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Normal Physiological Changes - Coggle Diagram
Normal Physiological Changes
General Changes with Aging
↓ Number of body cells → ↓ function
↓ Lean body mass → ↑ Fat tissue
↓ Intracellular fluid → risk of dehydration
Aging rate differs from person to person
🩺 Nurse’s Focus:
Encourage hydration, balanced diet, stress control.
Sensory Changes
Vision
Presbyopia: can’t focus on near objects
Lens → thicker, less elastic → Cataracts
↓ Pupil size → ↓ light adaptation
↓ Peripheral & night vision
Cornea yellow → Arcus senilis
🩺 Nurse’s Role:
Bright light, regular eye exams, avoid glare, wear sunglasses.
Hearing
Presbycusis: loss of high-frequency hearing
Ear canal → narrow, dry wax
↓ Hair cells in inner ear → balance problems
Taste & Smell:
↓ Taste buds & sensory cells
↓ Sense of smell (olfactory cells ↓)
🩺 Nurse’s Role:
Encourage strong-flavored foods, monitor nutrition.
Touch
↓ Pain, pressure & temperature sensation
→ ↑ Risk of burns, injuries
🩺 Nurse’s Role:
Check skin daily, change position often, prevent pressure ulcers.
Nervous System
↓ Blood flow to brain
↓ Neurons → slower response, ↓ memory
Lipofuscin & plaques accumulate
Sleep: ↓ deep sleep, ↑ frequent waking
🩺 Nurse’s Role:
Allow time for responses, maintain routine, avoid night disturbance.
Respiratory System
Rib cage stiff → ↓ chest expansion
Muscles weaken → shallow breathing
Alveoli enlarge, lose elasticity → ↓ gas exchange
↑ Risk of infection
🩺 Nurse’s Role:
Encourage deep breathing & coughing, hydration, avoid smoking & drafts, take vaccines.
Immune System
↓ Thymus size → ↓ T-cell activity
↓ Immune response → ↑ infection risk
Weak inflammatory signs (low fever, mild pain)
🩺 Nurse’s Role:
Promote vaccination (flu, tetanus, pneumococcal), good nutrition, infection control.
Integumentary System (Skin, Hair, Nails)
Skin: thin, fragile, slow healing
↓ Melanocytes → pale skin, gray hair
↓ Collagen & elasticity → wrinkles
↓ Sweat glands → ↑ risk of heat stroke
↓ Subcutaneous fat → ↑ pressure injury risk
🩺 Nurse’s Role:
Gentle skin care, avoid harsh soaps, use moisturizers, maintain hydration, protect from sun & heat.