Geriatric Anesthesia | Risks and Considerations

Course overview

This resource provides nurses with essential knowledge and evidence-based strategies for caring for geriatric patients undergoing anesthesia and surgery. The learning activity covers age-related physiological changes affecting cardiovascular, pulmonary, and neurologic systems, along with their anesthetic implications including altered drug metabolism and dosing requirements. Key topics include comprehensive geriatric assessment using validated tools, medication management guided by the American Geriatrics Society Beers Criteria, risk stratification for postoperative complications, and implementation of multimodal prevention strategies for delirium; the most common postoperative complication in elderly patients. The content emphasizes evidence-based nursing interventions, interprofessional collaboration, enhanced recovery protocols, and patient safety measures specific to the ambulatory surgery setting, where rapid turnover and same-day discharge create unique challenges for this vulnerable population.