Geriatrics Flashcards

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1
Q

Aging of body systems

A
  • Cardiovascular
  • Respiratory
  • Neurological
  • Gastrointestinal
  • Endocrine
  • Musculoskeletal
  • Renal
  • Integumentary
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2
Q

Cardiovascular System

A
  • Hypertension (Common)
  • Valves stiffen and narrow (Stenosis)
  • Cardiac Hypertrophy (Enlarged heart)
  • Heart rate and rhythm change
  • Coronary artery disease (Common)
    • Atherosclerosis
    • Arteriosclerosis
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3
Q

Respiratory System

A
  • Cough reflex and power is diminished
    • Leads to more infections (pneumonia)
  • Less elasticity and recoil of the thorax
  • Decrease in smooth muscle fibers of smaller airways
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4
Q

Neurologic System

A
  • Decrease in size and mass of the brain
  • Depression (Common)
  • Senses diminish:
    • Cataracts
    • Glaucoma
    • Macular degeneration
    • Retinal detachment
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5
Q

Cataracts

A

Clouding of the lens of eyes

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6
Q

Glaucoma

A

Increased pressure in eye damages optic nerve

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7
Q

Macular Degeneration

A

Affects ability to see objects in center of visual field

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8
Q

Neuropathy System

A
  • Abnormal functions or nerve tracts

SXSX:
- Pain
- Numbness
- Tingling

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9
Q

Gastrointestinal System

A
  • Malnutrition as a result of deterioration of small intestine
  • Constipation (Common)
  • Deterioration of mouth structures
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10
Q

Endocrine System

A
  • Changes can lead to increased risk of health problems
    • Diabetes
    • Fluid imbalances
    • Hypertension
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11
Q

Musculoskeletal System

A
  • Osteoporosis (Common)
  • Kyphosis- curvature of the spine
    - Must pad voids when putting in spine motion restriction, including padding under head
  • Joints lose flexibility
  • Prone to falls due to:
    • general weakness
    • worsening balance
    • Loss of joint mobility
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12
Q

Renal System

A
  • Kidneys become smaller in size and weight
  • Drug toxicity common
    • From a decrease in kidney function and decrease in GI system absorption
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13
Q

Integumentary System

A
  • Skin becomes thin
  • Wounds heal slowly
  • Less perspiration
  • Thermoregulation changes , hypothermia and hyperthermia common
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14
Q

Ageism

A
  • Occurs when a person discriminates against people who are old
  • Always treat the elderly with the utmost respect and ask for their names. Do no use terms such as dear, honey, etc
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15
Q

Social Factors

A
  • Many on a fixed income
  • Patient may not want to be transported for a fear that they will lose their independence and not come home
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