Assessment of the Geriatric Patient: Respiratory System (Nursing)

Among the important physiologic changes experienced by geriatric patients are changes to how the respiratory system functions. These include both anatomical and physiological changes, which can greatly affect older adults especially when sick.

In this course, you’ll learn about chest wall stiffening, the loss of elasticity in the lungs, and muscular changes that occur. You’ll also learn about changes in measurable pulmonary function, such as respiratory capacities.

Additionally, you’ll learn how to properly assess pulmonary function in older adults and be able to describe the interventions that nurses can put in place to minimize these respiratory changes.