Geriatrics

Course overview

Objectives Describe normal changes associated with aging List changes that are not normally associated with aging Describe the role age plays in the deterioration of various organ systems Explain lifestyle choices that may delay normal changes associated with aging Identify risk factors associated with pharmacology and aging List injuries commonly associated with aging and how to treat or prevent them Content Information Covered 1 Normal and Abnormal Changes Associated With Aging 1 Normal changes associated with aging primarily occur due to deterioration of organ systems 2 Pathological changes in the elderly are sometimes difficult to distinguish from normal aging Organ System Changes Cardiovascular Respiratory Neurovascular Gastrointestinal Genitourinary Endocrine Musculoskeletal Integumentary 2 Sensory Changes Vision Hearing Pain perception 3 Pharmacokinetic Changes 1 Physiological changes that impact pharmacokinetics 2 Implications of altered pharmacokinetics 3 Difficulty with medication compliance 4 Polypharmacy 1 Multiple chronic diseases often require multiple medications 2 Drug dosages may not be adjusted for multiple medications 3 Drug interactions may cause adverse effects 4 Consider polypharmacy as a potential cause of patient problems 5 Psychosocial and Economic Aspects 6 Conditions Occurring More Frequently in the Elderly Myocardial infarction Congestive heart failure Aortic dissection Syncope Hypertension Pneumonia Pulmonary embolism Asthma Emphysema and chronic bronchitis Stroke Transient ischemic attacks Alzheimers Disease Dementia Definition Causes of dementia Associated signs and symptoms Problems Associated With Management of Patients With Dementia Delirium Gastrointestinal Bleeding Caused by disease processes inflammation infection or obstruction of the upper or lower gastrointestinal tract Assessment tools Treatment Biliary Disease Disorders of the liver and gallbladder Chronic Renal Failure Inability of the kidneys to excrete waste concentrate urine or regulate electrolyte balance Urinary Tract Infection Endocrine Disorders Diabetes Mellitus Inability of the pancreas to produce sufficient insulin resulting in hyperglycemia Diabetic Ketoacidosis A complication of insulin dependent diabetes mellitus caused by hyperglycemia leading to fat metabolism ketone production and acidosis Nonketotic Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar Coma A complication of non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus common in the elderly High blood glucose causes osmotic diuresis fluid shifts dehydration without ketosis Hypothyroidism Progressive destruction of thyroid tissue leading to insufficient thyroid hormone Myxedema Coma A premorbid complication of hypothyroidism in the elderly Often triggered by surgery hypothermia infection hypoglycemia or sedative use Inflammatory Arthritis Osteoarthritis Immunological System Anatomical and physiological changes and related pathophysiology Pressure Ulcers Tissue breakdown caused by prolonged pressure resulting in impaired blood flow and oxygen delivery Herpes Zoster A contagious viral infection presenting as a painful rash following a nerve pathway