WITH QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS WITH 100%
CORRECT ANSWERS | GRADED A+
In the elderly population, what is decreased physiological
reserve? - ANSWER-aging is characterized by impaired adaptive
and homeostatic mechanisms that caused an increased
susceptibility to the stress of injury. Insults tolerated by the
younger population can lead to devastating results in elderly
patients.
Pre-existing conditions that affect morbidity and mortality
include: - ANSWER-cirrhosis, coagulopathy, COPD, ischemic
heart disease, DM
,True or false? Although the mechanism of injury may be similar
to those for the younger population, data shows increased
mortality with similar severity of injury in older adults. -
ANSWER-True
What is the most common mechanism of injury in the elderly? -
ANSWER-Fall. Nonfatal falls are common in women and
fractures are common in women who fall. Falls are the most
common cause of TBI.
In the elderly population, what are risk factors for falls? -
ANSWER-advanced age, physical impairment, history of previous
fall, medication use, dementia, unsteady gait, and visual,
cognitive impairment
Most of elderly traffic fatalities occur in the daytime and on
weekends and typically involve other vehicles. Why? -
ANSWEROlder people drive on more familiar roads and at lower
speeds and tend to drive during the day. Older people have
slower reaction time, a larger blind spot, limited cervical mobility,
decreased hearing, and cognitive impairment.
True or False? Mortality associated with small to moderate sized
burns in older adults remains high - ANSWER-True
,Spilled hot liquids on the leg, which in younger patients may
reepithelialize due to an adequate number of hair follicles, will
result in a full thickness burn in older patients. - ANSWER-this is
true
Airway-patients may have dentures that may loosen or obstruct
the airway. If dentures are not obstructing the airway, leave them
in place for what? - ANSWER-bag mask ventilation, as it
improves mask fitting.
When preforming rapid sequence intubation, the dose of benzos,
barbiturates, and other sedatives should be reduced to what
percentage to minimize the risk of cardiovascular depression? -
ANSWER-20-40%
Functional changes in cardiac system include declining function,
decreased sensitivity to catecholamines, atherosclerosis of
coronary vessels, increased afterload, fixed heart rate (beta
blockers) - ANSWER-this results in lack of classic response to
hypovolemia, risk for cardiac ischemia, elevated BP at baseline,
and increased risk of dysrythmias.
Functional changes in pulmonary system include decreased
elastic recoil, reduced residual capacity, decreased gas exchange
and decreased cough reflex - ANSWER-thus they are at
increased risk for respiratory failure, increased risk for
pneumonia, and poor tolerance to rib fractures
, Functional changes in renal system include loss of renal mass,
decreased GFR, and decreased sensitivity to ADH and
aldosterone - ANSWER-resulting in drug dosing for renal
insufficiency, decreased ability to concentrate urine, increased
risk for AKI and urine flow may be normal with hypovolemia
Functional changes to MSK include loss of lean body mass,
osteoporosis, changes in joints and cartilage, c spine
degenerative changes and loss of skin elastin and subcutaneous
fat - ANSWER-resulting in increased risk for fractures,
decreased mobility, difficulty for oral intubation, risk of skin
injury, increased risk for hypothermia, challenges in rehabiliation
Functional changes in Endocrine system include decreased
production and response to thyroxin and decreased
dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) - ANSWER-resulting in occult
hypothyroidism, relative hypercortisone states and increased
risk of infection
True or false: Arthritis can complicate the airway and cervical
spine. Patients can have multilevel degenerative changes
affecting disk spaces and posterior elements associated with
severe central canal stenosis, cord compression, and
myelomalacia - ANSWER-true
In elderly population, due to their changes in pulmonary system,
placing a gauze between gums and cheek to achieve seal when