Pathological disease in the elderly Flashcards Preview

BOARDS: peds/geriatrics > Pathological disease in the elderly > Flashcards

Flashcards in Pathological disease in the elderly Deck (24)
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1
Q

Considering fractures, what type of bone is more often involved?

A

trabecular bone (vs. cortical bone)

2
Q

Where do most fractures occur in the elderly?

A

spine
femoral neck
distal radius/wrist
humerus

3
Q

Your patient comes into your clinic complaining that his back hurts and has ever since getting up and out of his chair. He says it hurts more when he bends over, and it’s focal, sharp pain. What could be going on that you need to consider?

A

vertebral compression fracture

4
Q

What three MS injuries/issues are more common in the elderly?

A

1) osteoporosis/penia
2) fractures
3) degernative arthritis (OA)
4) cachexia

5
Q

What does delirium look like?

A

acute onset, often at night

- orientation issues, hallucinations, memory issues (immediate and recent), disorganized thinking

6
Q

What could cause a patient to become delirious?

A
  • deprived of O2 to the brain
  • drug toxicity
  • environmental changes and sensory deprivation (ex. recent hospitalization)
7
Q

What type of dementia is sudden onset?

A

vascular dementia = large/small vascular infarcts in gray and white matter of brain, resulting in loss of brain fxn

8
Q

A score of what on the mini mental exam can indicate dementia?

A

<24/30

9
Q

T/F: Angina is a consistent indicator of ischemia in the elderly.

A

false -> shortness of breath and/or ECG ST segment depression may be more reliable

10
Q

How might an elderly adult’s MI presentation differ from a younger person’s MI?

A

elderly adult can have syncope, sudden dyspnea, confusion

11
Q

How might an older adult’s pneumonia presentation look like compared to a younger person’s?

A

older adult = tachy, dehydration, altered mental status

younger adult = high fever and productive cough

12
Q

What does medicare part A cover?

A

hospital insurance

- inpatient hospital care, SNF, hospice, home health

13
Q

What does medicare part B cover?

A

medical insurance

- physician services, outpatient services, DME

14
Q

T/F: Immobility can result in decreased glucose tolerance.

A

true

15
Q

T/F: Aging results in decreased proprioceptive function.

A

true

16
Q

Why is an older adult more at risk for falls d/t aging?

A
  • decreased response/reaction times
  • weaker muscles with decreased ROM
  • psychotropic drugs they may be on for depression, or decreased BP drugs causing low BP/syncope
  • sensory changes like decreased vision/sensation, increased need for support surface input for balance
17
Q

T/F: The more medicines a person is on, the higher their risk of falls.

A

true

18
Q

T/F: Fall risk is much higher for those institutionalized than for those community-dwelling elderly.

A

true

19
Q

When a patient informs you they’ve had a fall, what follow up questions should you ask?

A

location, activity, time, symptoms, previous falls

  • then examine all systems: skin, CV, cognitive, sensory
  • FOLLOW UP WITH STANDARDIZED BALANCE EXAM
20
Q

How might you modify the environment to reduce falls?

A
  • adequate lighting
  • no trip hazards like clutter or rugs
  • contrasting colors to delineate hazardous areas like stairs
21
Q

When your patient falls in your clinic, what should you do?

A

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO PICK UP PATIENT

  • assess for consciousness
  • palpate hip, look for sensation/voluntary movement of legs
  • assess for cuts, bruising, bleeding
  • reassure pt and get help
22
Q

T/F: Older adults have a higher risk for drug toxicity.

A

true b/c they process drugs slower

- also have altered reactions to drugs: more sensitive, less sensitive

23
Q

What kinds of drugs can increase falls?

A

psychotropic, blood pressure meds, neuroleptics, antipsychotics

24
Q

What would be some side effects of medications you would want to look out for in the elderly?

A
weakness
postural hypotension
sedation
confusion/dementia
incontinence
drug-induced movement disorders 
depression