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What Are The Common Age-Related Changes of Respiratory System in Older Adult?

The document discusses common age-related changes to the respiratory system including stiffening of tissues, altered alveolar shape, and decreased surface area for gas exchange. It also provides nursing management and medication guidelines for conditions like COPD, lung cancer, and pneumonia.

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gabby
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43 views

What Are The Common Age-Related Changes of Respiratory System in Older Adult?

The document discusses common age-related changes to the respiratory system including stiffening of tissues, altered alveolar shape, and decreased surface area for gas exchange. It also provides nursing management and medication guidelines for conditions like COPD, lung cancer, and pneumonia.

Uploaded by

gabby
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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1.

What are the common age-related changes of respiratory system in older


adult?

 Differentiating normal aging changes from disease-related changes is difficult.


 Lung structure and function with normal aging include

 Stiffening of elastin + collagen connective tissue supporting the lungs

 Altered alveolar shape à increased alveolar diameter

 Decreased alveolar surface area available for gas exchange

 Increased chest wall stiffness

 Neuron loss in the brain and central nervous system

 Increased reaction time

 Decreased response to multiple complex stimuli

 Impaired ability to adapt and interact with the environment

2. In selected respiratory conditions: Give nursing management and


medication.
a. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
 The nurse must appropriately administer bronchodilators and corticosteroids
and become alert for potential side effects.
 Direct or controlled coughing. The nurse instructs the patient in direct or
controlled coughing, which is more effective and reduces fatigue associated
with undirected forceful coughing.
Medication therapy
Bronchodilators
 Sympathomimetics (isoproterernol, metaproterenol, terbutaline, albuteral)
 Parasympathomimetics (atropine, ipratropium bromide)
 Methylxanthines (theophylline and its derivatives)
Corticosteroids
 Inhaled steroids include beclomethasone, dexathesone, trimcinolone, flunisolide
 Antibiotics—(tetracycline, ampicillin, erythromycin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole
combinations)
b. Lung cancer
Nursing management-
 Maintain patient airway and monitor respiratory status
 Suction client as needed
 Assess breathing pattern and auscultate lungs sound
 Administer oxygen as needed
Medical:
 Surgery
 Chemotherapy
 Radiation therapy
Medication:
 Carboplatin or cisplatin
 Docetaxel (Taxotere)
 Gemcitabine (Gemzar)
 Nab-paclitaxel (Abraxane)
 Paclitaxel (Taxol)
 Pemetrexed (Alimta)
 Vinorelbine (Navelbine)

c. Pneumonia
 Removal of secretions. Secretions should be removed because retained secretions
interfere with gas exchange and may slow recovery.
 Adequate hydration of 2 to 3 liters per day thins and loosens pulmonary secretions.
 Humidification may loosen secretions and improve ventilation.
 Coughing exercises. An effective, directed cough can also improve airway patency.
 Chest physiotherapy. Chest physiotherapy is important because it loosens and mobilizes
secretions.

Medication:
Macrolide antibiotics: Macrolide drugs are the preferred treatment for children and adults.
Macrolides include azithromycin (Zithromax®) and clarithromycin (Biaxin®).
Fluoroquinolones: These drugs include ciprofloxacin (Cipro®) and levofloxacin (Levaquin®).
Fluoroquinolones are not recommended for young children.
Tetracyclines: This group includes doxycycline and tetracycline. They are suitable for adults and
older children.
3. What self-imposed and environmentally imposed risks to younger adults can
contribute to the development of respiratory conditions in later life?

House-dust mites, Animals, Cockroaches, Tobacco smoke, Wood smoke, Strong odors and
sprays, Colds and infections, Exercise, Weather, Pollens, Molds

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