General approach to EM geriatrics: Difference between revisions
(new note) |
|||
| (11 intermediate revisions by 4 users not shown) | |||
| Line 4: | Line 4: | ||
4 Basic Assessments. | 4 Basic Assessments. | ||
*Medical | |||
Cognitive | *Cognitive | ||
Functional | *Functional | ||
Social | *Social | ||
== | ==Medical== | ||
*Common acute illness presents atypically - generalize weakness = MI or Hyponatremia | *Common acute illness presents atypically - generalize weakness = MI or Hyponatremia | ||
*Vital signs often normal in illness | *Vital signs often normal in illness | ||
**beta blocked, lack temperature | |||
*Labratory studies often nornmal | *Labratory studies often nornmal | ||
**no leukocytosis | |||
*Often consider polypharmacy | *Often consider polypharmacy | ||
| Line 22: | Line 24: | ||
==Functional== | ==Functional== | ||
*Up to 3/4 of older patients present with chief complaint of functional decline | *Up to 3/4 of older patients present with chief complaint of functional decline | ||
**ask about | **ask about shortness of breath during episodes | ||
*Basic ADLs | *Basic ADLs | ||
**walking, transferring, dressing, toileting | **walking, transferring, dressing, toileting | ||
| Line 28: | Line 30: | ||
*Instumental ADLs | *Instumental ADLs | ||
**finances, taking medications, meal prep, driving | **finances, taking medications, meal prep, driving | ||
*Patients must be able to transfer and ambulate at a minimum to consider | *Patients must be able to transfer and ambulate at a minimum to consider discharge by self | ||
==Social== | ==Social== | ||
| Line 38: | Line 40: | ||
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
*[[Geriatrics (main)]] | |||
== | ==References== | ||
<references/> | |||
ACEP Geriatric Video Series | |||
[[Category:Misc/General]] | |||
Latest revision as of 19:40, 2 July 2025
Background
Generalized Approach to the Geriatric patient.
4 Basic Assessments.
- Medical
- Cognitive
- Functional
- Social
Medical
- Common acute illness presents atypically - generalize weakness = MI or Hyponatremia
- Vital signs often normal in illness
- beta blocked, lack temperature
- Labratory studies often nornmal
- no leukocytosis
- Often consider polypharmacy
Cognitive
- assess memory and orientation; compare to baseline
- evaluate for deliruim
- important for assessing reliability of history and remembering dispo instructions
Functional
- Up to 3/4 of older patients present with chief complaint of functional decline
- ask about shortness of breath during episodes
- Basic ADLs
- walking, transferring, dressing, toileting
- get up and go test:ability to rise, ambulate 10 ft, turn around, and sit back down
- Instumental ADLs
- finances, taking medications, meal prep, driving
- Patients must be able to transfer and ambulate at a minimum to consider discharge by self
Social
- Supports
- who live with, family in town, anyone helps out?
- Living environment
- steps, hallways wide enough for walker, how far bathroom/kitchen from bedroom
See Also
References
ACEP Geriatric Video Series