Geriatric Emergencies Exam with
Questions and Correct Answers
major changes in renal system - ✔✔reduction in renal function, decreased bladder capacity,
decline in sphincter muscle control, decline in voiding sense, increase in nocturnal voiding, in males -
benign prostatic hypertrophy
abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) tends to develop in people with a history of... -
✔✔hypertension and atherosclerosis
S/S AAA - ✔✔abdominal pain radiating through to the back, late stage = pulsating mass
diminished or absent pulses in extremities
changes in endocrine system - ✔✔decreased metabolism
changes in musculoskeletal system - ✔✔muscles atrophy, ligaments and cartilage lose
elasticity, kyphosis, compression of spinal column, osteoporosis
osteoarthritis - ✔✔progressive disease of joints that destroys cartilage, promotes formation of
bone spurs and joint stiffness
changes in skin - ✔✔elasticity of skin declines, bruising and tears more easily, exocrine glands do
not respond to heat
stage 1 of decubitis ulcers - ✔✔nonblanching redness with damage under skin
stage 2 of decubitis ulcers - ✔✔blister or ulcer that can affect dermis and epidermis
, stage 3 of decubitis ulcers - ✔✔invasion of the fat layer through to fascia
stage 4 of decubitis ulcers - ✔✔invasion to muscle or bone
GEMS diamond - ✔✔Geriatric, Environmental assessment, Medical assessment, Social assessment
MRSA - ✔✔common infection in nursing homes
MRSA precautions - ✔✔wash before and after every patient, quickly dispose of or
disinfect equipment, PPE
C diff - ✔✔bacteria responsible for most common cause of hospital-acquired infectious diarrhea
advance directives - ✔✔legal papers that describe what kind of medical treatment may be given
to patients who cannot speak for themselves, i.e.DNR, health care POA,
caregiver signs of elder abuse - ✔✔caregiver apathy, caregiver defensiveness, caregiver does
not allow patient to answer questions, unbelievable or inconsistent explanations of injuries
patient signs of elder abuse - ✔✔soft-tissue injuries, Hx of accident prone, self destructive
behavior, eating/sleeping disorders, depression
categories of elder abuse - ✔✔physical, psychological, financial
major changes in respiratory system - ✔✔weakening of airway musculature, enlarged alveoli with
decreased elasticity, chemoreceptors slow down, decreased cough and gag reflex, decrease in # of cilia
lining bronchi
leading cause of death in americans > 65 - ✔✔pneumonia
Questions and Correct Answers
major changes in renal system - ✔✔reduction in renal function, decreased bladder capacity,
decline in sphincter muscle control, decline in voiding sense, increase in nocturnal voiding, in males -
benign prostatic hypertrophy
abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) tends to develop in people with a history of... -
✔✔hypertension and atherosclerosis
S/S AAA - ✔✔abdominal pain radiating through to the back, late stage = pulsating mass
diminished or absent pulses in extremities
changes in endocrine system - ✔✔decreased metabolism
changes in musculoskeletal system - ✔✔muscles atrophy, ligaments and cartilage lose
elasticity, kyphosis, compression of spinal column, osteoporosis
osteoarthritis - ✔✔progressive disease of joints that destroys cartilage, promotes formation of
bone spurs and joint stiffness
changes in skin - ✔✔elasticity of skin declines, bruising and tears more easily, exocrine glands do
not respond to heat
stage 1 of decubitis ulcers - ✔✔nonblanching redness with damage under skin
stage 2 of decubitis ulcers - ✔✔blister or ulcer that can affect dermis and epidermis
, stage 3 of decubitis ulcers - ✔✔invasion of the fat layer through to fascia
stage 4 of decubitis ulcers - ✔✔invasion to muscle or bone
GEMS diamond - ✔✔Geriatric, Environmental assessment, Medical assessment, Social assessment
MRSA - ✔✔common infection in nursing homes
MRSA precautions - ✔✔wash before and after every patient, quickly dispose of or
disinfect equipment, PPE
C diff - ✔✔bacteria responsible for most common cause of hospital-acquired infectious diarrhea
advance directives - ✔✔legal papers that describe what kind of medical treatment may be given
to patients who cannot speak for themselves, i.e.DNR, health care POA,
caregiver signs of elder abuse - ✔✔caregiver apathy, caregiver defensiveness, caregiver does
not allow patient to answer questions, unbelievable or inconsistent explanations of injuries
patient signs of elder abuse - ✔✔soft-tissue injuries, Hx of accident prone, self destructive
behavior, eating/sleeping disorders, depression
categories of elder abuse - ✔✔physical, psychological, financial
major changes in respiratory system - ✔✔weakening of airway musculature, enlarged alveoli with
decreased elasticity, chemoreceptors slow down, decreased cough and gag reflex, decrease in # of cilia
lining bronchi
leading cause of death in americans > 65 - ✔✔pneumonia
