CHAPTER 24

Gerontology
 Gerontology Overview
Aging (Senescence)
Process of growing old
Gerontology
Study of all aspects of the aging process
including:
Clinical, psychological, economical, and
sociological issues encountered by older persons
and the consequences for both the individual and
society

2
 Gerontology Overview
Geriatrics
Branch of medicine that deals with the
physiological characteristics of aging and the
diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting
elderly adults
Geriatrician
Physician who has specialized postgraduate
education and experience in the medical care
of the older person

3
 Gerontology Overview
Geriatric Nurse Practitioner
Registered nurse with additional education
obtained through a masters degree program
that prepares the nurse to deliver primary
health care to elderly adults

4
 Gerontology Overview
Gerontic nursing
Nursing care of the elderly
A compromise between caring for the elderly who
are ill and a more holistic view of the nursing care
of the elderly
Gerontologist
One who specializes in the study of
gerontology

5
 Assessing the Elderly
Changes in the elderly
Skin
Decrease in adipose tissue
Skin becomes drier
Decrease in skin turgor
Dryness and flaking of the skin
Thin, transparent skin with increased age
Skin tags and age spots

6
 Assessing the Elderly
Changes in the elderly
Hair
Graying of the hair (hypopigmentation)
Decrease in amount of hair on the head
Male pattern baldness may be evident
Men develop thicker eyebrow hair, coarse nasal
hair, and hair in the ear canal

7
 Assessing the Elderly
Changes in the elderly
Face
Wrinkles and sagging of the skin
Lips may wrinkle due to degeneration of elastin
Receding gum lines, some exposure of root of
tooth, some yellowing of teeth
Hyperopia increases (presbyopia)
Myopia decreases

8
 Assessing the Elderly
Height and physical shape
Stature (height) of elderly female may
decrease by several inches
Due to estrogen depletion
Abdomen may have rounder appearance
Due to redistribution of subcutaneous tissue
Female breasts become more elongated and
appear flatter with advanced age

9
 PATHOLOGICAL
CONDITIONS AND CHANGES

Gerontology
 Integumentary System
Notable changes due to aging
Graying of hair
Wrinkling of skin
Reduced skin turgor
Dry scaly skin
Thinning epidermis
Thicker nails
Age spots

11
 Acrochordon
Pronounced
(ak-roh-KOR-don)
Defined
Benign growth that hangs from a short stalk,
commonly occurring on the neck, eyelids,
axilla, or groin of an older person
Also known as a skin tag

12
 Actinic Keratosis
Pronounced
(ak-TIN-ic kair-ah-TOH-sis)
Defined
Premalignant warty lesion, occurring on the
sun-exposed skin of the face or hands in aged
light-skinned persons
Raised areas appear scaly and may bleed at the
edges

13
 Carcinoma, Basal Cell
Pronounced
(car-sih-NOH-mah BAY-sal sell)
Defined
Most common malignant tumor of epithelial
tissue, occurring most often on areas of skin
that are exposed to the sun
Presents as a slightly elevated nodule with a
depression or ulceration in the center that
becomes more obvious as the tumor grows

14
 Carcinoma, Squamous Cell
Pronounced
(car-sih-NOH-mah SKWAY-mus sell)
Defined
Malignancy of the squamous, or scalelike,
cells of the epithelial tissue
Much faster growing than basal cell
carcinoma and has greater potential for
metastasis if not treated

15
 Carcinoma, Squamous Cell
Frequent sites on sun-exposed areas
Top of nose
Forehead
Margin of external ear
Back of hands
Lower lip

16
 Eczema
Pronounced
(EK-zeh-mah)
Defined
Acute or chronic inflammatory skin condition
characterized by erythema, papules, vesicles,
pustules, scales, crusts, scabs, and itching

17
 Seborrheic Keratosis
Pronounced
(seb-oh-REE-ik kair-ah-TOH-sis)
Defined
Brown or waxy yellow wart-like lesions that
are loosely attached to the skin
Senile warts

18
 Skeletal System
Notable changes due to aging
Normal age-related changes affect mobility
After age 50, musculoskeletal system
gradually loses bone mass
Increase in bone fragility
Decrease in bone strength

19
 Fracture of the Hip
Pronounced
(Fracture of the hip)
Defined
Break in continuity of bone involving upper
third of femur
Location of most hip fractures is in upper 1/3 of the
femur
Occurs most often in the elderly due to diminished
sense of equilibrium, coordination and body
position
20
 Fracture of the Hip
Causes
Falls
Cause of most hip fractures, impactions, or
dislocations
Women more susceptible
Due to osteoporosis
Treatment
Surgery
May involve open reduction and internal fixation

21
 Fracture of the Hip
Internal Fixation Devices

22
 Osteomalacia
Pronounced
(oss-tee-oh-mah-LAY-she-ah)
Defined
Abnormal softening of bones due to a
deficiency of calcium and phosphorus in
blood
Which is necessary for bone mineralization

23
 Osteoporosis
Pronounced
(oss-tee-oh-poh-ROW-sis)
Defined
Porous bones
Bones that were once strong become fragile
due to loss of bone density
Occurs more frequently in postmenopausal
women, in sedentary or immobilized individuals,
and in patients on long-term steroid treatment

24
Osteoporosis

25
 Pagets Disease
(Osteitis Deformans)
Pronounced
(PAJ-ets disease)
(oss-tee-EYE-tis dee-FOR-manz)

26
 Pagets Disease
(Osteitis Deformans)
Defined
Nonmetabolic disease of the bone,
characterized by excessive bone destruction
and unorganized bone formation by
osteoblasts
Bone is weak and prone to fractures
Diseased bone takes on a characteristic mosaic
pattern
Detected with X-ray or bone scan

27
 Muscles and Joints
Notable changes due to aging
Loss of muscle mass
Decline in muscle strength
Cartilage in joints eventually erodes
Increasing stress on underlying bone
Joint mobility is hampered
Elastic synovial tissue is replaced with collagen
fibers
Synovial fluid within joint increases in viscosity

28
 Ankylosing Spondylitis
Pronounced
(ang-kih-LOH-sing spon-dil-EYE-tis)
Defined
Type of arthritis that affects the vertebral
column
Causes deformities of the spine
Also known as Marie Strmpell disease and as
rheumatoid spondylitis

29
 Bunion (Hallux Valgus)
Pronounced
(BUN-yun) (HAL-uks VAL-gus)
Defined
Abnormal enlargement of the joint at the base
of the great toe
Great toe deviates laterally, causing it to either
override or undercut the second toe
Bony prominence enlarges at base of great toe as
condition worsens

30
 Gout
Pronounced
(GOWT)
Defined
Metabolic disease in which uric acid crystals
are deposited in joints or other tissues
Characterized by inflammation of the first
metatarsal joint of the great toe
Men 40 to 60 more commonly affected than
women
Usually appears in women in postmenopausal
period
31
 Osteoarthritis
Pronounced
(oss-tee-oh-ar-THRY-tis)
Defined
Most common form of arthritis
Results from wear and tear on the joints,
especially weight-bearing joints such as hips
and knees
Also known as degenerative joint disease
Universal prevalence in those age 80 and over

32
Osteoarthritis

33
 Restless Legs Syndrome
Pronounced
(Restless Legs SIN-drom)
Defined
Condition of legs involving annoying
sensations of uneasiness, tiredness, itching,
or tingling of the leg muscles while resting
Individual has overwhelming desire to get up and
move around, due to jerking sensation and painful
twitching of the muscles

34
 Nervous System
Notable changes due to aging
Slower nerve transmission
Slower voluntary movements
Stooped forward-flexed posture
Slowed gait
Dry eyes
Impaired ability to hear high-pitched sounds
Decreased ability to maintain balance and correct
imbalance

35
 Alzheimers Disease
Pronounced
(ALTS-high-merz dih-ZEEZ)
Defined
Progressive and extremely debilitating
deterioration of a persons intellectual
functioning
Begins with minor memory loss and progresses to
complete loss of mental, emotional, and physical
functioning frequently occurring in persons over 65
years of age

36
Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA)
Pronounced
(seh-REE-broh-VASS-kyoo-lar AK-sih-dent)
Defined
Death of a specific portion of brain tissue
Results from decreased blood flow to that area of
the brain
Also called a stroke

37
Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA)
Causes
Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs)
Also known as mini strokes
Cerebral thrombosis
Occurs largely in individuals older than 50
Cerebral embolism
Embolus causes an occlusion
Cerebral hemorrhage
Cerebral vessel ruptures

38
 Parkinsons Disease
Pronounced
(PARK-in-sons dih-ZEEZ)
Defined
Degenerative, slowly progressive deterioration
of nerves in the brain stems motor system,
characterized by a gradual onset of symptoms
Classic Symptoms: stooped posture with body
flexed forward, bowed head, shuffling gait, pill-
rolling gestures, expressionless mask-like facial
appearance

39
 Shingles (Herpes Zoster)
Pronounced
(SHING-lz) (HER-peez ZOSS-ter)
Defined
Acute viral infection characterized by
inflammation of the underlying spinal or cranial
nerve pathway producing painful, vesicular
eruptions on the skin along these nerve
pathways
Seen mainly in adults with highest incidence in
adults over 50

40
 Shingles
Image courtesy of Robert A. Silverman,
M.D., Pediatric Dermatology,
Georgetown University

41
Blood and Lymphatic Systems
Notable changes due to aging
Percentage of bone marrow space
occupied by tissue that produces blood
cells declines progressively
After age of 70
Decreased immunity
Specific antibody responses to foreign antigens
is impaired

42
 Purpura
Pronounced
(PURR-pew-rah)
Defined
Collection of blood beneath the skin in the
form of pinpoint hemorrhages appearing as
red-purple skin discolorations
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura =
antibodies formed by the individual that
destroys his/her own platelets

43
 Cardiovascular System
Notable changes due to aging
Workload of heart may be compromised due
to accumulation of excess fat surrounding the
heart
May be due to poor dietary and exercise habits
Risk for cardiovascular disease increases
significantly in women after menopause
Risk is about equal in men and women after the
age of 65

44
 Arteriosclerosis
Pronounced
(ar-tee-ree-oh-skleh-ROH-sis)
Defined
Arterial condition in which there is thickening,
hardening and loss of elasticity of the walls of
arteries (hardening of the arteries)
Results in decreased blood supply, especially to
lower extremities and cerebrum

45
 Congestive Heart Failure
Pronounced
(con-JESS-tiv heart failure)
Defined
Condition in which pumping ability of heart is
progressively impaired to the point that it no
longer meets bodily needs

46
 Congestive Heart Failure
Left-sided cardiac failure
Left ventricle unable pump blood that enters it
from the lungs
Characteristics:
Dyspnea
Moist sounding cough
Fatigue
Tachycardia
Restlessness
Anxiety

47
 Congestive Heart Failure
Right-sided cardiac failure
Right side of heart cannot empty all of blood received
from venous circulation
Characteristics
Edema of lower extremities (pitting edema)
Weight gain
Enlargement of liver (hepatomegaly)
Distended neck veins
Ascites
Anorexia
Nocturia
Weakness
48
 Coronary Artery Disease
Pronounced
(KOR-oh-nah-ree AR-ter-ee dih-ZEEZ)
Defined
Narrowing of coronary arteries to the extent
that adequate blood supply to the
myocardium is prevented

49
 Coronary Artery Disease
Treatments for occluded coronary
arteries
Medications
Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary
Angioplasty (PTCA)
Directional Coronary Atherectomy
Coronary Bypass Surgery = Coronary
Artery Bypass Graft (CABG)

50
 Respiratory System
Notable changes due to aging
Decreased volume during inspiration and
expiration
Loss of elasticity in pulmonary tissue
Decreased action of cilia within respiratory
tract
Respiratory muscle strength and endurance
decreases
Decreased strength for breathing and/or
coughing
51
 Emphysema
Pronounced
(em-fih-SEE-mah)
Defined
Chronic pulmonary disease characterized by
increase beyond normal in size of air spaces
distal to terminal bronchiole
Either from dilation of the alveoli or from
destruction of their walls

52
 Influenza
Pronounced
(in-flew-EN-zah)
Defined
Highly contagious viral infection of the
respiratory tract
Transmitted by airborne droplet infection
Flu

53
 Pneumonia
Pronounced
(noo-MOH-nee-ah)
Defined
Acute inflammation of lungs caused mainly by
inhaled pneumococci of the species
Streptococcus pneumoniae
May also be caused by other bacteria, as well as
viruses

54
 Pulmonary Edema
Pronounced
(PULL-mon-air-ree eh-DEE-mah)
Defined
Swelling of lungs caused by an abnormal
accumulation of fluid in the lungs
Either in alveoli or the interstitial spaces

55
 Pulmonary Heart
Disease (Cor Pulmonale)
Pronounced
(PULL-mon-air-ree heart dih-ZEEZ)
(cor pull-mon-ALL-ee)
Defined
Hypertrophy of right ventricle of the heart
With or without failure
Resulting from disorders of the lungs, pulmonary
vessels, or chest wall

56
 Digestive System
Notable changes due to aging
Loss of teeth related to dental or
periodontal problems
Decrease in quality and quantity of saliva
Some decrease in normal peristalsis in
esophagus
Weakness in musculature of large intestine
Results in decreased forcefulness of
contractions and slowing of peristaltic activity

57
 Achalasia
Pronounced
(ak-al-LAY-zee-ah)
Defined
Decreased mobility of the lower two-thirds of
the esophagus along with constriction of the
lower esophageal sphincter

58
 Colorectal Cancer
Pronounced
(koh-loh-REK-tal CAN-sir)
Defined
Presence of a malignant neoplasm in the
large intestine

59
 Constipation
Pronounced
(kon-stih-PAY-shun)
Defined
State in which the individuals pattern of
bowel elimination is characterized by a
decrease in the frequency of bowel
movements and the passage of hard, dry
stools
Individual experiences difficult defecation

60
 Diverticular Disease
Pronounced
(dye-ver-TIK-yoo-lar dih-ZEEZ)
Defined
Expression used to characterize both
diverticulosis and diverticulitis
Diverticulosis = noninflamed outpouchings or
herniations of the muscular layer of the intestines
Diverticulitis = inflammation of these outpouchings
Increasingly common occurrence in persons over 45

61
 Endocrine System
Notable changes due to aging
Overall decline in hormone secretion
Diminished tissue sensitivity to secreted
hormones
Most notable decrease in hormones is in
estrogen and testosterone
Change in glucose tolerance
Results in a prolonged elevated blood sugar level
in response to a meal

62
 Diabetes Mellitus
Pronounced
(dye-ah-BEE-teez MELL-ih-tus)
Defined
Disorder of pancreas in which beta cells of
islets of Langerhans fail to produce an
adequate amount of insulin
Results in inability to appropriately metabolize
carbohydrates, fats, and proteins
Affects approximately 10 percent of individuals over
65 and approximately 20 percent of those over 80
63
 Diabetes Mellitus
Classifications
Type I Diabetes
Known as Insulin-Dependent Diabetes
Mellitus (IDDM)
Usually occurs before the age of 30
Sudden onset
Controlled with insulin injections
Individuals are prone to developing ketosis

64
 Diabetes Mellitus
Classifications
Type II Diabetes
Known as non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes
Mellitus (NIDDM)
Usually appears in adults after the age of 40
Majority of these individuals are obese
Usually controlled through diet and exercise

65
 Special Senses (Eye and Ear)
Notable changes due to aging
Impairment of vision
Need for brighter light for vision (size of pupil
decreases)
Lens becomes more opaque
Color discrimination decreases and depth
perception is altered
Hearing impairment
Ability to discriminate among high frequencies is
often impaired by age 50
66
 Cataract
Pronounced
(KAT-ah-rakt)
Defined
Lens of eye becomes progressively cloudy
losing its normal transparency
Alters of perception of images due to interference
of light transmission to retina

67
 Deafness, Sensorineural
Pronounced
( Deafness, sen-soh-ree-NOO-ral)
Defined
Hearing loss caused by inability of nerve
stimuli to be delivered to brain from inner ear
Due to damage to auditory nerve or cochlea

68
 Diabetic Retinopathy
Pronounced
(dye-ah-BET-ik ret-in-OP-ah-thee)
Defined
Disorder of blood vessels of retina
Capillaries undergo localized areas of bulging
(microaneurysms), hemorrhages, and
scarring
Consequence of an 8 -10 year duration of diabetes
mellitus

69
 Ectropion
Pronounced
(ek-TROH-pee-on)
Defined
Turning out or eversion of eyelash margins
from eyeball leading to exposure of eyelid
and eyeball surface and lining
Occurs especially in lower eyelid
Frequently affects older population as a result of
aging

70
 Entropion
Pronounced
(en-TROH-pee-on)
Defined
Turning in of eyelash margins resulting in
sensation similar to that of a foreign body in
eye (redness, tearing, burning, and itching)
Occurs especially in the lower margins
Frequently affects older population as a result of
aging

71
 Glaucoma
Pronounced
(glau-KOH-mah)
Defined
Ocular disorders identified as a group due to
increase in intraocular pressure

72
 Glaucoma
Chronic open-angle glaucoma
Primary disorder
Breakdown in drainage system of circulation
of aqueous humor
Gradual elevation of internal pressure leads to
decreased blood supply to optic nerve and retina
Peripheral vision is gradually lost when untreated

73
 Glaucoma
Acute closed-angle glaucoma
Mouth of drainage system is narrow and
closes completely
Allows no flow of aqueous humor
Rapid occurrence characterized by severe pain,
blurred vision, photphobia, redness, and seeing
halos around light
If untreated, person can lose his or her sight within
several days

74
 Macular Degeneration
Pronounced
(MAK-yoo-lar dee-jen-er-RAY-shun)
Defined
Progressive deterioration of the retinal cells in
the macula due to aging
Known as senile or age-related macular
degeneration (ARMD)
Common and progressive cause of visual
deficiency and permanent reading impairment in
the adult over 65 years of age

75
 Presbyopia
Pronounced
(prez-bee-OH-pee-ah)
Defined
Refractive error occurring after the age of 40
Lens of the eye(s) cannot focus on an image
accurately due to its decreasing loss of
elasticity resulting in a firmer and more
opaque lens
Also called farsightedness due to better clarity of
distant objects

76
 Urinary System
Notable changes due to aging
Aging kidney is more susceptible to trauma or
disease
Number of nephron units of the kidney
decrease during the aging process
50 percent decrease in glomerular filtration
rate by age 70 to 80
Drugs may not be excreted as rapidly as possible

77
 Urinary Incontinence
Pronounced
(YOO-rih-nair-ree in-CON-tin-ens)
Defined
Inability to retain urine in bladder
Loss of urine from bladder due to loss of
sphincter control
Urine loss is severe enough to cause social or
hygienic problems

78
 Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence
Affects mostly older adults
Not necessarily a normal consequence of aging
Possible causes
Abnormalities of bladder contraction
Abnormalities of urethral relaxation
Dementia (in some elderly persons)

79
 Urinary Incontinence
Stress incontinence
Inability to hold urine when bladder is
stressed by sneezing, coughing, laughing, or
lifting
Functional incontinence
Individual experiences an involuntary
unpredictable passage of urine
Characterized by urge to void, or bladder
contractions strong enough to result in loss of urine
before reaching an appropriate receptacle
80
 Urinary Incontinence
Urge incontinence
Urge to empty bladder is sudden and
uncontrollable
Individual experiences involuntary passage of urine
soon after the strong sense of urgency to void
Overflow incontinence
Involuntary loss of urine is associated with
overdistention of bladder, when bladders
capacity has reached its maximum

81
 Male Reproductive System
Notable changes due to aging
Decrease in testosterone level
Decrease in sperm production
Decrease in muscle tone of scrotum
Decrease in size and firmness of testicles
Enlargement of prostate gland

82
 Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy
Pronounced
(bee-NYEN pross-TAT-ik high-PER-troh-
fee)
Defined
Benign enlargement of prostate gland,
creating pressure on upper part of the urethra
or neck of bladder, causing obstruction to flow
of urine
Common condition occurring in men over 50

83
 Carcinoma of the Prostate
Pronounced
(car-sin-OH-mah of the PROSS-tayt)
Defined
Malignant growth within prostate gland,
creating pressure on upper part of urethra
Most common cause of cancer among men, and
most common cause of cancer death due to
cancer in men over age 55

84
Female Reproductive System
Notable changes due to aging
Physical changes occur after menopause
Ovaries cease to produce ova
Less estrogen hormone secreted
General atrophy of genitalia
Includes less fat, external hair loss, flattening of
the labia
Vaginal dryness
Breast sagging due to changes

85
 Atrophic Vaginitis
Pronounced
(ay-TROH-fik vaj-in-EYE-tis)
Defined
Degeneration of vaginal mucous membrane
after menopause
Also known as senile vaginitis
Common in estrogen-deprived older women

86
 Ovarian Carcinoma
Pronounced
(oh-VAY-ree-an car-sin-OH-mah)
Defined
Malignant tumor of ovaries, most commonly
occurring in women in their 50s
Rarely detected in early stage

87
 Mental Health
Mental health
Relative state of mind in which a person is able
to cope with and adjust to repeated stresses of
everyday living in an acceptable way
Majority of elderly adults successfully cope with life
crises and aging process
Small percentage of elderly adults find difficulty in
coping with life changes as they age
Those who find aging difficult may experience
depression which often goes undiagnosed

88
 Dementia
Pronounced
(dee-MEN-she-ah)
Defined
Progressive, organic mental disorder
characterized by chronic personality
disintegration, confusion, disorientation,
stupor, deterioration of intellectual capacity
and function, and impairment of control of
memory, judgment, and impulses

89
 Depression
Pronounced
(dee-PRESS-shun)
Defined
Mood disturbance characterized by
exaggerated feelings of sadness,
discouragement, and hopelessness that are
inappropriate and out of proportion to reality
May be relative to some personal loss or tragedy
One of the most common, and treatable, of all
mental disorders in older adults if it is recognized

90
 DIAGNOSTIC
TECHNIQUES, TREATMENTS
AND PROCEDURES

Gerontology
 Diagnostic Techniques,
Treatments, and Procedures
Barium enema
Infusion of a radiopaque contrast medium,
barium sulfate, into the rectum and held in
place in the lower intestinal tract while x-ray
films are obtained of the lower GI tract
Barium swallow
Oral administration of a radiopaque contrast
medium, barium sulfate, which flows into the
esophagus as the person swallows
92
 Diagnostic Techniques,
Treatments, and Procedures
Colonoscopy
Direct visualization of lining of large intestine
using a fiberoptic colonoscope
Procedure is used to check for colonic polyps or
possible malignant tumors

93
 Diagnostic Techniques,
Treatments, and Procedures
Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery
(CABG)
Surgical procedure designed to increase
blood flow to myocardial muscle
Involves bypass grafts to coronary arteries
that reroute blood flow around occluded
area of coronary artery

94
 Coronary Artery
Bypass Graft Surgery

95
 Diagnostic Techniques,
Treatments, and Procedures
Directional coronary atherectomy
Procedure that uses a catheter (AtheroCath)
Small mechanically driven cutter that shaves
plaque and stores it in a collection chamber
Plaque is removed from artery when the device is
withdrawn

96
 Diagnostic Techniques,
Treatments, and Procedures
Dual photon absorptiometry
Noninvasive procedure for evaluating bone
density
Procedure involves beaming a minimal
amount of radiation through the bones
Computer evaluates amount of radiation absorbed
by the bones and summarizes the findings
Measures bone density within 2 percent to 3
percent accuracy of bones actual density

97
 Diagnostic Techniques,
Treatments, and Procedures
Extracapsular Cataract Extraction
(ECCE)
Surgical removal of anterior segment of lens
capsule and the lens
Allowing for insertion of an intraocular lens
implant

98
 Diagnostic Techniques,
Treatments, and Procedures
Hearing aids
Devices that amplify sound to provide more
precise perception and interpretation of words
communicated to individual with a hearing
defect
In-canal style fits completely into the ear canal
In-ear style worn in external ear
Behind-ear style fits behind the ear flap (pinna)
Body hearing aid delivers sound to ear via
microphone
99
 Diagnostic Techniques,
Treatments, and Procedures
Internal fixation devices
Devices such as screws, pins, wires, and nails
that are used to internally maintain bone
alignment while healing of a fractured bone
takes place
More commonly used with fractures of femur and
fractures of joints

100
 Diagnostic Techniques,
Treatments, and Procedures
Intraocular lens implant
Surgical process of cataract extraction and
insertion of an artificial lens in patients eye
Restores visual acuity and provides depth
perception, light refraction, and binocular vision

101
 Diagnostic Techniques,
Treatments, and Procedures
Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary
Angioplasty (PTCA)
Nonsurgical procedure in which a catheter,
equipped with a small balloon on one end, is
inserted into femoral artery and threaded up
aorta (under x-ray visualization) into
narrowed coronary artery

102
 Diagnostic Techniques,
Treatments, and Procedures
Retinal photocoagulation
Surgical procedure that uses an argon laser
to treat conditions such as glaucoma, retinal
detachment, and diabetic retinopathy
Serum glucose tests
Blood test that measures amount of glucose
in blood at time sample was drawn

103
 Diagnostic Techniques,
Treatments, and Procedures
Suprapubic prostatectomy
Surgical removal of prostate gland by making
an incision into abdominal wall, just above
pubis

104
 Diagnostic Techniques,
Treatments, and Procedures
Transurethral resection of the prostate
(TURP)
Surgical removal of prostate gland by inserting
a resectoscope through urethra and into
bladder to remove small pieces of tissue from
the prostate gland

105