant Apnea Monitoring

For an apneic 2-month-old infant with a history of apnea, transport the child to the hospital while bringing the apnea monitor, despite stable vital signs.

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Description

This quiz focuses on understanding various developmental disorders and their risk factors, particularly autism and Down syndrome. Use these flashcards to test your knowledge on patients with special challenges and the related medical definitions. Perfect for students and professionals in healthcare fields.