Geriatrics Flashcards
(100 cards)
1
Q
acute respiratory distress syndrome
A
respiratory insufficiency marked by progressive hypoxemia, due to severe inflammatory damage
2
Q
advance directive
A
legal document prepared when a person is alive, competent, and able to make informed decisions about health care. The document provides guidelines on treatment if the person is no longer capable of making decisions.
3
Q
ageism
A
discrimination against aged or elderly people
4
Q
Alzheimer’s disease
A
a progressive, degenerative disease that attacks the brain and results in impaired memory, thinking, and behavior. It affects 4 million American adults.
5
Q
aneurysm
A
abnormal dilation of a blood vessel, usually an artery, due to a congenital defect or a weakness in the wall of the vessel.
6
Q
ankylosing spondylitis
A
a form of inflammatory arthritis that primarily affects the spine
7
Q
anorexia nervosa
A
eating disorder marked by excessive fasting
8
Q
anoxic hypoxia
A
an oxygen deficiency due to disordered pulmonary mechanisms of oxygenation
9
Q
aortic dissection
A
a degeneration of the wall of the aorta
10
Q
aphasia
A
absence or impairment of the ability to communicate, speak, sign or write. Can be sensory, motor, or global
11
Q
assisted living
A
housing for the elderly or disabled that provides nursing care, housekeeping, and prepared meals as needed
12
Q
autonomic dysfunction
A
an abnormality of the involuntary aspect of the nervous system
13
Q
brain ischemia
A
injury to brain tissues caused by an inadequate supply of oxygen and nutrients
14
Q
cataracts
A
medical condition in which the lens of the eye loses its clearness
15
Q
comorbidity
A
having more than one disease at a time
16
Q
congregate care
A
living arrangement in which the elderly live in, but do not own, individual apartments or rooms and receive select services.
17
Q
delirium
A
an acute alteration in mental functioning that is often reversible
18
Q
dysphagia
A
inability to swallow or difficulty swallowing
19
Q
dysphoria
A
an exaggerated feeling of depression or unrest, characterized by mood of general dissatisfaction, restlessness, discomfort, and unhappiness
20
Q
elderly
A
a person age 65 or older
21
Q
dementia
A
a deterioration of mental status that is usually associated with structural neurologic disease. It is often progressive and irreversible
22
Q
epistaxis
A
nosebleed
23
Q
fibrosis
A
the formation of fiber-like connective tissue, also called scar tissue, in an organ
24
Q
functional impairment
A
decreased ability to meet daily needs on an independent basis.
25
geriatric abuse
a syndrome in which an elderly person is physically or psychologically injured by another person
26
geriatrics
the study and treatment of diseases of the aged
27
gerontology
scientific study of the effects of aging and of age-related diseases on humans
28
glaucoma
group of eye diseases that results in increased intraocular pressure on the optic nerve; if left untreated, it can lead to blindness
29
glomerulonephritis
a form of nephritis, or inflammation of the kindeys; primarily involves the glomeruli, one of the capillary networks that are part of the renal corpuscles in the nephrons
30
heatstroke
life-threatening condition caused by a disturbance in temperature regulation; in the elderly, characterized by extreme fever and, in extreme cases, delirium and coma
31
hepatomegaly
enlarged liver
32
herpes zoster
an acute eruption caused by a reactivation of latent varicella virus (chickenpox) in the dorsal root ganglia; also known as shingles
33
hiatal hernia
protrusion of the stomach upward into the mediastinal cavity through the esophageal hiatus of the diaphragm
34
hypertrophy
an increase in the size or bulk of an organ or structure; caused by growth rather than by tumor
35
hypochondriasis
an abnormal concern with one's health, with the false belief of suffering from some disease, despite medical assurances to the contrary; commonly known as hypochondria
36
immune senescence
diminished vigor of the immune response to the challenge and rechallenge by pathogens
37
incontenence
inability to retain urine or feces because of loss of sphincter control or cerebral or spinal lesions
38
intracerebral hemmorrhage
bleeding directly into the brain
39
intractable
resistant to cure, relief, or control
40
kyphosis
exaggeration of the normal posterior curvature of the spine
41
life-care community
communities that provide apartments/homes for independent living and a range of services, including nursing care. Usually the elderly own their own homes.
42
maceration
process of softening a solid by soaking in a liquid
43
Marfan syndrome
hereditary condition of connective tissue, bones, 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 usually dilated and may become weakened enough to allow an aneurysm to develop
44
melena
a dark, tarry stool caused by the presence of "digested" free blood
45
Meniere's disease
a disease of the inner ear characterized by vertigo, nerve deafness, and a roar or buzzing in the ear.
46
mesenteric ischemia or infarct
death of tissue in the peritoneal fold (mesentery) that encircles the small intestine; a life-threatening condition.
47
nephrons
the functional units of the kidneys
48
nocturia
excessive urination during the night
49
old-old
an elderly person age 80 or older
50
osteoarthritis
a degenerative joint disease, characterized by a loss of articular cartilage and hypertrophy of bone
51
Parkinson's Disease
chronic, degenerative nervous disease characterized by tremors, muscular weakness and rigidity, and a loss of postural reflexes
52
personal-care home
living arrangement that includes room, board, and some supervision
53
polycythemia
an excess of RBC. In a newborn, the condition may reflect hypovolemia or prolonged intrauterine hypoxia
54
polypharmacy
multiple drug therapy in which there is a concurrent use of a number of drugs
55
pressure ulcer
ischemic damage and subsequent necrosis affecting the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and often the muscle; result of intense pressure over a short time or low pressure over a long time; also known as a pressure sore or bedsore
56
pill rolling motion
an involuntary tremor, usually in one hand or sometimes in both, in which fingers move as if they were rolling a pill back and forth
57
pruritus
itching; often occurs as a symptom of some systemic change or illness
58
retinopathy
any disorder of the retina
59
senile dementia
general term used to describe an abnormal decline in mental functioning seen in the elderly; also called "organic brain syndrome" or "multi-infarct dementia"
60
Shy-Drager syndrome
chronic orthostatic hypotension caused by a primary autonomic nervous system deficiency
61
sick sinus sydrome
a group of disorders characterized by dysfunction of the sinoatrial node in the heart
62
silent myocardial infarction
a myocardial infarct that occurs without exhibiting obvious signs and symptoms
63
spondylosis
a degeneration of the vertebral body
64
Stokes-Adams syndrome
a series of symptoms resulting from heart block, most commonly syncope. the symptoms result from decreased blood flow to the brain caused by the sudden decrease in cardiac output
65
stroke
injury to or death of brain tissue resulting from interruption of cerebral blood flow and oxygenation
66
subarachnoid hemorrhage
bleeding that occurs between the arachnoid and dura mater of the brain
67
substance abuse
misuse of chemically active agents such as alcohol, psychoactive chemicals, and therapeutic agents; typically results in clinically significant impairment or distress.
68
tinnitus
ringing or tingling sound in the ear
69
transient ischemic attack
reversible interruption of blood flow to the brain; often seen as a precursor to a stroke
70
two-pillow orthopnia
the number of pillows needed to ease the difficulty of breathing while lying down; a significant factor in assessing the level of respiratory distress
71
urosepsis
septicemia originating from the urinary tract
72
Valsalva maneuver
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
73
varicosities
an abnormal dilation of a vein or group of veins
74
vertigo
the sensation of faintness or dizziness; may cause a loss of balance
75
factors in decreased medication compliance
```
limited income
memory loss
limited mobility
sensory impairment
multiple drug therapies
fear of toxicity
childproof containers
duration of therapy
```
76
factors in INCREASED medication compliance
```
good pt-physician comms
belief that disease is serious
drug calendars/reminders
compliance counseling
easy-open packaging
multi-compartment pillboxes
transportation svc to pharmacy
clear, simple direction in large type
ability to read
```
77
Conditions that complicate eating among the elderly:
```
respiratory problems
abd pain
N/V, often due to meds
poor dental care
medical problems: hyperthyroidism, hypercalcemia, and chronic infections
Meds
ETOH and drug abuse
depression and anorexia
poverty
problems with shopping or cooking
```
78
Effects of malnutrition in elderly
vitamin deficiencies
dehydration
hypoglycemia
electrolyte abnormalities
79
Complicating factors in geriatric assessment
```
misreported symptoms
multiple diseases
multiple complaints
chronic vs. acute signs
diminished response to pain
altered temperature regulating mechanism
```
80
Common symptoms of senility
```
delirium
confusion
distractibility
restlessness
excitability
hostility
```
81
physiological effects of aging on respiratory system
decreased cx wall compliance
loss of lung elasticity
increased air trapping due to smaller airways
reduced str and endurance of respiratory muscles
cough and gag reflex reduced
82
physiological effects of aging on cardiovascular system
left ventricular hypertrophy
hardening of arteries
changes in heart rate, rhythm, effeciency
83
physiological effects of aging on the neurological system
```
brain tissue shrinks
loss of memory
depression
AMS
impaired balance
```
84
physiological effects of aging on the endocrine system
lowered estrogen production (women)
decline in insulin sensitivity
increase in insulin resistance
85
physiological effects of aging on GI system
diminished digestive functions
decreased saliva
decreased esophageal and intestinal motility
86
physiological effects of aging on Thermoregulatory System
reduced sweating
| reduced shivering
87
physiological effects of aging on Integumentary system
skin thins and becomes more fragile
88
physiological effects of aging on musculoskeletal system
loss of bone strength
| loss of joint flexibility and strength
89
physiological effects of aging on renal system
loss of kidney size and function, anemia, HTN
90
physiological effects of aging on genitourinary system
loss of bladder function
91
physiological effects of aging on immune system
diminished immune response / immune senescence
92
physiological effects of aging on hematologic system
decrease in blood volume and/or RBCs
93
vasodepressor syncope
"fainting", may occur after emotional distress, pain, prolonged bed rest, mild blood lost, prolonged standing, anemia, fever
94
orthostatic syncope
occurs when rising from seated or supine position. May be caused by hypovolemia, venous varicosities, prolonged bed rest, autonomic dysfunction; drugs, esp. HTN medicine
95
vasovagal syncope
occurs as a result of a Valsalva maneuver
96
cardiac syncope
due to transient reduction in cerebral blood flow due to a sudden decrease in cardiac output. Possibly due to silent MI or arrythmia
97
strategies for reducing stroke risk:
```
control HTN
Rx arrhythmias and coronary artery disease
Rx of blood disorders
Smoking cessation
cessation of recreational drugs
moderate use of ETOH
exercise
nutrition
```
98
Diabetes places the elderly at increased risk of other complications, including:
```
atherosclerosis
delayed healing
retinopathy
blindness
altered renal function
severe peripheral vascular disease (foot ulcers and amputations)
```
99
The leading cause of suicide
depression
100
risk factors for suicide
```
chronic illness
physical impairment
unrelieved pain
living in a youth-oriented society
family issues
financial problems
isolation and loneliness
substance abuse
low serotonin
bereavement
family history of suicide
```
