Geriatric Nursing Review Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards to help review key concepts in geriatric nursing.

Age-Related Physiological Changes

Normal changes that occur with aging, including decreased body water, increased body fat, decreased hepatic blood flow, decreased serum albumin, and decline in renal function.

Sarcopenia

The natural loss of muscle mass that starts after age 40.

Delirium

An acute confused state, requires immediate evaluation and treatment, common in hospitalized older adults.

Primary Prevention

Aims to prevent a disease or injury from ever occurring, such as immunization and promoting healthy lifestyles.

Secondary Prevention

Aims to detect a disease early and prevent it from getting worse, such as screening for depression and cognitive impairment.

Tertiary Prevention

Aims to improve quality of life and reduce symptoms or disability in people who already have a disease, such as self-management techniques for chronic conditions.

SIG E CAPS

Mnemonic for depression criteria: Sleep, Interest, Guilt, Energy, Concentration, Appetite, Psychomotor, Suicide.

SSRIs

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; first-line medication for treating depression in older adults.

Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)

Older class of antidepressants with strong anticholinergic effects, considered inappropriate for older adults due to high risk of adverse effects, listed on the Beers List.

Advanced Directives

Legal documents that guide healthcare decisions if a patient becomes incapacitated.

Living Will

A document outlining what the patient does or does not want if they are incapacitated and cannot make decisions.

Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare (DPOA-HC)

Names a designated person to make healthcare decisions on behalf of the patient if they become incapacitated.

Delirium

Acute, confused state that begins with disorientation, a common temporary problem in older adults.

MMSE (Mini-Mental State Exam)

Tool used to screen for cognitive impairment such as dementia or delirium.

DEATH

Mnemonic for basic ADLs: Dressing, Eating, Ambulating, Toileting, Hygiene.

SHAFT

Mnemonic for IADLs: Shopping, Housework, Accounting, Food Preparation, Transportation.

SPICES

Assessment tool for older adults: Sleep disturbances, Problems with eating, Incontinence, Confusion, Evidence of falls, Skin breakdown.

Hypoxemia

Low oxygen levels in the blood. Best way by PaO2.

ARDS

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Finding confirms the diagnosis of ARDS is a low arterial O₂ when administering high concentrations of O₂.

Mantoux Test

Diagnostic test for tuberculosis (TB). A positive result is an induration.

PICC (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter)

PICC lines are used for long-term therapy. Tip of the PICC catheter is positioned near the heart

Curos Caps

Mandatory alcohol-impregnated swab caps (green) are used on central lines, including PICCs, to maintain sterility and reduce the risk of CLABSI.

Isotonic Solutions

Have an osmolality close to that of the extracellular fluid. Examples include Normal Saline (0.9% NaCl), 5% dextrose in water (D5W), and Lactated Ringers

Hypotonic Solutions

Exert less osmotic pressure than ECF. Examples include 0.45% NaCl (Half Normal Saline), 2.5% dextrose and water, and sterile water.

Hypertonic Solutions

Osmotic pressure is greater than that of the ECF. Examples include 3% NaCl, 5% dextrose in 0.45% NaCl, 5% dextrose in 0.9% NaCl, 5% dextrose in Ringers, and 5% dextrose in lactated Ringers.

Phlebitis

Inflammation of a vein. Symptoms redness at the site and the patient reports discomfort or pain.

Infiltration

Fluid leaking into the subcutaneous tissue around the IV site. Symptoms: Slowed infusion rate and Swelling/edema at the site.

PRBCs (Packed Red Blood Cells)

Most common blood product type is given when RBC, HGB, and HCT are low. Nurse stay at bedside 15 mins during giving blood

End-of-Life Symptoms

decrease in food/fluid intake, weakness, decreased renal function, and pain. Signs of nearing death

Age-Related Physiological Changes

Normal changes that occur with aging, including decreased body water, increased body fat, decreased hepatic blood flow, decreased serum albumin, and decline in renal function.

Secondary Prevention

Aims to detect a disease early and prevent it from getting worse, such as screening for depression and cognitive impairment.

Tertiary Prevention

Aims to improve quality of life and reduce symptoms or disability in people who already have a disease, such as self-management techniques for chronic conditions.

SIG E CAPS

Mnemonic for depression criteria: Sleep, Interest, Guilt, Energy, Concentration, Appetite, Psychomotor, Suicide.

SSRIs

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; first-line medication for treating depression in older adults.

Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)

Older class of antidepressants with strong anticholinergic effects, considered inappropriate for older adults due to high risk of adverse effects, listed on the Beers List.

Living Will

A document outlining what the patient does or does not want if they are incapacitated and cannot make decisions.

Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare (DPOA-HC)

Names a designated person to make healthcare decisions on behalf of the patient if they become incapacitated.

Assisted Living

Residents typically live independently but receive assistance with activities such as medication administration or housekeeping.

Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) / Long-Term Care (LTC)

Facilities that provide more intensive medical and nursing care.

Transitional Care Unit (TCU)

Used for patients who are not ready to return home after hospitalization, providing intensive rehabilitation.

Polypharmacy

Using more than five medications, increasing the risk of adverse drug reactions and drug interactions in older adults.

Medication Reconciliation

Performed every time a patient moves between care settings, ensuring medications and doses are appropriate.

Delirium

Acute, confused state that begins with disorientation, a common temporary problem in older adults.

PRBCs (Packed Red Blood Cells)

Most common blood product type is given when RBC, HGB, and HCT are low. Nurse stay at bedside 15 mins during giving blood

Kubler-Ross Stages of Grief

linear; Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance.

DNR Comfort Care (DNR-CC)

doctor's order that means care is focused on comfort all the time.

Palliative Care

focuses on comfort and supportive treatments. Patients can continue treatments for their illness.

Hospice Care

terminal diagnosis and a prognosis of 6 months or less. shift care from cure to comfort.