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The BIG Test > Geriatric > Flashcards

Geriatric Flashcards

(48 cards)

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1
Q

What % of individuals older than 65 years are estimated to have a surgical procedure?

A

50%

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2
Q

What is a greater determinant of post-op complications than anesthetic management?

A

Pre-op co-morbid disease

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3
Q

Surgical risk and outcome in patients older than 65 years depend on what 4 factors?

A
  1. Age
  2. Status and coexisting disease
  3. Elective or emergent
  4. Type of procedure
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4
Q

A __% decline per year in organ function occurs after age ___.

A

1%

30

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5
Q

Protein catabolism + nutritional deficiencies are associated with…

A

Reduction in INTRAcellular water

Decreased K levels

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6
Q

Hypothermia is more pronounced and lasts longer due to…

A

Lower metabolic rate
Hypothyroidism
Higher ratio of body surface area to body mass
Less effective vasoconstriction

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7
Q

Cardiovascular Changes in the Elderly

Parameters that are INCREASED

A 
LV wall thickness/LVH/LV wall tension 
Afterload/Cardiac workload 
SBP/PP/PVR 
Circulation time 
Conduction fibrosis/Incidence of dysrhythmias/SA node cell loss 
Vagal tone
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8
Q

Cardiovascular Changes in the Elderly

Parameters that are DECREASED

A 
LV compliance 
Cardiac reserve
CO/CI
SV
Resting HR 
Sensitivity of adrenergic receptors 
Chronotropic and ionotropic responses 
Baroreceptor function 
Arterial compliance 
Perfusion to vital organs
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9
Q

Does the heart atrophy with age?

A

NO

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10
Q

How are short-term demands for increased CO met?

A

First modest increases in HR

Then increases in LVEDV to increase SV

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11
Q

Cardiovascular Changes in the Elderly

Parameters that are UNCHANGED

A 
DBP
Resting systolic function 
Excitation-contraction coupling 
Ionized calcium levels
Contractile proteins
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12
Q

Cardiac function declines by ___% (20-80 years old)/

A

50%

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13
Q

Respiratory Changes in the Elderly

Parameters that are INCREASED

A 
Vocal cord stimulation needed for closure - risk of aspiration/airway obstruction 
Pulmonary complications 
WOB 
Chest wall rigidity
AP diameter of chest 
Airway resistance 
Alveolar compliance 
Physiologic dead space (VD)/shunt 
V/Q mismatch 
A-a O2 (FiO2 (age + 2.5)) and CO2 gradient
Alveolocapillary membrane thickness 
Potential for hypoxia 
Respiratory depression to opioids 
Air trapping 
FRC 
CV
CC
RV
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14
Q

Respiratory Changes in the Elderly

Parameters that are DECREASED

A 
Laryngeal reflexes/protective reflexes 
Ability to cough 
Muscle strength 
Chest wall compliance 
Elasticity of lung tissues
Lung recoil 
Normal oxygen tension (PaO2) 
Efficacy of gas exchange 
Total alveolar surface area (30%) 
Response to hypoxia and hypercapnia 
Cervical spine/TMJ mobility 
East of mask ventilation 
IC
VC
ERV
IRV 
FEV1
FVC
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15
Q

What respiratory parameters change minimally with aging?

A

TLC
PaCO2
PAO2
*TLC declines about 10% by age 70 - reflecting a loss in height d/t deterioration of intervertebral disks

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16
Q

Explain the significance of the following: CC is > FRC in anesthetized elderly patients.

A

More dependent airways are collapsed and more of the TV is distributed to areas of the lung that are under perfused.

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17
Q

Endocrine Changes in the Elderly

Parameters that are INCREASED

A

Insulin resistance - DM

Heat loss

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18
Q

Endocrine Changes in the Elderly

Parameters that are DECREASED

A 
Metabolism of benzos - MEN
Synthesized plasma cholinesterases - MEN
Pancreatic function
Insulin response 
Basal and maximal O2 consumption (loss of lean body mass) 
Hypothalamic temp regulation 
Heat production
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19
Q

GI and Hepatobiliary Changes in the Elderly

Parameters that are INCREASED

A

Gastric pH

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20
Q

GI and Hepatobiliary Changes in the Elderly

Parameters that are DECREASED

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A 
Liver metabolism 
Liver mass 
Liver function/Biotransformation 
Hepatic blood flow 
Albumin production 
Gastric emptying
21
Q

Nervous System Changes in the Elderly

Parameters that are INCREASED

Study These Flashcards
A 
Skeletal muscle atrophy
Degeneration of peripheral nerve cells 
Proprioception, touch, temp threshold
Hearing, vision threshold
CSF 
Cerebral cortex neuron loss
Spinal DOA
Sensory block with spinals 
Epidural volume cephalad spread
22
Q

Nervous System Changes in the Elderly

Parameters that are DECREASED

Study These Flashcards
A 
CBF (20%) 
Intracranial volume 
Gray matter 
Brain mass (30%)
CNS activity 
Cerebral metabolic O2 consumption 
NT receptors 
NT synthesis 
Skeletal muscle steadiness, strength, control
Nerve conduction velocity
23
Q

What dermatome level for TURPS?

24
Q

Regional Anesthesia in the Elderly

Study These Flashcards
A

Spinal
Increased DOA
Increased sensory block

Epidural 
Decreased DOA
Decreased motor block 
Decreased segment dosing 
Increased epidural volume cephalad spread

*Decreased dose for locals

25
Where is neuronal loss prominent?
Cerebral cortex | Esp. frontal lobes
26
Is cerebral autoregulation of blood flow preserved?
Yes
27
Renal System Changes in the Elderly | Parameters that are INCREASED
BUN ADH response to hypertonic saline load Ability to develop hypo/hyperkalemia
28
Renal System Changes in the Elderly | Parameters that are DECREASED
``` Kidney mass (cortex) RBF (10% per decade) Renal plasma flow Renal function GFR (8% per decade) Creatinine production and clearance Fluid and sodium handling Concentrating ability Response to ADH and aldosterone ```
29
Renal System Changes in the Elderly | Parameters that are UNCHANGED
Serum creatinine level | Decreased muscle mass and reduced creatinine production
30
What is the most sensitive indicator of renal function in the elderly?
Creatinine clearance | *Decreases with age - 70 mL/min in 70 yo
31
Pharmacology Changes in the Elderly | Parameters that are INCREASED
Lipid storage sites - Vd for lipid soluble drugs Circulation time - delayed onset of drug effects Recovery from volatile anesthetics Alpha-1 glycoprotein
32
Pharmacology Changes in the Elderly | Parameters that are DECREASED
Dose for GA - MAC (6% per decade over 40) Total body water - Vd for water soluble drugs Vascular volume - high initial plasma concentration Albumin production Liver metabolism Metabolism of benzos - MEN Plasma cholinesterases - MEN Doses of barbs, opioid antagonists, and benzos
33
Pharmacology Changes in the Elderly | Parameters that are UNCHANGED
Extracellular fluid volume Plasma volume Red cell mass Response to muscle relaxants (NDMR and Sux)
34
Recovery from anesthesia with volatile anesthetics may be prolonged b/c of an...
Increased Vd Decreased hepatic function Decreased pulmonary gas exchange
35
Drug Dose Adjustments for 80 yo
``` Propofol: 1.7 mg/kg Midazolam: 0.02-0.03 mg/kg Etomidate: 0.2 mg/kg Opioids: reduce by 50% Sux: slightly reduce dose in men MR: slower onset, decreased maintenance doses, increased DOA Atropine: increase dose Beta agonists: increase dose ```
36
Sux is prolonged in combo with what other drug?
Metoclopramide
37
The geriatric patient needs special attention while positioning. Which join is most vulnerable?
Neck
38
The onset of MR is prolonged because of...
Low muscle blood flow
39
In general are most plasma protein levels increased, decrease, or unchanged?
``` Most levels are unchanged Albumin is decreased (binds with acidic drugs - barbs, propofol) Alpha-1 glycoprotein is increased (binds with basic drugs - LA, opioids) ```
40
FRC vs. CC 44 yo in supine position 66 yo in upright position
44 yo in supine position: CC = FRC | 66 yo in upright position: CC = OR > FRC
41
Closing volume is ___% of vital capacity in the young and increases to about ___% of vital capacity in the elderly.
10% | 40%
42
How can PaO2 be estimated for a given age?
102-(Age/3)
43
What 2 important changes in the autonomic NS take place with aging?
1. Decrease in response to B receptor stimulation | 2. Increase in SNS activity
44
What organ systems are of greatest concern in the post-op period?
Cardiac | Respiratory
45
Is an IV induction slower or faster in the elderly? Inhalational induction?
IV induction is slower | Inhalational induction is faster
46
After what type of surgery is post-op delirium most common in the elderly?
Orthopedic | *Interval delirium is most common
47
There is a decreased response to both ____ adrenergic receptor agonist and adrenergic receptor antagonists.
BETA
48
What are the 2 leading causes of death in the elderly trauma patient?
1. Respiratory failure | 2. Sepsis

The BIG Test (21 decks)

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