Nursing Care of the Older Adult
Effects of Aging on Respiratory Health
- respiratory problems develop easily; difficult to manage
- changes occur in upper airway paths, nose, and trachea
- reduce cough
- decreased elastic recoil
- alveoli less elastic
- reduction in vital capacity; increase residual volume
- loose or brittle teeth can be aspired
Respiratory Health Promotion
- prevention of infection
- vaccines
- avoiding exposure to people with respiratory infections
- deep breathing exercises
- smoking cessation
- immobility major threat
- caution with self-treatment of respiratory issues
- review of medications
- consider environment factors
Ensuring safe Oxygen Administration
,- use of oxygen and assessment of oxygen equipment
- home oxygen safety
Promoting Productive Coughing
- coughing is important in removal of secretions
- nonproductive coughing is useless and stressful
Measures to promote productive cough
- hard candy to increase secretion
- breathing exercises
- use of humidifier
- expectorants
- increase fluid intake
Complementary Therapies
- aromatherapy
- hot, spicy foods open airways
- some vitamins beneficial
- acupuncture
Chronic Bronchitis
, a form of bronchitis characterized by excess production of sputum leading to a chronic cough
and obstruction of air flow
Emphysema
an abnormal condition of the lungs marked by decreased respiratory function
Pneumonia
- one of the leading causes of death in older adults
- pneumococcal vaccine
Signs and symptoms of pneumonia
- close observation for subtle changes
- complications
Influenza
- type subtypes A&B
- age-related changes leading to high susceptibility
- annual influenza vaccination
risk factors of influenza
- Age > 50yo
Effects of Aging on Respiratory Health
- respiratory problems develop easily; difficult to manage
- changes occur in upper airway paths, nose, and trachea
- reduce cough
- decreased elastic recoil
- alveoli less elastic
- reduction in vital capacity; increase residual volume
- loose or brittle teeth can be aspired
Respiratory Health Promotion
- prevention of infection
- vaccines
- avoiding exposure to people with respiratory infections
- deep breathing exercises
- smoking cessation
- immobility major threat
- caution with self-treatment of respiratory issues
- review of medications
- consider environment factors
Ensuring safe Oxygen Administration
,- use of oxygen and assessment of oxygen equipment
- home oxygen safety
Promoting Productive Coughing
- coughing is important in removal of secretions
- nonproductive coughing is useless and stressful
Measures to promote productive cough
- hard candy to increase secretion
- breathing exercises
- use of humidifier
- expectorants
- increase fluid intake
Complementary Therapies
- aromatherapy
- hot, spicy foods open airways
- some vitamins beneficial
- acupuncture
Chronic Bronchitis
, a form of bronchitis characterized by excess production of sputum leading to a chronic cough
and obstruction of air flow
Emphysema
an abnormal condition of the lungs marked by decreased respiratory function
Pneumonia
- one of the leading causes of death in older adults
- pneumococcal vaccine
Signs and symptoms of pneumonia
- close observation for subtle changes
- complications
Influenza
- type subtypes A&B
- age-related changes leading to high susceptibility
- annual influenza vaccination
risk factors of influenza
- Age > 50yo
