Geriatrics: Aging & Common Conditions

What is the term for the concurrent use of multiple medications by a patient, typically five or more?

Polypharmacy

Which physiological change in the kidneys is most characteristic of normal aging and affects drug clearance?

A decrease in the Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR).

What are the '3 Ds' commonly used to differentiate cognitive and mood disorders in geriatric patients?

Delirium, Dementia, and Depression.

What is the medical term for age-related hearing loss, typically characterized by a loss of high-frequency sounds?

Presbycusis

Which condition is defined by a significant decrease in bone mineral density, leading to an increased risk of fragility fractures?

Osteoporosis

What is the term for harm or illness caused by medical treatment or healthcare intervention?

Iatrogenesis

What is the primary purpose of the Beers Criteria in geriatric medicine?

To identify potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) that should be avoided or used with caution in older adults.

How does the onset of Delirium typically differ from the onset of Dementia?

Delirium has an acute, rapid onset (hours to days), while Dementia has a slow, progressive onset (years).

Which type of dementia is characterized by a 'step-wise' decline in cognition and evidence of cerebrovascular disease?

Vascular Dementia

What hallmark clinical feature distinguishes Lewy Body Dementia from Alzheimer's Disease early in the progression?

Visual hallucinations, fluctuating alertness, and parkinsonian motor features.