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39 terms

Gerontology Test

One to Three Months
In this time before death, the patient may gradually spend more time sleeping during the day. May withdraw. Okay for patient not to eat or drink.
One to Two Weeks
In this time before death, the patient make demonstrate increased confusion and may not open his/her eyes. Also, restless behavior may be noted. They might communicate with loved ones who have previously passed away; beginning transition.
One to two days-hours
In this time before death, the patient may display a surge of energy. It may seem like they are better. They may eat.
heart size
this condition, related to the cardiovascular system remains unchanged in the abscence of pathology.
tooth loss
this process in a part of the GI system is not a normal part of aging.
this process of the GU system is not a normal part of aging.
in this type of pain, often times the vital signs will be normal because the pt has gotten used to it
propoxyphene, meperidine, methadone, pentazocine
these 4 medications are contraindicated in older adults
arachidonic acid
people with inflammatory conditions such as arthritis should eliminate this which can be found in food such as animal products, high fat dairy, and egg yolks.
this is the most commonly used medication with older adults. does not have ANY anti-inflammatory benefits.
half life
due to a 40% increase in this older adults are more at risk for toxicity, overdose, etc.
mental dysfunction
this can be an early sign of problems with medications.
these antibiotics require close monitoring due to risk of hearing loss & renal failure.
tricyclic antidepressants
these type of antidperessants have side effects in older adults such as anticholingergic effects, orthostatic hypotension, and arrythmias.
this has to do with relationships & feelings. It is something which transcends ourselves and connects us to a higher power.
this involves human created structures, rituals, symbols, and rules for relating to a higher power.
faith, importance, community, address
what does FICA (the tool used to assess spirituality) stand for?
acute problem
this type of issue in an adult is a significant problem, sometimes a medical emergency, requiring an immediate attention.
this in the older adult can be manifested by cognitive changes, loss of appetite, or incidences of urinary incontinence.
this is a treatable mental illness tha can result in signifigant co-morbidities including fatality if not taken seriously.
giving these things IV is an ethical debate. Dying patients don't get hungry and there is a risk for aspiration.
this respiratory occurrence will increase anxiety. raising the head of the bed and giving o2 will help.
18 months
up until this point of time, grief is normal.
this type of grief is experienced when the loss can not be openly acknowledged or is not socially sanctioned.
this type of grief is experienced when a death is chronic, delayed, exaggerated, or masked.
a score over this number on the geriatric depression scale is considered suggestive of depression.
this is a reversible alteration in cognition. It has a rapid onset, and is usually due to acute conditions.
this is irreversible impairment in cognition due to disease/injury to the brain. slow onset.
this assessment is used to evaluate the possibilty of alzheimers disease.
this helps to identify potential problems for elderly people and helps provide information to do prevention.
Sleep disorders, problems with feeding, incontinence, confusion, evidence of falls, skin breakdown
this is what SPICES stands for
geriatric depression scale
this is an assessment tool used to look for depression in older adults. participants are asked questions about how they have felt over the last week.
confusion assessment method
this technique is used to look for delirium in patients.
this test involves asking the person to remember 3 words, have them draw the clock, and then remember the words.
Beers criteria
this is used to identify drugs which may be contraindicated in elderly pts.
B,B12,calcium, iron, and D
Due to atrophy of the intestines, these vitamins can be malabsorbed in the older adult.
increase in residual volume
this predisposes older adults to respiratory infections.
decline in the weight of the brain
this is a normal age-related change of the nervous system
what are the average normal body temperatures of older adults?