NREMT Advanced EMT

Category - Medical Knowledge

When treating geriatric patients, there are several changes that occur with aging that may affect your treatment of older patients. All of the following are common changes that occur with age and the related consequences you may see as a paramedic except one. Which of the following is not a change correlated with age?
  1. Loss of bone strength - more frequent fractures
  2. Diminished immune response - more susceptible to infection
  3. Loss of strength and coordination of respiratory muscles - more frequent respiratory distress and failure
  4. Increased digestive function - diarrhea and upset stomach more common
  5. Artery hardening and loss of elasticity - high blood pressure more common
Explanation
Answer - D - Although most of the choices above are true of geriatric patients, an increase in digestive function is not typical of geriatric patients. In fact, just the opposite is true. This can lead to higher frequency of constipation or malnutrition among the elderly. The other characteristics that correlate with aging lead to higher frequency of infection, fractures, and heart disease.
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