Geriatric Final
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_h7vbm4
1. Vision - Normal “ability to accommodate (presbyopia)
Changes: “night vision and low-light visibility
‘sensitivity to glare
“ability to see fine details
Slower adaptation to light changes
Yellowing of the lens with age
2. Vision - Patholog- Cataracts, macular degeneration (ARMD), glaucoma
ical Changes
3. Hearing - Normal Presbycusis (age-related hearing loss), especially affecting high-pitched sounds
Changes: More common and progresses faster in men
Difficulty understanding speech, especially in noisy environments
Slower processing of spoken words
4. Hearing - Patho- Sudden hearing loss or persistent tinnitus
logical Changes: Chronic or recurrent ear infections
Ototoxicity from medications (e.g., aminoglycosides)
Conductive or sensorineural hearing loss that exceeds typical age-related decline
5. Taste & Smell - “number of taste buds, especially for salty and sweet flavors
Normal Changes: “sense of smell, which can lead to “appetite and enjoyment of food
Overall decreased sensitivity to taste and odors
6. Taste & Smell Complete loss of taste or smell, which can negatively affect nutrition
- Pathological May result from medications, neurological disorders (e.g., Parkinson's,
Changes: Alzheimer's), or dental problems
7. Respiratory - “lung elasticity and chest wall compliance
Normal Changes: “strength of respiratory muscles and cough reflex
“vital capacity, ‘residual volume
Slower air exchange and reduced oxygen intake
, Geriatric Final
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_h7vbm4
8. Respiratory - COPD, pneumonia, pulmonary fibrosis, respiratory infections
Pathological Sleep apnea
Changes: ‘risk of aspiration due to weaker cough and swallowing reflexes
9. Genitourinary - “kidney function (GFR)
Normal Changes: “bladder capacity ’‘urinary frequency and nocturia
Slower bladder emptying
‘risk of incontinence due to weakened pelvic floor muscles
10. Genitourinary - Urinary incontinence (stress or urge, especially in women)
Pathological Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Changes: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men
Chronic kidney disease
11. Gastrointestinal - “gastric acid and digestive enzyme production
Normal Changes: “gastrointestinal motility ’‘risk of constipation
“saliva production, delayed gastric emptying
“liver size and blood flow
“appetite and sensation of thirst
12. Gastrointestinal GERD, peptic ulcer disease, and bowel obstructions
- Pathological Malabsorption syndromes, GI cancers
Changes: Dysphagia, diverticulitis, and malnutrition
13. Musculoskeletal “bone density (especially in postmenopausal women)
- “muscle mass and strength (sarcopenia)
Normal Changes: Joint stiffness, “flexibility, slower movement
Postural changes, ‘risk of falls and fractures
14. Musculoskeletal Osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis
- Pathological Increased risk of fractures (especially hip)
Changes: Kyphosis and impaired mobility
, Geriatric Final
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_h7vbm4
15. Reproductive Fe- Menopause ’“estrogen
male - Normal Vaginal dryness, hot flashes, “libido
Changes:
16. Reproductive “testosterone, slower erection and ejaculation
Male - Normal ‘time to arousal, “sperm count
Changes:
17. Reproductive - Erectile dysfunction, atrophic vaginitis
Pathological Increased risk of STIs in sexually active older adults
Changes Sexual dysfunction caused by chronic illness (e.g., diabetes, heart disease), de-
(Female/Male): pression, or medication side effects
18. Skin - Normal “collagen and elasticity ’wrinkles, thinner skin
Changes: “sweat and oil gland function ’‘risk of dryness (xerosis) and overheating
Slower wound healing, bruises more easily
Graying/thinning hair, brittle nails
19. Skin - Pathologi- Pressure ulcers (due to immobility) and skin tears
cal Changes: Skin cancer (use ABCDE signs to assess)
Delayed wound healing, increased risk of infections like cellulitis
20. Common Dis- Pneumonia
eases in Older Cataracts
Adults Incontinence
COPD
Hypertension
Osteoarthritis
Kyphosis
CVA
21. Pneumonia Common in older adults due to “immune function, immobility, dysphagia, and
aspiration risk
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_h7vbm4
1. Vision - Normal “ability to accommodate (presbyopia)
Changes: “night vision and low-light visibility
‘sensitivity to glare
“ability to see fine details
Slower adaptation to light changes
Yellowing of the lens with age
2. Vision - Patholog- Cataracts, macular degeneration (ARMD), glaucoma
ical Changes
3. Hearing - Normal Presbycusis (age-related hearing loss), especially affecting high-pitched sounds
Changes: More common and progresses faster in men
Difficulty understanding speech, especially in noisy environments
Slower processing of spoken words
4. Hearing - Patho- Sudden hearing loss or persistent tinnitus
logical Changes: Chronic or recurrent ear infections
Ototoxicity from medications (e.g., aminoglycosides)
Conductive or sensorineural hearing loss that exceeds typical age-related decline
5. Taste & Smell - “number of taste buds, especially for salty and sweet flavors
Normal Changes: “sense of smell, which can lead to “appetite and enjoyment of food
Overall decreased sensitivity to taste and odors
6. Taste & Smell Complete loss of taste or smell, which can negatively affect nutrition
- Pathological May result from medications, neurological disorders (e.g., Parkinson's,
Changes: Alzheimer's), or dental problems
7. Respiratory - “lung elasticity and chest wall compliance
Normal Changes: “strength of respiratory muscles and cough reflex
“vital capacity, ‘residual volume
Slower air exchange and reduced oxygen intake
, Geriatric Final
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_h7vbm4
8. Respiratory - COPD, pneumonia, pulmonary fibrosis, respiratory infections
Pathological Sleep apnea
Changes: ‘risk of aspiration due to weaker cough and swallowing reflexes
9. Genitourinary - “kidney function (GFR)
Normal Changes: “bladder capacity ’‘urinary frequency and nocturia
Slower bladder emptying
‘risk of incontinence due to weakened pelvic floor muscles
10. Genitourinary - Urinary incontinence (stress or urge, especially in women)
Pathological Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Changes: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men
Chronic kidney disease
11. Gastrointestinal - “gastric acid and digestive enzyme production
Normal Changes: “gastrointestinal motility ’‘risk of constipation
“saliva production, delayed gastric emptying
“liver size and blood flow
“appetite and sensation of thirst
12. Gastrointestinal GERD, peptic ulcer disease, and bowel obstructions
- Pathological Malabsorption syndromes, GI cancers
Changes: Dysphagia, diverticulitis, and malnutrition
13. Musculoskeletal “bone density (especially in postmenopausal women)
- “muscle mass and strength (sarcopenia)
Normal Changes: Joint stiffness, “flexibility, slower movement
Postural changes, ‘risk of falls and fractures
14. Musculoskeletal Osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis
- Pathological Increased risk of fractures (especially hip)
Changes: Kyphosis and impaired mobility
, Geriatric Final
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_h7vbm4
15. Reproductive Fe- Menopause ’“estrogen
male - Normal Vaginal dryness, hot flashes, “libido
Changes:
16. Reproductive “testosterone, slower erection and ejaculation
Male - Normal ‘time to arousal, “sperm count
Changes:
17. Reproductive - Erectile dysfunction, atrophic vaginitis
Pathological Increased risk of STIs in sexually active older adults
Changes Sexual dysfunction caused by chronic illness (e.g., diabetes, heart disease), de-
(Female/Male): pression, or medication side effects
18. Skin - Normal “collagen and elasticity ’wrinkles, thinner skin
Changes: “sweat and oil gland function ’‘risk of dryness (xerosis) and overheating
Slower wound healing, bruises more easily
Graying/thinning hair, brittle nails
19. Skin - Pathologi- Pressure ulcers (due to immobility) and skin tears
cal Changes: Skin cancer (use ABCDE signs to assess)
Delayed wound healing, increased risk of infections like cellulitis
20. Common Dis- Pneumonia
eases in Older Cataracts
Adults Incontinence
COPD
Hypertension
Osteoarthritis
Kyphosis
CVA
21. Pneumonia Common in older adults due to “immune function, immobility, dysphagia, and
aspiration risk
