Question

GERIATRIC NURSING

What are the common age-related changes of respiratory system in older adult?

Answer 1

INTRODUCTION

Geriatrics came from a Greek word Geras,which means old age Iatrike means medicine,Geriatric is a branch of science which deals with the study of the process of ageing,age related changing or it is the scientific study of the aging process.The age related changes are categorized into FOUR aspcts,are listed below'

-PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF NURSING

-PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS

-COGNITIVE ASPECTS

-PHARMACOLOGICAL ASPECTS

MEANING

-Geriatric nursing is a branch of medicine ,deals with the study of psychological ,physiological,social , and biological changes in the elderly people

-Branch of science which include the study of the care of the elderly people

-It is the care of the aged patients in a specialized settings

-The main objectives of geriatric nursing are maintanance of health functions,detection of early complications,provide rehabilitation and palliative care and restoration of body functions

ROLE OF GERIATRIC NURSES

-The main roles are listed below

-researcher

-health educator

-advocator

-primary care giver

-cordinator with health services

-leader

-manager

-consultant

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM CHANGES

-CATEGORIES OF AGE

1-Young old-65-74

2-Middle old-75-84

3-Old old-85-100

4-Elite old-over 100

-Ageing is a natural process and age related physiological changes are grouped into three ways such as;

-CHANGES IN AUTONOMIC FUNCTIONS AND CELLULAR HOMEOSTASIS

-REDUCTION IN ORGANIC MASS STRUCTURE

-REDUCTION IN FUNCTIONAL CHANGES

-Health problems of the aged are divided into;

-PHYSICAL PROBLEMS

-PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS

-SOCIAL PROBLEMS

-ECONOMICAL PROBLEMS

-MORAL ISSUES

Respiratory system changes

-Hyperventilation-is the most common features

- Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction due to the alveolar hypoxia

-Cheyne-stokes respirations-is defined as shallow or rapid breathing during sleep

-Airways and tissues become less elastic and more rigid

-May the presence of osteoporosis (the pores in the bones),may alter the size and shape of the chest cavty

-Respiratory conditions make 16.1% of the old age complaints such as PNEUMONIA,CHRONIC BRONCHITIS,BRONCHIAL ASTHMA,EMPHYSEMA,CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE,RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTION etc

-Decrease respiratory muscle strength and elasticity

-Progressive decrease in arterial oxygen

-Stiffness of the chest wall

-Increase AP(anterio-posterior) diameter

-Decline functional capacity

-More chances for aspiration

-There is a chance for frequent airway collapse

-Increased risk of infection and bronchospasm with airway obstruction

-Decrease coughing reflex and airway ciliary actions

-Reduced gas exchange between the alveoli

-There is a chance for increased residual volume (residual volume is the increased air remaining in lungs after complete exporation)

-Reduced vital capacity-which means decreased capacity to inhale,hold,exhale breath

-There is an increased rigidity of thoracic cage

-Kyphosis (abnormal curved spine caused by osteoporosis)

-Decreased lung expansion

-Reduced power of resporatory and abdominal muscles

-Decreased efficiency of lung parenchymal tissues

- Chances for bronchiolar damage

-Alveolar septal destruction

-There is a chances for respiratory failure

-Dialated upper airways

-Incraesed anatomic and physiologic dead space

-More chances to get hypercapnia,hypoxia, and metabolic stress

-Decraese the number of functional alveoli

-VC(vital capacity) is diminished by 20%

-RV (residual volume) is incraese about 50%

- Reduced air exchange

- The nose and breathing passages secretes less IgA(an antibody that protects against viruses)

-Stimulating effects of carbondioxide decreases

CONCLUSION

-Ageing is a physical as well as mental changes ,so as a nurse we have to provide holistic comprehensive care,during old age some factors we have to maintain it includes mental health,physical activity ,diet management,socialization etc.The main goals of physical activity includes;

-CONTROL WEIGHT

-IMPROVE EMOTIONAL WELLBEING

-IMPROVE BLODD CIRCULATION

-INCREASES FLEXIBILITY

-PROMOTES SLEEP

-IMPROVES BONE DENSITY

" WHERE THERE IS LOVE THERE IS LIFE"

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