Age-Related Changes in Body Systems

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Questions and Answers

What is the first action to take when there is compromised circulation in a patient?

Check the patient's blood glucose levels

Provide oxygen as soon as possible (correct)

Monitor the respiratory rate closely

Administer diuretics immediately

Which symptom could indicate possible hypovolemia in older patients during a secondary assessment?

Marked BP changes and altered pulse rate (correct)

Rapid weight gain

Increased respiratory sounds

Consistent high blood pressure

What impact do diuretics have on glucose tolerance?

They have no effect on glucose tolerance

They cause decreased glucose tolerance (correct)

They improve glucose tolerance

They regulate glucose levels more effectively

What common issue is linked to noncompliance in medication management?

Administering medication improperly Signup and view all the answers

What might influence pharmacokinetics in patients?

Diet, smoking, and alcohol consumption Signup and view all the answers

What can a decrease in the number of pacemaker cells with age lead to?

Bradycardia Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors contributes to systolic hypertension in older adults?

Atherosclerosis Signup and view all the answers

What is a common symptom of Ménière disease that affects hearing?

Tinnitus Signup and view all the answers

In aging individuals, what effect does the increase in ADH have on the body?

Electrolyte and fluid imbalances Signup and view all the answers

What might ill-fitting dentures in older adults lead to?

Choking hazard Signup and view all the answers

Which change in the musculoskeletal system is commonly observed with aging?

Thickened synovial fluids Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of homeostatic regulation commonly declines with age?

Blood glucose regulatory system Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic change may occur in the cardiovascular system of aging individuals?

Increased risk of failure of the SA node Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors does NOT contribute to the higher risk of trauma in older adults?

Improved reflexes Signup and view all the answers

What is likely to occur if an older adult has decreased respiratory function following trauma?

Unsuccessful recovery due to complications Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is most likely to affect the outcomes of geriatric trauma in an older adult?

Cirrhosis Signup and view all the answers

Which assessment is NOT a focus in ensuring home safety for older adults?

Dietary restrictions Signup and view all the answers

In terms of falls among older adults, which type is categorized as an extrinsic cause?

Slippery floors Signup and view all the answers

An increase in intracranial pressure is most likely to lead to what symptom in an older adult with head trauma?

Depressed state of consciousness Signup and view all the answers

How do stiffened blood vessels contribute to trauma risks in older adults?

Limiting effectiveness of vasoconstriction Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a potential outcome of impaired renal activity in older adults after trauma?

Effective waste excretion Signup and view all the answers

Which condition significantly complicates fluid replacement in burn patients?

Renal compromise Signup and view all the answers

What physiological factor affects thermoregulation, especially in older adults?

Chronic disease Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors contributes to a higher incidence of hyperthermia deaths in older adults?

Medications affecting thermoregulation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a common type of injury resulting from falls?

Orthopaedic injuries Signup and view all the answers

What is essential to check before trauma assessment?

Mechanism of injury Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Cardiovascular System Changes

Arteriosclerosis contributes to systolic hypertension, alongside diabetes and atherosclerosis. Renal compromise is also a factor.
The heart's electrical conduction system changes over time. The number of pacemaker cells decreases with age potentially leading to bradycardia. SA node failure can cause atrial dysrhythmias.

Nervous System Changes

Mental function decline affects the regulation of respiratory rate and depth, pulse rate, blood pressure, hunger, thirst, and temperature.

Sensory Changes

Ménière's disease, a hearing-related impairment, often begins in middle age with symptom cycles lasting months. Vertigo, hearing loss, and tinnitus, along with pressure in the ear, are common symptoms.

Digestive System Changes

Poorly fitting dentures can increase the risk of choking, heartburn, and abdominal pain.

Endocrine System Changes

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) levels rise with age, causing electrolyte and fluid imbalances that can manifest as edema. Menopause is associated with a decrease in hormone secretion.

Homeostatic and Other Changes

Homeostatic capabilities decrease with age impacting the thirst mechanism, temperature regulation, and blood glucose control.

Musculoskeletal System Changes

Bone mass decreases in both men and women, leading to brittle, easily broken bones. Joints, tendons, ligaments, synovial fluids and cartilage experience changes over time. Height and posture can also change, with arthritic joint increase and muscle mass/strength decreases. Prolonged immobility can lead to muscle atrophy.

Primary Assessment

Use GEMS (Geriatric, Environmental, Medical, Social) to aid overall impression.
Importance of assessing airway and breathing, with attention paid to preventing airway blockage and anatomic changes that reduce effective breathing. Oxygen administration should be considered.
Circulation assessment is critical, considering the limited reserves in circulatory collapse (lower heart rate, difficulty finding a radial pulse, or irregular rhythm). Use oxygen.
Secondary assessment includes observing respiratory pattern, where tachypnea can signal acute illness. Note lung sounds, check for jugular venous distension (JVD), and evaluate for the presence of dentures.
Marked blood pressure changes and pulse can indicate hypovolemia or overmedication. Normal blood pressure tends to be higher in older adults.

Polypharmacy and Medication Noncompliance

Noncompliance with medication can involve failure to fill prescriptions, administering medication incorrectly, and taking inappropriate medication.

Pharmacokinetics

Diuretics and antihypertensives can cause hypotension and orthostatic changes from reduced cardiac output; decreased total body water. Glucose tolerance may decrease, potentially resulting in hyperglycemia.
Pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion) can be altered by diet, smoking, alcohol use, and co-medications. Treatment dosages should often be altered. Toxicity is a risk and includes psychiatric symptoms and cognitive impairment.

Geriatric Trauma Emergencies

Factors like slower reflexes, decreased agility, visual/hearing deficits, and equilibrium disorders increase the risk of trauma in older adults.
Less favorable trauma outcomes are often linked to altered homeostatic mechanisms and preexisting conditions. Successful treatment requires adequate compensation of trauma-related blood loss (increased pulse and respirations and vasoconstriction).
Unsuccessful outcomes are likely if there is decreased respiratory function, impaired renal activity, ineffective vasoconstriction, stiff blood vessels, fragile tissue, and demineralized bones. Falls can be divided into extrinsic (accidental) and intrinsic (intra-individual) causes. Pre-existing gait and cognitive conditions increase the risk of falls.
Evaluate home safety to prevent falls with a focus on pathways both within and outside the home (clear pathways, handrails, no loose rugs or obstructions, and wheelchair ramps).
Motor vehicle crashes frequently result in worse outcomes for older adults due to increased risk of fatal injuries from vision impairment and judgment errors. Preexisting medical conditions can exacerbate these risks.
Conditions like cirrhosis, congenital coagulopathy, COPD, ischemic heart disease and diabetes can influence trauma outcomes.

Pathophysiology

Head trauma is associated with increased cerebral blood vessel fragility and enlarged subdural spaces, frequently resulting in hematomas that develop over time. Increased intracranial pressure negatively impacts consciousness, resulting in drowsiness.
Spinal cord injury may arise from degenerative spinal changes causing arthritic spurs, narrowing vertebral canal, and neck movement.
Chest trauma can worsen due to rib brittleness and chest wall stiffness, whereas abdominal trauma frequently results in liver injury.
Burns carry significant risk of morbidity and mortality given weakened defense mechanisms and complicated fluid replacement due to renal compromise. Monitor hydration status.
Internal temperature regulation slows with age, with delayed recognition of temperature fluctuations. Heat gain/loss can be slowed from atherosclerotic vessels, slowed circulation, and decreased sweat production. Hypothermia and hyperthermia are risks for older adults who have impaired thermoregulation due to chronic conditions, medications and alcohol use.

Assessment and Management of Trauma

Assess injury mechanism and pre-existing medical conditions to inform treatment.
Initial management prioritizes ABCDEs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure).
Obtain a list of regular medications, particularly those that might impact treatment (beta-blockers, antihypertensives, diabetes medications).

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Description

This quiz covers the various changes occurring in the cardiovascular, nervous, sensory, digestive, and endocrine systems as a person ages. Participants will explore topics such as hypertension, mental decline, hearing impairments, and digestive issues related to aging. Understand how these changes impact overall health and well-being.