Health Considerations for Pregnant Women and Elderly

Preventing Fetal Hearing Impairment

• Screening for rubella in the pregnant woman helps prevent potential fetal hearing impairment.
• Avoiding ototoxic drugs during pregnancy is important for fetal hearing.
• Syphilis testing in pregnancy is not directly related to preventing fetal hearing impairment.

Postoperative Low-Residue Diet

• Foods high in fiber should be avoided.
• Steamed vegetables and other high-fiber foods should be excluded.

Soluble Fiber

• Oats, barley, and cornmeal are soluble fibers.

Insoluble Fiber

• Lignin and cellulose are insoluble fibers.

Metabolic Acidosis Risk Factors (Older Adults)

• Decreased kidney function, making it harder to excrete acid, increases the risk of metabolic acidosis in older adults.

Fluid Imbalances (Older Adults)

• Decreased fluid intake increases the risk of hyponatremia and extracellular fluid volume deficit.
• Older adults are less efficient at concentrating urine, increasing the risk of hypernatremia and dehydration.
• Multiple medications taken by older adults can lead to fluid and electrolyte imbalances.

Hearing Aid Contraindications

• Traumatic ear deformity, visible cerumen accumulation, and chronic dizziness are contraindications to hearing aid use.

Sensory Deprivation Reduction

• Bringing fresh flowers or helping the patient to a chair will promote well-being and reduce sensory deprivation.
• Speaking, listening, touching, and engaging with patient's feelings reduces sensory deprivation and improves well-being.

5-Year-Old Odor Perception

• Assessing the child's ability to identify non-irritating odours will help evaluate sensory perception.
• Assessing children under 7 on odor perception is challenging.

Respiratory Acidosis

• Respiratory acidosis happens when the buildup of carbon dioxide leads to high carbonic acid levels in the blood.

Respiratory Alkalosis

• Increased breathing (hyperventilation) leads to respiratory alkalosis, a condition where the body's pH is higher than normal.

Metabolic Acidosis

• Reduced bicarbonate levels lead to metabolic acidosis.

Disaccharides

• Sucrose, lactose, and maltose are disaccharides.

Monosaccharides

• Glucose and fructose are monosaccharides.

Dysphagia Complications

• Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) can lead to aspiration pneumonia, dehydration, and malnutrition.

Medication Interaction (Methyldopa)

• Methyldopa, a blood pressure medication, may interact with nutrient absorption.
• The nurse should test for iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12 deficiencies, as these are important nutrients and these deficiencies can lead to complications with Methyldopa.

Poor Nutritional Status Signs

• Dry, scaly lips, flaccid muscles, and brittle, spoon-shaped nails are signs of poor nutritional status.

Pancreatic Fistula/Intestinal Decompression

• Patients with pancreatic fistulas and/or intestinal decompression can experience excessive bicarbonate loss and metabolic acidosis.

Age-Related Hearing Changes

• Older adults typically experience decreased hearing acuity and have difficulty distinguishing consonant sounds, rather than vowels.

Visual Glare Sensitivity

• Yellow or amber lenses can help address visual glare sensitivity by filtering out harsh light.

Tube Feeding Intolerance Signs

• High gastric residuals, vomiting, nausea, and cramping are signs of tube feeding intolerance.