Chapter 4: Challenges of Treating Older Adults Flashcards
What are some Physiologic Changes in older patients?
Heart pumps less efficiently, metabolism slows, bone density declines, painful joints, loose of muscle flexibility, skin less elastic, hearing and vision can fade.
What are some Chronic Diseases in older patients?
Diabetes, coronary artery disease, arthritis, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, COPD and cancer.
What are some Cognitive Changes in older patients?
Abilities to reason, remember and articulate thoughts.
Is Dementia considers a Cognitive change?
No, because is a more rapid decline in cognitive abilities.
Cognitive Decline can be a result of?
Effects from medications, lack of exercise, lack of sleep, anxiety and depression.
Depression is common in older adults and is often the result of?
Loss of independence, loss of health, loss of mobility, loos of career or loss of a loved one.
What are some common symptoms of depression?
Persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, difficult focusing, lack of energy, loss of appetite and irritability.
What are some medical conditions that can cause depression?
Parkinson’s, stroke, vitamin B12 deficiency and Alzheimer’s.
What is Undernutrition?
Not getting enough essential vitamins and minerals.
What does older patients with a compromised nutritional state require?
Longer hospitalization and develop more complications.
Why are Safety Concerns important?
To live independently with no complications.
What is commonly Polypharmacy defined as?
Using five or more medication at a time.
Why adults aged 65 and older tend to take more medicines than any other age group?
Because they have more chronic conditions to treat.
The use of multiple medications can increase the risk of?
Adverse effects or drug interactions.
The electronic health record has helped to increase patient safety by?
Eliminating the duplication of prescriptions and warning about interactions.
