35. Geriatric Emergencies Flashcards Preview

EMT-B > 35. Geriatric Emergencies > Flashcards

Flashcards in 35. Geriatric Emergencies Deck (30)
Loading flashcards...
1
Q

a rapidly fatal condition in which the walls of the aorta in the abdomen weaken and blood leaks into the layers of the vessel, causing it to bulge

A

abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)

2
Q

written documentation that specifies medical treatment for a competent patient should the patient become

A

advance directive

3
Q

an abnormal enlargement of a part of an artery, resulting from weakening of the arterial wall

A

aneurysm

4
Q

a disease that causes the arteries to thicken, harden, and calcify

A

arteriosclerosis

5
Q

fluid in the abdomen

A

ascites

6
Q

an accumulation of fat and cholesterol in the arteries

A

atherosclerosis

7
Q

clouding of the lens of the eye or its surrounding transparent membranes

A

cataracts

8
Q

sores caused by the pressure of skin against a surface for long periods; can range from a pink discoloration of the skin to a deep wound that may invade into bone or organs; also known as bedsores

A

decubitus ulcers

9
Q

the formation of a blood clot within the larger veins of an extremity, typically following a period of prolonged immobilization

A

deep vein thrombosis

10
Q

a sudden change in mental status marked by the inability to focus, think logically, and maintain attention; this condition is generally acute and reversible

A

delirium

11
Q

the slow onset of progressive disorientation, shortened attention span, and loss of cognitive function; this condition is generally chronic and irreversible

A

dementia

12
Q

shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

A

dypsnea

13
Q

any action on the part of an older person’s family member, caregiver, or other associated person that takes advantage of the older person’s person, property, or emotional state

A

elder abuse

14
Q

the assessment and treatment of disease in someone who is 65 years or older

A

geriatrics

15
Q

the coughing u of blood

A

hemoptysis

16
Q

a visual bulging of the jugular veins in the neck that can be caused by fluid overload, pressure in the chest, cardiac tamponade, or tension penumothorax

A

jugular vein distention

17
Q

a forward curling of the back caused by an abnormal increase in the curvature of the spine

A

kyphosis

18
Q

black, foul-smelling, tarry stool containing digested blood

A

melena

19
Q

a bacterium that a causes infections in different parts of the body and is often resistant to commonly used antibiotics; can be found on the skin and in surgical wounds, the blood stream, lungs, and urinary tract

A

methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

20
Q

a group of conditions in which the nerves leaving the spinal cord are damaged, resulting in distortion of signals to or from the brain

A

neuropathy

21
Q

a generalized bone disease, commonly associated with postmenopausal women, in which there is a reduction in the amount of bone mass leading to fractures after minimal trauma in either sex

A

osteoporosis

22
Q

an abrasion of the stomach or small intestine

A

peptic ulcer disease

23
Q

an inflammation of the lung from a bacterial, viral, or fungal cause

A

pneumonia

24
Q

the use of multiple medications on a regular basis

A

polypharmacy

25
Q

an age-related condition of the ear that produces progressive bilateral hearing loss that is most noted at higher frequencies

A

presbycusis

26
Q

a condition that causes a sudden blockage of the pulmonary artery by a venous clot

A

pulmonary embolism

27
Q

a highly contagious virus that causes an infection of the upper and lower respiratory system

A

respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

28
Q

a fainting spell or transient loss of consciousness, often caused by an interruption of blood flow to the brain

A

syncope

29
Q

a bacterial infection that affects the urinary tract

A

urinary tract infection (UTI)

30
Q

a bacterium that is normally present in the human intestines and the female reproductive tract, but which can cause infection and which is resistant to the antibiotic vancomycin

A

vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE)