Falls
Where do most falls occur?
At home
True or False
Long-term memory declines during old age
False
What is the number one health promotion for older adults.
Prevention of falls
What word is commonly used to describe the opacity within the lens of a patient with cataracts.
Cloudy or cloudiness
What is the most preventable cause of hearing loss?
Noise. A person should avoid continued exposure to noise levels greater than 70dB
List three reasons older adults are at an increased risk for falls.
Decreased strength
Impaired mobility & balance
Decreased sensory perception
Environmental hazards
Endurance limitations
An individual’s ability to perform the normal daily activities required to meet basic needs; fullfill usual roles in family, workplace, & community; & maintain health & well-being is defined as what?
A person's functional ability
List 3 barriers to health care access.
Transportation
Lack of quality health care
Social isolation
Financial limits
Limited access to healthcare facilities/workers
What comorbidity is a common cause of early-onset cataracts?
Diabetes
Name 3 ototoxic drugs classes that can be responsible for hearing loss.
Aspirin
NSAIDs
Antibiotics
Loop Diuretics
Chemotherapy Drugs
What is the most important component in caring for an older adult and why?
Prevention of falls because older adults have a longer recovery time & an increased risk of complication.
Which cognitive functions decline during middle age?
Mental performance speed
Synthesis of new information
Fluid intelligence
List 3 factors that would have a negative effect on the natural aging process.
Stress
Cancer
Cardiovascular Disease
Diabetes
Obesity
List four post-op activities that a patient should avoid because they may increase IOP.
coughing
sneezing
blowing nose
nighttime driving
Age-related irreversible degenerative changes of the inner ear that lead to decreased hearing ability is defined as.
Presbycusis
You, the nurse, are educating an older adults family on modifications they can make at home to improve safety and reduce the patient's fall risk. List four modifications that you would suggest.
Remove items that could cause pt to trip such as throw rugs & loose carpet
Place electric/extension cords against wall behind furniture
Make sure steps & sidewalks are clear & in good repair
Place grab bars near toilet & in tub/shower
Use nonskid mat in shower/tub &/or use a shower chair
Ensure adequate lighting & remove clutter
List 3 examples of assessment data that a nurse should collect in order to assess a patient's functional performance.
Are they continent of bowel & bladder?
What does the pts gait looks like?
Information on their eating ability. Are they able to feed themselves? Do they have any trouble swallowing?
Can they perform ADL on their own?
How do they transfer?
List 4 Annual Health Screenings an older adult should get.
Hearing
Fecal Occult Blood Test
Digital rectal & prostate-specific antigen (males)
DXA scanning for osteoporosis
Eye exam for glaucoma
What are three symptoms a patient who has cataracts may experience?
gradual decrease in vision
abnormal color perception
glaring vision that is worse at night
cloudy vision
List 4 signs a patient may be experiencing hearing loss.
Frequently asking others to repeat statements
Straining to hear (turning head, leaning forward, favoring one ear)
Ringing in the ears
Failing to respond &/or answering questions incorrectly
Raising the volume of TV/radio
Withdrawing from social interactions
List 5 ways of preventing falls within the healthcare setting.
complete fall-risk assessments upon admission
be sure pt knows how to use the call light, that it is within reach, & encourage pt to use it
provide regular toileting & orientation of pts with cognitive impairment
provide adequate lighting
orient pt to setting so the know where their assistive devices and necessary items are
place pts with a high fall-risk near the nurses' station
keep the bed in the lowest position and lock the brakes
avoid the use of full-side rails
provide nonskid footwear
keep the floor clean, dry, & clear of clutter
Double jeopardy!!! 1000 points
63
How old Dr Snow turned today!!
(24 months until free Health care!)
Primary vaccinations for middle & older adults include annual influenza, tetanus, diphtheria, zoster, pneumococcal, & pertussis. Name the other primary vaccine the older adult should receive.
Varicella Vaccine
This procedure uses ultrasonic vibrations to dissolve the cataract lens into fragments that are then suctioned out.
Phacoemulsification
In this type of hearing loss the patient often speaks softly because the sound of their own voice seems loud to them.
Conductive hearing loss