Exam 1 Flashcards
(173 cards)
what physical changes does the older adult go through?
Integumentary
● CV/Pulmonary
● Neurological
● Gastrointestinal
● Genitourinary
● Musculoskeletal
● Endocrine
● Immunity
what happens to the older adults integumentary system as they age?
becomes thin, pale, less elastic, and get saggy
what happens to the older adults CV/Pulmonary system as they age?
the structure and function of the system declines and losses efficiency
the diaphragm becomes weaker
Lung tissues looses elasticity
what happens to the older adults Neurological/cognitive system as they age?
brain and spinal chord begin to atrophy
decreased amount of neurons and speed of neuron activity
what happens to the older adults Gastrointestinal system as they age?
The muscles in the digestive tract become stiffer, weaker, and less efficient
swallowing becomes more difficult
decreased appetite
decrease in taste
what happens to the older adults Genitourinary system as they age?
incontinence, urgency, leakage, diffuclity getting started, retention, and UTIs
what happens to the older adults Musculoskeletal system as they age?
Muscles lose overall tone, become rigid, and lose elasticity
Bones become brittle and break easily due to osteoclast/osteoblast activity
Breakdown of cartridge in joints can lead to deformity
Trank and spine shortening can lead to deformity
what is kyphosis?
exaggerated rounding of the upper back
what is the cause of kyphosis is older adults?
weakness in the spinal bones that causes them to compress or crack
what happens to the older adults endocrine system as they age?
xxx
what happens to the older adults immunity as they age?
loses the ability to protect against infections and cancer and fails to support appropriate wound healing
what psychosocial changes do older adults experience?
retirement….being used to working and now having more free time
family structure…they used to provide for the family but now they are the ones being taken care of
Death…family and friends passing
Body image…changing in how they look
Social activity…maybe they once got their social time at work but now that they are retired they loose people to talk to
what specific cognitive problems will an older adult face?
depression…delirium….dementia/Alzheimers
what health risks are the older adults susceptible to?
hypertension…high cholesterol…arthritis…diabetes..coronary artery disease…kidney disease…heart failure..depression… Alzheimer/dementia…COPD
how can the older adult protect themselves from the diseases they are susceptible to?
screenings…immunizations…injury prevention
what are some health screenings that the older adult would benefit from?
cholesterol….eye exams…hearing….fecal occult blood tests…rectal/prostate..mental health
how can the older adult help their immune system?
supplementation and immunizations
how can the older adult prevent injuries in their home?
wear their glasses…have grab bars…avoid carpets…limit usage of stairs…have ramps when entering the home
what should be limited in the older adults diet?
alcohol…refined sugars…sodium…fat
why should older adults limit refined sugars?
to avoid insulin resistance
what should the older adult limit to avoid high blood pressure?
sodium and fats
what is Gastroesophageal Reflux?
occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter is not strong enough to keep acid contents of the stomach inside this inturn causes the acid to come up into the esophagus
does occasional gastroesophageal Reflux cause permanent problems?
no
what does Gastroesophageal Reflux feel like?
burning in the upper chest sometimes patients may confuse with a heart attack