NUR 255
EXAM 2 REVIEW
(Covers Units 3, 4 & 5)
Concepts of Aging, Chronic Illness & Mental Health
Nursing - Galen College of Nursing
,;Unit 3, 4, 5
Touhy and Jett: Ch. 8, 9, 16, 10, 11, 12
Ignativicius: Ch.7
Silvestri: Ch.11
Unit 3
Age-Related Physical Changes
Skin Changes of Aging
- Occur as a result of genetic (intrinsic) and environmental (extrinsic) factors
- Epidermis
- Thins, making blood vessels and bruises more visible
- Fewer melanocytes result in a lighter appearance of the skin
- Age spots or liver spots (lentigines) appear on the backs of hands and wrists and
on the face
- Seborrheic keratoses and thick, brown, raised lesions appear
- Dermis
- Loses about 20% of its thickness
- Dermal blood vessels are reduced, which accounts for resultant skin pallor and
cooler skin temperature
- Collagen synthesis decreases
- Elastin fibers thicken and fragment, leading to loss of stretch and resilience and a
“sagging” appearance
- Hypodermis
- Areas atrophy, causing increased sensitivity to cold
- Sebaceous (oil) glands atrophy
Hair and Nail Changes
Hair
- Thins on the head
- Increased hair in the ears, nose, and eyebrows
- Loses pigmentation (graying occurs)
- Women develop chin hair, leg, axillary, and pubic hair decreases
Nails
- Become harder, thicker, dull, and more brittle
- Vertical ridges appear
- Growth slows
Musculoskeletal Changes
- Although not life-threatening, they can affect one’s ability to function and quality of life
- Changes are influenced by many factors, such as age, sex, and environment
- Changes
- ligaments , tendons, and joints become dry, hardened, and less flexible
- Muscle mass decreases
- Vertebral disks thin, causing a shortening of the trunk
,Cardiovascular Changes
Cardiac
- Left ventricle wall thickens
- Size of the left atrium slightly increases
- Maximum coronary artery blood flow, stroke, volume, and cardiac output decrease
- The heart takes to accelerate and then to return to normal
Vascular
- Elasticity decreases, and blood vessels recoil
- Veins become stretched, and the valves become less efficient
Respiratory Changes
- Respiratory problems are common but almost always the result of exposure to
environmental toxins rather than the aging process
- Changes include
- Loss of recoil
- The chest wall stiffens
- Gas exchange is less efficient
- Resistance to airflow increases
- Effectiveness of cough response is reduced
- Cilia are less effective
, Renal Changes
- Changes are significant because of increased susceptibility to fluid and electrolyte
imbalance and structural damage from medications and contrast media
- Changes include
- Kidney blood flow decreases
- Size and function of the kidneys decrease
- Urine creatinine clearance decreases
Endocrine Changes
- The impact of most changes is not clear
- Changes include
- Most glands shrink
- Rate of secretion decreases
- Increased insulin resistance
- Rates of type II diabetes and hypothyroidism are higher in older adults
Reproductive Changes
Women
- Unable to procreate after cessation of ovulation
- Breasts appear smaller, more pendulous, and less firm
- Ovaries, uterus, and cervix atrophy
- Estrogen levels decrease
- Vaginal wall loses its ability to lubricate
Male
- Testes atrophy and soften
- Ejaculation is slower and less forceful
- Testosterone level reduces
- May experience urinary retention
EXAM 2 REVIEW
(Covers Units 3, 4 & 5)
Concepts of Aging, Chronic Illness & Mental Health
Nursing - Galen College of Nursing
,;Unit 3, 4, 5
Touhy and Jett: Ch. 8, 9, 16, 10, 11, 12
Ignativicius: Ch.7
Silvestri: Ch.11
Unit 3
Age-Related Physical Changes
Skin Changes of Aging
- Occur as a result of genetic (intrinsic) and environmental (extrinsic) factors
- Epidermis
- Thins, making blood vessels and bruises more visible
- Fewer melanocytes result in a lighter appearance of the skin
- Age spots or liver spots (lentigines) appear on the backs of hands and wrists and
on the face
- Seborrheic keratoses and thick, brown, raised lesions appear
- Dermis
- Loses about 20% of its thickness
- Dermal blood vessels are reduced, which accounts for resultant skin pallor and
cooler skin temperature
- Collagen synthesis decreases
- Elastin fibers thicken and fragment, leading to loss of stretch and resilience and a
“sagging” appearance
- Hypodermis
- Areas atrophy, causing increased sensitivity to cold
- Sebaceous (oil) glands atrophy
Hair and Nail Changes
Hair
- Thins on the head
- Increased hair in the ears, nose, and eyebrows
- Loses pigmentation (graying occurs)
- Women develop chin hair, leg, axillary, and pubic hair decreases
Nails
- Become harder, thicker, dull, and more brittle
- Vertical ridges appear
- Growth slows
Musculoskeletal Changes
- Although not life-threatening, they can affect one’s ability to function and quality of life
- Changes are influenced by many factors, such as age, sex, and environment
- Changes
- ligaments , tendons, and joints become dry, hardened, and less flexible
- Muscle mass decreases
- Vertebral disks thin, causing a shortening of the trunk
,Cardiovascular Changes
Cardiac
- Left ventricle wall thickens
- Size of the left atrium slightly increases
- Maximum coronary artery blood flow, stroke, volume, and cardiac output decrease
- The heart takes to accelerate and then to return to normal
Vascular
- Elasticity decreases, and blood vessels recoil
- Veins become stretched, and the valves become less efficient
Respiratory Changes
- Respiratory problems are common but almost always the result of exposure to
environmental toxins rather than the aging process
- Changes include
- Loss of recoil
- The chest wall stiffens
- Gas exchange is less efficient
- Resistance to airflow increases
- Effectiveness of cough response is reduced
- Cilia are less effective
, Renal Changes
- Changes are significant because of increased susceptibility to fluid and electrolyte
imbalance and structural damage from medications and contrast media
- Changes include
- Kidney blood flow decreases
- Size and function of the kidneys decrease
- Urine creatinine clearance decreases
Endocrine Changes
- The impact of most changes is not clear
- Changes include
- Most glands shrink
- Rate of secretion decreases
- Increased insulin resistance
- Rates of type II diabetes and hypothyroidism are higher in older adults
Reproductive Changes
Women
- Unable to procreate after cessation of ovulation
- Breasts appear smaller, more pendulous, and less firm
- Ovaries, uterus, and cervix atrophy
- Estrogen levels decrease
- Vaginal wall loses its ability to lubricate
Male
- Testes atrophy and soften
- Ejaculation is slower and less forceful
- Testosterone level reduces
- May experience urinary retention
