Ch. 33 Quiz

When documenting a case of suspected elder abuse, it is MOST important for the EMT to: Choose one answer. A. avoid documenting any unsupported opinions. B. theorize as to why the patient was abused. C. document his or her perceptions of the event. D. list the names of all of the suspected abusers.

A. avoid documenting any unsupported opinions.

Which of the following is the MOST common mechanism of injury in older patients? Choose one answer. A. falls B. abuse C. suicide D. burns

A. falls

The use of multiple prescription drugs by a single patient, causing the potential for negative effects such as overdosing or drug interaction, is called: Choose one answer. A. potentiation. B. drug tolerance. C. polypharmacy. D. drug dependency.

C. polypharmacy.

You are dispatched to a residence for an 80-year-old female who fell. When you arrive, you find the patient conscious, lying in a recumbent position on the floor in her living room. In addition to providing the appropriate treatment, you should ask the patient if: Choose one answer. A. she attempted to catch herself before falling. B. a family member regularly checks up on her. C. she became dizzy or fainted before falling. D. she takes medications for Alzheimer disease.

C. she became dizzy or fainted before falling.

A 69-year-old female was involved in a motor vehicle crash. She is semiconscious with a blood pressure of 80/50 mm Hg and a heart rate of 74 beats/min that is weak. Her daughter, who was uninjured in the crash, tells you that her mother has a history of hypertension and takes beta-blockers. Considering the fact that this patient is probably in shock, what is the MOST likely explanation for the absence of tachycardia? Choose one answer. A. failure of the parasympathetic nervous system B. intrathoracic bleeding and cardiac compression C. the effects of her antihypertensive medication D. deterioration of the cardiac conduction system

C. the effects of her antihypertensive medication

A 77-year-old female presents with an acute onset of altered mental status. Her son is present and advises that she has a history of hypertension, atrial fibrillation, type 2 diabetes, and glaucoma. He further advises that she takes numerous medications and that she is normally alert. When you assess this patient, it is important to note that: Choose one answer. A. her mental status is likely the result of hypoglycemia and you should give her sugar. B. dementia typically presents as an acute onset of deterioration of cognitive function. C. the patient is experiencing delirious behavior, which suggests a new health problem. D. because of her age and medical history, you should suspect Alzheimer disease.

C. the patient is experiencing delirious behavior, which suggests a new health problem.

You receive a call for a sick person. When you arrive, you find the patient, a 75-year-old male, lying unresponsive in his bed. His respirations are slow and irregular and his pulse is slow and weak. His daughter tells you that he fell the day before, but refused to allow her to call 9-1-1. His past medical history is significant for hypothyroidism, deep vein thrombosis, heavy alcohol use, and liver cirrhosis. His medications include blood thinners and vitamins. You should be MOST suspicious that this patient is experiencing: Choose one answer. A. diabetic ketoacidosis. B. acute ischemic stroke. C. acute hyperglycemia. D. a subdural hematoma.

D. a subdural hematoma.

A 73-year-old female experienced a syncopal episode while watching TV. She is now conscious, but is diaphoretic, tachycardic, and hypotensive. Your assessment reveals abdominal tenderness and a pulsating mass to the left of her umbilicus. You should be MOST suspicious for: Choose one answer. A. myocardial infarction. B. a strangulated bowel. C. acute appendicitis. D. an aortic aneurysm.

D. an aortic aneurysm.

When assessing a 78-year-old female who complains of shortness of breath, the EMT should: Choose one answer. A. give oxygen only if the patient has labored breathing. B. conclude that the patient is experiencing a heart attack. C. place the patient supine to see if the problem worsens. D. ask her how many pillows she uses when she sleeps.

D. ask her how many pillows she uses when she sleeps.

Common causes of syncope in older patients include all of the following, EXCEPT: Choose one answer. A. blood volume loss. B. acute hypotension. C. venous pooling. D. vasoconstriction.

D. vasoconstriction.