Older Adult: Physiological Changes
Thinning of the dermis and decreased collagen lead to this common integumentary issue in older adults.
What is increased risk for skin tears or pressure injuries?
Erikson's final stage of psychosocial development for older adults.
What is Ego Integrity vs. Despair?
Decreased liver blood flow and enzyme activity primarily affect this phase of pharmacokinetics.
What is Metabolism?
a purposeful and empathetic form of communication, primarily used in healthcare, that focuses on a patient's physical, mental, and emotional well-being
💡 What is therapeutic communication?
This is a legal document which designates a representative to make health care choices for the patient.
What is POA power of attorney
Decreased baroreceptor sensitivity and stiffened arteries can cause this when older adults stand up too quickly.
What is orthostatic hypotension?
This cognitive change is often the first manifestation of an infection, such as a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), in older adults.
What is delirium?
Occurs when pathogens enter the urinary system via a catheter inserted through the urethra into the bladder.
What is a Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI)?
This technique involves restating the client's message in your own words to ensure understanding
What is Paraphrasing or Restating
This is the age at which you can stop screening for cervical cancer.
What is 65 y/o? ...for women who have had adequate recent screening. Adequate screening is defined as three consecutive negative cytology tests or two consecutive negative HPV/Pap co-tests in the 10 years prior to stopping, with the most recent test within five years. Women who have had a total hysterectomy for indications unrelated to cervical cancer should not undergo screening for cervical cancer
A decrease in alveolar surface area and chest wall compliance results in what respiratory change.
What is reduced oxygen exchange or decreased vital capacity?
The cognitive disorder that is chronic, progressive, and may have an unknown cause, such as Alzheimer's disease.
What is dementia?
a situation or circumstance that causes unexpected harm to the client.
What is an adverse event?
Saying, "Everything will be fine," is an example of this non-therapeutic response.
What is false reassurance?
Oxybutynin (Ditropan) is a medication commonly used to treat urinary incontinence. This is it's mechanism of action.
What is direct antispasmodic effect on smooth muscle, also inhibits the action of acetylcholine on smooth muscle. Exhibits 1/5 the anticholinergic activity of atropine, but is 4-10 times the antispasmodic activity; does not block effects at skeletal muscle or at autonomic ganglia; increases bladder capacity, decreases uninhibited contractions, and delays desire to void, therefore, decreases urgency and frequency
Slower peristalsis and decreased GI motility can lead to this common elimination issue.
What is constipation?
The cognitive function that slows with age, even if the overall cognitive ability is maintained, affecting reaction time and executive functions.
What is processing speed (or speed of cognitive function)?
a member of the health care team (e.g., nurse, pharmacist, provider) assesses the client’s current home medications and compares them with the newly prescribed medications, identifies any discrepancies or interactions, and takes steps to resolve these issues
What is the medication reconciliation process?
This phase of the nurse-client relationship involves setting goals and implementing interventions
The Working Phase
Thiazides and SSRI's are much more likely to cause this abnormality in the geriatric population.
What is hyponatremia?
The general loss of muscle mass and strength with age, a key component of frailty.
What is sarcopenia?
This is an often unrecognized and undertreated condition in the elderly which can lead to a serious health concern leading to unnecessary suffering, impaired functional status, increased mortality, and excessive use of health care resources
What is depression?
List the 6 rights of medication administration
Right client, Right medication, Right dose, Right route of administration, Right time of delivery, Right documentation
This communication barrier involves using medical jargon or terms the client may not understand.
What is using Technical Language
The use of Alpha 1 blockers should be avoided in the geriatric population due to the risk of this.
What is orthostatic hypotension? High risk of orthostatic hypotension; not recommended as antihypertensive alternative agents have superior risk/benefit profile