NC chapter 45

geriatrics

sadness from loss; grieving

bereavement

an acute confessional state characterized by global impairment of thinking, perception, judgment and memory

delirium

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

dementia

the assessment and treatment of disease in someone 65 years or older

geriatrics

a tendency to constancy or stability in the body’s internal environment; processes that balance the supply and demand of the body’s needs

homeostasis

an organization that provides end of life care to patients with terminal illnesses and their families

hospice

a condition characterized by decreased bone density and increased susceptibility to fractures with little or no trauma

osteoporosis

the use of multiple medications

polypharmacy

progressive hearing loss, particularly in the high frequencies, along with lessened ability to discriminate between a particular sound and a background noise

presbycusis

a systematic survey of a patient’s symptoms according to the major organ systems

review of systems

an inflammatory disorder that affects the entire body and leads to degeneration and deformation of joints

rheumatoid arthritis

a pathological state usually in a febrile patient, resulting from the presence of invading microorganisms or their poisonous products in the bloodstream

sepsis

immobility and consolidation of a vertebral joint

spondylosis