Newest Geriatric Q & A Exam| Questions And Verified
Answers With Rationale| Graded A+
With age, the spine stiffens as a result of shrinkage of the intervertebral disc spaces,
and the vertebrae becomes brittle. This increases the risk of: - ANSWERcompression
fractures.
Many older victims of physical abuse may make false statements or lie about the
origin of their injuries because: - ANSWERthey fear retribution from the abuser.
You are assessing a 70-year-old female who complains of intense thirst, frequent
urination, and dizziness. She has a history of type 2 diabetes, heart disease,
rheumatoid arthritis, and gout. Her blood glucose reads "high." She is conscious, but
confused. Her blood pressure is 92/52 mm Hg, her pulse rate is 130 beats/min and
weak, and her respirations are 22 breaths/min and shallow. This patient's clinical
presentation is MOST consistent with: - ANSWERhyperosmolar hyperglycemic
nonketotic coma (HHNC).
A 75-year-old woman complains of shortness of breath. Which of the following
findings should alert the EMT to the possibility of a pulmonary embolism? -
ANSWERHistory of deep venous thrombosis
When assessing a geriatric patient who has possibly experienced an acute ischemic
stroke, it is MOST important to: - ANSWERdetermine the onset of the patient's
symptoms.
Poor maintenance of home, poor personal care, and dietary neglect are all possible
indicators of ___ elder abuse. - ANSWERphysical
To minimize distractions and confusion when assessing an older patient, you should:
- ANSWERhave only one EMT speak to the patient at a time.
Fractures of the pelvis in older patients often occur as the result of a combination of:
- ANSWERosteoporosis and low-energy trauma.
When caring for an elderly patient who is hearing-impaired, you should: -
ANSWERrecall that elderly patients have difficulty hearing high-frequency sounds.
Patients who have experienced even minor-appearing head injuries should be
suspected of having a brain injury, especially if they: - ANSWERare taking blood-
thinning medications.
During the natural process of aging, the number of functional cilia in the respiratory
system decreases, resulting in: - ANSWERa decreased ability to cough
, 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: - ANSWERthe patient is experiencing delirious behavior, which suggests a new
health problem.
When documenting a case of suspected elder abuse, it is MOST important for the
EMT to: - ANSWERavoid documenting any unsupported opinions.
Which of the following observations or statements represents the "E" in the GEMS
diamond? - ANSWERThe patient's residence is cold due to a malfunctioning heater.
Fainting - ANSWERSyncope
Clouding of the lens of the eye - ANSWERCataract
Abnormal blood-filled dilation of a blood vessel - ANSWERAneurysm
Difficulty breathing - ANSWERDyspnea
Sudden change in mental status, consciousness, or cognitive processes -
ANSWERDelirium
Slow onset of progressive disorientation - ANSWERDementia
Forward curling of the spine - ANSWERKyphosis
The stooped posture of some older people, which gives them a humpback
appearance, is called: - ANSWERkyphosis.
Common causes of syncope in older patients include all of the following, EXCEPT: -
ANSWERvasoconstriction.
Which of the following is the MOST common mechanism of injury in older patients? -
ANSWERFalls
When faced with a situation in which an older patient with a terminal illness is in
cardiac arrest, but written documentation regarding the patient's wishes cannot be
located, the EMT should: - ANSWERattempt to resuscitate the patient.
An elderly patient may understate or minimize the symptoms of his or her illness
because: - ANSWERhe or she fears hospitalization.
A "silent" heart attack occurs when: - ANSWERthe usual chest pain is not present.
Answers With Rationale| Graded A+
With age, the spine stiffens as a result of shrinkage of the intervertebral disc spaces,
and the vertebrae becomes brittle. This increases the risk of: - ANSWERcompression
fractures.
Many older victims of physical abuse may make false statements or lie about the
origin of their injuries because: - ANSWERthey fear retribution from the abuser.
You are assessing a 70-year-old female who complains of intense thirst, frequent
urination, and dizziness. She has a history of type 2 diabetes, heart disease,
rheumatoid arthritis, and gout. Her blood glucose reads "high." She is conscious, but
confused. Her blood pressure is 92/52 mm Hg, her pulse rate is 130 beats/min and
weak, and her respirations are 22 breaths/min and shallow. This patient's clinical
presentation is MOST consistent with: - ANSWERhyperosmolar hyperglycemic
nonketotic coma (HHNC).
A 75-year-old woman complains of shortness of breath. Which of the following
findings should alert the EMT to the possibility of a pulmonary embolism? -
ANSWERHistory of deep venous thrombosis
When assessing a geriatric patient who has possibly experienced an acute ischemic
stroke, it is MOST important to: - ANSWERdetermine the onset of the patient's
symptoms.
Poor maintenance of home, poor personal care, and dietary neglect are all possible
indicators of ___ elder abuse. - ANSWERphysical
To minimize distractions and confusion when assessing an older patient, you should:
- ANSWERhave only one EMT speak to the patient at a time.
Fractures of the pelvis in older patients often occur as the result of a combination of:
- ANSWERosteoporosis and low-energy trauma.
When caring for an elderly patient who is hearing-impaired, you should: -
ANSWERrecall that elderly patients have difficulty hearing high-frequency sounds.
Patients who have experienced even minor-appearing head injuries should be
suspected of having a brain injury, especially if they: - ANSWERare taking blood-
thinning medications.
During the natural process of aging, the number of functional cilia in the respiratory
system decreases, resulting in: - ANSWERa decreased ability to cough
, 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: - ANSWERthe patient is experiencing delirious behavior, which suggests a new
health problem.
When documenting a case of suspected elder abuse, it is MOST important for the
EMT to: - ANSWERavoid documenting any unsupported opinions.
Which of the following observations or statements represents the "E" in the GEMS
diamond? - ANSWERThe patient's residence is cold due to a malfunctioning heater.
Fainting - ANSWERSyncope
Clouding of the lens of the eye - ANSWERCataract
Abnormal blood-filled dilation of a blood vessel - ANSWERAneurysm
Difficulty breathing - ANSWERDyspnea
Sudden change in mental status, consciousness, or cognitive processes -
ANSWERDelirium
Slow onset of progressive disorientation - ANSWERDementia
Forward curling of the spine - ANSWERKyphosis
The stooped posture of some older people, which gives them a humpback
appearance, is called: - ANSWERkyphosis.
Common causes of syncope in older patients include all of the following, EXCEPT: -
ANSWERvasoconstriction.
Which of the following is the MOST common mechanism of injury in older patients? -
ANSWERFalls
When faced with a situation in which an older patient with a terminal illness is in
cardiac arrest, but written documentation regarding the patient's wishes cannot be
located, the EMT should: - ANSWERattempt to resuscitate the patient.
An elderly patient may understate or minimize the symptoms of his or her illness
because: - ANSWERhe or she fears hospitalization.
A "silent" heart attack occurs when: - ANSWERthe usual chest pain is not present.
