Chapter 33 and 34 – Flashcards
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General care for a patient with a tracheostomy tube includes all of the following, EXCEPT:
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removing the tube if the area around it appears to be infected.
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Because hearing-impaired patients typically have more difficulty hearing high-frequency sounds, it is important for you to
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lower the pitch of your voice
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A tube from the brain to the abdomen that drains excessive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is called a
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shunt
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Because a tracheostomy tube bypasses the nose and mouth
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secretions can build up in and around the tube
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A 13-year-old child is on a home ventilator. The parents called because the ventilator is malfunctioning. You should
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discontinue the ventilator and ventilate with a BVM device
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Common causes of depression in the elderly include all of the following, EXCEPT:
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an acute onset of dementia.
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A 73-year-old female experienced a syncopal episode while watching TV. She is now conscious, but is diaphoretic, tachycardic, and hypotensive. Your assessment reveals abdominal tenderness and a pulsating mass to the left of her umbilicus. You should be MOST suspicious for:
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an aortic aneurysm
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A productive cough, fever, and chills in an 80-year-old patient with a compromised immune system should make you MOST suspicious for:
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pneumonia
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An older patient with significant dehydration would MOST likely present with:
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dizziness or fainting upon standing.
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Causes of delirium in the older patient include all of the following, EXCEPT:
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Alzheimer disease.
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Common causes of syncope in older patients include all of the following, EXCEPT:
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vasoconstriction
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Fractures of the pelvis in older patients often occur as the result of a combination of:
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osteoporosis and low-energy trauma
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In contrast to delirium, dementia:
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is usually considered irreversible
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Poor maintenance of home, poor personal care, and dietary neglect are all possible indications of ____________ elder abuse.
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physical
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The EMT should suspect left-sided heart failure in the geriatric patient who presents with:
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tachypnea and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea.
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The stooped posture of some older people, which gives them a humpback appearance, is called:
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kyphosis
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You are dispatched to a residence for an 80-year-old female who fell. When you arrive, you find the patient conscious, lying in a recumbent position on the floor in her living room. In addition to providing the appropriate treatment, you should ask the patient if:
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she became dizzy or fainted before falling
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The purpose of the GEMS diamond is to:
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help EMS personnel remember what is different about elderly patients.
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An older woman with osteoporosis presents with pain and deformity to her left hip after she shifted her weight onto her other foot. She has MOST likely experienced a
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pathologic fracture
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In contrast to younger patients, older patients are more prone to a decrease in blood pressure upon standing because
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the baroreceptors have become less sensitive to blood pressure
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A 10% to 20% reduction in brain weight and volume would MOST likely increase an older person's risk for:
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head trauma
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Which of the following is the MOST common mechanism of injury in older patients?
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falls
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Because of the complexity of the older patient and the vagueness of his or her complaint, you should:
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attempt to differentiate between chronic and acute problems
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An abdominal aortic aneurysm:
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is often the result of hypertension and atherosclerosis.
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When transporting a stable older patient to the hospital, the MOST effective way to reduce his or her anxiety is to:
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transport him or her to a hospital that he or she is familiar with
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You are dispatched to a skilled nursing care facility for an 80-year-old female with abnormal behavior. The patient is clearly confused and asks you if you are her husband. As your partner administers oxygen to the patient, you should:
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determine the patient's baseline mental status
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Clouding of the lenses of the eyes is called:
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cataracts
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An elderly patient may understate or minimize the symptoms of his or her illness because:
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he or she fears hospitalization
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Which of the following is NOT a reason why the exact extent and prevalence of elder abuse is unknown?
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Human resource agencies fail to investigate
