Age-related physiologic changes, polypharmacy risk, and fall prevention concepts specific to caring for older adults.
35 cards · basic cards · AI-written, checked twice. Edit anything.
- What happens to arterial elasticity with normal aging?
- It decreases (vessel walls stiffen).
- Why does systolic blood pressure tend to rise in older adults?
- Stiffened, less elastic arteries raise systolic pressure.
- How does aging affect the heart's ability to increase output during physical or emotional stress?
- Cardiac reserve decreases, so output rises more slowly and to a lesser degree.
- How does decreased baroreceptor sensitivity in older adults affect blood pressure regulation?
- It blunts the reflex response to position changes, increasing orthostatic hypotension risk.
- How does vital capacity change with normal aging?
- It decreases.
- How does the cough reflex change with aging, and why does it matter?
- It weakens, raising the risk of respiratory infection and aspiration.
- How does glomerular filtration rate (GFR) change with normal aging?
- It decreases.
- Why is renal drug excretion reduced in older adults?
- Decreased renal blood flow and GFR slow how quickly drugs are cleared.
- How does reduced hepatic blood flow in older adults affect drug metabolism?
- It reduces first-pass metabolism, so more active drug reaches circulation.
- How does gastric acid production change with normal aging?
- It decreases.
- How does slowed GI motility in older adults commonly present clinically?
- Increased risk of constipation.
- How does bone density change with normal aging?
- It decreases, raising fracture risk.
- What term describes the age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength?
- Sarcopenia.
- Presbyopia is the age-related decline in the eye's ability to ____.
- focus on near objects
- Presbycusis is age-related ____, typically affecting high-frequency sounds first.
- hearing loss