Chapter 33: Geriatric Emergencies

Front 1

dementia

Back 1

The slow onset of progressive disorientation, shortened attention span, and loss of cognitive function.

Front 2

arteriosclerosis

Back 2

A disease that is characterized by hardening, thickening, and calcification of the arterial walls.

Front 3

atherosclerosis

Back 3

A disorder in which cholesterol and calcium build up inside the walls of blood vessels, eventually leading to partial or complete blockage of blood flow.

Front 4

elastin

Back 4

A protein found in elastic tissues such as skin and artery walls.

Front 5

collagen

Back 5

A protein that is the chief component of connective tissues and bones.

Front 6

compensated shock

Back 6

The early stage of shock, in which the body can still compensate for blood loss.

Front 7

The late stage of shock when blood pressure is falling.

Back 7

decompensated shock

Front 8

vasoconstriction

Back 8

Narrowing of a blood vessel.

Front 9

A change in mental status marked by the inability to focus, think logically, and maintain attention.

Back 9

delirium

Front 10

kyphosis

Back 10

A forward curling of the back caused by an abnormal increase in the curvature of the spine.

Front 11

aneurysm

Back 11

A swelling or enlargement of a part of an artery, resulting from weakening of the arterial wall.

Front 12

dyspnea

Back 12

Difficulty breathing.

Front 13

cataracts

Back 13

Clouding of the lens of the eye or its surrounding transparent membranes.

Front 14

elder abuse

Back 14

Any action on the part of an older person''s family member, caregiver, or other associated person that takes advantage of the older individual''s person, property, or emotional state; also called granny beating and parent battering.

Front 15

advance directives

Back 15

Written documentation that specifies medical treatment for a competent patient should the patient become unable to make decisions; also called living wills.

Front 16

hypoxia

Back 16

A dangerous condition in which the body tissues and cells do not have enough oxygen.

Front 17

vasodilation

Back 17

The widening of a blood vessel.

Front 18

abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)

Back 18

A condition in which the walls of the aorta in the abdomen weaken and blood leaks into the layers of the vessel, causing it to bulge.

Front 19

osteoporosis

Back 19

A generalized bone disease, commonly associated with postmenopausal women, in which there is a reduction in the amount of bone mass leading to fractures after minimal trauma in either sex.

Front 20

syncope

Back 20

Fainting spell or transient loss of consciousness.