Gerontological Nursing &
Older Adult Care | Study
Guide, Practice Questions
& Exam Review
|Guaranteed success|
, Body composition change in older adults Lean body mass decreases and fat tissue increases.
Dehydration risk factor after age 60 Total body fluid decreases after age 60.
Aging effect on cell count Cell count decreases with age, decreasing lean body mass.
Cause of cold sensitivity in older adults Decreased subcutaneous fat leads to less natural insulation.
Normal structural changes of the respiratory system Decreased cilia, decreased alveoli elasticity, and increased AP chest diameter.
Aspiration risk factor in older adults Blunted cough and laryngeal reflexes.
Normal aging effect on heart size Heart size does NOT significantly change with normal aging.
Normal cardiovascular aging changes Left ventricular hypertrophy, arterial stiffness, valve thickening, and fewer
pacemaker cells.
Major cause of tooth loss after age 30 Periodontal disease (tooth loss is not normal aging).
Aging effect on saliva production Saliva production decreases to about one-third of younger levels.
Presbyesophagus Slower esophageal emptying due to normal age-related GI changes.
Age-related renal function changes Decreased renal blood flow and decreased GFR.
Cause of hyponatremia and nocturia risk Decreased renal ability to conserve sodium.
Age-related male reproductive facts Testosterone and sperm count decrease, but erection/ejaculation capacity is
retained.
Annual rate of bone density loss Decreases 0.5% per year after the third decade.
Sarcopenia Age-related loss of muscle mass, strength, and function.
Older Adult Care | Study
Guide, Practice Questions
& Exam Review
|Guaranteed success|
, Body composition change in older adults Lean body mass decreases and fat tissue increases.
Dehydration risk factor after age 60 Total body fluid decreases after age 60.
Aging effect on cell count Cell count decreases with age, decreasing lean body mass.
Cause of cold sensitivity in older adults Decreased subcutaneous fat leads to less natural insulation.
Normal structural changes of the respiratory system Decreased cilia, decreased alveoli elasticity, and increased AP chest diameter.
Aspiration risk factor in older adults Blunted cough and laryngeal reflexes.
Normal aging effect on heart size Heart size does NOT significantly change with normal aging.
Normal cardiovascular aging changes Left ventricular hypertrophy, arterial stiffness, valve thickening, and fewer
pacemaker cells.
Major cause of tooth loss after age 30 Periodontal disease (tooth loss is not normal aging).
Aging effect on saliva production Saliva production decreases to about one-third of younger levels.
Presbyesophagus Slower esophageal emptying due to normal age-related GI changes.
Age-related renal function changes Decreased renal blood flow and decreased GFR.
Cause of hyponatremia and nocturia risk Decreased renal ability to conserve sodium.
Age-related male reproductive facts Testosterone and sperm count decrease, but erection/ejaculation capacity is
retained.
Annual rate of bone density loss Decreases 0.5% per year after the third decade.
Sarcopenia Age-related loss of muscle mass, strength, and function.
