Exam 1 Flashcards
fastest growing age group?
85 and older
elite groups
super-centenarian
110 +
born before 1910
centenarian
100-109
born 1911-1920
97K right now, 601k by 2050
most are female
30% show no evidence of dementia
baby boomers
born 1946-1964
wellness based models
maximize strength
minimize limitations
facilitate adaption
encourage growth
health
absence of disease
wellness
concept of wellness incorporates all aspects of ones being
promote biological wellness
physical activity, healthy eating, smoking cessation, control of underlying diseases
promote functional wellness
ensure safe envoirment
promote physiological wellness
conversation with patient, ensure patient is informed
promote spiritual wellness
allow them to practice beliefs
promote cultural wellness
understand the culture of the patient
promote environmental wellness
ensure clean space free from clutter assess for elder abuse
primary prevention
strategies to prevent illness before it occurs, teaching, vaccination, hand hygiene
secondary prevention
early detection of the disease or health problem that has already developed screening
tertiary prevention
addresses the needs of persons who have their day to day wellness challenged by slowing disease or limiting complications
Rehab
cellular functioning
cells replicate-but not exact replication, they become more complex/specific
with increased replication, there is increased accumulation of damage
process is still not well understood
programmed aging
the biological “clock”
cells may lose the ability to replicate
segments of DNA become depleted w/ advancing age
75% of variation in lifespan can be explained by non-genetic factors neuroendocrine contro
neuroendocrine control/ pacemaker theory
aging is a programmed decline in the functioning of the nervous, endocrine and immune systems. the cells lose their ability to reproduce
immunity theory
aging is a programmed accumulation of damage and decline in the function of the immune system resulting from oxidative stress
t-cells are thought to be responsible for increasing age-related auto-immune disorders
error theories
aging is the result of an accumulation of random errors in the synthesis of cellular DNA & RNA
-non-predictable
cross-linkage theory
aging is a product of accumulated damage from errors associated with cross-linked proteins
cross-linked proteins (collagen) become stiff and thick - evidenced by stiffened joints and decreased skin elasticity
wear and tear theory
cellular errors a result of “wearing out” over time from continued use
a progressive decline in cellular function or increased cellular death
oxidative stress theory (free radical theory)
- cellular errors are result of random damage from free radicals
- free radicals are natural by-product of cellular metabolism of oxygen - they function to destroy bacteria & other foreign substances
- accumulation of free radicals is referred to as “oxidative stress” or “oxidative damage”
- Mitochondrial DNA most affected by these changes
- antioxidants neutralize as needed (in youth) BUT as we age, process does not keep up & damage is faster than repair
Mutations
growing evidence suggests that ROS & free radicals are responsible for cellular mutations of DNA that are responsible for replicative errors, which increase with age
telomeres
repeated sequences on chromosomes essential for cellular reproduction
shorten with every cell cycle
hypothesized to be contributory to senescence of the cells
enzyme telomerase counteracts this effect
manipulation of telomeres has potential to affect development & treatment of disease & aging itself
telomeres and aging
the white caps at the end of chromosomes. they shorten with age and stress. this is related to early death
CV changes in aging
increased heart weight; left ventricle hypertrophy
decreased baroreceptor sensitivity
decreased force of contraction, contractile efficiency, stroke volume
valvular sclerosis
decreased in pacemaker cells
decreased beta adrenergic response
arterial stiffening & wall thickening with decreased compliance
dilated aorta, tortuous veins
decreased 02 uptake by tissues
CV changes manifestations
decreased cardiac reserve & output
decrease in maximum (peak exercise) heart rate
heart rate 40-100 bpm
slow recovery from tachycardia
fatigue, SOB increased premature or ectopic beats
risk of valvular dysfunction & systolic murmurs
extra heart sound common: S4 (not S3 which is always abnormal)
risk of conduction abnormalities
risk of postural & diuretic-induced hypotension
increased systolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, peripheral resistance
risk of carotid artery buckling, jugular venous distention
strong arterial pulses; diminished peripheral pulses; cool extremities
risk of inflamed varicosities
CV changes assessment
assess BP (lying, sitting, standing) & pulse pressures
note altered landmarks, distant heart sounds, difficulty in isolating point
maximum intensity
assess carotid arteries, right, internal jugular vein, varicosities. Monitor ECG.
assess exercise tolerance
CV changes interventions
safety: institute fall precautions for orthostatic hypotension
health promotion/disease prevention
medication regimen
weigh daily independence maintenance
avoid fatigue
respiratory changes in aging
thorax & vertebrae rigid
decreased muscle strength & macrophage activity
increased airway reactivity
drier mucus membranes
decreased alveolar function, vascularization, elastic recoil
decreased response to hypoxia & hypercapnia
respiratory changes implications
kyphosis; barrel-shaped
RR 12-24
decreased respiratory excursion & chest/lung expansion w/ less effective exhalation and increased residual volume
diminished breath sounds particularly at lung bases
decreased cough, deep-breathing, mucus/foreign matter clearance
risk of infection & asthma
altered pulmonary function
lower maximal expiratory flow (FEV,FEV1/FVC1)
reduced vital capacity
dyspnea on exertion, decreased exercise tolerance
PO2, Sp02 decreased
decreased capacity to maintain acid-base balance
respiratory changes assessment
respirations - patterns, breath sounds throughout lung fields
note thorax appearance, chest expansion
assess cough, deep breathing, exercise capacity
assess for infections, asthma
monitor arterial blood gases, pulse oximetry
monitor secretions, sedation, positioning which can reduce ventilation/ oxygenation
presbyphonia (article)
larynx stiffening, larynx muscle atrophy, decrease FEV
respiratory changes interventions
maintain PT airway through repositioning, suctioning
prevention of respiratory infections
incentive spirometry/pursed-lip breathing
health promotion/ disease prevention
vaccines: flu & pneumonia
education on cough enhancement, avoidance of environmental contaminants, smoking cessation
GI changes in aging
atrophy of taste & olfactory receptors
decreased esophageal motility & lower esophageal sphincter pressure
decreased stomach intestine motility, villi, digestive, enzyme secretion
decreased large intestine blood flow, motility, defecation sensation
decreased liver size, blood flow, enzymatic metabolism of drugs; increased biliary lipids
decreased pancreatic reserve, enzymatic & hormonal secretory cells
decreased thirst perception, saliva with dry mucosa, bone loss
GI changes implications
impaired digestive ability w/ possible food intolerances
risk of dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, poor nutritional intake
in mouth, risk of gingivitis, tooth loss w/ chewing impairment
impaired perception of taste (also with many drugs) & smell
risk of dysphagia, hiatal hernia, aspiration
delayed emptying of stomach with risk of maldigestion
GERD
decreased absorption of fat, carbohydrate, protein, vitamin B12, iron, folate, calcium, & vitamin D
constipation, flatulence
risk of fecal impaction, adverse drug reactions
Cholecystolithiasis
GI changes assessment
assess abdomen (note smaller liver), bowel sounds
monitor weight, dietary intake, elimination patterns
assess dentition, chewing & swallowing abilities, eating habits/ nutrition
assess pulmonary infection from aspiration/dysphagia
presence of NVD
evaluate chemosensory complaints of poor food taste
GI changes interventions
health promotion/ disease prevention
educate on nutrition/ diet approaches to flavor enhancement, fluid intake, toileting habits/bowel training
watch hidden Na+ in foods
GU changes in aging
Tubule degeneration
• Reduced response to ADH
• Impaired capacity to dilute, concentrate, acidify urine; impaired sodium regulation
• Decreased kidney weight, blood • flow, oxygenation, glomerular
filtration rate (often < 50%, • measured by creatinine clearance)
• Maintenance of baseline homeostasis for fluid/electrolyte balances
• Decreased functional reserve when
water/salt overload/deficit
In post-menopausal females:
estrogen loss; decreased pelvic area elasticity; gland & epithelial atrophy; alkaline vaginal pH
• Weakened urinary sphincter
• Decreased or delayed perception
of voiding signal
• Increased nocturnal urine production
• In males, decreased prostatic antibacterial factor; risk of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
Reduced bladder elasticity, muscle tone, capacity
Detrusor instability with involuntary bladder contractions
GU changes implications
• Risk of renal complications in illness; susceptibility to acute ischemic renal failure & embolism
• Risk of dehydration, volume overload, hyperkalemia (with potassium-sparing diuretics), hyponatremia (with thiazide diuretics), hypernatremia (with NSAIDs).
• Reduced excretion of acid load
• Risk of postural hypotension
• Decreased drug clearance
• Risk of nephrotoxic injury by drugs
• Normal renal function: constant serum creatinine level; absent proteinuria
• Risk of urinary tract infection (UTI) Why? Increased post-void residual urine
• Nocturnal polyuria- risk for falls
• In males, risk of urinary hesitancy dribbling, frequency, incontinence Why? (BPH)
• In females, risk of atrophic vaginitis, urethritis, vaginal stenosis, vaginal/uterine prolapse
GU assessment
• Assess renal function, particularly in acute/chronic illness
• Monitor blood pressure (orthostatic) Why?
• Assess for dehydration, volume overload, electrolyte imbalances, proteinuria
• Determine source of fluid/electrolyte imbalance. Monitor laboratory data e.g.,creatinine clearance What else?
• Assess choice/dose/need for nephrotoxic agents (incl. aminoglycoside antibiotics, radiocontrast dyes) and renally excreted medications
• Palpable bladder after voiding due to retention
• Assess for urinary incontinence, UTI
• Assess for abnormal urine stream with
BPH
• Assess fall risk in nocturnal or urgent 14voiding
GU interventions
• Preparation for fluid/electrolyte correction as indicated
• Calculation of creatinine clearance/ Cockcroft-Gault equation
• Safety precautions in nocturnal or urgent voiding & postural hypotension
• Monitor for nephrotoxic drugs, suggest change or alteration in dose (P&T)
• Health promotion/Disease prevention
• Bladder training (Void Q2-3h)
• Kegel exercises
• Fluid intake 2-3L/day unless contraindicated
Skin changes in aging
• Decreased subcutaneous fat, interstitial fluid, muscle tone, glandular activity, sensory receptors
• Collagen stiffening
• Reduced blood supply & capacity
for repair
• Capillary fragility
• Cumulative androgen effect
• For hair - decreased melanin & follicles
• Reduced blood supply to fingernails
Skin changes implications
Cool, pale, dry skin
Increased fragility, wrinkling, tenting, sagging (breasts & abdomen with risk of yeast infections)
Decreased elasticity, turgor, wound healing, and perspiration with reduced ability to maintain temperature
Risk of skin tears, ecchymosis, dermatitis, pressure ulcers, dehydration
Increased senile lentigines, neoplasms
Decreased sensation with risk of injury
Decreased fat, muscle tone of feet affecting ambulation
Graying, dry, thinner hair with facial hair alterations in men & women
Thick, brittle, easily split nails with slow growth & risk of fungal infections
skin assessment
• Monitor skin temperature, turgor (anterior chest wall, not forearm), hydration status (How?)
• Inspect for changes in skin color, pigmentation, lesions, bruising
• Assess intertriginous areas Why? (skinfolds: areas skin touches skin, e.g. groin, under breasts)
• Assess hygiene; need for podiatry services
skin interventions
• Prevent pressure ulcers
• Educate on care of dry, fragile skin
• Maintain environmental temperature control to prevent hypo/hyperthermia
• Provide adequate fluid intake to prevent dehydration
eyes changes in aging
• Decreased aqueous humor secretion with reduced cleansing of lens & cornea
• Ciliary muscle atrophy
• Lens less elastic, denser, yellow
with decreased light passage
• Decreased orbital fat, muscle elasticity, tear production
• Decreased corneal sensitivity, reflex; increased translucency, flattening
• Increased vitreous gel debris
• Loss of pigment in iris, smaller pupil
eyes changes implications
Decreased peripheral vision
• Impaired light/dark adaption, color discrimination
• Decreased night vision, altered depth perception
• Need for more light to see
• Difficulty in fundoscopic exam due
to smaller pupil
• Cataracts, Narrow-angle glaucoma
• Eyes dry & receded with limited upward gaze
• Risk of ectropion, entropion, conjunctivitis, infection, senile ptosis, artifactual visual fields deficit, arcus senilis; risk of corneal abrasion
eye assessment
Assess visual acuity (under various light conditions), color vision
• Note difficulties in funduscopic exam
• Evaluate impact of vision limitations on driving (day & night), ambulation, safety, social interactions
• Appraise home environment for hazards, lighting
eye interventions
• Health promotion/Disease prevention
• Educate on regular eye
exams
• Driving hazards due to visual impairments
• Organize house…fall prevention, safety, adequate lighting
• Appropriate use of colors —What colors are best? (Blue)
hearing changes in aging
• Changes in cartilage of pinna
• Decreased ceruminal glands in external ear
• In middle ear, ossicle joint degeneration; tympanic membrane thinning & loss of resiliency
• In inner ear, atrophy of vestibular structures, cochlea, organ of Corti plus loss of hair cells