Physiological Changes with Aging
Physiological Changes with Aging ( 10 Questions)
A nurse is teaching a group of older adults about the effects of aging on the cardiovascular system. Which of the following statements should the nurse include? (Select all that apply.).
This is true because aging causes the arteries and arterioles to become less elastic and less able to adjust the blood pressure quickly when the posture changes. This can lead to a drop in blood pressure when standing up, which can cause dizziness or fainting.
This is false because aging does not cause a decrease in blood pressure at rest.
In fact, aging tends to increase the systolic blood pressure (the pressure when the heart contracts) due to the stiffening of the arteries. The diastolic blood pressure (the pressure when the heart relaxes) may remain normal or decrease slightly, resulting in a widened pulse pressure (the difference between systolic and diastolic pressures).
This is false because aging does not cause a decrease in blood pressure at rest.
In fact, aging tends to increase the systolic blood pressure (the pressure when the heart contracts) due to the stiffening of the arteries. The diastolic blood pressure (the pressure when the heart relaxes) may remain normal or decrease slightly, resulting in a widened pulse pressure (the difference between systolic and diastolic pressures).
This is true because aging causes the walls of the arteries and arterioles to become thicker and stiffer, which reduces their compliance and increases the resistance to blood flow. This can lead to high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, and other cardiovascular diseases.
This is true because aging causes changes in the electrical system of the heart, which can result in arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation, premature ventricular contractions, or sinus bradycardia. These can cause irregular heartbeats that may be felt as palpitations or skipped beats.
The correct answer is A, D, and E.
Here is why:.
A. “You may experience dizziness when you stand up quickly.” This is true because aging causes the arteries and arterioles to become less elastic and less able to adjust the blood pressure quickly when the posture changes. This can lead to a drop in blood pressure when standing up, which can cause dizziness or fainting.
D. “Your blood vessels may become stiffer and narrower.” This is true because aging causes the walls of the arteries and arterioles to become thicker and stiffer, which reduces their compliance and increases the resistance to blood flow. This can lead to high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, and other cardiovascular diseases.
E. “Your heart may skip some beats or have extra beats.” This is true because aging causes changes in the electrical system of the heart, which can result in arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation, premature ventricular contractions, or sinus bradycardia. These can cause irregular heartbeats that may be felt as palpitations or skipped beats.
B. “Your blood pressure may drop when you are resting.” This is false because aging does not cause a decrease in blood pressure at rest.
In fact, aging tends to increase the systolic blood pressure (the pressure when the heart contracts) due to the stiffening of the arteries. The diastolic blood pressure (the pressure when the heart relaxes) may remain normal or decrease slightly, resulting in a widened pulse pressure (the difference between systolic and diastolic pressures).
C. “Your heart may beat faster when you exercise.” This is false because aging does not cause an increase in heart rate during exercise.
In fact, aging tends to decrease the maximum heart rate that can be achieved during exercise due to the reduced responsiveness of the heart to adrenergic stimuli. The older heart also takes longer to recover after exercise.
Normal ranges for blood pressure are less than 120/80 mmHg for adults of any age. Normal ranges for heart rate are 60-100 beats per minute for adults of any age, but the maximum heart rate decreases with age according to the formula 220 minus age.