Trauma in Older Persons: Understanding and Implications

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What are some intrinsic risk factors for falls in older people?

Muscle weakness and gait/balance problems (correct)

Dim lighting and glare

Lack of handrails and improper use of assistive devices

Slippery or uneven surfaces

Which factor is an example of an extrinsic risk for falls?

Poor stair design and lack of handrails (correct)

Decreased papillary response to light variation

Chronic conditions like arthritis and stroke

Fractures and head injuries

What is the most common type of fracture after the age of 75?

Arm fracture

Hip fracture (correct)

Head fracture

Leg fracture

What is the impact of falls on an older person's independence?

It leads to a loss of confidence and anxiety Signup and view all the answers

Which environmental factor can increase the risk of falls?

The type of furniture in a person's house Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant cost attached to falls?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a biological risk factor for falls?

(e.g., balance and gait deficiency, acute or chronic health conditions, cognitive impairment, low vision) Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is considered an extrinsic risk for falls in older people?

(e.g., a lack of handrails or the wrong type of handrail) Signup and view all the answers

What is the single most important risk factor for falls according to the text?

A history of falls in the past year Signup and view all the answers

What condition should be tested for, as it is a common falls risk factor?

Orthostatic hypotension Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors increases the risk of falling in older adults?

Malnourishment Signup and view all the answers

What is highlighted as associated with a higher risk for falls and emphasizes the need to consider social factors?

Social isolation and loneliness Signup and view all the answers

Which type of drugs is mentioned as potentially increasing the risk of falls?

Psychoactive drugs (e.g., benzodiazepines) Signup and view all the answers

What should be tested both lying and standing as a common falls risk factor?

Blood pressure Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is associated with a higher risk for falls due to environmental hazards?

Poor lighting Signup and view all the answers

What increases the risk of falling in older adults due to poor balance and visual impairment?

Alcohol misuse Signup and view all the answers

What is the agreed definition of older age according to the delphi study mentioned in the text?

Life expectancy at age 60 in a population Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary injury type associated with older adult trauma?

Orthopedic musculoskeletal injuries Signup and view all the answers

What is the main cause of major trauma in the older adult population, as described in the text?

Falls from a standing height or sitting height Signup and view all the answers

What does the specialty of geriatric medicine primarily focus on, as stated by Dr. Ahern?

Looking after older adults with complexity Signup and view all the answers

Why is it difficult to define what 'older' means?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

How has the profile of individuals experiencing major trauma changed over the past 30 years?

Most major trauma now occurs in older adults due to falls at home Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the delphi study mentioned in the text?

Defining the outcomes that older people want Signup and view all the answers

According to Dr. Ahern, what is geriatric medicine ultimately about?

Looking after older adults with complex multi-domain needs Signup and view all the answers

What was the historical origin of the speciality in trauma ortho geriatrics?

It originated with older adults who broke their hips. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason for the collaboration between geriatric medicine and another specialty?

To improve outcomes for patients with hip fractures. Signup and view all the answers

What recent evidence supports the importance of early intervention and comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) for older adult trauma?

A paper from a group in Bristol demonstrating almost halved mortality with CGA. Signup and view all the answers

What is highlighted as a crucial point about frailty and multimorbidity in the module?

A structured approach to the care of an older adult makes a significant difference to their management. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common issue related to older adults presenting with trauma in emergency departments?

They are less likely to receive senior review compared to younger adults. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the physiological changes in older adults that can mask injury during trauma?

Decreased blood pressure Signup and view all the answers

What is suggested to better identify major trauma in older adults when they arrive at the emergency department?

Use a specific tool called the Older Adult Triage Tool. Signup and view all the answers

What is emphasized as a key point for managing an older person who presents after trauma?

'That trauma doesn't have to be a road traffic accident, it might be just a fall.' Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the critical things for older adults who come in with a fall, according to the text?

Immobilization with spinal precautions without senior decision Signup and view all the answers

What is emphasized as a critical step within the emergency department for a person on anticoagulant, according to the text?

Reversal of anticoagulation Signup and view all the answers

What does the text suggest is necessary to reduce the distress and period of immobilization for older adults with falls?

Early senior decision on spinal precautions Signup and view all the answers

What is mentioned as a critical point in the emergency department for someone on an anticoagulant?

Reversal of anticoagulation Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the things within the emergency department that requires protocols around its management?

Reversal of anticoagulation Signup and view all the answers

What is recommended in the text regarding access to whole body CT scanning?

Access with appropriate consideration of its appropriateness Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated as potentially leading to a major trauma potential for death and disability, according to the text?

Falling off their seat Signup and view all the answers

What does the text recommend for decisions related to spinal precautions for older adults who come in with a fall?

Early senior decision on whether spinal precautions need to proceed or not Signup and view all the answers

Trauma in Older Persons: Understanding and Implications

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Questions and Answers

What are some intrinsic risk factors for falls in older people?

Which factor is an example of an extrinsic risk for falls?

What is the most common type of fracture after the age of 75?

What is the impact of falls on an older person's independence?

Which environmental factor can increase the risk of falls?

What is a significant cost attached to falls?

What is an example of a biological risk factor for falls?

Which factor is considered an extrinsic risk for falls in older people?

What is the single most important risk factor for falls according to the text?

What condition should be tested for, as it is a common falls risk factor?

Which of the following factors increases the risk of falling in older adults?

What is highlighted as associated with a higher risk for falls and emphasizes the need to consider social factors?

Which type of drugs is mentioned as potentially increasing the risk of falls?

What should be tested both lying and standing as a common falls risk factor?

Which of the following is associated with a higher risk for falls due to environmental hazards?

What increases the risk of falling in older adults due to poor balance and visual impairment?

What is the agreed definition of older age according to the delphi study mentioned in the text?

What is the primary injury type associated with older adult trauma?

What is the main cause of major trauma in the older adult population, as described in the text?

What does the specialty of geriatric medicine primarily focus on, as stated by Dr. Ahern?

Why is it difficult to define what 'older' means?

How has the profile of individuals experiencing major trauma changed over the past 30 years?

What is the primary focus of the delphi study mentioned in the text?

According to Dr. Ahern, what is geriatric medicine ultimately about?

What was the historical origin of the speciality in trauma ortho geriatrics?

What is the main reason for the collaboration between geriatric medicine and another specialty?

What recent evidence supports the importance of early intervention and comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) for older adult trauma?

What is highlighted as a crucial point about frailty and multimorbidity in the module?

What is a common issue related to older adults presenting with trauma in emergency departments?

What is one of the physiological changes in older adults that can mask injury during trauma?

What is suggested to better identify major trauma in older adults when they arrive at the emergency department?

What is emphasized as a key point for managing an older person who presents after trauma?

What is one of the critical things for older adults who come in with a fall, according to the text?

What is emphasized as a critical step within the emergency department for a person on anticoagulant, according to the text?

What does the text suggest is necessary to reduce the distress and period of immobilization for older adults with falls?

What is mentioned as a critical point in the emergency department for someone on an anticoagulant?

What is one of the things within the emergency department that requires protocols around its management?

What is recommended in the text regarding access to whole body CT scanning?

What is indicated as potentially leading to a major trauma potential for death and disability, according to the text?

What does the text recommend for decisions related to spinal precautions for older adults who come in with a fall?

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