Discuss the types of consideration a nurse must be mindful of while performing a health assessment on a geriatric patient as compared to a middle-aged adult – Solution

Discuss the types of consideration a nurse must be mindful of while performing a health assessment on a geriatric patient as compared to a middle-aged adult

Explain how some of the characteristics may lead to elder abuse (memory issues, vulnerability, etc.). 

Discuss the types of consideration a nurse must be mindful of while performing a health assessment on a geriatric patient as compared to a middle-aged adult.

About 200 words will be adequate. You are required to cite a minimum of three peer-reviewed sources published within the last 5 years, using APA 2007 format with incitation.

Solution:Geriatric Patient Health Assessment Essay Example

Health Assessment for Older Adults

Aging is a gradual and natural process associated with physical, psychological, behavioral, and social change. During physical changes, human skin loses elasticity with visible wrinkles and muscle atrophy, leading to weakness. Besides, muscle atrophy and reduced bone mineral density lead to frailty that predisposes older adults to falls, reduced functional activity, and disability (Rivan et al., 2021). Additionally, decreased functional activity increases older people’s dependency on daily living. Aging also predisposes older people to disease risk factors due to reduced immunity and age-related problems such as heart disease, arthritis, and renal problems. Cognitive impairments cause memory loss and sensory and hearing problems. These changes may influence people’s behavior as they will likely experience depression and emotional stress from isolation and lack of social integration or participation.(Geriatric Patient Health Assessment Essay Example)

Older people are highly prone to elderly abuse. First, older adults have reduced functional activity levels and thus depend on their family members or caretakers. Therefore, caregivers/family members are likely to exploit (financially or emotionally) older adults in exchange for their services. Second, older people are also likely to experience isolation or discrimination since they are less productive in their families and communities (Boamah et al., 2021). Third, lack of physical strength and cognitive impairments may result in sexual or physical assaults among the elderly. Lastly, isolation results in elderly emotional stress that predisposes them to mental health conditions.(Geriatric Patient Health Assessment Essay Example)

Nurses should demonstrate competency and skills and be mindful while conducting health assessments for geriatrics patients. Unlike while assessing middle-aged individuals, nurses should consider that elderly persons have reduced hearing and vision sensory functions. Additionally, nurses should focus on age-specific related health problems such as hearing, vision, fall prevention, nutrition, osteoporosis, and urinary incontinence (Kutsal, 2019). In addition, the nurse should check for any signs of elderly abuse, such as malnourishment, physical/pressure injuries, or emotional and verbal abuse, that are far less visible. The nurse should also consider physical and physiological changes in old age. Lastly, they should prioritise past medical history, cultural values and beliefs, use of traditional medicine, and functional activity levels. In this case, comprehensive health assessments are crucial to identifying and addressing patients’ needs.(Geriatric Patient Health Assessment Essay Example)

References

Boamah, S. A., Weldrick, R., Lee, T. S. J., & Taylor, N. (2021). Social isolation among older adults in long-term care: A scoping review. Journal of Aging and Health, 33(7-8), 618-632.

Kutsal, Y. (2019). Geriatric syndromes. International Journal on Ageing in Developing Countries, 4(1), 41-56.

Rivan, N. F. M., Singh, D. K. A., Shahar, S., Wen, G. J., Rajab, N. F., Din, N. C., … & Kamaruddin, M. Z. A. (2021). Cognitive frailty is a robust predictor of falls, injuries, and disability among community-dwelling older adults. BMC geriatrics, 21, 1-13.

Are you looking for answers to a similar assignment?Nursingstudy.org has the top and most qualified writers to help with any of your assignments. All you need to do is place an order with us. (Discuss the types of consideration a nurse must be mindful of while performing a health assessment on a geriatric patient as compared to a middle-aged adult)

Describe The Characteristics Of The Aging Process

The aging process is a gradual process that happens to everyone. Everyone experiences some of the effects of aging, such as wrinkles in the skin, thinning hair, and a decrease in muscle mass. However, not all people experience all of the effects. Some people may have minimal or no changes at all.

There are several characteristics of the aging process that can be seen in different individuals. The following are examples:

1) Changes In Appearance: The physical appearance of an individual changes with age. Wrinkles and thinning hair will occur, and muscle mass may decline. This is because the body’s cells become less elastic and less able to regenerate themselves.

2) Changes In Mental Functioning: As people age, their mental function may decline. This could include difficulty concentrating, remembering things, or making decisions. It is important to note that not all elderly individuals experience mental decline; there is a great range in severity among seniors.

3) Changes In Body Strength And Movement: As people age, their body strength and movement may decrease. This could lead to problems with balance and coordination, as well as difficulty getting out of bed or walking long distances.

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Related FAQs

1. What special considerations do you think are involved in geriatric care?

Here are some of the items a geriatric care assessment might measure.(Geriatric Patient Health Assessment Essay Example)

• Functional ability.
• Physical health.
• Socioeconomic health.
• Nutrition.
• Balance/fall prevention (something that can be improved)
• Hearing.
• Vision.
• Mental health, including depression, dementia, isolation, and social skills.

2. What are the special considerations the nurse should take when implementing the nursing process and providing care for the older adult?

Nurses should have competencies such as participation and empowerment of the patient and family; ease of comfort in the elderly; comprehensive geriatric assessment; development, implementation and evaluation of care plan; development of knowledge and clinical proficiency; and coaching so that they can work effectively

3. What is involved in a geriatric assessment?

The geriatric assessment incorporates all facets of a conventional medical history, including main problem, current illness, past and current medical problems, family and social history, demographic data, and a review of systems(Geriatric Patient Health Assessment Essay Example)

4. What are age specific considerations?

The purpose of Age-Specific Considerations in Patient Care is to provide healthcare professionals with information about different age groups, how to identify needs related to these age groups, and how to vary approaches to patient care with age specific needs in mind.(Geriatric Patient Health Assessment Essay Example)

5. What are some common considerations regarding abdominal pain in a geriatric patient?

Gallbladder and biliary tract disease is the most common surgical cause of abdominal pain in older adults. It is more often complicated by acalculous cholecystitis, ascending cholangitis, gallbladder perforation, emphysematous cholecystitis, and gallstone ileus.(Geriatric Patient Health Assessment Essay Example)

6. What changes should the nurse be assessing for that can occur with age?

There are also expected age related changes that also occur throughout the life span. These changes can include rather predictable physical changes, predictable developmental changes, psychological, cognitive, and emotional changes, and social changes.

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