Nutrition and Digestion in Older Adults

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Questions and Answers

What percentage of nursing home patients experience malnutrition or undernourishment due to insufficient food intake?

60%

50%

85% (correct)

75%

What is a possible effect of decreased metabolism in older persons?

Decreased sense of taste

Impaired communication

Increased appetite

Weight gain (correct)

Which of the following is a degenerative change in the eye associated with aging?

Presbyopia

Glaucoma

Cataract

All of the above (correct)

What is one of the reasons why older individuals may experience decreased appetite?

Feeling that less food is needed and essential substances are unnecessary Signup and view all the answers

What is a possible effect of poor blood circulation in older persons?

Feeling chills Signup and view all the answers

What is a result of atrophy of the mucosa and glands of the digestive tract in older individuals?

Malabsorption of essential nutrients, including vitamins and minerals Signup and view all the answers

What is a possible consequence of diminished sense of taste and smell in older persons?

Impaired appetite and nutrition Signup and view all the answers

What is a degenerative change in the inner ear associated with aging?

Hearing loss Signup and view all the answers

Why is constipation more common in older individuals?

Due to decreased activity, low fiber and fluid intake, and excessive use of laxatives Signup and view all the answers

What is a complication of chronic constipation in older individuals?

Hemorrhoids Signup and view all the answers

Why is obesity common in some older individuals?

Due to leading a sedentary life Signup and view all the answers

What is a result of obesity in older individuals?

Increased risk of atherosclerosis and hypertension Signup and view all the answers

What is a complication of obesity in older individuals?

Increased risk of gallstones Signup and view all the answers

What is a result of insulin resistance caused by obesity in older individuals?

Altered glucose and lipid metabolism leading to Type 2 diabetes Signup and view all the answers

What is a major complication of aging related to urinary system?

Reduced control of bladder function Signup and view all the answers

What is a result of incomplete emptying of the bladder in elderly people?

Residual urine and increased risk of urinary tract infections Signup and view all the answers

Why are elderly people at a higher risk for infections?

Due to malnutrition and poor circulation impairing normal defense mechanisms Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of decreased estrogen levels in women on urinary system?

Decreased smooth muscle tone Signup and view all the answers

What is a result of weakened pelvic floor muscles in women?

Reduced ability of the external sphincter to restrict urinary outflow Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of reduced kidney function due to aging?

Reduced fluid retention Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Physiological Changes in Older Adults

Anorexia (decreased appetite) and feeling of not needing essential nutrients, leading to malnutrition.
Difficulty chewing and swallowing, limiting dietary choices.

Gastrointestinal Changes and Nutrition

Atrophy of digestive tract mucosa and glands, causing malabsorption of essential nutrients (vitamins, minerals, calcium, vit.B12, and iron).
Decreased mucus secretion and thinning of mucosa, increasing the risk of peptic ulcer development.
Constipation is more common in old age due to:
- Decreased activity
- Low fiber and fluid intake
- Excessive use of laxatives
Constipation leads to:
- Prolonged exposure to carcinogenic substances, increasing the risk of malignancies in the digestive tract (stomach and colon)
- Hemorrhoids
Obesity is common in some older individuals, particularly those who lead sedentary lives.
Obesity increases the risk of:
- Cardiac workload and atherosclerosis
- Hypertension
- Gallstones
- Osteoarthritis
- Insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome
- Type 2 diabetes

Urinary System Changes

Reduced kidney function due to loss of glomeruli and degeneration of tubules and blood vessels.
Reduced bladder control due to:
- Weakened muscles of the urethra and bladder
- Reduced bladder capacity and incomplete bladder emptying
- Frequency, nocturia, and infection
- In women, stretched and weakened pelvic floor muscles reduce external sphincter control
- Decreased estrogen levels reduce smooth muscle tone
- Reduced sensory perception of a full bladder
- Weakened urethral sphincter, leading to incontinence
Incontinence leads to:
- Incomplete emptying of the bladder
- Residual urine and frequent urinary tract infections

Other Factors

Infections are common in older adults due to:
- Malnutrition and poor circulation, impairing normal defense mechanisms
- Delayed or diminished healing capacity
- Diminished autonomic nervous system adaptability
Cancer is more common in older adults due to:
- Increased risk of malignancies in the digestive tract
- Other factors not specified in the text

Neurologic Changes (The Special Senses)

Degenerative changes in the eye often impair vision:
- Cataract
- Glaucoma
- Presbyopia (farsightedness)
- Night vision impairment
- Vascular degeneration may affect the retina, causing permanent visual loss
Degenerative changes in the inner ear:
- Hearing loss
- Impairment of communication and socialization
Diminished sense of taste and smell may impair appetite and nutrition:
- Altered taste due to reduced salivary secretions or decreased perception within the central nervous system

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Description

This quiz covers the changes that occur in nutrition and digestion as people age, including decreasing appetite, difficulty chewing and swallowing, and gastrointestinal changes that affect nutrient absorption.