Geriatric Anatomy & Physiology
As a geriatric patient ages, this structure becomes increasingly stiff, limiting chest expansion in the pulmonary system.
What is the thoracic cage? (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2021)
This acronym will help providers in the prehospital setting recall key assessment themes when caring for geriatric patients.
What is the GEMS diamond? (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2021)
This geriatric emergency is characterized by having expiratory wheezes, shortness of breath, and a prescription to corticosteroids.
What is asthma? (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2021)
When giving medications to geriatrics, you should do what with medication dosages.
What is consider reducing the dose given? (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2021)
Once a patient has reached the age of 65 years, they are considered a part of this population.
What is geriatric? (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2021)
This cardiac condition occurs when the aortic valve thickens due to fibrosis and calcification.
What is aortic sclerosis? (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2021)
When performing a physical exam, it is important to remove clothing only as necessary and keep a geriatric patient warm as these patients are more susceptible to this condition.
What is hypothermia? (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2021)
This geriatric emergency is characterized by a tearing chest pain, sustained hypertension, and differing blood pressures of 15 mmHg on each arm.
What is Aortic Dissection? (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2021)
This term, indicates the use of multiple medications, and is commonly encountered in the geriatric population.
What is polypharmacy? (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2021)
What is a patient with hearing loss? (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2021)
As a geriatric patient ages, like other muscles in the body, the rectal sphincter muscles weaken, leading to this common paramedic finding of unintentional bowel release.
What is fecal incontinence? (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2021)
What is the term for multiple chronic conditions that may make the assessment of a geriatric patient more challenging?
What are comorbidities? (Ellis, Marshall, & Ritchie, 2014)
This geriatric emergency is characterized by agitation, irritability, delusions, and hallucinations.
What is Dementia with Lewy Bodies. (Schwertner et al., 2022)
You should look for/ask for these documents when treating geriatric patients.
What are goals of care? (Palliative and End of Life Care Team (AHS), 2025)
Social isolation can increase the chance of developing this disease by 60%.
What is dementia? (Alzheimer's Society, 2023), (National Institute on Aging, 2024)
Geriatric patients get shorter as they age due to compression fractures of the vertebrae and this condition related to the spine.
What is narrowing of the intervertebral discs? (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2021)
These changes in blood pressure are associated with increased frailty and may indicate hypovolemia or overmedication.
What are postural changes? (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2021)
This geriatric emergency is characterized by tachypnea, tachycardia, Kussmaul breathing, and hypotension.
What is Diabetic Ketoacidosis? (Lizzo et al., 2025)
Due to their reduced ability to thermal regulate and their overall reduced cold awareness, the geriatric population is more susceptible to what condition?
What is urban hypothermia OR accidental hypothermia? (Vieweg, 2018)
What are geriatrics? (Borsheski & Johnson, 2014), (McLean, n.d.)
In geriatric patients, the skin may bruise more easily and appear wrinkled due to the thinning of which layer of skin?
What is the subcutaneous fat layer? (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2021)
This condition may be mistaken for a chronic cognitive impairment leading to it being under recognized in both pre-hospital and hospital settings.
What is delirium? (Ellis, Marshall, & Ritchie, 2014)
This geriatric emergency is characterized by altered LOC, aphasia, slurring of words, and facial droop.
What is a stroke? (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2021)
This common infection in geriatric patients can present as delirium or confusion.
What is a urinary tract infection? (Rodriguez-Mañas, 2020)
This is the number one cause for geriatric patients requiring emergency care or hospitalization.
What are falls? (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2021)