Older Adult Care
This body system experiences decreased elasticity and reduced vital capacity in older adults.
What is the respiratory system?
The leading cause of injury in older adults.
What are falls?
This type of memory involves recalling past life events and is often preserved in aging.
What is long-term memory?
When communicating with an older adult, the nurse should speak using this tone and pace.
What is clear, slow, and respectful speech?
This type of exercise helps maintain mobility and prevent falls in older adults.
What is strength and balance training?
This sensory change commonly affects an older adult’s ability to hear high-pitched sounds.
What is presbycusis?
This medication class increases fall risk due to sedation and dizziness.
What are benzodiazepines or sedatives?
This disorder causes progressive cognitive decline affecting memory, thinking, and behavior.
What is dementia?
The nurse should face the patient directly to improve communication when this sense is impaired.
What is hearing?
Older adults should receive this yearly vaccine to prevent respiratory illness.
What is the influenza vaccine?
This visual change causes difficulty seeing objects clearly up close.
What is presbyopia?
The nurse instructs older adults to remove this common household hazard to prevent falls.
What are throw rugs?
This acute, reversible state of confusion is often caused by infection or medication.
What is delirium?
This communication technique allows extra time for the patient to process information.
What is using pauses and allowing response time?
This nutrient is essential to help prevent osteoporosis in older adults.
What is calcium (and vitamin D)?
This cardiovascular change causes arteries to become stiff and increases systolic blood pressure.
What is loss of arterial elasticity?
This assessment tool evaluates fall risk in hospitalized patients.
What is the Morse Fall Scale?
The nurse assesses cognition using this common screening tool.
What is the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)?
This term describes discrimination based on age.
What is ageism?
This screening test helps detect bone density loss.
What is a DEXA scan?
This aging change in the gastrointestinal system may increase the risk for constipation.
What is decreased intestinal motility?
The nurse teaches older adults to stand slowly to prevent this blood pressure change.
What is orthostatic hypotension?
This neurotransmitter deficiency is associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
What is acetylcholine?
The nurse should avoid this patronizing style of communication with older adults.
What is elderspeak?
This concept promotes independence and optimal functioning in older adults.
What is healthy aging or successful aging?