B4.077 Cariopulmonary Disease in Geriatrics

Question 1

arteries

Answer 1

stiff

Question 2

aorta

Answer 2

stiff

Question 3

baroreceptor sensitivity

Answer 3

decreases; not as responsive

Question 4

B-adrenergic response

Answer 4

decreases; not as responsive

Question 5

left ventricle

Answer 5

stiff

Question 6

atria

Answer 6

dilate

Question 7

chest wall

Answer 7

stiff

joints don’t work as well

Question 8

diaphragm

Answer 8

weakens

Question 9

bronchi

Answer 9

stiff

Question 10

alveoli

Answer 10

lose their elastic recoil

atelectasis

Question 11

veins

Answer 11

stiff, valves don’t work as well

Question 12

which type of heart failure is associated with aging?

Answer 12

diastolic

Question 13

why does aortic stenosis occur with aging?

Answer 13

thickening and calcification of the valve leaflets

Question 14

why do you have to be careful with BP management in older patients?

Answer 14

aorta is stiffer and less compliant
need higher pressure to get blood out
lowering BP too much could result in orthostatic hypotension

Question 15

why does a-fib occur in older populations?

Answer 15

dilation of atria results in subsequent dilation of the conduction system
fewer pacer cells present

Question 16

what 3 characteristics make elderly populations more susceptible to pneumonia

Answer 16

waning immune system
reduce ciliary function, decreased effectiveness of mucociliary elevator
decreased ability to cough

Question 17

what 3 factors make elderly populations more susceptible to PEs

Answer 17

inactivity
stiff valves in veins
weaker muscles struggle to circulate blood effectively

Question 18

common cardiopulm complications in hospitalized seniors

Answer 18

a fib
CHF
DVT/PE
penumonia

Question 19

common cardiac syndromes in aging

Answer 19

aortic stenosis
a fib
coronary ischemia
DVT/PE
diastolic HF
isolated systolic hypertension
systolic HF
orthostatic hypotension

Question 20

physiologic change leading to systolic hypertension

Answer 20

decreased compliance

Question 21

mechanism of decreased arterial compliance

Answer 21

fibrosis

loss of elasticity

Question 22

physiologic change leading to atherosclerosis

Answer 22

vascular intimal thickening

decreased arterial compliance

Question 23

mechanism of atherosclerosis

Answer 23

elastin fragmentation
fibrosis
loss of elasticity
altered tissue repair

Question 24

physiologic change leading to LV dysfunction

Answer 24

increased LV wall thickness

Question 25

mechanism of LV dysfunction

Answer 25

increased myocyte size

Question 26

physiologic change leading to a fib

Answer 26

increased atrial volume

decreased SA node automaticity

Question 27

physiologic change leading to orthostatic hypotension

Answer 27

decreased baroreceptor sensitivity

decreased arterial compliance

Question 28

how can older people present with vitals that would make a younger person much much sicker?

Answer 28

less reflex responses to changes

body doesn’t react to stress at same levels