Monday, July 18, 2011

Tips for examining an elderly patient

12 comments:

  1. ::laughs:: Oh the elderly. I plan on staying young forever. Just sayin'.

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  2. It is funny because it is true. The other tip is to always check the notes, in addition to asking the history:
    ME: Any history of heart problems or have you ever had a heart attack? Even if it has been treated or gotten better?
    Pt: Ah, I had this chest pain once, and went to a hospital, but I'm fine, no, no issues.
    Notes: CABGx3, PPM, multiple stents.

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  3. My personal favourite elderly encounter was of a woman who vehemently denied ever having surgery - upon review of her scars and hospital chart, I identified at least eight, including a mastectomy. I had thought at least that one would be memorable.

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  4. Oh my GAWD that was hilarious! Onion on my belt! You are simply too funny.

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  5. Lol. So true! I love working with seniors, they say the most random things. One thing, this elderly lady said "the city should fit the roads *pause* because it rearranges my brain". Lol. She's referring to driving over pot holes.

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  6. Hilarious, as usual. You must be a Simpsons fan, eh?

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  7. Linda: Oh yes. If I were earning money off this site, I'd have to pay Matt Groening royalties.

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  8. I just happen to love Abe's rants. Plus my husband has FORCED me to commit every episode to memory.

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  9. Despite the fact that my husband and I agree there hasn't been a good episode since season 9, we still quote Simpsons to each other on pretty much a daily basis.

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  10. This is so my life. It's a good one (man, do I dig the old folks), tho' at times the inefficiency is a bit frustrating.

    I sometimes just lean in close to a hearing impaired patient's ear to talk. Saves me from yelling.

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  11. PGYx: Apparently, yelling at a hearing-impaired older person is not the best thing you can do, especially if you're a woman.... since the higher the pitch of your voice, the harder it is for them to hear you. I've actually had more success trying to talk in a loud but low-pitched voice.

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  12. HAHA ASK ABOUT BOWELS
    that is 100% true they love talking about $hit
    LOL

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