Question

1. Identify variations of care for geriatric and pediatric patients during examinations, screening procedures, diagnostic test and treatment.

2. Explain special health concerns of geriatric patients.

3. Identify and explain the role of the medical assistant during pediatric examinations.

4. Describe common pediatric disease, disorders and treatment.

Answer 1

1.Pediatrics deals with the care of infants and children and geriatrics deals with the care of the elderly.

Comprehensive geriatric assessment is 'a multidimensional, interdisciplinary diagnostic process to determine the medical, psychological, and functional capabilities of a frail elderly person in order to develop a coordinated and integrated plan for treatment and long-term follow-up'. paediatric assessment is .checking your child's vital signs and monitoring their height and weight your pediatrician will also check hearing, eyesight, respiration, cardiac activity and reflexes. A physical examination will check all systems of your child's body to make sure that everything is functioning properly.

In geriatrics .

Activities of daily living— Self-care tasks include bathing, eating, dressing, and using the toilet, considered essential for independent living.

Body mass index— A person's weight in kilograms (kg) divided by the square of their height in meters.

Cognitive— Relating to the process of acquiring knowledge by using reasoning, intuition, and perception.

Executive function— The ability to be flexible (changing behavior in a changing situation), understand new intentions, or plan actions.

Otorhinolaryngologist— A physician who specializes in diseases of the ear, nose, and throat.

Clinicians should also pay particular attention to certain common geriatric symptoms (eg, delirium, dizziness, syncope, falling, mobility problems, weight or appetite loss, urinary incontinence) because they may result from disorders of multiple organ systems..The diagnostic yield of a CGA in identifying geriatric conditions and improving the management of unmet patient needs has been demonstrated in several populations, including the community and primary care practice.

In paediatrics .may perform one or more laboratory tests to confirm the diagnosis.

Blood tests

Allergy tests

Throat culture

2.Some of the most common health problems in the elderly include:

Cognitive decline. ...

Balance issues. ...

Oral health problems. ...

Heart disease. ...

Osteoarthritis or osteoporosis. ...

Respiratory diseases. ...

It's estimated that 25 percent of adults age 65 and older have type 2 diabetes. ...

Influenza or pneumonia.

Chronic diseases, like Parkinson's or Alzheimer's, impact the mental health of older adults. Depression or anxiety disorders are commonly experienced by the geriatric population.

3.Medical assistants who work in pediatrics have the privilege of being in a position to provide a calm and comforting experience to these tiny patients..The medical assistant working in the physician's office laboratory collects samples, performs tests, follows strict procedures, manages quality control, maintains laboratory equipment, keeps accurate records, prepares specimens for transport to reference or off-site laboratories, and reports results to the physician.

>Update Patient Medical Records

One of your most important tasks as a medical assistant is keeping patient medical records current. You'll record a patient's current weight and blood pressure, and key their pre-exam interview responses into a computer database.

>Medical assistants are an important part of the clinical process. ... Depending on the clinical setting, medical assistants may be called upon to perform basic clinical tasks, such as administering medications, vital sign measurement, phlebotomy, and assisting with physical examinations and patient education

>Using computer applications.

Answering telephones.

Welcoming patients.

Updating and filing patient medical records.

Coding and filling out insurance forms.

Scheduling appointments.

Arranging for hospital admissions and laboratory services.

Handling correspondence, billing, and book keeping.

4. >Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain, usually caused by changes in eating or bowel habits, is a common complaint for children. If the pain goes away completely in less than three hours and is not accompanied by other symptomSevere or localized pain, which is pain located in one specific area, may be a symptom of a more serious condition.

>RSV

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an infection of the airways. It usually isn’t serious, but if your child is under 2, or has a heart or lung disease or a weak immune system, it can inflame the lungs and cause pneumonoa.The drug called palivizumab (Synagis) can be used to prevent RSV in high risk infants.

>Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

This contagious viral illness usually isn’t serious.

Children under age 5 are most likely to catch it, through saliva, fluid from blisters and possibly viral shedding through stool.

Symptoms:

Fever

Sore throat

Poor appetite

A few days later…

Painful sores may develop in the back of the throat

Skin rash – typically on the palms and soles, but can also occur on the trunk and diaper region

It usually clears up in 7 to 10 days without treatment.

>Ear Problems

Ear pain in children may be a sign of an ear infection, which is the most commonly diagnosed bacterial infection for children younger than seven years old. Frequently, ear infections occur along with cold symptoms that have been present a few days. An injury, caused by a fall, loud noise or pressure change, can also result in ear pain.

>Constipation

Constipation occurs when stools become hard or difficult to pass. While uncomfortable, constipation can usually be cured through home treatment and is often caused by changes in diet, not taking in enough fluids and certain medicines.

>Diarrhea

Diarrhea occurs when there is an increase in the usual number of bowel movements or when bowel movements are more watery or loose. Sometimes caused by changes in your child’s diet, diarrhea may also be a symptom of an infection, such as the stomach flu. If your child has diarrhea, take immediate steps to make sure he or she does not become dehydrated.

Fever

Fever, or a body temperature of 99 or above, is a symptom of your child’s infection or illness. If your child has a fever, closely monitor other symptoms to determine the severity of your child’s illness. Take your child to visit his or her pediatrician for a fever lasting for three or more days.