verified answers
3 questions to identify older adults who are at risk for falls Ans✓✓✓ have you
fallen in the past year? do you feel unsteady when standing or walking? do you
worry about falling?
Albumin (norm, change with aging, explanation) Ans✓✓✓ norm: 3.5-5, decline
seen with aging. Related to decrease in liver size and enzymes; protein-energy
malnutrition common
Alkaline phosphatase (norm, changes with elderly, explanation for elevations
>20%.) Ans✓✓✓ 13-39 IU/L......Increase by 8-10 IU/L. Elevations >20% usually
due to disease; elevations may be found with bone abnormalities, drugs (e.g.,
narcotics), and eating a fatty meal
alternative therapies for dementia Ans✓✓✓ reduce clutter and noise, animals,
art, music, aroma therapy, massage. non-verbal communication. reminiscence
and story telling.
atypical presentation of common conditions (ex. MI) Ans✓✓✓ present with less
obvious signs like nausea, confusion, gen weakness vs. crushing chest pain and
diaphoresis
baroreceptor sensitivity changes w/aging Ans✓✓✓ Decreased baroreceptor
sensitivity (stretch receptors), Decreased sensitivity to changes in blood pressure,
Prone to loss of balance, which increases the risk for falls
, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (norm men vs. women, changes with aging,
explnation) Ans✓✓✓ Men: 10-25 mg/100 mL
Women: 8-20 mg/100 mL
Increases significantly up to 69 mg/100 mL....Decline in glomerular filtration rate;
decreased cardiac output
Causes of delirium Ans✓✓✓ remember DELIRIUM
D: Drugs (anticholinergic, antidepressant, steroids, sedative)
• E: Electrolyte imbalance
• L: Lack of drugs (withdrawal, uncontrolled pain)
• I: Infection
• R: Reduced sensory input (vision or hearing loss)
• I: Intracranial (e.g., cerebral vascular accident or subdural hematoma)
• U: Urinary retention or fecal impaction
• M: Myocardial/pulmonary
change in metabolism with aging Ans✓✓✓ decreased, may need fewer calories.
changes in GI muscle tone w/ aging Ans✓✓✓ decreased causing decreased
motility and increasing risk for constipation, functional bowel syndrome,
esophageal spasm, and diverticular disease.
changes in integumentary system with age Ans✓✓✓ loss of SQ tissue and thin
epidermis, making pt prone to breakdown. Decreased vascularity: atrophy of
sweat glands= decreased sweat, decreased body odor, decreased heat loss,
dryness