Integumentary Function Flashcards
Age related changees to integ
Reduced epidermal proliferation (less regeneration)
Thinner dermis
Decreased moisture content
Decreased sweat and sebaceous glands
Risk factors affecting integ system
UV exposure
Adverse med effects
Personal hygiene practices (laziness, mobility etc.)
Conditions increasing the risk for pressure ulcers and skin tears
Skin tears in older adults
Occur very easily
Difficult to heal
Negative functional consequences affecting integ
Dry wrinkly skin
Reduced sweating, shivering, tactile sensitivity
Increased susceptibility to skin cancer
Slower wound healing
Increased susceptibility to burns bruises, and skin breakdown
Most common trhee types f skin cancer
Basal cell carcinoma
Squamous ccell carcinoma
Melanoma
General warning signs for skin cancer
New skin lesions that
grow in size
New wounds that don’t
heal within 2 months
Flat patch of scaly skin
that won’t go away
Basal cell carcinoma
Very common
Generally good prognosis
Can invade other tissue if untreated
Squamous cell carcinoma
Early detection and treatment is imperative (malignant - spreads quickly)
Melanoma
Most serious type of skin cancer
More prevalent in males
Sunburn susceptibilitiy
Multiple severe sunburns (damage can occur over time)
Pressue ulcer def
any lesion caused by
unrelieved pressure that results in
damage to underlying tissue. Pressure
ulcers usually occur over a bony
prominence and are staged to classify the
degree of tissue damage observed.”
Skin wellness promtoion
Limit UV exposure
Hydration
Regular inspection for changes
Prevent and manage pressure ulcers and skin tears
refer to wound care nurse early
Risk factors affecting sleep werllness
Pain, nocturia
* Beliefs, attitudes or myths,
* Anxiety, depression
* Adverse medication effects
* Pathologic conditions
* Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
* Restless legs syndrome (RLS)
* Nocturnal myoclonus
* Environmental factors
Negative functional consequences related to agin and sleep
Increased time to fall asleep
Being roused from sleep more frequently
Increased difficulty returning to sleep
Increased time in bed with reduced sleep
Poorer quality of sleep
Nursing intervention for sleep distress
Teaching about habits
Environmental modifications
Relaxation and mental imagery
Teach about med side effects
Addressing apnea
OSA
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Involuntary cessation of airflow for 10
seconds or longer (ie. apnea).
* Occurrence of > 5-8 apneic episodes/
hour.
Cause of OSA
the muscles responsible for
holding the throat open relax during sleep
and block the passage of air.
Symptoms of OSA
Daytime fatigue, morning headaches,
diminished mental acuity, loud snoring
punctuated by brief periods of silence.
OSA negative potential consequences
Related to
Hypertension
Stroke
Coronary Artery Disease (Arteries feedin the heart so myocardium isn’t as efficient)
Arrhthmias
How is OSA treated
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
Can improve it to the extent that they no longer need the CPAP machine
Age related changes affection thermoreg in older adults
Reduced
subcutaneous
tissue
Reduced
shivering
Reduced ability
to acclimatize to
heat
Reduced
sweating
Reduced
peripheral
circulation
Inefficient
vasoconstriction
Risk factors for thermoreg issues
75 years
Adverse environmental conditions
History of alcohol use and medications (supress shivering
Chronic diseases
Age related changes to thermoregulation that contribute to risk factors
Reduced ability to respond to adverse
temperatures
Increased susceptibility to hypothermia or
hyperthermia
Reduced febrile response to illness
(Remember older adults may experience
lower than normal body temperature as a
symptom of Pneumonia)
Mild Hyperthermia symptoms
weakness,
lethargy, nausea,
headache and loss of
appetite
Severe symptoms of Hyperthermia
dyspnea, dizziness,
tachycardia
vomiting, diarrhea,
muscle cramps
chest pain, mental
impairment and a
wide pulse pressure
How is sexual health related to health
Neither uniquely physical or emotional, but a combination
Common misconceptions with aging and sexual health
Aging = disinterest in
sexual activity
Aging = disability
around sexual activity
Decreased arousal =
Physical and emotional
Risk factors affect sexual function
Societal influence, especially on attitudes, sterotypes and prejudices
Availabillity of a partner
Adverse affects of meds, alcohol (depresses the NS), nicotine (interferes with circulation to sex organs)
Chronic conditions affecting sexual health
COPD (SOB), arthritis, cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obstructive sleep, apnea
Nurse interventions promoting sexual function
Nursing responsibilities included:
* Addressing sexual function as a quality of
life concern
* Teaching regarding safe sexual practices
with those who are sexually active,
especially with anyone other than their
long-term monogamous partner.
