Chapter 36 - Geriatric Emergencies
questions well answered (latest
update)
To minimize distractions and confusion when assessing an older patient, you should:
A. dismiss the family members from the room or area.
B. have only one EMT speak to the patient at a time.
C. elevate your voice and speak directly to the patient.
D. perform a physical exam and then talk to the patient. - correct answer ✔✔ B. have only one
EMT speak to the patient at a time.
Talking about an elderly patient in front of him or her to other members of the family:
A. often causes the patient to become paranoid and untrusting of your help.
B. may cause the patient to think that he or she has no say in making decisions.
C. will anger the patient and result in his or her refusal to accept care or transport.
D. is usually beneficial because the patient's cognitive skills are typically impaired. - correct
answer ✔✔ B. may cause the patient to think that he or she has no say in making decisions.
Sedentary behavior while healing from a hip fracture would MOST likely predispose the older
patient to:
A. pneumonia.
B. osteoporosis.
C. heart failure.
,D. ischemic stroke. - correct answer ✔✔ A. pneumonia.
The leading cause of death in the geriatric patient is:
A. hypertension.
B. altered mental status.
C. arthritis.
D. heart disease. - correct answer ✔✔ D. heart disease.
During the natural process of aging, the number of functional cilia in the respiratory system
decreases, resulting in:
A. a decreased ability to cough.
B. baseline respiratory distress.
C. an increased risk of COPD.
D. air-trapping within the alveoli. - correct answer ✔✔ A. a decreased ability to cough.
In contrast to younger patients, older patients are more prone to a decrease in blood pressure
(BP) upon standing because:
A. their red blood cells are destroyed at a faster than normal rate.
B. the aging process results in an overall increase in blood volume.
C. the body is less able to adapt the BP to rapid postural changes.
D. any change in position causes blood to be shunted to the brain. - correct answer ✔✔ C. the
body is less able to adapt the BP to rapid postural changes.
The EMT should suspect left-sided heart failure in the geriatric patient who presents with:
, A. fever and a cough that produces green sputum.
B. tachypnea and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea.
C. jugular venous distention and peripheral edema.
D. swelling of the lower extremities and weakness. - correct answer ✔✔ B. tachypnea and
paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea.
Clouding of the lenses of the eyes is called:
A. retinitis.
B. cataracts.
C. glaucoma.
D. conjunctivitis. - correct answer ✔✔ B. cataracts.
A 77-year-old female presents with an acute onset of altered mental status. Her son is present
and advises that she has a history of hypertension, atrial fibrillation, type 2 diabetes, and
glaucoma. He further advises that she takes numerous medications and that she is normally
alert. When you assess this patient, it is important to note that:
A. because of her age and medical history, you should suspect Alzheimer disease.
B. the patient is experiencing delirious behavior, which suggests a new health problem.
C. her mental status is likely the result of hypoglycemia and you should give her sugar.
D. dementia typically presents as an acute onset of deterioration of cognitive function. - correct
answer ✔✔ B. the patient is experiencing delirious behavior, which suggests a new health
problem.
An abdominal aortic aneurysm:
questions well answered (latest
update)
To minimize distractions and confusion when assessing an older patient, you should:
A. dismiss the family members from the room or area.
B. have only one EMT speak to the patient at a time.
C. elevate your voice and speak directly to the patient.
D. perform a physical exam and then talk to the patient. - correct answer ✔✔ B. have only one
EMT speak to the patient at a time.
Talking about an elderly patient in front of him or her to other members of the family:
A. often causes the patient to become paranoid and untrusting of your help.
B. may cause the patient to think that he or she has no say in making decisions.
C. will anger the patient and result in his or her refusal to accept care or transport.
D. is usually beneficial because the patient's cognitive skills are typically impaired. - correct
answer ✔✔ B. may cause the patient to think that he or she has no say in making decisions.
Sedentary behavior while healing from a hip fracture would MOST likely predispose the older
patient to:
A. pneumonia.
B. osteoporosis.
C. heart failure.
,D. ischemic stroke. - correct answer ✔✔ A. pneumonia.
The leading cause of death in the geriatric patient is:
A. hypertension.
B. altered mental status.
C. arthritis.
D. heart disease. - correct answer ✔✔ D. heart disease.
During the natural process of aging, the number of functional cilia in the respiratory system
decreases, resulting in:
A. a decreased ability to cough.
B. baseline respiratory distress.
C. an increased risk of COPD.
D. air-trapping within the alveoli. - correct answer ✔✔ A. a decreased ability to cough.
In contrast to younger patients, older patients are more prone to a decrease in blood pressure
(BP) upon standing because:
A. their red blood cells are destroyed at a faster than normal rate.
B. the aging process results in an overall increase in blood volume.
C. the body is less able to adapt the BP to rapid postural changes.
D. any change in position causes blood to be shunted to the brain. - correct answer ✔✔ C. the
body is less able to adapt the BP to rapid postural changes.
The EMT should suspect left-sided heart failure in the geriatric patient who presents with:
, A. fever and a cough that produces green sputum.
B. tachypnea and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea.
C. jugular venous distention and peripheral edema.
D. swelling of the lower extremities and weakness. - correct answer ✔✔ B. tachypnea and
paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea.
Clouding of the lenses of the eyes is called:
A. retinitis.
B. cataracts.
C. glaucoma.
D. conjunctivitis. - correct answer ✔✔ B. cataracts.
A 77-year-old female presents with an acute onset of altered mental status. Her son is present
and advises that she has a history of hypertension, atrial fibrillation, type 2 diabetes, and
glaucoma. He further advises that she takes numerous medications and that she is normally
alert. When you assess this patient, it is important to note that:
A. because of her age and medical history, you should suspect Alzheimer disease.
B. the patient is experiencing delirious behavior, which suggests a new health problem.
C. her mental status is likely the result of hypoglycemia and you should give her sugar.
D. dementia typically presents as an acute onset of deterioration of cognitive function. - correct
answer ✔✔ B. the patient is experiencing delirious behavior, which suggests a new health
problem.
An abdominal aortic aneurysm:
