Geriatrics Flashcards
What is heart hypertrophy?
Thickening of the myocardium
8 Cardiovascular changes
-heart hypertrophy
-decline in cardiac output
-arteriosclerosis
-atherosclerosis
-aortic stenosis
-electric conduction system deteriorates
-muscle degeneration
-valve degeneration
Arteriosclerosis vs. Atherosclerosis
Arteriosclerosis - stiffening of vessels
Atherosclerosis - plaque buildup
What is aortic stenosis?
The aortic valve doesn’t open fully
What happens when the electric conduction system deteriorates? What does it lead to?
Number of pacemaker cells in SA node decreases leading to bradycardia, dysrhythmias, and heart blocks
What happens with muscle degeneration?
Decreased contractility, stroke volume and cardiac output
What are some causes of cardiovascular decline?
Sedentary lifestyle
Disabilities or physiological factors leading to limited physical activity
What are 6 respiratory changes?
-decrease in elasticity of the lungs
-decrease in size and elasticity of respiratory muscles
-stiffer lungs due to calcification of costochondral cartridge
-respiratory drive dulls with decreased sensitivity to arterial blood gasses
-cough and gag reflex declines
-ciliary mechanism slows
What happens to vital capacity and residual volume when you have stiffer lungs?
Vital capacity goes down
Residual volume goes up
What happens when cough and gag reflexes decline?
Increased risk of aspiration
What happens when ciliary mechanisms slow?
Ineffective removal of bronchial secretions
How much does the blood flow change in the kidneys with renal changes?
Decreases by 50%
What happens to kidney size and what results from this?
Decrease in size resulting in small surface area for filtration
4 Renal changes
-blood flow decreases
-kidney size decreases
-imbalance of electrolytes and fluids
-bowel and bladder incontinence
2 types of incontinence
Urge incontinence
Stress incontinence
6 Digestive changes
-decrease in olfactory receptors
-decrease in enjoyment of food
-reduction of saliva
-reduction of gastric secretions
-weakening of esophageal sphincter
-slower gastric motility
How much do taste buds decrease and by what age?
1/3 of taste buds decrease by 70 years old
6 Musculoskeletal changes
-widespread decrease in bone mass
-bones become brittle
-decrease in height
-joints loose flexibility
-arthritis
-muscle mass decreases
Changes in nervous system
-Changes in thinking speed, memory and postural stability
-Age associated declines in mental function
-Slow responses or requests to repeat a question
How much does the weight of the brain decrease?
5-10%
True or false: smaller and lighter brain does not interfere with the mental capabilities of productive elderly people
True
Changes in sensory organs
-decrease in sight and hearing
-decreases tear production
-decreased night vision / colour differentiation
Corneal drying
Decreased tear production
What can hearing loss cause?
Decreased ability to communicate, meniere disease, presbycubis