How do you treat geriatric patients?
Miller encourages trauma practitioners to consider the following key steps when treating geriatric trauma patients:Determine the mechanism of injury. ... Review all medications. ... Assess baseline health and functional status. ... Assess cognition. ... Conduct delirium screening. ... Check orthostatic vital signs.
What are the most common geriatric trauma considerations?
This leads to significant considerations that must be undertaken when taking care of the geriatric trauma patient.Nutrition. ... Integument/Musculoskeletal. ... Neurologic. ... Cardiovascular. ... Pulmonary. ... Gastrointestinal. ... Genitourinary. ... Hematologic.More items...•
When dealing with a geriatric patient is it best to?
Treating geriatric patients: 5 tips for EMTs and paramedicsExpect age-related changes. ... Pay extra attention to medications. ... Don't stop at the chief complaint. ... Be alert for elder abuse and depression. ... Have the courage to care. ... 11 videos to help providers prevent violence, escalation.More items...•
What are geriatric considerations?
These factors include mobility disorders, cognitive impairment, bowel habits, and fluid intake. Moreover, OAB often does not occur in isolation in the geriatric population.
What are some gerontology injuries?
Fractures in the geriatric population are associated to a high morbidity and mortality and diminished quality of life[29]. Forearm and hip fractures are the most common[10]. Elderly patients have a high mortality following a hip fracture.
What is the most common complication of trauma?
The most frequent complications were pneumonia (3.2%), higher brain dysfunction (2.0%), urinary tract infection (1.5%), and atelectasis (1.2%). The overall mortality rate was 3.7%, and the mortality rate among trauma patients without complications was only 2.8% (non-precedented deaths).
What is most important when caring for a geriatric trauma patient?
Monitoring — Particularly in older trauma patients, who may not manifest obvious signs of injury, close monitoring is essential. Monitoring should include serial examinations, including vital signs, mental status, and reassessment of any areas of concern.
What are the general principles of geriatric care?
The basic principle of geriatric care is mainly to help identify functional impairments in the elderly and to find ways to maximize their residual function.
What additional factors must you consider when caring for a geriatric patient?
In addition to disease-specific, evidence-based guidelines, clinicians should consider many factors, including: the interaction between treatments or interventions, the feasibility and complexity of the intervention, patients' preferences and goals for medical treatment and quality of life, their estimated prognosis, ...
What are the physiological changes in geriatric patients?
Physiological changes occur with aging in all organ systems. The cardiac output decreases, blood pressure increases and arteriosclerosis develops. The lungs show impaired gas exchange, a decrease in vital capacity and slower expiratory flow rates.
Which of the following is a geriatric syndrome?
According to a literature review, the five conditions most commonly considered geriatric syndromes are pressure ulcers, incontinence, falls, functional decline, and delirium.
What can I expect from a geriatric assessment?
A geriatric care assessment is a multi-disciplinary exercise that tests mental, physical, emotional, and psychological health, as well as assesses functionality, living conditions, socio-economic environment, social circles, family involvement, and everything else that goes into determining quality of life.