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NCLEX: Fundamentals Of Nursing > Set 12 - Gerontology > Flashcards

Set 12 - Gerontology Flashcards

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1
Q

Gerontological psychosocial changes nursing consideration

A

Older adults should be regularly screened for depression and suicidal ideation

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2
Q

Gerontological respiratory changes

A
  • decreased lung capacity
  • decreased lung tissue elasticity
  • weaker respiratory muscles
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3
Q

Respiratory changes associated with aging are more likely to place older adults at risk for

A

Infections, pneumonia, abnormal breathing patters (ex: sleep apnea)

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4
Q

Gerontological cardiovascular changes

A

decreased heart muscle efficacy and strength (decreased cardiac output)

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5
Q

Cardiovascular aging can result in incomplete valve closure placing older adults at risk for

A

Heart murmurs

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6
Q

Cardiovascular aging may result in stiffening and calcification of heart vessels placing older adults at risk for

A

Atherosclerosis

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7
Q

Older adults may experience a decrease in the size and number of neurons. This is referred to as

A

Cerebral atrophy

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8
Q

Decreased cerebral blood flow in older adults can result in a decrease in

A

Cognitive function (NOTE: a slight change in cognitive function, like forgetfulness, is normal! However, if the change is significant, dementia may be suspected. This is NOT normal)

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9
Q

General nervous system changes associated with aging

A

Delayed reflexes/reaction time, decreased senses, altered sleep-wake cycle, increased risk for chronic pain

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10
Q

What are some ways the nurse can assess pain levels in an older adult?

A

Facial expressions, appetite, sleep disturbances, mood/behavior

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11
Q

Decreased bone density places older adults at risk for

A

Osteoporosis, bone fractures, falls

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12
Q

General musculoskeletal changes associated with aging

A
  • muscle atrophy (muscle decreases in size, strength, endurance)
  • joint stiffening (risk for arthritis)
  • kyphosis (forward curvature of thoracic spine —> decrease in height)
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13
Q

Factors that may contribute to risk for falls in the elderly population

A

Previous falls, impaired vision, impaired balance, polypharmacy, incontinence, cognitive decline, pain, orthostatic hypotension

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14
Q

A decrease in thyroid function leads to a decrease in _________ in older adults

A

Basal metabolic rate (BMR)

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15
Q

A decrease in insulin release and tissue sensitivity to insulin places older adults at risk for

A

Diabetes

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16
Q

Factors that contribute to the risk for Dysphagia and aspiration in older adults

A
  • increased fatty tissue deposit in abdomen
  • decrease in saliva production and mastication
  • weaker gag reflex
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17
Q

A decrease in appetite and taste sensation places older adults at risk for

A

Malnutrition and dehydration

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18
Q

Slower gastric emptying rates and bowel motility places older adults at risk for

A

Constipation

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19
Q

Renal changes in the older adult include

A

Decrease in nephrons, renal blood flow, and kidney function

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20
Q

Older adults may experience stiffening and weakening of bladder muscles which places this population at risk for

A

Urinary incontinence/retention and UTIs

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21
Q

Reproductive changes in aging females

A

Decreased hormone production (estrogen, progesterone), cessation of ovulation, thinner and dryer vaginal walls, menopause (cessation of menstruation)

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22
Q

S/S of menopause

A

Hot flashes, mood swings, sleeping difficulties

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23
Q

Reproductive changes in aging males

A

Prostatic enlargement, decrease in hormones like testosterone (decreased sex drive, risk for erectile dysfunction)

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24
Q

What unique symptom might older adults experience if they have a UTI?

A

Confusion/agitation

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25
Q

A decrease in subcutaneous tissue can increase an older adults risk for

A

Pressure injuries; hypothermia

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26
Q

Integumentary changes in older adults

A

Thinner and dryer skin, easier bruising, senile lentigines (aging/liver spots), delayed wound healing

27
Q

Difficulty focusing on close objects

A

Presbyopia

28
Q

Opacity of the lens

A

Cataracts

29
Q

An increase in fluid pressure inside the eye

A

Glaucoma

30
Q

Loss of central vision

A

Macular degeneration

31
Q

Age-related bilateral hearing loss

A

Presbycusis

32
Q

Older adults with presbycusis are more likely to lose the ability to hear _____-pitches frequencies first

A

Higher

33
Q

A progressive neurodegenerative disease categorized by muscle rigidity, akinesia, and involuntary tremors

A

Parkinson’s disease

34
Q

TRAP symptoms of Parkinson’s disease

A

Tremors, rigidity, akinesia/bradykinesia, postural instability

35
Q

A gradual, nonreversible dementia in which a person experiences memory problems, judgement issues, and personality changes

A

Alzheimer’s disease

36
Q

Stage 1 symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease

A

Mild: forgetfulness, short-term memory loss

37
Q

Stage 2 symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease

A

Moderate: disorientation, agitation, require more assistance w/ ADLs, incontinence, wandering

38
Q

Stage 3 symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease

A

Severe: bedridden, loss of motor and verbal skills, impaired swallowing

39
Q

Nursing interventions for patient’s with Alzheimer’s

A
  • maintain a structure environment and routine
  • provide short, simple directions
  • repetition and reorientation may be necessary
  • avoid overstimulation: use a single-day calendar
  • secure environment: lock doors/exits
  • implement fall precautions
40
Q

Term used to describe increase confusion and agitation in the evening in patients with Alzheimer’s disease

A

Sundowning

41
Q

Interventions for patients with Dysphagia

A
  • monitor intake and swallowing
  • thicken liquids/food as appropriate
  • sit upright when eating
  • ensure suction equipment at bedside
42
Q

Chronic, irreversible memory loss that occurs gradually

A

Dementia

43
Q

T or F: Dementia results in changes in LOC

A

False

44
Q

Describe the onset of delirium

A

Acute and sudden

45
Q

T or F: unlike dementia, delirium is reversible

A

True

46
Q

Causes of delirium

A

Metabolic imbalances/disorders, infections, toxins

47
Q

Effects of delirium in older adults

A
  • change in LOC
  • behavioral changes
  • hallucinations
48
Q

Mood changes that last more than two weeks

A

Depression

49
Q

Using five or more medications concurrently

A

Polypharmacy

50
Q

Polypharmacy risk factors

A
  • use of multiple OTC medications
  • chronic conditions/multiple chronic conditions
  • highest risk during transition of care
51
Q

The _____ criteria allows for identification of medications that have an increased harmful effect in older adults

A

Beer’s

52
Q

In prevent polypharmacy, the nurse can encourage patients to

A

Carry a list of all their medications (including OTC), bring medications in their original containers for doctor visits, encourage the use of a single pharmacy

53
Q

Anticholinergics included in the Beer’s list

A

Atropine, oxybutynin, Benztropine

54
Q

Antidepressants included in the Beer’s list

A

SSRIs, SNRIs: amitriptyline, sertraline, duloxetine

55
Q

First-generation antihistamines included in the Beer’s list

A

Diphenhydramine, hydroxyzine

56
Q

Antipsychotics included in the Beer’s list

A

Chlorpromazine, olanzapine

57
Q

Benzodiazepines included in the Beer’s list

A

Lorazepam, alprazolam

58
Q

NSAIDs included in the Beer’s list

A

Ibuprofen, naproxen, ketorolac

59
Q

PPIs included in the Beer’s list

A

Omeprazole, pantoprazole

60
Q

Drug classes included in the Beer’s list for prevention of polypharmacy/adverse effects in older adults

A

Anticholinergics, antidepressants, antipsychotics, first generation antihistamines, Benzodiazepines, NSAIDs, and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)

61
Q

Elder mistreatment risk factors

A

Dementia, physical dependency on others for care, social isolation

62
Q

Risk factors for becoming the perpetrator of elder abuse

A

Caregiver strain, substance abuse, mental health disorders

63
Q

S/S of elder mistreatment

A

Bruises/injuries in multiple stages of healing, treatment delay, dehydration, pressure injuries, poor hygiene incompatibility between the injury and how it was explained to have happened, incompatibility with what caregiver and patient say

64
Q

Short-term relief of duties for caregivers

A

Respite care

NCLEX: Fundamentals Of Nursing (14 decks)

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