Geriatrics Flashcards
Cardiopulmonary changes
Decreased cardiac output Increased peripheral resistance Decreased vital capacity Decreased oxygen exchange Decreased cilia and cough reflex
Decreased cardiac output due to:
Less ventricular compliance
Slowed contractions
Decreased vital capacity due to:
Stiffening of the chest wall
Lungs lose recoil
Residual volume increases
Increased peripheral resistance due to:
Arteriosclerosis (Depositing of calcium in the walls)
Atherosclerosis (Hardening of walls)
Why is a decrease in vital capacity an concerning?
Respiratory rate is a compensatory mechanism
Neuromusculoskeletal changes
Decreased nerve conduction
Loss of brain cells
Muscles and ligaments lose mass and calcify
Bones lose calcium and density
Decreased nerve conduction results in:
Slowed reflexes and motor coordination
Altered sensorium
Loss of brain cells results in:
Shrinkage, more interacranial space
Memory loss
Renal issues due to:
Loss of nephrons, decreased water content, electrolyte imbalances
Liver fuction decreases because
Decreased detoxification of meds (certain dosages may not work as well)
What is the leading cause of trauma death and disability in the elderly?
The second cause?
Falls
MVC
Why is trauma an issue for the elderly?
The body’s ability to isolate simple trauma decreases
Decreased ability to compensate for hypoperfusion due to decreased cardiac output and vital capacity
There is a 66% mortality rate with LOC in what type of injury in the elderly?
Head injury
Atypical signs of cardiac emergencies in the elderly
Syncope
Weakness, fatigue
Dyspnea upon exertion, orthopnea (difficulty breathing when lying down)
Painless
Pulmonary embolisms in the elderly result because:
Sedentary lifestyle, DVT (deep vein thrombosis), dysrythythmias (atrial fibrillation)
