What effect does aging have on the peripheral blood vessels? What effect does this have on the older patient's ability to compensate for volume loss? What effect does this have on the older patient's ability to tolerate hot or cold environments?
What will be an ideal response?
Peripheral vessel walls become sclerotic and less able to vary the diameter of the vessel. Older patients cannot vasoconstrict as efficiently in response to volume loss. Because the elderly cannot vary the diameter of their peripheral blood vessels effectively, they cannot thermoregulate as well as younger patients.
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Which of the following presentations would be considered normal during the "Breathing" phase of the primary assessment?
A) Respiratory rate of 6 with shallow depth B) Respiratory rate of 16 with altered mental status C) Respiratory rate of 12 with adequate depth D) Respiratory rate of 28 with adequate depth
Elderly patients may be exposed to ________, which refers to taking five or more medications simultaneously.
A. hyperpharma B. polypharmacy C. maximed D. hypertoxicity