Chapter 43 - Geriatric Emergencies

A progressive, degenerative disease that attacks the brain and results in impaired memory, thinking, and behavior is called: A. Dementia B. Parkinson's disease C. Delirium D. Alzhemier's disease E. Aphasia

D

Factors that can decrease medication compliance in the elderly include all of the following EXCEPT: A. Limited mobility B. Fear of toxicity C. Child proof containers D. Multiple compartment pill boxes E. Sensory impairment

D

Injury to or death of brain tissue resulting from interruption of cerebral blood flow and oxygenation is called a(n): A. Subarachnoid hemorrhage B. Autonomic dysfunction C. TIA D. Stroke E. Intracerebral hemorrhage

D

The inability to retain urine or feces because of loss of sphincter control or because of cerebral or spinal lesions is called: A. Diarrhea B. Involuntary elimination C. Diuresis D. Incontinence E. Uremia

D

To help reduce an elderly patient's fears, you should: A. Downplay the patient's fears B. Ignore nonverbal messages C. Discourage the expression of feelings D. Confirm what the patient has said E. Instruct the patient to calm down

D

The elderly have a greater risk of trauma related complications due to a decrease in blood volume

T

All of the following are forms of upper GI bleed EXCEPT: A. Peptic ulcer disease B. Ischemic colitis C. Esophageal varices D. Gastritis E. Peptic ulcer disease

B

All of the following are responsible for the growing number of elderly people in Canada, and the projected increase in the number of elderly patients treated by EMS services, EXCEPT a(n): A. Increase in the mean survival rate of older persons B. Increase in the birth rate C. Absence of major wars D. Improved health care E. Higher standard of living

B

An exaggeration of the normal posterior curvature of the spine is called: A. Scoliosis B. Kyphosis C. Fibrosis D. Hypertrophy E. Spondylosis

B

An example of a lower GI bleed is: A. A Mallory-Weiss tear B. Diverticulosis C. Peptic ulcer disease D. A bowel obstruction E. A mesenteric infarct

B

A chronic, degenerative nervous disease characterized by tremors, muscular weakness and rigidity, and loss of postural reflexes is called: A. PArkinson's disease B. Shy-drager syndrome C. Alzhemier's disease D. Sick sinus syndrome E. Grand mal seizure

A

A disease of the inner ear characterized by vertigo, nerve deafness, and a roar or buzzing in the ear is called: A. Meniere's disease B. Tinnitus C. Cataracts D. Glaucoma E. Retinitis

A

A protrusion of the stomach upward into the mediastinal cavity through the diaphragm is known as: A. A hiatal hernia B. Marfan's syndrome C. A diaphragmatic hernia D. An inguinal hernia E. An epigastric hernia

A

Age-related changes to the respiratory system include all of the following EXCEPT: A. Increased chest wall compliance B. Diminished breathing capacity C. Reduced strength and endurance D. Increased air trapping E. Reduced gag reflex

A

All of the following factors play a part in forming a general assessment of the elderly patient EXCEPT: A. Average cost of rent B. Medication history C. Living situations D. Sleep patterns E. Level of nutrition

A

An abnormal dilation of a blood vessel, usually an artery, due to a congenital defect or weakness in the wall of the vessel is called: A. An aneurysm B. An infarct C. Thrombosis D. An embolism E. A hernia

A

Common complaints in the elderly include: A. Falls, weakness, syncope B. Fractures, drowning, diabetes C. GSW, croup, nausea D. MVC, meningitis, poisoning E. Fever, epiglotitis, febrile seizures

A

Risk factors for osteoporosis include all of the following EXCEPT: A. African or latino ancestry B. Low body weight C. Early menopause D. Family history of fractures E. Use of caffeinem alcohol, and cigarettes

A

The most effective prevention of COPD involves: A. Elimination of smoking B. Lowering of blood sugar C. Reducing physical activity D. Lowering blood pressure E. Use of supplemental oxygen

A

To improve communications with an elderly patient, you should try to: A. Display verbal and nonverbal signs of concern B. Dim the room lights C. Avoid looking directly into the patient's eyes D. First talk to family members, then the patient E. Remain as quiet as possible

A

An inflammation of the colon due to impaired or decreased blood supply is called: A. Diverticulosis B. Ischemic colitis C. Arterio-venous malformation D. Colostomy E. Gastritis

B

A series of symptoms resulting from decreased blood flow to the brain that is caused by a sudden decrease in cardiac output from a heart block is known as: A. Autonomic dysfunction B. Stokes-Adams syndrome C. Sick sinus syndrome D. Dying heart muscle E. MArfan's syndrome

B

All of the following are age related changes to the nervous system EXCEPT: A. Decreased reaction time B. Increased brain weight C. Impaired balance D. Shrinkage of brain tissue E. Recent memory loss

B

All of the following are atypical presentations of a myocardial infarction in the elderly EXCEPT: A. Syncope B. Tearing chest pain C. Dyspnea D. Neck or dental pain E. Exercise intolerance

B

Assessment findings specific to the elderly such as anorexia, nocturia, dependent edema, and hepatomegaly may be found in a patient with: A. A pulmonary embolism B. Heart failure C. Hypertension D. An aneurysm E. Syncope

B

Intrinsic factors that can cause an elderly person to fall include all of the following EXCEPT: A. Dizziness B. Slippery floors C. Decreased mental status D. Impaired vision E. CNS problems

B

Reasons that the elderly develop pneumonia more frequently than younger people include all of the following EXCEPT a(n): A. Decreased immune response B. Increased pulmonary function C. Abnormal or ineffective cough reflex D. Decreased activity or mucocoiliary cells E. Decreased colonization of the pharynx by gram negative bacteria

B

Which of the following is the leading cause of accidental deaths among the elderly? A. Drownings B. Fall related injuries C. Motor vehicle collisions D. GSW E. Poisonings

B

Your elderly patient is complaining of acute onset of sharp chest pain and shortness of breath. The patient was recently released from the hospital for a leg fracture. What is the most likely suspected disorder? A. Pneumonia B. Pulmonary embolism C. Heart attack D. COPD E. Pulmonary edema

B

An increase in the size and bulk of the left ventricle wall in some elderly patients is an example of: A. Kyphosis B. Anoxia hypoxemia C. Hypertrophy D. Fibrosis E. Marfan's syndrome

C

Although all of the following can contribute to a pulmonary embolism, the condition is most frequently caused by: A. Fat B. Bone marrow C. Blood clots D. Tumor cells E. Air

C

Common causes of seizures in the elderly include all of the following EXCEPT: A. Head trauma B. Alcohol withdrawal C. Spinal injury D. Stoke E. Hypoglycemia

C

Drugs concentrate more readily in the plasma and tissues of elderly patients because of: A. Diminished neurologic function B. increased body fluid C. Atrophy of organs D. More efficient compensatory mechanisms E. Increased renal function

C

Extrinsic factors that can cause an elderly person to fall include: A. An altered gait B. A sense of weakness C. A lack of handrails D. Use of certain medications E. A history of repeated falls

C

In managing elderly patients with complaints related to the cardiovascular system, take all of the following steps EXCEPT: A. Inquire about age related dosages B. Provide high concentration supplemental oxygen C. Walk the patient to the rig D. Remain empathetic to the patient's fears E. Start and IV for medication administration

C

One of the most common reasons that elderly patients underestimate the severity of a primary medical problem is that they have a(n): A. Shrinkage of structures in the ear B. Clouding and thickening of lenses in the eyes C. Lowered sensitivity to pain D. Deterioration of the teeth and gums E. Altered sense of taste

C

The decrease of an effective cough reflex and the activity of the _____ make the elderly more prone to respiratory infection A. Gag reflex B. Alveoli C. Cilia D. Bronchioles E. Vagal response

C

The existence of multiple diseases in the elderly is known as: A. Functional impairment B. Dysphagia C. Comorbidity D. Polypharmacy E. Senility

C

The leading cause of death in the elderly is: A. Pneumonia B. Stroke C. Cardiovascular disease D. Alzhemier's disease E. COPD

C

The scientific study of the effects of aging and of age related diseases on humans is known as: A. Geriatrics B. Ageism C. Gerontology D. Eldercare E. Gerontotherapeutics

C

A medical condition in which eye pressure increases and ultimately diminishes slight is known as: A. Meniere's disease B. Tinnitus C. Cataracts D. Glaucoma E. Retinitis

D

Age related changes in the gastrointestinal system include all of the following EXCEPT: A. Impaired swallowing B. Diminished digestive functions C. Decreased liver efficiency D. A predisposition to choking E. Increased gastric secretions

E

Both senility and organic brain syndrome may manifest themselves as: A. Distractibility B. Excitability C. Hostility D. Restlessness E. All of the above

E

Changes in mental status in the elderly patient may be due to which of the following? A. Traumatic head injury B. Dementia C. Decreased sugar level D. Infections E. All of the above

E

Compared to younger people, the skin of elderly people: A. Is thicker and oilier B. Heals more quickly C. Tears less easily D. Is less subject to fungal infections E. Perspires less

E

Conditions that may discourage eating among the elderly include: A. Breathing or respiratory problems B. Nausea or vomiting C. Poor dental care D. Alcohol or drug use E. All of the above

E

Factors that can increase medication compliance in the elderly include: A. Compliance counseling B. A belief that an illness is serious C. Clear, simple directions D. Blister pack packaging E. ALl of the above

E

Possible causes of elimination problems in the elderly include: A. Diverticular disease B. Constipation C. Colorectal cancer D. Use of opioids E. All of the above

E

The acute skin eruption caused by a reactivation of latent varicella virus that peaks between ages 50 and 70 is known as: A. Shingles B. Pruritus C. Maceration D. Herpes zoster E. Both A and D

E

The usual signs and symptoms of COPD include: A. Cough and wheezing B. Dyspnea and tachypnea C. Exercise intolerance D. Pleuritic chest pain E. All of the above

E

Which of the following is a byproduct of malnutrition? A. Electrolyte abnormalities B. Dehydration C. Vitamin deficiencies D. Hypoglycemia E. All of the above

E

The elderly are less susceptible to subdural hematomas than younger people

F

When assessing an elderly person, if they are confused or disorientated, you can conclude that the patient is senile

F

When compared to younger patients, the elderly experience fewer adverse drug reactions

F

A lack of mobility can have detrimental physical and emotional effects on the elderly

T

An elderly patient in an institutional setting is up to 50 times more likely to contract pneumonia than an elderly patient receiving home care

T

In elderly people with cerebrovascular disease or impaired barareceptor reflexes, efforts to force a bowel movement can lead to a transient ischemic attack

T

In treating respiratory disorders in the elderly patient, do not fluid overload

T

The abnormal dilation of veins in the lower esophagus common in patients with cirrhosis of the liver is called esophageal varices

T

The elderly are more prone to environmental thermal problems due to changes in the sweat glands

T