Infection in the Critically Ill Older Adult

Many challenges exist in caring for older adults with infection in critical care environments. Older adults are at high risk due to diminished reserve, age-related changes, comorbidities, subtle clinical presentations, and institutionalization. Additional risks include infections, such as pneumonia, influenza, and nosocomial infections. Age-related changes contribute to the increased risk of infection in older adults. Nursing assessments should be tailored to the needs of the older patient. To improve health care outcomes in this population, nursing care of the critically ill older adult with infection should include comprehensive assessment, surveillance for risks, and strategies aimed to aggressively treat infection.