Aging Part 2 Lecture NURN 153 Exam 3

What is human development in the aging concept?

The physical, psychosocial, and cognitive changes that occur throughout the human lifespan.

Why should nurses examine their personal attitudes toward aging?

Beliefs and feelings affect care; treat each older adult as a unique person with respect.

What shapes an individual's view of aging?

Self-image, adjustment patterns, experiences, culture, religion, and personal values.

What normal skin changes occur with aging?

Drier, less elastic skin; wrinkles, age spots, reduced sweating, and increased risk of skin tears.

Why do older adults have more difficulty regulating body temperature?

Reduced sweating, fat insulation, skin sensitivity, and efficiency of hypothalamic regulation.

What teaching and nursing precautions protect aging skin?

Use sunscreen, protect from heat/cold, moisturize, avoid excessive bathing, and prevent tape-related skin injury.

What cardiovascular changes occur with normal aging?

Less elastic vessels, decreased stroke volume, increased vascular resistance, and valve changes.

What common cardiovascular problems affect older adults?

Hypertension, heart disease, and stroke; also assess for falls and activity intolerance.

What teaching supports cardiovascular health in older adults?

Exercise as tolerated, maintain a healthy weight, avoid smoking, limit fatty foods, and reduce stress.

What respiratory changes occur with aging?

Weaker respiratory muscles, lower vital capacity, fewer alveoli, and reduced gas exchange.

What teaching helps prevent respiratory problems in older adults?

Encourage exercise, rest, deep breathing, fluids, smoking cessation, vaccines, and avoiding respiratory infections.

What gastrointestinal changes occur with aging?

Slower peristalsis, less saliva and digestive enzymes, weaker gag reflex, gum atrophy, and reduced taste.

Is constipation normal aging, and what teaching helps prevent it?

No. Aging may increase risk; encourage fluids, fiber, and a regular toileting schedule; use laxatives cautiously.

What nutrition and oral-care teaching supports older adults?

Brush and floss, get dental care, eat small frequent meals, and choose high-fiber, low-fat foods.

What urinary system changes occur with aging?

Fewer nephrons, less renal blood flow/filtration, reduced bladder capacity and tone, and weaker sphincter control.

What urinary problems are common in older men and women?

Men: urinary retention from prostate enlargement. Women: stress incontinence; infection is also a concern.

What nursing interventions help with age-related urinary problems?

Monitor output, support fluids, schedule toileting, use easy-to-remove clothing, teach pelvic floor exercises, and provide skin care.

What musculoskeletal changes occur with aging?

Height and muscle loss, kyphosis, more brittle bones, cartilage changes, and reduced joint flexibility.

What is sarcopenia, and why does it matter?

Age-related muscle loss that contributes to weakness, poor balance, mobility problems, and falls.

What teaching reduces fracture and fall risk?

Weight-bearing/resistance exercise, home safety, fall prevention, calcium, vitamin D, and smoking cessation.

What vision changes occur with age, including presbyopia?

Dry eyes, smaller pupils, increased glare sensitivity, slower light/dark adjustment; presbyopia makes near vision harder.

What safety teaching supports an older adult with vision changes?

Use glasses, adequate lighting, nightlights, large print, eye exams, sunglasses, and avoid night driving.

What is presbycusis?

Age-related hearing loss, especially high-frequency sounds, that makes speech consonants hard to distinguish.

How should a nurse communicate with an older adult with presbycusis?

Face the person, reduce background noise, use a clear low-pitched voice, and check their understanding.

How does aging affect touch, pain, and temperature sensation?

Sensation may decrease, especially in hands and feet, increasing injury risk; pain still needs attention.

How can changes in taste and smell affect nutrition?

Reduced taste and smell may decrease appetite; use herbs, spices, or lemon to improve flavor.

What reproductive changes occur in older men?

Less testosterone/sperm, smaller testes, prostate enlargement, and more difficulty with erections.

What reproductive changes occur in older women?

Smaller reproductive organs, vaginal dryness, and reduced tissue tone/elasticity, including breast changes.

Does aging eliminate sexual interest, and what teaching may help?

No. Illness, partner loss, and isolation affect activity; discuss concerns and lubrication respectfully.

Why can alcohol have stronger effects in older adults?

Slower metabolism, less body water, lower tolerance, and interactions with chronic medications.

What neurological changes can occur with normal aging?

Slower thinking, reflexes, and reactions; changes in sleep, sensation, balance, and temperature responses.

An older adult becomes suddenly confused. What should the nurse do?

Do not assume normal aging; assess promptly and report the new mental-status change.

What safety teaching helps with age-related neurological changes?

Rise slowly, use a cane/walker when needed, maintain social contact, and encourage sensory stimulation.

How should a nurse use therapeutic communication and touch with older adults?

Express concern, kindness, and compassion; use touch respectfully and sensitively.

What is reality orientation?

Helping a person reconnect with the correct person, time, and place.

What is validation therapy, especially for an older adult with dementia?

Acknowledge the person's feelings without challenging or arguing about their perceived reality.

What is reminiscence, and how can a nurse use it?

Inviting the older adult to recall and discuss past experiences.

What are body-image interventions for older adults?

Help the person maintain an acceptable appearance and self-image while respecting their wishes.

What strategies make teaching older adults effective?

Quiet setting, assess readiness/senses, use clear language, pace learning, face the person, include family, and reinforce.

Why does the lecture introduce Fulmer's SPICES assessment?

To flag common older-adult problems affecting function/ADLs for further assessment and early intervention.