Chapter 43: Geriatric Emergencies

Question 1

Elderly

Answer 1

A person over sixty five years

Question 2

Old-old

Answer 2

A person over 80 years of age

Question 3

Gerontology

Answer 3

Scientific study of the effects of aging and of age related diseases on humans

Question 4

Geriatrics

Answer 4

The study and treatment of diseases of the aged

Question 5

Functional impairment

Answer 5

Decreased ability to meet daily needs on a independent basis

Question 6

Comorbidity

Answer 6

Having more than one disease at a time

Question 7

Dysphasia

Answer 7

Inability to swallow or difficulty swallowing

Question 8

Polypharmacy

Answer 8

Multiple drug therapy in which there is a concurrent use of a number of drugs

Question 9

Incontinence

Answer 9

To retain urine or feces because of loss of sphincter control or cerebral or spinal lesions

Question 10

Transient ischemic attack

Answer 10

Reversible interruption of blood flow to the brain; Often seen as a precursor to a stroke

Question 11

Cataracts

Answer 11

Medical condition in which the lense of the eye loses its clearness

Question 12

Glaucoma

Answer 12

Medical condition where the pressure within the eye increases

Question 13

Tinnitus

Answer 13

Subjective reading or tingling sound in the year

Question 14

Meniere’s disease

Answer 14

A disease of the inner ear characterized by vertigo, nerve deafness, and a roar or buzzing in the year.

Question 15

Kyphosis

Answer 15

Exaggeration of the normal posterior curvature of the spine

Question 16

Anoxic hypoxemia

Answer 16

Oxygen deficiency due to disordered pulmonary mechanisms of oxygenation.

Question 17

Hypertrophy

Answer 17

An increase in the size or bowl of an organ

Question 18

Fibrosis

Answer 18

The formation of fiber like connective tissue, also called scar tissue, in organ

Question 19

Marfan Syndrome

Answer 19

Hereditary condition of connective tissue, bone, muscles, ligaments, and skeletal structures characterized by irregular and unsteady gait, tall lean body type with long extremities, flat feet, and stooped shoulders. The aorta is unusually dilated and may become weakened enough to allow an aneurysm to develop.

Question 20

Hiatal Hernia

Answer 20

Protrusion of the stomach upward into the mediastinal cavity through the esophageal hiatus of the diaphragm.

Question 21

Osteoporosis

Answer 21

Softening of bone tissue due to the loss of essential minerals, principally calcium.

Question 22

Nephrons

Answer 22

The functional units of the kidneys

Question 23

Immune Senescence

Answer 23

Diminished vigor of the immune response to the challenge and rechallenge by pathogens

Question 24

Silent myocardial infarction

Answer 24

In myocardial infarction that occurs without exhibiting obvious signs and symptoms

Question 25

Two pillow orthopnea

Answer 25

The number of pillows– in this case two to– need to ease the difficulty of breathing while lying down; a significant factor in assessing the level of respiratory distress.

Question 26

Nocturia

Answer 26

Excessive urination during the night

Question 27

Hepatomegaly

Answer 27

Enlarged liver

Question 28

Aortic dissection

Answer 28

A degeneration of the wall of the aorta

Question 29

Aneurysm

Answer 29

At a normal dilation of a blood vessel, usually an artery, due to a congenital defect or a weakness in the wall of the vessel.

Question 30

Varicosities

Answer 30

An abnormal dilation of a vein or group of veins

Question 31

Autonomic dysfunction

Answer 31

An abnormality of the involuntary aspect of the nervous system

Question 32

Valsalva’s maneuver

Answer 32

Forced exhalation against a closed glottis, such as with coughing. This maneuver stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system via the vagus nerve, which in turn slows the heart rate.

Question 33

Stokes-Adams Syndrome

Answer 33

A series of symptoms resulting from the heart block, most commonly syncope. The symptoms result from decreased blood flow to the brain caused by the sudden decrease in cardiac output.

Question 34

Sick sinus syndrome

Answer 34

A group of disorders characterized by dysfunction of the senatorial nod in the heart.

Question 35

Stroke

Answer 35

Injury to or death of brain tissue resulting from interruption of cerebral blood flow and oxygenation.

Question 36

Brain ischemia

Answer 36

Injury to brain tissue caused by an in adequate supply of oxygen and nutrients.

Question 37

Subarachnoid hemorrhage

Answer 37

Leading that occurs between the arachnoid and the Dura Mater of the brain.

Question 38

Intracerebral hemorrhage

Answer 38

Bleeding directly into the brain

Question 39

Polycythemia

Answer 39

In excess of red blood cells

Question 40

Vertigo

Answer 40

The sensation of faintness or dizziness; may cause a loss of balance

Question 41

Intractable

Answer 41

Resistance to cure, relief, or control.

Question 42

Dementia

Answer 42

A deterioration of mental status that is usually associated with structural neurologic disease. It is often progressive and irreversible.

Question 43

Delirium

Answer 43

And that you told to mental functioning that is often reversible

Question 44

Senile dementia

Answer 44

General term used to describe an abnormal decline in mental functioning seen in the elderly; also called “Organic brain syndrome” or “ Multi – infarct dementia”.

Question 45

Aphasia

Answer 45

Absence for impairment of the ability to communicate through speaking, writing, or signing as a result of brain dysfunction

Question 46

Alzheimer’s disease

Answer 46

A progressive, degenerative disease that attacks the brain and result in impaired memory, thinking, and behavior. It affects 4 million American adults.

Question 47

Parkinson’s disease

Answer 47

Chronic, degenerative nervous disease characterized by tremors, muscular weakness and rigidity, and a loss of postural reflexes.

Question 48

Shy-Drager Syndrome

Answer 48

Chronic orthostatic hypotension caused by a primary autonomic nervous system deficiency.