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48 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Changes in the Body: Cells
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•Changes start at the basic cellular level
•Number of cells is reduced •Reduction in lean body mass •Total body fat increases •Decrease in intracellular fluid |
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Changes in the Body: Physical Appearance
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•Begins in the fourth decade of life
•Hair loss, gray hair, and wrinkles •Atrophy of body fat •Loss of tissue elasticity •Reduction in skin-fold thickness •Decrease in stature |
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Changes in the Body: Respiratory System
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•Reduction in respiratory activity
•Less lung expansion •Increased residual capacity and reduced vital capacity •High risk for respiratory infection |
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Changes in the Body: Cardiovascular System
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•Heart size unchanged in absence of pathology
•Valves become thick and rigid •Heart muscle loses efficiency –Reduced cardiac output under physiologic stress •Reduced elasticity of blood vessels •Increased peripheral resistance |
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Changes in the Body: Gastrointestinal System
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•Tooth loss is not a normal part of aging
•Less acute taste sensations •Increased risk of aspiration, indigestion, and constipation •Effect on esophageal motility •Atrophy of the small and large intestines |
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Changes in the Body: Urinary System
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•Reduction in renal blood flow and filtration
•Reduced bladder capacity –Urinary frequency, urgency, and nocturia are common in the older adult population •Incontinence is nota normal part of aging |
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Changes in the Body: Reproductive System
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•Male:
–Reduction in sperm count in some men –Prostatic enlargement •Female: –Atrophy –Estrogen depletion |
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Changes in the Body: Musculoskeletal System
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•Atrophy and reduction in the number of muscle fibers
•Tendons shrink and harden •Reduction in bone mineral and mass •Increased risk of fractures |
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Changes in the Body: Nervous System
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•Reduction in nerve cells, cerebral blood flow, and metabolism
•Slower reflexes, delayed responses, and changes in balance •Health of the nervous system affected by all other body systems •Changes in sleep patterns |
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Changes in the Body: Sensory Organs—Vision
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•Presbyopia
•Narrowing of the visual field; decreased peripheral vision •Pupil less responsive to light •Potential for macular degeneration •Opacification of the lens: potential for cataracts •Distortion in depth perception •Arcus senilis •Decline in visual acuity |
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Changes in the Body: Sensory Organs—Hearing
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•Presbycusis
•Distortion of high-pitched sounds •Accumulation of cerumen •Alteration in equilibrium |
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Changes in the Body: Sensory Organs
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•Loss of ability to smell
•Altered sense of taste •Reduction in tactile sensation •These changes all result in a potential risk related to safety issues |
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Changes in the Body: Endocrine System
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•Decreased thyroid gland activity
•Altered release of insulin •ACTH secretion decreases with age •Delayed and insufficient release of insulin •Decreased tissue sensitivity to circulating insulin •Reduced ability to metabolize glucose |
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Changes in the Body: Integumentary System
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•Skin is less elastic, more dry, and more fragile
•Thinning and graying of hair •Reduced sweat gland activity |
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Changes in the Body: Immune System
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•Depressed immune response:
–T-cell activity declines –Decline in cell-mediated immunity –Potential for infection –Potential for reactivation of dormant varicella-zoster and Mycobacteriumtuberculosis |
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Changes in the Body: Thermoregulation
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•Lower normal body temperatures
•Reduced ability to respond to cold temperatures •Differences in response to heat |
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Changes in the Mind
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•Causes of psychological changes
•Personality remains consistent with that of the earlier years in the absence of disease •Changes in memory •Intelligence and aging •Learning ability and aging •Attention span |
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Next: Nursing interventions r/t age-related changes
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Blank
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Reduction in ICF
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Prevent dehydration by ensuring intake of at least 1,500 mL daily
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Decrease in subQ fat content, decline in natural insulation
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Ensure adequate clothing is worn to maintain body warmth; maintain room temp between 70-75
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Lower oral temperatures
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Use themometers that register low temps; assess baseline norm for body temp when pt is well to be able to identify unique manifestations of fever.
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Decreased CO and Stroke volume; Increased peripheral resistance
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Allow rest between activities, procedures; recognize the longer time period required for HR to return to normal following a stress on the heart, and evaluate presence of tachycardia accordingly; ensure BP level is adequate to meet circulatroy demands by assessing physical and mental function at various BP levels.
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Decreased lung expansion, activity and recoil; lack of basilar inflation; increased rigidity of the lungs and thoracic cage; less effective gas exchange and cough response
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Encourage respiratory activity; recognize that atypical symptoms and signs can accompancy respiratory infection; monitor oxygen administration closely, keep oxygen infusion rate under 4mL, unless otherwise prescribed.
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Brittleness of teeth; retraction on gingiva
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Encourage daily flossing and brushing; ensure pt visits dentist regularly; inspect oral cavity for periodontal disease, jagged-edged teeth, other pathologies.
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Reduced acuity of taste sensations
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Observe for overconsumption of sweets and salt; be sure foods are served attractively; season food healthfully
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Drier oral cavity
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Offer fluids during meals; have pt drink before swallowing tablets and capsules, and examine oral cavity after administration to ensure drugs have been swallowed.
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Decreased esophageal and gastric motility; decreased gastric acid.
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Assess for indigestion; encourage 5-6 small meals rather than 3 large ones; advise patient not to lie down for at least 1 hour following meals.
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Decreased colonic peristalsis; duller neural impulses to lower bowel
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Encourage toileting schedule to provide adequate time for bowel elimination; monitor frequency, consistency, and amount of bm
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Decreased size of renal mass, number of nephrons, renal blood flow, gfr, tubular function
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Ensure age-adjusted drug dosages are prescribed; recognize that urine testing for glucose can be unreliable, urinary creatinine excretion and creatinine clearance are decreased, and BUN level is higher.
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Decreased bladder capacity
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Assist pt with need for frequent toileting; ensure safety for visits to bathroom during the night.
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Weaker bladder muscles
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Observe for signs of UTI; assist pt to void in an upright position.
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Enlargement of prostate gland
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Ensure pt has prostate examined annually
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Drier, more fragile vagina
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Advise pt in safe use of lubricants for comfort during intercourse.
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Increased alkalinity of vaginal canal
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Observe for signs of vaginitis
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Atrophy of muscle; reduction in muscle strength and mass
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Encourage regular exercise; advise patient to avoid straining or overusing muscles
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Decreased bone mass and mineral content
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Instruct pt in safety measures to prevent falls and fractures; encourage good calcium intake and exercise
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Less prominent stages III and IV of sleep
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Avoid interruptions at night; assess quantity and quality of sleep.
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Decreased visual accommodation; reduced peripheral vision; less effective vision in dark and dimly lit areas
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Ensure pt has ophthalmologic exam annually; use night lights; avoid drastic changes in level of lighting; ensure objects used by pt are within visual field.
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Yellowing of lens
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Avoid using shades greens, blues, and violets together
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Decreased corneal sensitivity
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Advise pt to protect eyes
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Presbycusis
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Ensure pt has audiometric exam if problem exists; speak to pt in loud, low-pitched voice
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Reduced capacity to sense pain and pressure
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Ensure pt changes positions before tissue reddens; inspect body for problems that pt may not sense; recognize unique responses to pain
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Reduced immunity
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Prevent persons who have infectious diseases from infection early; recommend pneumococcal, tetanus, and annual influenza vaccinations; promote good nutritional status to improve host defenses
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Slower metabolic rate
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Advise pt to avoid excess caloric intake
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Altered secretion of insulin and metabolism of glucose
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Advise pt to avoid high carb intake; observe for unique manifestations of hyper- or hypoglycemia.
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Flattening ndermal-epidermal junction; reduced thickness and vascularity of dermis; degeneration of elastin fibers
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Use principles of pressure ulcer prevention
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Skin drier
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Recognize need for less frequent bathing; avoid use of harsh soaps; use skin softeners
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Slower resonse and reaction time
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Allow adequate time for pt to respond, process information, perform tasks.
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