Geriatrics Flashcards
What are the cardiovascular changes in the geriatric population?
- Decrease in elasticity of arteries
- Elevated afterload and SBP
- Left ventricular hypertrophy
- Adrenergic activity decreases
- Decreased HR, both rest and max
- Decreased baroreceptor response
How much does the HR decline per year?
Decreases 1 beat/minute/year over the age of 50
Is there an increase or decreased risk of arrhythmias?
Increased, conduction system fibroses and loss of SA node cells increases the risk
What does atrial enlargement put geriatrics at risk for?
SVT and a-fib
Which type of hypertrophy has increased volume?
Eccentric
Which type of hypertrophy has increased wall thickness?
Concentric
Is inhalation or IV induction faster in the elderly?
Inhalation because circulation time is slow
What are the 2 cardiovascular responses that are altered to blunted B-receptor response?
Decreased maximal HR and decreased peak ejection fraction
How do elderly patients increase their CO?
Increase in end-diastolic volume as opposed to HR
What are the respiratory changes in the geriatric population?
Decrease in elasticity of lungs Decrease in alveolar surface area Increased residual volume Vent/Perfusion mismatch Increased chest wall rigidity Decreased cough Blunted response to hypercapnea and hypoxia Decreased max breathing capacity Increased closing capacity and closing volume
T/F: There is a collapse of small airways
True
Are elderly at an increased risk for aspiration?
Yes r/t decrease in airway reflexes
What happens to the FRC?
Increases slightly
What happens to the vital capacity?
Significantly decreases 25 ml/year starting at 20
What happens to residual volume and dead space?
Increases
What happens to total lung capacity?
Decreases with age
Does Vd/Vt ratio increase or decrease with age? And which equation do you use to find out?
Increases because dead space increases Bohr equation (Vd=dead space, Vt=tidal volume)
What happens to the gastric pH and emptying?
pH rises and gastric emptying slows
What happens to heat production?
Decreases