Chapter 36 Geriatric Emergencies Terms

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)

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

Advance directive

Written documentation that specifies medical treatment for a competent patient should the patient becomes unable to make decisions; also called a living will or health care directive

Aneurysm

A swelling or enlargement of the walls of a blood vessel that results from weakening of the vessel wall

Ascites

An abnormal accumulation of excess fluid in the peritoneal cavity

Atherosclerosis

A disorder in which cholesterol and calcium build up inside the walls of the blood vessels, forming plaque, which eventually leads to a partial or complete blockage of blood flow

Cataracts

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

Decubitus ulcers

Sores caused by the pressure of skin against a surface for long periods; can range from a discoloration of the skin to a deep wound that may invade into bone or organs; also known as bedsores

Deep venous thrombosis

The formation of a blood clot within the larger veins of an extremity, typically following a period of prolonged immobilization

Delirium

A temporary change in mental status characterized by disorganized thoughts, inattention, memory loss, disorientation, striking changes in personality and affect, hallucinations, delusions, or a decreased level of consciousness

Dementia

The slow onset of progressive disorientation, shortened attention span, and loss of cognitive function, this condition is generally chronic and irreversible

Dyspnea

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Elder abuse

Any action on the part of an older person's family member, caregiver, or other associated person that takes advantage of the older person's person, property, or emotional state

Geriatric

The assessment and treatment of disease in someone who is age 65 years or older

Hemoptysis

The coughing up of blood

Jugular vein distention (JVD)

A visual bulging of the jugular veins in the neck that can be caused by fluid overload, pressure in the chest, cardiac tamponade, or tension pneumothorax

Kyphosis

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

Melena

Black, foul-smelling, tarry stool containing digested blood

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

A bacteria that causes infection in different parts of the body and is often resistant to commonly used antibiotics; can be found in the sin and in surgical wounds, the bloodstream, lungs, and urinary tract

Neuropathy

A group of conditions in which the nerves leaving the spinal cord and damaged, resulting in distortion of signals to or from the brain

Osteoporosis

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

Peptic ulcer disease

An abrasion of the stomach or small intestine

Pneumonia

An infectious disease of the lung that damages lung tissue

Polypharmacy

The use of multiple medications on a regular basis

Presbycusis

An age-related condition of the ear that produces progressive bilateral hearing loss that is most noted at higher frequencies

Pulmonary embolism

A blood clot that breaks off of a large vein that travels to the blood vessels of the lung, causing obstruction of blood flow

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

A virus that causes an infection of the lungs and breathing passages; can lead to other serious illness that affect the lungs or heart, such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia; it is highly contagious and spread through droplets

Syncope

A fainting spell or translate loss of consciousness

Urinary tract infection (UTI)

An infection, usually of the lower urinary tract (urethra and bladder), that occurs when normal flora bacteria enter the urethra and grow

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE)

A bacterium that is normally present in the human intestines and the female reproductive tract, but which can cause infection and which is resistant to the antibiotic vancomycin