Geriatrics Flashcards
(19 cards)
7 Cardiovascular changes in the elderly
- Heart hypertrophies
- Cardiac output declines
- Atherosclerosis-plaque build up
- Arteriosclerosis- stiffening of vessels
- Aortic stenosis- aortic valve can’t Entirely open
- Electric conduction system deteriorates- # of pacemaker cells in SA node decreases
- Muscle degeneration- decreased contractility, stroke volume and cardiac output
6 Respiratory changes in the elderly
- Decreased lung elasticity
- Stiffer lungs
- Decrease in size and strength of resp. muscles
- Reps. Drive decreased sensitivity to arterial blood gases causing a slower reaction to hypercarbia and hypoxemia.
- Cough and gag reflexes decline resulting in increased risk of aspiration
- Ciliary mechanisms slow down resulting in ineffective removal of bronchial secretions
6 changes in the renal system in the elderly
- Blood flow is reduced by 50%
- Kidney size decreases resulting in a smaller surface area for filtration
- Imbalance of electrolytes and fluids
- Respond sluggishly to sodium
- Decreased thirst mechanism
- Bowel and bladder incontinence- stress and urge. Not normal part of aging
8 digestive changes in the elderly
- 1/3 of taste buds decrease by the age of 70
2.decrease in olfactory receptors - Slower gi motility
- Decreased enjoyment of food
- Decreased saliva production
- Weakened esophageal sphincter
- Reduction of gastric secretions
- Detoxification of drugs declines as a person ages
6 musculoskeletal changes in the elderly
- Widespread decrease in bone mass
- Bones Become brittle and break more easily
- Arthiritis
- Loss of flexibility in joints
- Decrease in height as a person ages
- Decrease in muscle mass
3 changes of the brain in the elderly
- Decrease in weight and volume by 5-10%
- Functional significance in unclear
- Enormous reserve capacity
4 changes of the sensory organs in the elderly
- Decreased tear production
- Decreased vision and hearing
- Impaired proprioception
- Decreased night vision/differentiate colours
- Deterioration of gums and teeth
- Decreased sensitivity to pain, sense of taste and smell
What is presbycusis?
Degeneration of the cochlea/ inner ear/ auditory nerves
DELIRIUMS mnemonic
D-drugs or toxins/ dehydration
E- emotional (psychiatric)
L- low PaO2
I- Infection
R- retention of urine or stool
I- ictal
U- undernutrition or underhydration
M- metabolism
S- Subdural hematoma
What is dementia?
An umbrella term for progressive neurodegenerative disease
What are the 6 types of dementia
- Alzheimer’s
- Vacular
- Frontotemporal
- Excessive alcohol and drug use
- Chronic traumatic encephalopathy
- HIV
2 immunological changes in the elderly
- More prone to infections
- Aged immune system can’t initiate a fever, can go unoticed
8 integumentary changes in the elderly
- Skin becomes fragile, thinner, drier, less elastic
- Decreased subcutaneous fat making bruising more common
- Elastin and collagen decrease
- Thinner skin can tear more easily
- Sebaceous glands produce less oil
- Sweat gland activity decreases
- Hair follicles produce thinner hair or inhibit hair growth
- Follicles produce less melanin
What 4 integumentary changes are elderly at risk of?
- Secondary infection
- Skin tumours
- Drug induced eruptions
- Fungal or viral infections
What is cellulitis, symptoms and treatment
Acute inflammation of the skin and soft tissue beneath it usually affecting lower extremities
Symptoms: fever, chills, general malaise to systemic sepsis
Treatment: antibiotics, adequate fluid intake, local dressings
What are shingles? Symptoms?
Localized unilateral skin lesions that can develop into small fluid filled blisters that can break open or dry and crust over
Usually around torso, face, vertically on arms or legs
Symptoms include: fever, headache and malaise followed by severe deep pain, Pruritus and paresthesia after 2-4 days.
4 risk factors of trauma in elderly patients?
- Slower reflexes
- Visual and hearing deficits
- Equilibrium disorders
- Overall reduction in agility
Second leading cause of trauma in elderly?
Motor vehicle collisions due to impaired vision, errors in judgment and underlying medical conditions
4 common injuries seen in elderly patients?
- Head trauma or injury- intracranial bleedin
- Chest injuries- rib fracture, flail chest
- Spinal injuries- spinal cord compression, nerve roots compressed, sudden neck movements
- Orthopedic injuries- common result of falls causing fractures in hip, pelvis, tibia, and upper extremities
