Geriatrics Flashcards
Respiratory changes
Decrease lung elastic recoil
Weakened respiratory muscle (decrease chest wall compliance)
Decreased cilia (increase infection)
Alveoli flatten and shallow (decreased alveoli surface area)
Decrease chemoreceptor response
Decrease cough and gag reflex
Residual volume increase, decrease vital capacity
Normal PaO2 64-84mmHg (normal adult 90mmHg)
Cardiovascular changes
Decrease myocardial cells
Increase myocardial cell size
Stiffen arteries (atherosclerosis)
Decrease vascular tone (can’t adapt temperature changes)
Increase in Left atria and ventricle size
Pacemaker cells replaced with connective tissue
Gastrointestinal changes
Decrease gastric acid secretion (decreased absorption vitamin D, zinc, calcium
Fewer taste buds, decrease sense of smell
Stiffen esophageal wall
Decrease liver size and perfusion
Decline gallbladder empty (gallstones)
Central nervous system changes
Decrease cortical cell count; decrease brain size and wt (prone subdural hematoma)
Decreased cerebral blood flow
Decrease nerve conduction velocity (slow motor reflex, more falls)
Develop neurofibrillary tangles, beta amloid plaque, free radicals (Alzheimer’s, dementia)
Delinked neurotransmitters (acetylcholine, dopamine, serotonin)
Endocrine changes
Decrease growth hormone (loss muscle mass)
Decreased aldosterone (unable to regulate sodium)
Impaired adrenal medulla function (decreased epinephrine secretion)
Increased insulin (hypoglycemia)
Menopause (by age 51)
Vision changes
Presbyopia
Thicken collagen fibers (lose ability to focus vision)
Cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration
Presbycusis
Gradual hearing loss
Renal changes
Shrinking kidneys, decline glomerular function
Decreased renal blood flow (increase risk toxicity from drugs)
Urinary changes
Prostate enlargement
Bladder filling capacity and ability to hold urine decline
Immune changes
Loss T cell function
Kyphosis
Humpback posture
Delirium
Abrupt onset of confusion, disordered thinking, visual hallucinations
Psychosis
No sudden onset, oriented, no hallucinations
Common drugs that cause toxicological emergencies
Lidocaine
Beta blockers
Antihypertensive/diuretics
ACE inhibitors
Digitalis
Antipsychotroipcs
Analgesics
Corticosteroids
Osteoarthritis
Normal wear and tear on tendons
Osteoporosis
Less dense bones
Confabulation
Fabricating stories to fill gaps in memory
Alzheimer’s
Nerve cells in cerebral cortex die, brain substance shrinks
Dementia
Loss of intellectual functions
Vascular dementia
Reduction of cognitive function caused by blockage or decreased circulation to brain
Parkinson’s
Degeneration or damage to nerve cells in basal ganglia
Catarct
Loss of transparency of the eye lens
Change in protein fibers within lens
Glaucoma
Intraocular pressure increases
Damage to occular nerve
Atropine contraindication
Macular degeneration
Disruption of retinal pigment epithelial cells and photoreceptor cells
Grey and black spots in vision
