Normal Aging
What is a normal cardiovascular change seen with aging?
Decreased cardiac output or increased blood pressure due to stiffening arteries
What is the most common cause of falls in older adults?
Environmental hazards and muscle weakness
What is polypharmacy?
Use of 5 or more medications at once
What is the most common type of dementia?
Alzheimer’s disease
What’s one way to promote medication adherence in older adults?
Use of pill organizers or simplifying regimens
Which sense is most commonly affected first in older adults?
Hearing
Define “frailty” in the older adult.
A state of decreased physiological reserves and increased vulnerability to stressors
Why are older adults more sensitive to medications?
Changes in metabolism, renal function, and body composition
What is a key difference between delirium and dementia?
Delirium has an acute onset and is reversible
What’s a key principle of therapeutic communication with older adults?
Use clear, respectful language and active listening
Why do older adults often have decreased height?
Compression of vertebral discs and osteoporosis
Name two risk factors for pressure ulcers in older adults.
Immobility, malnutrition, incontinence, or decreased sensation
What common side effect of anticholinergic medications can increase fall risk?
Dizziness, blurred vision, or confusion
What is a common cause of reversible confusion in older adults?
UTI, dehydration, or medication side effects
What is the best position for communicating with a hearing-impaired patient?
Face-to-face, at eye level, with good lighting
Name one change in the gastrointestinal system that can affect nutrition.
Slower gastric emptying or reduced taste/smell
What is sarcopenia?
Loss of muscle mass and strength due to aging
Name one potentially inappropriate medication class from the Beers Criteria.
Benzodiazepines, first-gen antihistamines, or anticholinergics
Name one early warning sign of Alzheimer’s disease.
Short-term memory loss or difficulty completing familiar tasks
Name two fall prevention interventions in a care facility.
Nonslip socks, bed alarms, regular toileting, clear pathways
What causes the skin of older adults to bruise more easily?
Thinning of the dermis and decreased subcutaneous fat
What does the acronym “SPICES” help nurses assess?
Common geriatric syndromes: Sleep, Problems with eating, Incontinence, Confusion, Evidence of falls, Skin breakdown
What should nurses always check before administering digoxin to an older adult?
Apical pulse and serum digoxin level (risk of toxicity)
What does a Geriatric Depression Scale (short form) score of 8 suggest?
Possible depression—further evaluation needed
What should the nurse do if a cognitively impaired patient becomes agitated?
Use calming techniques, reduce stimuli, redirect attention, ensure safety