Term
| abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) |
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Definition
| A condition in which the walls of the aorta in the abdomen weaken and blood leaks into the layers of the vessel, causing it to bulge. |
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Definition
| A swelling or enlargement of part of a blood vessel, resulting from weakening of the vessel wall. |
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Definition
| Written documentation that specifies medical treatment for a competent patient should the patient become unable to make decisions; also called a living will or health care directive. |
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Definition
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Definition
| Clouding of the lens of the eye or its surrounding transparent membranes. |
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Definition
| Also known as bedsores, they are caused by the pressure of skin against a surface for long periods. These sores can range from a pink discoloration of the skin to a deep wound that may invade into bone or organs. |
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Definition
| The formation of a blood clot within the larger veins of an extremity, typically following a period of prolonged immobilization. |
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Definition
| A more or less sudden change in mental status marked by the inability to focus, think logically, and maintain attention. |
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Definition
| The slow onset of progressive disorientation, shortened attention span, and loss of cognitive function. |
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Definition
| Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. |
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Definition
| Any action on the part of an older person's family member, caregiver, or other associated person that takes advantage of the older person, his or her property, or emotional state; also called granny beating and parent battering. |
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Definition
| The assessment and treatment of disease in someone who is 65 years or older. |
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Definition
| A visual bulging of the jugular veins in the neck that can be caused by fluid overload, pressure in the chest, cardiac tamponade, or tension pneumothorax. |
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Definition
| A forward curling of the back caused by an abnormal increase in the curvature of the spine. |
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Definition
| Black, foul-smelling, tarry stool containing digested blood. |
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Term
| methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) |
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Definition
| A bacterium that causes infections in different parts of the body and is often resistant to commonly used antibiotics; can be found on the skin, in surgical wounds, in the bloodstream, lungs, and urinary tract. |
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Definition
| A group of conditions in which the nerves leaving the spinal cord are damaged, resulting in distortion of signals to or from the brain. |
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Definition
| A generalized bone disease, commonly associated with postmenopausal women, in which there is a reduction in the amount of bone mass leading to fractures after minimal trauma in either sex. |
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Definition
| An abrasion of the stomach or small intestine. |
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Definition
| An inflammation/infection of the lung from a bacterial, viral, or fungal cause. |
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Term
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Definition
| The simultaneous use of multiple medications by a patient as typically seen in elderly people. |
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Definition
| An age-related condition of the ear that produces progressive bilateral hearing loss that is most noted at higher frequencies. |
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Definition
| A blood clot that breaks off from a large vein and travels to the blood vessels of the lung, causing obstruction of blood flow. |
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Term
| respiratory syncytial virus |
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Definition
| A highly contagious virus that causes an infection of the upper and lower respiratory system. |
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Term
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Definition
| A fainting spell or transient loss of consciousness, often caused by an interruption of blood flow to the brain. |
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Definition
| Pedal edema is a swelling of the foot and ankle caused by fluid overload; unilateral would present in only one extremity. |
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Term
| urinary tract infection (UTI) |
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Definition
| Infections, usually of the lower urinary tract (urethra and bladder), which occur when normal flora bacteria enter the urethra and grow. |
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Term
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Definition
| A term for a group of disorders characterized by poorly controlled body movement. |
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Term
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Definition
| A surgical procedure to establish an opening between the colon and the surface of the body. |
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Term
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Definition
| Insufficient development of the brain, resulting in some level of dysfunction or impairment. |
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Term
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Definition
| A genetic chromosomal defect that can occur during fetal development and that results in mental retardation as well as certain physical characteristics, such as a round head with a flat occiput and slanted, wide-set eyes. |
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Term
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Definition
| A surgical procedure to create an opening between the small intestine and the surface of the body. |
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Term
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Definition
| A condition in which a person has an excessive amount of body fat. |
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Definition
| A permanent lack of hearing caused by a lesion or damage of the inner ear. |
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Term
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Definition
Tubes that drain fluid from the brain to another part of the body outside of the brain, such as the abdomen; lowers pressure in the brain.
spina bifida |
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Term
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Definition
| A development defect in which a portion of the spinal cord or meninges may protrude outside of the vertebrae and possibly even outside of the body, usually at the lower third of the spine in the lumbar area. |
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Term
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Definition
| Plastic tube placed within the tracheostomy site (stoma). |
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