Geriatrics

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1. Identify how each of the following may serve as a risk factor for development of acute illness or complication of chronic disease in the elderly.

A. Concomitant illness.
B. Economic status.
C. Social isolation.
D. Commercial advertising.
E. Family stress.
F. Nursing home placement.
G. Multiple physicians with no coordination of care.

2. Identify common reasons why elderly patients delay or fail to seek medical help when ill.

3. Contrast the clinical signs and symptoms of the following illnesses as they commonly present in a middle-aged adult and in the geriatric patient.

A. Ischemic heart disease.
B. Uncontrolled diabetes.
C. Systemic infection.
D. Traumatic fracture.
E. Hyperthyroidism.

4. Identify at least five etiologies of reversible dementia in the elderly.

5. Outline the essentials of the work-up and the purpose of specific laboratory ordered in evaluation of the confused elderly patient.

6. List and describe the components of functional assessment employed in evaluation of the elderly.

Sources:

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