Gero Flashcards
Gero -
increased or decreased sense of touch?
decreased
Gero -
increased or decreased pain tolerance?
increased
Gero -
typical change to fever response?
blunted or absent
Gero -
typical change to DTRs?
diminished
Gero -
typical change to speed of cognitive processing?
slowed
Gero -
Change to taste and thirst perception?
decreased
What are common causes of constipation in the elder adult? (5)
lack of fiber lack of exercise poor dentition dehydration impaired defecation signal
What affect does aging have on absorption and metabolism of drugs?
both are decreased
Gero -
what is the change to total lung capacity (TLC)? and what is the related physiology?
TLC remains constant BUT…
VITAL CAPACITY decreases (that which can be forcibly exhaled) …because…
RESIDUAL VOLUME increases (air remaining after forced exhalation)
Is the cough reflex affected by aging?
yes, it diminishes
Living in a LTC facility increases chance of pneumonia by how much?
30% risk in a two year period
What picture might the gero patient present with in pneumonia?
classic symptoms might be absent
watch for:
change in LOC or confusion
anorexia
generalized weakness
What are the top two differentials in a gero patient who presents with recent onset of confusion or LOC change?
UTI
pneumonia
What blood pressure changes are expected in the elderly?
blood pressure typically increases with age due to physiologic changes of aging
Hypertension puts the patient at risk for:
MI
CVA
CHF related to LVH
Renal failure
