Ch. 36 Flashcards
(20 cards)
An abdominal aortic aneurysm:
-Can sometimes be palpated as a mass in the groin area
-Is usually not repairable, even if discovered early
-Is often the result of hypertension and atherosclerosis
-Causes dull pain that often radiates to the shoulders
Is often the result of hypertension and atherosclerosis
An elderly patient might understate or minimize the symptoms of his or her illness because:
-Of decreased perception of pain
-He or she fears hospitalization
-Of conditions such as dementia
-The nervous system has deteriorated
He or she fears hospitalization
Common causes of depression in the elderly include all of the following, except:
-Chronic medical conditions
-Alcohol abuse and dependence
-Prescription medication use
-An acute onset of dementia
An acute onset of dementia
Fractures of the pelvis in older patients often occurs as the result of a combination of:
-Osteoporosis and low-energy trauma
-Arthritic joints and high-energy trauma
-Acetabular separation and severe falls
-Increased bone density and car crashes
Osteoporosis and low-energy trauma
Many older victims of physical abuse might make false statements or lie about the origin of their injuries because:
-They fear retribution from the abuser
-They are protective of the abuser
-Most elderly patients have dementia
-They do not want to be bothersome
They fear retribution from the abuser
Patients who have experienced even minor-appearing head injuries should be suspected of having a brain injury, especially if they:
-Have minor abrasions to the head area
-Do not have deformities to the skull
-Are taking blood-thinning medications
-Have a history of Alzheimer’s disease
Are taking blood-thinning medications
The EMT should suspect left-sided heart failure in the geriatric patient who presents with:
-Fever and a cough that produces green sputum
-Tachypnea and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
-Swelling of the lower extremities and weakness
-Jugular venous distention and peripheral edema
Tachypnea and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
The use of multiple prescription drugs by a single patient, causing the potential for negative effects such as overdosing or drug interaction, is called:
-Potentiation
-Drug tolerance
-Polypharmacy
-Drug dependency
Polypharmacy
To minimize distractions and confusion when assessing an older patient, you should:
-Dismiss the family members from the room or area
-Have only one EMT speak to the patient at a time
-Perform a physical exam and then talk to the patient
-Elevate your voice and speak directly to the patient
Have only one EMT speak to the patient at a time
Which of the following is the most common mechanism of injury in older patients?
-Burns
-Falls
-Abuse
-Suicide
Falls
The least common cause of death in patients over 65 years of age is:
-Stroke
-Diabetes
-Heart attack
-Drug overdose
Drug overdose
According to the GEMS diamond, a person’s activities of daily living are evaluated during the:
-SAMPLE history
-Social assessment
-Medical assessment
-Environmental assessment
Social assessment
A condition that clouds the lens of the eye is called:
-Cataract
-Nystagmus
-Astigmatism
-Glaucoma
Cataract
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:
-There is a high likelihood that she has been abused
-Isolated full-thickness burns to the hand are not critical burns
-This patient should probably be placed in an assisted-living center
-Slowing of reflexes causes a delayed pain reaction in older people
Slowing of reflexes causes a delayed pain reaction in older people
The slow onset of progressive disorientation shortened attention span, and loss of cognitive function is called:
-Senility
-Delirium
-Dementia
-Delusion
Dementia
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):
-Aortic aneurysm
-Hemorrhagic stroke
-Acute myocardial infarction
-Infarction of the large intestine
Aortic aneurysm
Which of the following is a physiologic change that occurs during the process of aging?
-Increased elasticity of the alveoli
-A gradual decrease in blood pressure
-A decline in kidney function
-10% to 15% increase in brain weight
A decline in kidney function
Which of the following conditions makes the elderly patient prone to fractures from even minor trauma?
-Hypertension
-Osteoporosis
-Arteriosclerosis
-Rheumatoid arthritis
Osteoporosis
Polypharmacy is a term used to describe a patient who takes:
-Multiple medications
-Other people’s medications
-A medication more than once a day
-Medication only when he or she feels the need to
Multiple medications
Inflicted bruises are commonly found in all of the following areas, except:
-The buttocks
-The lower back
-The inner thighs
-The forearms
The forearms
