Age-Related Changes in Body Systems

<p>Administering medication improperly (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Diet, smoking, and alcohol consumption (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Bradycardia (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Atherosclerosis (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Tinnitus (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Electrolyte and fluid imbalances (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Choking hazard (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Thickened synovial fluids (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Blood glucose regulatory system (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Increased risk of failure of the SA node (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Improved reflexes (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Unsuccessful recovery due to complications (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Cirrhosis (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Dietary restrictions (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Slippery floors (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Depressed state of consciousness (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Limiting effectiveness of vasoconstriction (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Effective waste excretion (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Renal compromise (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Chronic disease (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Medications affecting thermoregulation (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Orthopaedic injuries (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Mechanism of injury (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Arteriosclerosis (hardening of arteries) contributes to high blood pressure (systolic hypertension).

Heart's electrical conduction system changes, pacemaker cells decrease, leading to bradycardia and atrial dysrhythmias.

Mental decline affects regulating bodily functions like breathing, pulse, blood pressure, hunger, thirst, and body temperature.

A hearing-related disorder, causing vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus, and ear pressure, often onset in mid-life.

Poorly fitting dentures can lead to choking, heartburn, and abdominal pain.

Elevated antidiuretic hormone (ADH) levels can lead to fluid and electrolyte imbalances (like edema). Menopause decreases hormone levels.

The body's ability to maintain internal balance (homeostasis) decreases with age, affecting things like thirst, temperature, and blood sugar regulation.

Bone density decreases (brittle bones), joints become stiff, cartilage wears down, and muscle mass and strength diminish.

Reduced reserves leading to lower heart rate, difficult-to-find radial pulse, and irregular heart rhythms.

Blood pressure changes significantly with posture, potentially indicating hypovolemia (low blood volume) or overmedication.

Rapid breathing (tachypnea) can point to a potential acute illness, requiring immediate assessment of the respiratory system.

Failing to follow medication instructions, including not filling prescriptions, incorrect dosage, and taking wrong types of medication.

Factors such as diet, smoking, alcohol use, and concurrent medications can have effects on how medicine is processed by the body.

Older adults are at higher risk for severe chest injuries due to age-related changes in the rib cage making them more brittle and stiff, which limits chest wall movement.

Abdominal trauma in older adults often leads to liver injury due to age-related changes in the liver's structure and function.

Burns pose a significant risk for older adults due to factors like pre-existing medical conditions, weakened immune systems, and complications with fluid replacement.

Older adults struggle with temperature regulation due to slower internal processes, reduced circulation, and decreased sweat production.

When assessing an older trauma patient, it's crucial to identify their regular medications, especially those that may affect treatment like beta blockers, antihypertensives, and diabetes medications.

Older adults have slower reflexes, vision/hearing issues, balance problems, and reduced agility, increasing their risk of trauma.

Older adults often have less favorable trauma outcomes due to their compromised homeostatic mechanisms, aging-related body system changes, and pre-existing health conditions.

Adequate blood compensation during trauma, indicated by increased pulse, respiration, and vasoconstriction, is critical for a successful outcome in elderly patients.

Unsuccessful recovery is likely if the elderly patients experience decreased respiratory function, impaired kidney activity, and ineffective vasoconstriction.

Falls in the elderly are categorized as either extrinsic (external factors) or intrinsic (internal factors), with pre-existing gait problems and cognitive impairment increasing fall risk.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) should assess the home for safety factors for older adults, such as clear pathways, handrails, and removal of loose rugs.

Older adults are at a greater risk of fatal injuries in motor vehicle crashes due to vision impairments, poor judgment, and underlying medical conditions.

Conditions like cirrhosis, congenital coagulopathies, COPD, ischemic heart disease, and diabetes mellitus can influence the outcome of trauma in older adults.