B.

Age-related changes of the Cardiovascular system

Nursing Assessment
*Deposits of the "aging pigment," lipofuscin, accumulate.
*The valves of the heart thicken and become stiffer.
*The number of pacemaker cells decrease and fatty & fibrous tissues increase about the SA node.
These changes may result in a slightly slower heart rate.
*A slight increase in the size of the heart, especially the left ventricle, is common. The heart wall
thickens, so the amount of blood that the chamber can hold may actually decrease.
*Age changes make the heart less able to pump efficiently.
*Less blood pumped results in lowered blood oxygen levels.
*The limits of the heart to exert itself are reduced with age.
*Medications processed and eliminated differently than in young adults.
*Arteries lose elasticity with age making heart have to pump harder to circulate blood, this is mainly
due to: thickening & stiffening in the media of large arteries is though to be caused by collagen
cross-linking.
*Smaller arteries may thicken/stiffen minimally; their ability to dilate & constrict diminishes
significantly.
*In veins age-related changes are minimal and do not impede normal functioning.

Nursing Management
*Relieving fluid overload symptoms
*Relieving symptoms of anxiety and fatigue
*Promoting physical activity
*Increasing medication compliance
*Decreasing adverse effects of treatment
*Teaching patients about dietary restrictions
*Teaching patient about self-monitoring of symptoms
*Teaching patients about daily weight monitoring

C. Age-related changes of the Hematological system

Nursing Assessment

*A decrease in total body water is observed with aging. Blood volume therefore decreases.
*The number of red blood cells (and correspondingly, H&H) are reduced, but not significantly.
*Most of the white blood cells stay at the same levels, but lymphocytes decrease in number and
effectiveness.
*Overall, cell counts and parameters in the peripheral blood are not significantly different from in
young adult life.
*However, the cellularity of the bone marrow decreases moderately. For example, 30% cellularity on
an iliac crest biopsy (which would be very low for a young adult) is not unusual in an older person.

Nursing Management
* Direct general management toward addressing the cause of anemia and replacing blood loss as
needed to sustain adequate oxygenation.
*Promote optimal activity and protect from injury.
*Reduce activities and stimuli that cause tachycardia and increase cardiac output.
*Provide nutritional needs.
*Administer any prescribed nutritional supplements.
*Patient and family education.

C. Age-related changes of the Immune System

Nursing Assessment

*The efficiency of the immune system declines with age, but this is variable among persons.
*Nonspecific defenses become less effective.
*The ability of the body to make antibodies diminishes. *Autoimmune disorders are increased in
older adults. Not everyone believes that the increased incidence of autoimmune disease is an
expected part of aging, but all acknowledge the increase in findings of positive rheumatoid factor,
anti-nuclear antibody, and false- positive syphilis screens in healthy older adults.
* Common infections are often more severe with slower recovery & decreased chances of
developing adequate immunity

Nursing Management

*Remind the patient to get vaccines to prevent the flu, shingles, and pneumococcal infections, as
well as any other vaccines your health care provider recommends.
*Advise the patient to get plenty of exercise. Exercise helps boost your immune system.
*Advise the patient to eat healthy foods. Good nutrition keeps your immune system strong.
*Advise patient not to smoke. Smoking weakens your immune system.
*Advise the patient to limit his/her intake of alcohol. Ask your provider how much alcohol is safe for
you.
*Look into safety measures to prevent falls and injuries. A weak immune system can slow healing.