(The Older Adult:: 2026-2027 Versions)
The Older Adult
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_h3tz5f
1. Health span Our goal as healthcare providers should be to maximize not
only LIFE SPAN but also _______________, so that full func-
tion can be maintained as long as possible
2. Positive cognition, mental Studies show that successful aging is not strictly clin-
health, physical activity, social ical, but rests on variables such as _______________
networks (mindset) and _______________, ______________, and
_________________
3. Frequent falls, delirium/cog- In primary care, you need to look out for geriatric syndromes.
nitive impairment, functional What are examples of these? (4)
dependence, urinary inconti-
nence
4. their life goals, expectancy and What should you take into account BEFORE considering any
functional status test or procedure in geriatric patients?
**thoroughly discuss
risks/benefits/alternatives
5. Beers criteria It is important to be knowledgeable about the
_______________ and use it to identify potentially inappro-
priate meds in the elderly and inform periodic med review.
6. BP- systolic BP rises with ag- What vitals do you get in the elderly population? Describe
ing, many develop orthostatic trends for each these vitals.
hypotension
HR and rhythm- increased risk
of arrhythmias (a-fib)
7. Skin tears, paler, easier bruising What skin changes commonly occur as we age? (3)
8. What hair changes commonly occur as we age? (4)
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4/3/2026, 3:14:23 PM 4/3/2026, 3:14:22 PM 4/3/2026
, (The Older Adult:: 2026-2027 Versions)
The Older Adult
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_h3tz5f
grays, thins diffusely, may fall
out, older women may develop
coarse facial hair
9. may thicken and yellow, espe- What nail changes commonly occur as we age? (2)
cially toenails
10. Presbyopia; near What is the normal loss of visual acuity in aging? Is this a loss
of near or far vision?
11. macular degeneration, glauco- Geriatric patients have an increased risk of what eye condi-
ma, cataracts tions? (3)
12. Presbycusis; higher What is age-related hearing loss called? Do older adults lose
lower or higher pitches first?
13. Angular chelitis Common in elderly patients- overclosure of the mouth (due
to tooth loss)- may lead to skin maceration at mouth corners.
What is this called?
14. Coughing is less effective; In older patients, the chest wall stiffens, respiratory muscles
pneumonia (diaphragm) weaken, and lungs lose some of their elastic
recoil. What happens as a result? What can this lead to?
15. Kyphosis In older patients, osteoporotic vertebral collapse produces
_______________
16. HR drops, SV increases; in- Describe the cardiac output changes in older patients: (3)
creased myocardial stiffness
and hypertrophy
17. S3- HF and volume overload What are the 2 extra heart sounds that may show up in elderly
patients? What do they indicate?
S4- decreased ventricular com-
2/8
4/3/2026, 3:14:23 PM 4/3/2026, 3:14:22 PM 4/3/2026
The Older Adult
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_h3tz5f
1. Health span Our goal as healthcare providers should be to maximize not
only LIFE SPAN but also _______________, so that full func-
tion can be maintained as long as possible
2. Positive cognition, mental Studies show that successful aging is not strictly clin-
health, physical activity, social ical, but rests on variables such as _______________
networks (mindset) and _______________, ______________, and
_________________
3. Frequent falls, delirium/cog- In primary care, you need to look out for geriatric syndromes.
nitive impairment, functional What are examples of these? (4)
dependence, urinary inconti-
nence
4. their life goals, expectancy and What should you take into account BEFORE considering any
functional status test or procedure in geriatric patients?
**thoroughly discuss
risks/benefits/alternatives
5. Beers criteria It is important to be knowledgeable about the
_______________ and use it to identify potentially inappro-
priate meds in the elderly and inform periodic med review.
6. BP- systolic BP rises with ag- What vitals do you get in the elderly population? Describe
ing, many develop orthostatic trends for each these vitals.
hypotension
HR and rhythm- increased risk
of arrhythmias (a-fib)
7. Skin tears, paler, easier bruising What skin changes commonly occur as we age? (3)
8. What hair changes commonly occur as we age? (4)
1/8
4/3/2026, 3:14:23 PM 4/3/2026, 3:14:22 PM 4/3/2026
, (The Older Adult:: 2026-2027 Versions)
The Older Adult
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_h3tz5f
grays, thins diffusely, may fall
out, older women may develop
coarse facial hair
9. may thicken and yellow, espe- What nail changes commonly occur as we age? (2)
cially toenails
10. Presbyopia; near What is the normal loss of visual acuity in aging? Is this a loss
of near or far vision?
11. macular degeneration, glauco- Geriatric patients have an increased risk of what eye condi-
ma, cataracts tions? (3)
12. Presbycusis; higher What is age-related hearing loss called? Do older adults lose
lower or higher pitches first?
13. Angular chelitis Common in elderly patients- overclosure of the mouth (due
to tooth loss)- may lead to skin maceration at mouth corners.
What is this called?
14. Coughing is less effective; In older patients, the chest wall stiffens, respiratory muscles
pneumonia (diaphragm) weaken, and lungs lose some of their elastic
recoil. What happens as a result? What can this lead to?
15. Kyphosis In older patients, osteoporotic vertebral collapse produces
_______________
16. HR drops, SV increases; in- Describe the cardiac output changes in older patients: (3)
creased myocardial stiffness
and hypertrophy
17. S3- HF and volume overload What are the 2 extra heart sounds that may show up in elderly
patients? What do they indicate?
S4- decreased ventricular com-
2/8
4/3/2026, 3:14:23 PM 4/3/2026, 3:14:22 PM 4/3/2026
