exam 1 Flashcards
(326 cards)
the older adult >65
- death in advanced years not caused by “old age” but disease or infection
- greater risk for illness (normal decline in adaptation)
- changes of aging become apparent when the body is under stress
homeostasis
body’s ability to adapt to or return to a normal state of balance after being subjected to a threat or stress (injury, exposure to pathogens, changes in fluid and nutritional intake, effects of medication, etc.)
homeostenosis
failure of homeostasis, progressive decrease in homeostasis that occurs in every organ system with aging
senescence
normal age related changes in the organ system
older adult concerns
- impaired mobility
- dizziness
- falls
- incontinence
- increased susceptibility to infection
older adults and CVS
- decreased CO
- diminished ability to respond to stress
- HR and SV do not increase with maximum demand
- slower heart recovery rate
- increased BP
- complaints of fatigue w/ increased activity
- increased HR recovery time
- optimal BP <130/80 mmHg
health promotion for older adults with CVS
exercise, pace activites, avoid smoking, low fat low salt diet, stress reduction, BP, weight control
respiratory and older adults
- increase in residual lung volume
- decrease in muscle strength and endurance and vital capacity
- decreased gas exchange and diffusing capacity
- decreased cough efficiency
- pt may experience fatigue and breathlessness after activity, decreased respiratory excursion and chest/lung expansion with less effective exhalation, difficulty coughing secretions
respirtory health promotion
exercise
avoid smoking
adequate fluids
influenza vaccinations
avoid exposure to upper respiratory infections
ingeumentary and older adults
- decreased subq fat, interstitial fluid, muscle tone, glandular activity, and sensory receptors, resulting in atrophy and decreased protection against trauma, sun exposure, and temperature extremes,
- diminished excretions of natural oils and perspiration
- capillary fragility
- pt may show thin wrinkled and dry skin with increased fragility that is easily bruised and sunburned, intolerance of heat and prominent bone structure
integumentary health promotion
limit sun exposure
dress appropriately
stay hydrated
maintain safe indoor temperature
shower rather than hot tub bath
lubricate skin with lotions
reproductive and older adults
female: vaginal narrowing and decreased elasticity, decreased vaginal secretions
male: gradual decline in fertility, less firm
male: gradual decline in fertility, less firm testes and decrease in sperm production
male and female: slower sexual response
female patients may show painful intercourse, vaginal bleeding, vaginal itching and irritation, delayed orgasm
male patients have less firm erection and delayed erection and achievement of orgasm
decrease in phagocytic activity and bactericidal funtion as well as a decrease in T cell function causes
increased susceptibility to and mortality from infections
decreased inflammatory response causes
altered clinical signs of acute infection, absence of fever
decreased antibody response to antigen stimulation of 90% by 75 causes
decreased allergic reactions
diminished antibody production in response to vaccination or infection and reduction in humoral immunity causes
reactivation of infectious diseases
decreased melanocytes cause
increased risk of skin cancer
decreased collagen causes
dry and rough skin
loss of elastic tissue causes
low grade skin infections
decreased elasticity and ineffectiv DNA repair causes
slow wound healing and weak scars
loss of dermal thickness causes
decreased barrier function
smaller adjoining surface between dermis and epidermis casues
paper thin skin and less resistance to shearing force
depression
- most common affective or mood disorder of old age
- risk of suicide increased in older adults
- substance use disorders cause by misuse of alcohol and drugs may be related to depression
- alcohol and drug misuse in older adults often remains hidden because may older adults deny their habit
demntia
course: chronic, gradual onset
progression: slow but even
duration: months to years
awareness: clear
alertness: generally normal
orientation: may be impaired
memory: recent and remote impairment
thinking: impaired judgement; word finding and abstraction are difficult
perception: misperceptions can be absent
psychomotor behavior: normal; may have loss of some previously learned skills
sleep/wake cycle: fragmented, frequent naps