Aging and Its Effects on the CP System

Kidney function

Ability of the kidneys to perform their normal functions

Liver function

Ability of the liver to perform its normal functions

Elastic recoil

Ability of the lungs to return to their original shape after inhalation

Heart murmurs

Abnormal sounds heard during the heartbeat

Murmurs

Abnormal sounds heard during the heartbeat

Daily living habits

Activities and behaviors that impact the aging process

P(A-a)O2

Alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient, a measure of the difference in oxygen levels between the alveoli and the arterial blood

AC membrane

Alveolar-capillary membrane, where gas exchange occurs

RV (Residual Volume)

Amount of air left in the lungs after a maximal exhalation

FRC (Functional Residual Capacity)

Amount of air left in the lungs after a normal exhalation

CO (Cardiac Output)

Amount of blood pumped by the heart per minute

Cardiac output

Amount of blood pumped by the heart per minute

Hemoglobin concentration

Amount of hemoglobin in the blood

Dosages

Amounts of medication to be taken

HCO3 (Bicarbonate)

An electrolyte that helps regulate the pH of the blood

AP diameter

Anteroposterior diameter of the chest

Unusual presentation of illness

Atypical symptoms or signs of a disease

FEF25-75 (Forced Expiratory Flow 25-75%)

Average flow rate during the middle half of the FVC maneuver

ADL (Activities of Daily Living)

Basic self-care tasks, such as bathing and dressing

GI bleed

Bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract

Pulmonary blood flow

Blood flow through the lungs

Peripheral vessels

Blood vessels located outside the heart and lungs

Lung cancer

Cancerous growth in the lungs

CV system

Cardiovascular system, consisting of the heart and blood vessels

LV (Left Ventricle)

Chamber of the heart responsible for pumping oxygenated blood to the body

Cataracts

Clouding of the lens of the eye

Ischemic heart disease

Condition caused by reduced blood flow to the heart

Anemia

Condition characterized by a decrease in the number of red blood cells or a decrease in the amount of hemoglobin

Glaucoma

Condition characterized by increased pressure within the eye

CHF (Congestive Heart Failure)

Condition in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs

Macular degeneration

Degeneration of the central part of the retina

SOB (Shortness of Breath)

Difficulty breathing

Heart disease

Disease affecting the heart

Pulmonary disease

Disease affecting the lungs

Aging and CV system

Effects of aging on the cardiovascular system

Pulmonary gas exchange

Exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the lungs and the blood

S3 (Third Heart Sound)

Extra heart sound heard during early diastole

S4 (Fourth Heart Sound)

Extra heart sound heard during late diastole

Fatigue

Feeling of extreme tiredness

Dizziness

Feeling of lightheadedness or unsteadiness

Cartilage

Flexible connective tissue found between the ribs

Fibrosis

Formation of excess fibrous connective tissue

HTN (Hypertension)

High blood pressure

Alveolar thickening

Increase in the thickness of the alveolar walls

Risk of falls

Increased likelihood of falling

S/S (Signs and Symptoms)

Indications or evidence of a disease or condition

Lung infection

Infection affecting the lungs

Pneumonia

Inflammation of the lungs caused by an infection

Genetics

Inherited traits that affect the aging process

Poor appetite

Lack of desire to eat

Weakness

Lack of physical strength

Hearing loss

Loss of hearing

Vision loss

Loss of vision

Emphysema

Lung condition characterized by enlarged alveoli and decreased elasticity

VC (Vital Capacity)

Maximum amount of air that can be exhaled after a maximal inhalation

FVC (Forced Vital Capacity)

Maximum amount of air that can be forcefully exhaled after a maximal inhalation

IC (Inspiratory Capacity)

Maximum amount of air that can be inhaled after a normal exhalation

MVV (Maximal Voluntary Ventilation)

Maximum amount of air that can be moved in and out of the lungs during a specified time period

TLC (Total Lung Capacity)

Maximum amount of air the lungs can hold

PEFR (Peak Expiratory Flow Rate)

Maximum flow rate achieved during a forced exhalation

Max HR (Maximum Heart Rate)

Maximum number of times the heart can beat per minute

pH

Measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution

Chest compliance

Measure of the chest's ability to expand during breathing

Lung compliance

Measure of the lung's ability to stretch and expand

ABG (Arterial Blood Gas)

Measurement of the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the arterial blood

DLCO (Diffusing Capacity of Carbon Monoxide)

Measurement of the lung's ability to transfer gases from the alveoli to the blood

Lung volumes and capacities

Measurements of the amount of air the lungs can hold and the rate at which air can be moved in and out

Confusion

Mental state characterized by disorientation and difficulty thinking clearly

Iron

Mineral essential for the production of hemoglobin

VQ mismatch

Mismatch between ventilation and perfusion in the lungs

Flow

Movement of air in the respiratory tract

Ciliary activity

Movement of tiny hair-like structures in the respiratory tract that help remove mucus and foreign particles

HR (Heart Rate)

Number of times the heart beats per minute

Exercise

Physical activity that increases the heart rate and breathing rate

SBP (Systolic Blood Pressure)

Pressure in the arteries when the heart is contracting

PCO2 (Partial Pressure of Carbon Dioxide in Arterial Blood)

Pressure of carbon dioxide dissolved in the arterial blood

PaCO2 (Partial Pressure of Carbon Dioxide in Arterial Blood)

Pressure of carbon dioxide dissolved in the arterial blood

PaO2 (Partial Pressure of Oxygen in Arterial Blood)

Pressure of oxygen dissolved in the arterial blood

Written materials

Printed or written information

Interviewing elderly patients

Process of gathering information from older patients

Aging

Process of getting older; changes that normally take place

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

Progressive lung disease that makes it difficult to breathe

Tachycardia

Rapid heart rate

FEV1/FVC ratio

Ratio of FEV1 to FVC, used to assess airflow limitation

Cough

Reflex action that helps clear the airways by expelling mucus or foreign particles

Control of ventilation

Regulation of the rate and depth of breathing

Lungs

Respiratory organs responsible for breathing

Chemoreceptors

Sensors that detect changes in the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood

Heart sounds

Sounds produced by the heart during the cardiac cycle

Medications

Substances used to treat or prevent medical conditions

Red bone marrow

Tissue responsible for the production of red blood cells

Alveolar surface area

Total area available for gas exchange in the alveoli

Mitral valve

Valve between the left atrium and the left ventricle

Aortic valve

Valve between the left ventricle and the aorta

Tricuspid valve

Valve between the right atrium and the right ventricle

Pulmonic valve

Valve between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery

Deadspace ventilation

Ventilation of air that does not participate in gas exchange

B12 vitamin

Vitamin necessary for the production of red blood cells

FEV1 (Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second)

Volume of air exhaled during the first second of the FVC maneuver

SV (Stroke Volume)

Volume of blood pumped by the heart with each beat