General approach to EM geriatrics: Difference between revisions
(references) |
|||
| Line 12: | Line 12: | ||
*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 | ||
Revision as of 00:30, 26 January 2013
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 SOB 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 d/c 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
Source
ACEP Geriatric Video Series