Effects of vascular surgery on the elderly vascular patient.
The majority of vascular patients are elderly and present a unique set of problems after an operation. Age plays a major role in their recovery, but the greatest challenge is their preexisting medical problems. The changes that occur with aging in the following body systems will be discussed: cardiac, pulmonary, renal, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and central nervous system. Special concerns related to pain management, risk of delirium, and wound healing present continuing nursing challenges that require close observation after surgery.
Dixon
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London Health Sciences Centre, Division of Vascular Surgery, Ontario, Canada.
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D013527:Perioperative Nursing / Q000379:methods; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000523:psychology*