Q&A| 2025/2026 |
A 75-year-old patient presents with difficulty breathing and swollen legs. You should consider:
Congestive heart failure or fluid overload as a potential cause.
Cognitive decline in elderly patients often leads to:
Difficulty with understanding instructions, making communication and assessment more
challenging.
When performing a physical exam on a geriatric patient, special attention should be given to:
Changes in skin integrity and possible signs of dehydration or malnutrition.
Elderly patients with diabetes may present with:
Non-specific symptoms of infections such as confusion or fatigue, rather than classic fever or
local signs of infection.
The "G" in the GEMS diamond model stands for geriatric patient and helps remind the AEMT
to:
Adjust assessment and care strategies to address age-related changes.
A 72-year-old male presents with dizziness and a history of falls. You should:
Consider possible age-related conditions such as orthostatic hypotension.
1
, The elderly are particularly prone to a decrease in the ability to detect:
Temperature extremes like hot or cold due to decreased sensation.
A 65-year-old female complains of shortness of breath and fatigue. She has a history of
hypertension and diabetes. Her vital signs are within normal limits. How should you proceed
with her care?
Focus on potential cardiovascular issues, such as congestive heart failure or angina.
Signs of elder abuse might include:
Unexplained bruising or injuries.
A 78-year-old patient complains of confusion and a headache after a fall. Why might these
symptoms indicate a more severe injury in an elderly person?
The brain's ability to compensate for injury is reduced with age, making symptoms of trauma
more subtle.
Due to slower gastrointestinal function in elderly patients, they are at increased risk for:
Constipation or bowel obstructions.
A 74-year-old male with a history of diabetes and hypertension presents with chest pain. He is
conscious, alert, and his vital signs are stable. Given his history, you should:
Be cautious of atypical symptoms of myocardial infarction.
2