Chapter 24- Pathophysiology Complications of Aging

Question 1

Aging process

Answer 1

Begins at birth but is more evident about 30 years. Irreversible. Doesn’t necessarily match chronologic age. Various organs age at different rates. Changes depend on genetic makeup, lifestyle, and health status

Question 2

Senescence

Answer 2

Period of life from old age until death

Question 3

Routine physical exercise

Answer 3

Increases cardiac output and ventilation and may slow tissue changes associated with senescence by improved nutrition and oxygenation to the tissues

Question 4

Cognitive activities

Answer 4

Card games, puzzles, reading, and social interactions help

Question 5

Changes in cell tissues

Answer 5

Elastic fibers are decreased, mitosis slows down causing decreased tissue repair, some neuron and muscle cells can’t replicate, and other cells die causing organ failure

Question 6

Environmental factors

Answer 6

Radiation, viral infections, chemicals, long term increase risk of cancer

Question 7

Hormonal changes

Answer 7

Usually, hormone secretions are constant with advancing age but the tissue receptors may decrease, decreasing the body’s response to hormones

Question 8

Reproductive changes with aging

Answer 8

Ovaries stop producing estrogen and progesterone, serum levels of FSH and LH rise in response. Menopause (lack of ovulation, stopping menstrual cycle, and declining changes in cervix and vagina). Testosterone levels decrease slowly. Prostate cancer more common

Question 9

Skin changes

Answer 9

Sun damage leads to color changes and skin cancer, skin becomes thin, fragile, loses its elasticity, and dries out. Melanocytes reduce, hair grays, and thins out

Question 10

Cardiovascular system changes

Answer 10

Collagen and fatty tissue collect in heart and may affect muscle and conduction functions. Heart valves thicken and become less flexible. Cardiac output decreases with age. Circulating fluid volume decreases; aging risks dehydration and fluid intake is important. Degenerative changes increase presence of cholesterol and lipids in the arterial walls resulting in atherosclerosis

Question 11

Osteoporosis

Answer 11

Loss of calcium and bone mass

Question 12

Osteoarthritis

Answer 12

Degeneration of joint cartilage

Question 13

Herniated intervertebral discs

Answer 13

Reduction, degradation, impinge the nerve

Question 14

Atrophy

Answer 14

Skeletal muscle mass declines

Question 15

Respiratory changes

Answer 15

Elasticity decreases, costal cartilage calcifies, sternum calcifies, rib cage skeletal and lung tissue changes result in difficult respiration, reduced lung volume, and reduced coughing reflex and lung expansion increases the risk for fluid accumulation and pneumonia

Question 16

Nervous system changes

Answer 16

Reduction in brain mass, cognitive function may be preserved with mental activity, neurofibrils and plagues in the brain, autonomic nervous system malfunctions, decreased adaptation in eyes reaction to light, vision loss, hearing loss, and sensory loss

Question 17

Digestive changes

Answer 17

Loss of teeth, reduction in salivary enzymes, poor appetite, difficulty swallowing and chewing, loss of digestive ability and absorption of nutrients, poor bowel function, and relates to loss of function in other systems

Question 18

Urinary changes

Answer 18

Diminished kidney function caused by loss of glomeruli and filtering capabilities, poor clearance of toxic wastes and drug metabolites, reduced ability to control bladder function, increase in urinary frequency, or incomplete emptying of bladder, and risk for UTIs