Gerontology HESI Exam Prep Hints – Latest Update

Gerontology HESI Exam Prep Hints – Latest Update What is a more accurate measure of age than chronological age? - ANSWER The ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL's). The majority of this aged 65 and older regard their health as good or excellent Chronological age may or may not correspond to: - ANSWER Physical, mental, social, and cultural actions and feelings Changes in the heart and lungs result in less efficient utilization of what? - ANSWER Of oxygen, which reduces the individual's capacity to maintain physical activity for long periods of time. Physical training for older people can significantly reduce blood pressure, and increase aerobic activity. Teaching and designing rehabilitation programs for older adults should contain which 2 things: - ANSWER Exercise and nutrition Old people often complain that they cannot get to sleep at night and do not sleep soundly even after they fall asleep. Why is this? - ANSWER This is because they have shorter stage sod sleep, particularly shorter cycles between 1 and 4 and REM sleep. Stage 4 is deep sleep. They are easily awakened by environmental stimuli. They often compensate by napping during the day which leads to further disruption of night sleep. A common response is the us elf prescription sleeping pills, which can create further problems of disorientation. Peripheral circulation increases or decreases with age? - ANSWER Decreases. Why is regular assessment of the feet important in the elderly? - ANSWER It increase the opportunity to discoed and treat skin care problems early. These problems could become more serious d/t decreased circulation Differentiation of normal and pathologic causes for skin and hair conditions is essential: - ANSWER Ie seborrheic keratosis vs melanomas What places an older adult at risk for the development of pressure ulcers? - ANSWER Impaired mobility, impaired skin integrity, decreased peripheral circulation, and lack of physical activity What are ways to help prevent or decrease the occurrence of falls? - ANSWER Install adequate lighting, paint the edges of stairs a bright color, place a bell on any residents cats; cats move quickly and can get underfoot, wear proper footwear that supports the foot and contributes to balance, shoes made of non slippery materials Aging and systolic and diastolic blood pressures: increase or decrease with age? Physiology of blood pressure - ANSWER Both SBP and DBP increase with age, but systolic increase more than the DBP. Physiology of BP: expressed as a ratio of systolic to diastolic. Systolic refers to the level of the BP during the contraction phase; whereas diastolic refers to the stage when the chambers of the heart are filling with blood. Why are dysrhythmias particularly serious in older adults? - ANSWER Older adults cannot tolerate decreased C.O., which can result in syncope, falls, and transient ischemia attacks. Pulse may be rapid, slow, or irregular. Angina symptoms in older adults may be confused with what kind of symptoms? - ANSWER Gastrointestinal symptoms. Angina symptoms may be absent or they may be confused with GI symptoms With aging, what happens to the muscles that operate the lungs? - ANSWER The muscles that operate the lungs lose elasticity so that respiratory efficiency is reduced. Vital capacity- the amount of air brought into lungs at one time, decreases. Breathing may become more difficult after stre