Gerontological Nursing
Atypical Presentation of Illness
Geriatric patients often fail to mount a fever or inflammatory response during acute infections.
Red Flags
- Sudden onset of confusion or cognitive decline (delirium).
- Incontinence or sudden change in functional status.
- Falls or general malaise without a localized report of pain.
- Anorexia and weight loss.
Clinical Approach
- Maintain high clinical suspicion for occult infection.
- Check temperature but understand that afebrile does not mean non-infectious.
- Monitor baseline vitals to identify subtle upward trends.
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