Geriatric Syndromes
Geriatric Syndromes
What is the term used to describe the phenomena which increases the older adult's vulnerability related to multiple diagnosis
Infection
Older adults frequently lack the typical signs of infection, often presents with atypical signs.
In the older adult nutritional status and psychological state are important to healthy immune function.
Patient autonomy
is a nursing priority when working with older adults. All people, including older adults, have the right to decide what is to be done to them, as well as the right to exercise maximum control of their personal environments and living conditions. Not all adults can be independent, but even dependent adults can be autonomous.
Health Promotion Model
identifies health as a dynamic state directed at improving the person's overall sense of well-being
Metoprolol 50mg BID
What is the nurse should monitor for older adult for orthostatic hypotension
Osteoarthritis intervention
encourage exercises that increase balance
Health screening's goal
to reduce morbidity and mortality related to condition
If a patient is not ready to learn self-cares (i.e. dressing change, insulin injections, medication administration)
the nurse should encourage the patient to discuss why they do not want to learn to do these self-care tasks.
Secondary Prevention
Secondary prevention is defined as those activities that identify and treat asymptomatic persons who have already developed risk factors or preclinical disease but in whom the condition is not clinically apparent
Older adults may experience
The potential for adverse effects from polypharmacy (be familiar with polypharmacy)
Perfusion is monitored by
perfusion is monitored by vital signs and capillary refill
to reduce the risk of falls for the older adult
What is encourage supportive footwear when ambulating
You need to also review Delerium, Parkinson disease, and Dementias for Exam 2. We suggest that you review the jeopardy games for Exam one which include information on Delerium, Parkinson disease and Dementias as these are also included in Geriatric Syndromes, you will find that topics overlap.
Patient developmental abilities/understanding
the nurse must ask the patient how they learn best prior to educating the patient
Tertiary Prevention
Tertiary prevention is defined as activities that involve the care of established disease; attempts are made to restore the person to highest function, minimize the negative effects of disease, and prevent disease-related complications. (also be familiar primary prevention)
Older adult can have decreased hepatic blood flow
Standard doses of drugs may result in toxic effects because of an increased amount of active drug in the systemic circulation.
Safety to reduce risk of burns in home
install smoke detectors, do not smoke in the home
Therapy after hip surgery
the older adult should regain previous functional level with therapy
Education on discharge
provide handouts, demonstrate how to manage care, "teach back" method
Quaternary prevention
involves limiting disability caused by chronic symptoms while encouraging efforts to maintain functional ability or reduce any loss of function through adaptation.
Plasma Albumin
monitor closely when evaluating the effects of aging on drug distribution
If an older adult becomes lightheaded
it increases the risk for falls and may be related to a change in blood pressure
After hip surgery older adults are at risk for
UTI, pressure injury, pneumonia
Older adult self-management
work together with the patient to find self-management strategies that work best to facilitate adherence (i.e. diet) older adults are at high risk for imbalanced nutrition
health belief model
be familiar with the health belief model
For example, does the pt believe that smoking is harmful
Drug Cascade
look up the definition of the drug cascade, be familiar with drug cascade in older adults