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61 Cards in this Set

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  • Back
Gerontology
the study of the effects of normal aging and age-related diseases on human beings.
Aging (senescence)
a complex phenomenon that occurs on a continuum, beginning with birth and continuing throughout the life span.
the study of the effects of normal aging and age-related diseases on human beings.
Gerontology
a complex phenomenon that occurs on a continuum, beginning with birth and continuing throughout the life span.
Aging (senescence)
Gerontologist
gerontological specialists in advanced practice nursing, geriatric psychiatry, medicine and social services
gerontological specialists in advanced practice nursing, geriatric psychiatry, medicine and social services
Gerontologist
Average Life Expectancy Rates
Both sexes 84 years
Men 82.4
Women 85.3
Clinical delineations of:
Older Adults
Older-old Adults
Older Adults 65 +
Older-old Adults 85 +
Gerontological Nursing
Specialty within nursing that addresses and advocates for the special care needs of older adults.
Specialty within nursing that addresses and advocates for the special care needs of older adults.
Gerontological Nursing
Define Biological theories of aging
Theories proposed to explain the physiologic and functional changes that are observed in older adults.
Define psychosocial theories of aging
Theories that strive to explain the behaviors and social interactions of older adults.
Ageism
the stereotyping of older adults based upon myths.
The stereotyping of older adults based upon myths.
Ageism
Common MYTHS of aging
Senility is an expected result of aging.
Incontinence is an expected results of aging. Older adults are no longer interested in sexuality or sexual activity. Most people spend the last years of their lives in nursing homes. All older adults are financially impoverished.
*Disengagement theory*
There is decreased interaction between the older person and others in his or her social system. The disengagement is inevitable, mutual, and acceptable to both the individual and society.
Theory that claims that there is decreased interaction between the older person and others in his or her social system. The disengagement is inevitable, mutual, and acceptable to both the individual and society
Disengagement Theory
Somatic Mutation Theory
Radiation or miscoding of enzymes causes changes in the DNA. Changes associated with aging are the result of decreased fundtion and efficiency of the cells and organs.
Radiation or miscoding of enzymes causes changes in the DNA. Changes associated with aging are the result of decreased fundtion and efficiency of the cells and organs.
Somatic Mutation Theory
Programmed aging Theory
The life span is programmed within the cells. This genetic clock determines the speed at which the person ages and eventually dies.
The life span is programmed within the cells. This genetic clock determines the speed at which the person ages and eventually dies
Programmed aging Theory
Cross-linkage or collagen theory
Collagen is the principal component of connective tissue and is also found in the skin, bones, muscles and heart. Chemical reactions between collagen and cross-linking molecules cause loss of flexibility, resulting in diminished functional mobility.
Collagen is the principal component of connective tissue and is also found in the skin, bones, muscles and heart. Chemical reactions between collagen and cross-linking molecules cause loss of flexibility, resulting in diminished functional mobility.
Cross-linkage or collagen theory
Immunity Theory
The thymus becomes smaller with age. The ability to produce T-cell differentiation decreases. This impairs immunologic functions and results in increased incidence of infections, neoplasms, and autoimmune disorders.
The thymus becomes smaller with age. The ability to produce T-cell differentiation decreases. This impairs immunologic functions and results in increased incidence of infections, neoplasms, and autoimmune disorders.
Immunity Theory
Stress Theory
Stress throughout the lifetime causes structural and chemical changes in the body. These changes eventually cause irreversible tissue damage.
Stress throughout the lifetime causes structural and chemical changes in the body. These changes eventually cause irreversible tissue damage.
Stress Theory
Activity Theory
Roles and Responsibilities change throughout the lifetime. Life satisfaction depends on maintaining an involvement with life by developing new interests, hobbies, roles, and relationships.
Roles and Responsibilities change throughout the lifetime. Life satisfaction depends on maintaining an involvement with life by developing new interests, hobbies, roles, and relationships.
Activity Theory
Continuity Theory
Successful methods used throughout life for adjusting and adapting to life events are repeated. Characteristic traits, habits, values, associations, and goals remain stable throughout the lifetime, regardless of life changes.
Successful methods used throughout life for adjusting and adapting to life events are repeated. Characteristic traits, habits, values, associations, and goals remain stable throughout the lifetime, regardless of life changes.
Continuity Theory
Activities of Daily Living
Basic care activities including:
Mobility, bathing, hygiene, grooming, dressing, eating, and toileting.
Calcium requirements of the older adult.
1,000 to 1,500 mg per day. Should also contain vitamin D. Do not take calcium with enteric coated meds.
Polypharmacy
Problem of clients taking numerous medications for the same or various disease processes, with unknown consequences from the resulting combinations of chemical compounds and cumulative side-effects.
Problem of clients taking numerous medications for the same or various disease processes, with unknown consequences from the resulting combinations of chemical compounds and cumulative side-effects.
Polypharmacy
What respiratory changes result from the aging process?
Calcification of the rib cage and less flexible respiratory musclesmay lead to a barrel chest and decreased vital capacity of the lungs. Decrease in functional capacity results is dyspnea on exertion or stress; usual activity does not affect breathing. Decreased ciliary action and a less effective cough mechanism increase the risk for lung infection. The alveoli thicken and decrease in number and size, causing less effective gas exchange (decreased oxygen saturation) and, in individuals who also have chronic lung disease, intensifying respiratory deficits. Structural changes in the skeleton, such as kyphosis (seen in clients with osteoporosis as an often asymmetrical convex curve of the spine) can decrease diaphragmatic expansion.
Common respiratory disorders related to aging
Respiratory Tract Infections (RTI)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB)
What cardiovascular changes result from the aging process?
Left ventricle and heart valves become fibrotic leading to decreased cardiac output and slowed recovery time. The heart requires more time to return to a normal rate after a rate increase in response to activity. The heart rate slows. Dysrythmias are more common. Blood flow to all organs decreases. The brain and coronary continue to receive a larger volume than do other organs. Arterial elasticity decreases (arteriosclerosis), causing increased peripheral resistance and, in turn, a rise in systolic blood pressure and a slight rise in diastolic blood pressure. Veins dilate, and superficial vessels become more prominent.
Common cardiovascular disorders related to aging
Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD)
Hypertension
Chronic CHF
What are the signs and symptoms of Digoxin Toxicity?
Disturbances in Cardiac rhythms. Fatigue. Listlessness. Anorexia. Nausea. Visual Disturbances (halos around lights). Shaking. Unsteady gait. Confusion.
What gastrointestinal changes result from aging?
Tooth enamel thins. Periodontal disease rate increases. Taste buds decrease in number and sense of smell decreases. Saliva production diminishes leading to a dry mouth. Effectiveness of the gag reflex lessens, causing delayed entry of food into the stomach and increasing the risk of aspiration. Hiatal hernia may occur. Gastric emptying slows. food remains in the stomach longer, decreasing the capacity of the stomach. Peristalsis and nerve sensation of the large intestine decreases, contributing to constipation. The incidence of diverticulosis increases with age. Liver size increases after age 70. Liver enzymes decrease, slowing drug metabolism and the detoxification process. Emptying of the gall bladder lessens in efficiency, resulting in a thickened bile, increased cholesterol content, and increased incidence of gallstones.
Common gastrointestinal disorders related to aging
Over/Under Nutrition
Constipation
Dehydration
Dental Disorders
What Urinary changes result from aging?
Nephrons in the kidneys decrease in number and function, resulting in decreased filtration and gradual decrease in excretory and reabsorption functions of the renal tubules. Glomerular filtration rate decreases resulting in decreased renal clearance of drugs. By age 75 renal blood flow typically diminishes by 40%. Blood urea nitrogen increases. The creatinine clearance test is a better indicator than is BUN of renal function in older adults. Sodium-conserving ability diminishes. Bladder capacity decreases, causing increased frequency of urination, including nocturia. Renal function increases when the older client lies down, sometimes causing a need to void shortly after going to bed. Bladder and perineal muscles weaken, resulting in the inability to empty the bladder and predisposing the older client to cystitis. Incidence of stress incontinence increases in older females. The prostate may enlarge in older males, causing urinary frequency or dribbling.
Common urinary disorders related to aging
Incontinence
Urinary Tract Infections
What Musculoskeletal changes result from aging?
Muscle mass and elasticity diminish, resulting in decreased strength, endurance, coordination, and increased reaction time. Bone demineralization (osteoporosis) occurs, causing skeletal instability and shrinkage of intervertebral discs. The flexibility of the spine lessens, and spinal curvature (kyphosis) often occurs. Height may decrease 1 to 4 inches throughout the aging process. Joints undergo degenerative changes, resulting in pain, stiffness, and loss of range of motion
Common Musculoskeletal disorders related to aging
Osteoporosis.
Osteoarthritis.
Fractured Hip.
What Neurological changes result from aging?
Neurons in the brain decrease in number, resulting in decreased production of neurotransmitters and, thus, reduced synaptic transmission. Cerebral blood flow and oxygen utilization decrease. Time required to carry out motor and sensory tasks requiring speed, coordination, balance, and fine-motor hand movements increases. Incidence of slight tremors is common. Short-term memory may somewhat diminish without much change in long-term memory. Night sleep disturbances occur because of more frequent and longer wakeful periods. Deep-tendon reflexes decrease, although reflexes at the knees remain fairly intact.
Dementia
An organic brain pathology characterized by losses in intellectual functioning. The clinical manifestations associated with dementia are never considered normal aging changes.
An organic brain pathology characterized by losses in intellectual functioning.
Dementia
Delirium (Acute Confusion)
Cognitive changes that have a shorter onset of 6 months or less.
Common vision disorders related to aging
Presbyopia
Cataract
Glaucoma
Age-related macular degeneration
Changes in vision from the aging process
The lens becomes less pliable and less able to increase its curvature in order to focus on near objects, causing presbyopia (trouble seeing objects up close) and decreased accommodation. The lens also yellows causing distorted color perceptions, with greens and blues washing out and warm colors such as reds and oranges becoming more distinct. The incidence of cataracts increase. Accomodation of pupil size decreases, resulting in both decreased adjustment to changes in lighting and decreased ability to tolerate glare. For instance, high-gloss tile floors in hallways can appear like hills and valleys to older clients, especially those with perceptual deficits; this may increase anxiety and safety risks. Vitreous humor changes in consistency, causing blurred vision. Changes in the anterior chamber may increase the pressure of the aqueous humor, resulting in glaucoma. Lacrimal glands secrete less fluids, causing dryness and itching. Entropion or ectropion occasionally occurs in older clients. These conditions can not only impact vision, but can also increase the risk of infection caused by dryness and ineffective blinking. In these conditions, obtaining an order for artificial tears, lacrilube, and eye drop treatments for dryness or infection may be necessary. Arcus senilus, a hazy grayish yellow ring around the cornea may develop but it does not affect vision.
What changes in hearing result from the aging process?
The pinna becomes less flexible, the hair cells in the inner ear stiffen and atrophy, and cerumen (ear wax) increases. The number of neurons in the cochlea decrease, and the blood supply lessens, causing the cochlea and the ossicles to degenerate. Presbycusis, the impairment of hearing in older adults, is often accompanied by a loss of tone discrimination. High-frequency tones are lost first; thus keeping the voice low and calm and decreasing any background noise can improve the client's comprehension of the caregiver's message.
What is the most common endocrine disorder related to aging?
Diabetes Mellitus Type 2
What changes in the endocrine system result from the aging process?
Alterations occur in both the reception and the production of hormones. Release of insulin by the beta cells of the pancreas slows, causing an increase in blood sugar. Thyroid changes may lead to decreased T4 and hypothyroidism.
What reproductive changes occur in the female as a result of aging?
Estrogen production decreases with the onset of menopause. Ovaries, uterus and cervix decrease in size. The vagina narrows, shortens, and becomes less elastic; and the vaginal lining thins. Secretions decrease and become more alkaline, resulting in an increased incidence of atrophic vaginitis. These changes may result in dyspareunia (discomfort during coitus). Supporting musculature of the reproductive organs weakens increasing the risk of uterine prolapse. Breast tissue diminishes and nipple erection lessens during sexual arousal. Libido and the need for intimacy remain unchanged .
Common female reproductive system disorders related to aging.
Breast cancer (risk increases with age). Altered sexuality patterns related to physiologic changes, medications, changes in body image, or psychosocial changes such as the loss of a significant other or a move to a setting that provides some level of assistive care (group home, nursing home).
What reproductive changes occur in the male as a result of aging?
Testosterone production decreases, resulting in decreased size of the testicles. Sperm count and viscosity of seminal fluid decrease. More time is required to maintain an erection. Prostate gland may enlarge. Impotency may occur. Libido and the need for intimacy remain unchanged.
Common male reproductive system disorders related to aging.
Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy.
Altered sexuality patterns related to physiologic changes, medications, changes in body image, or psychosocial changes such as the loss of a significant other or a move to a setting that provides some level of assistive care (group home, nursing home).
What changes occur in the integumentary system as a result of aging?
Subcutaneous tissue and elastin fibers diminish, causing the skin to become thinner, less elastic and wrinkled. Ability of melanocytes to produce even pigmentation diminishes, resulting in hyperpigmentation or liver spots, typically on the hands and wrists. Eccrine, apocrine, and sebaceous glands decrease in size, number and function, resulting in diminished secretions and moisturization and thus pruitis. Body temperature regulation diminishes because of decreased perspiration and circulation, placing the older adult at risk for hypo/hyperthermia. Capillary blood flow decreases resulting in slower wound healing. Blood flow decreases, especially to lower extremities. Vascular fragility causes senile purpura. Cutaneous sensitivity to pressure, touch, pain and temperature decreases. Melanin production decreases causing gray-white hair. Scalp, pubic, and axillary hair thin and women display increased facial hair on the upper lip and chin. Nail growth slows, nails become more brittle and longitudinal ridges form in the nails.
Common integumentary system disorders related to aging.
Pressure Ulcers. Herpes Zoster. Skin cancer.