2.1 Ageing Flashcards
What 3 changes occur to the respiratory system with ageing?
- Lung and chest wall decreased compliance
- TLC, FVC, FEV1 and vital capacity are all reduced as people age
- Reduction in elastic support of the airways and leads to increased collapsibility of alveoli and terminal conducting airways
What are common respiratory post -operative complications in the elderly?
Atelectasis
PE
Pneumonia
What elderly patients are at increased risk of age related respiratory problems?
Smokers
Patients with chronic chest disease
Abdominal or thoracic surgery
Why might the upper airway collapse in the elderly?
A
WHAT FACTORS INCREASE THE RISK OF UPPER AIRWAY COLLAPSE IN THE ELDERLY
H
What differences in skin occur in the elderly?
G
Why are skin changes clinically significant in elderly patients?
G
What happens to blood vessels during ageing?
Large and medium Vessels become more stiff, less compliant
What is the clinical significance of CVS changes in the elderly?
Raised systemic vascular resistance
Hypertension
Left ventricular strain
Left ventricular hypertrophy
What is lone AF?
H
Why are heart blocks/ectopic beats/arrhythmias/AF more likely in elderly?
Reduced number of cardiac conducting cells
Elderly patients are likely to suffer from AF. Since atrial contraction contributes approximately to one third of the volume towards normal ventricular filling. Therefore these patients can suffer with a reduction in CO of about 30%. How does this reduced CO manifest?
Dizzy
Shortness of Breath
Tachycardia - palpations
Asymptomatic
How much does CO fall by per decade?
J
Why does CO fall gradually over our lifetime?
J
How does the dosage of IV anaesthesia change with age and why?
G
How is glomerular filtration rate affected with age?
H
Why do we see a decline in GFR with age?
B
What factors contribute to a reduction in renal function with age?
F
Males are more prone to to experience urinary symptoms. Why?
H
How is the CNS affected during ageing?
F
How does basal metabolic rate vary with age?
V
How is thermoregulation control vary with age?
H
Why is focusing on one body system not appropriate in elderly patients
B
Why do many older peoples mental functions deteriorate rapidly when they are rehoused?
H
Describe the location of care of dementia patients?
H
Why does care of malnourished elderly patients cost twice as much as obesity in elderly patients?
- Malnourished patients are likely to have longer hospital admissions
- They respond less well to treatment, are 3 times more likely to develop complications after surgery and have higher mortality rates.
- It is recognised that over 40% of patients are malnourished on admission to hospital and nutritional risk increases during their stay.
- more fragile skin. More prone to pressure sores
