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Geriatric Trauma: Emergency Nursing Considerations

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Geriatric Trauma and Acute Care Surgery

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Abstract

As the fifth leading cause of death for adults older than 65 years of age, trauma and the appropriate management and care of the geriatric patient is pertinent in an expanding elderly population. Normal physiologic changes that occur during aging must be recognized during the initial evaluation or triage, and the common presence of comorbidities complicates the clinical care priorities. Additionally, the elderly are more likely to sustain injury in response to low energy blunt forces, such as falls, low-speed motor vehicle crashes, and any pedestrian-related collisions. As a member of the trauma team, the emergency nurse delivers comprehensive care of the injured geriatric adult, and provides pivotal assessment skills specific to the older adult. An understanding of common patterns of injury and geriatric-specific concepts are addressed, allowing the emergency nurse to act as an effective liaison for the patient, family, and healthcare team.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Trauma, Critical Care & Acute Care Surgery, Oregon Health Science University, Portland, OR, USA

    Jessica Jurkovich AGACNP-BC, MSN, CCRN

Authors
  1. Jessica Jurkovich AGACNP-BC, MSN, CCRN
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Correspondence to Jessica Jurkovich AGACNP-BC, MSN, CCRN .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Allegheny General Hospital, Former Director of trauma, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

    Aurelio Rodriguez

  2. Suite 202, Lehigh Valley Health Network Suite 202, Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA

    Robert. D Barraco

  3. Virginia Commonwealth University, RICHMOND, Virginia, USA

    Rao R. Ivatury

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Jurkovich, J. (2018). Geriatric Trauma: Emergency Nursing Considerations. In: Rodriguez, A., Barraco, R., Ivatury, R. (eds) Geriatric Trauma and Acute Care Surgery . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57403-5_44

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57403-5_44

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-57402-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-57403-5

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