Nursing and Health in Geriatrics

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Questions and Answers

What is a key factor influencing a person's decision to take action regarding their health?

The previous experiences with healthcare professionals

The amount of financial resources available

The number of medical interventions available

The value a person sees in performing the action (correct)

Which nursing intervention is aimed at empowering older individuals?

Providing detailed information about prescribed therapies (correct)

Disregarding their personal beliefs

Restricting them from making decisions

Implementing mandatory medical treatments

What might limit a person's ability to engage in self-care?

A lack of personal knowledge about their health (correct)

Strong family support systems

Having a strong motivation to recover

A comprehensive understanding of treatment options

In which situation might professional judgment override a person's desires and decisions?

In the case of an emotionally ill or mentally incompetent individual Signup and view all the answers

Which assessment focus is crucial in geriatric nursing?

Identifying appropriate nursing interventions Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following needs is essential for maintaining physiological balance?

Breathing Signup and view all the answers

What is described as a factor influencing health that involves relationships with others and higher powers?

Connection Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect does NOT contribute to overall health as stated in the content?

Achieving high social status Signup and view all the answers

How is health defined in the context provided?

As a state of wholeness integrating body, mind, and spirit Signup and view all the answers

What role do gerontological nurses play according to the content?

To provide comprehensive care meeting the needs of older adults Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT listed as a physiological need?

Finding pleasure Signup and view all the answers

What type of intervention is emphasized for chronic diseases in gerontological nursing?

Healing efforts Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is considered part of health promotion-related needs?

Education Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of geriatric syndrome?

It is multifactorial in cause. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a common geriatric syndrome?

Diabetes Signup and view all the answers

What impact can falls have on older adults besides physical injuries?

Fear of falling again leading to reduced activities. Signup and view all the answers

Why is self-care important for nurse healers?

It helps maintain the emotional and spiritual well-being of nurses. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about falls in older adults is true?

A history of falls can help predict future falls. Signup and view all the answers

What is one potential consequence of unnecessary dependency following a fall?

Loss of function and decreased socialization. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'self-care' encompass for nurses?

Mental and emotional health along with physical well-being. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common risk factor for falls among older adults?

Previous history of falls. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main reasons older adults may need assistance with their health care?

They often visit multiple health care providers. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a conventional treatment method mentioned?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Signup and view all the answers

What must an individual have to fulfill basic nutritional needs according to the content?

Ability to experience hunger sensations. Signup and view all the answers

What might be a barrier for an older man who has always depended on his wife for meal preparation?

Inadequate cooking knowledge and skills. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors contributes to an individual's ability to take action in their health care?

Knowledge, experience, and skills. Signup and view all the answers

What role can a nurse play in supporting older adults in their health care decisions?

Encouraging effective communication with doctors. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common reason older adults might not be able to perform self-care actions effectively?

Lack of adequate knowledge, experience, or skills. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect is NOT considered a requisite for older adults to meet their needs?

Desire to avoid all medical treatments. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of treatment for cachexia?

To improve symptoms and quality of life Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a contributing factor of malnutrition among older persons?

Increased activity levels Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in the nutrition care pathway among older persons?

Nutrition Screening Signup and view all the answers

Which medication is used to improve appetite specifically for cachexia?

Megestrol acetate (Megace) Signup and view all the answers

What does the nutrition assessment for malnourished patients typically involve?

Clinical exam, history, and laboratory values Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following symptoms is considered an early sign of Alzheimer's disease?

Lack of initiative and affect Signup and view all the answers

What type of nutrition intervention might involve changing a patient's diet prescription?

Dietary Adjustment Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is a potential strategy for nutritional intervention?

Providing food preferences Signup and view all the answers

What primarily differentiates cachexia from other types of weight loss?

It is involuntary weight loss. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the three main categories of cachexia?

Chronic cachexia Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of body weight loss characterizes cachexia?

5 percent or more Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a symptom of cachexia?

An increase in appetite Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following findings is part of the diagnostic criteria for cachexia?

Loss of muscle strength Signup and view all the answers

What is refractory cachexia mainly associated with?

Failure to respond to cancer treatment Signup and view all the answers

Which condition often accompanies cachexia?

Inflammation Signup and view all the answers

What is the main challenge in treating cachexia?

There is no specific treatment to reverse cachexia. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Gerontological Nursing Care

Pertains to the whole person: body, mind, and spirit
Holistic assessment and care planning
Surviving old age is a testament to resilience and resourcefulness
Older adults have faced significant life decisions throughout their lives
Nurses should acknowledge the strengths of older adults when planning care
Gerontological nurses aim to foster a sense of wholeness
Holistic gerontological care addresses an individual's full needs (physical, mental, and spiritual)
Focus is on health promotion and healing through balancing mind, body, and spirit
Nursing interventions are essential to mitigate the impacts of age-related changes and chronic conditions
Healing rather than curative approaches are more beneficial in gerontological nursing
Holistic care focuses on facilitating harmony, growth, and support toward recovery and dignity as death approaches

Needs in Health Promotion

Physiological balance: maintaining basic life functions (breathing, eating, eliminating, resting, being active, risk prevention)
Connection: relationships with others and higher power, and respect for nature/self
Gratification: purpose, pleasure, and dignity

Education and understanding of conditions and care
Counseling support to manage feelings and adjust to changes
Coaching for health education, compliance improvement, and motivation
Monitoring of patient's health status and progress
Coordination of care by assisting with scheduling, communication, and preventing conflicts
Therapies such as medical, exercise, special diets, or procedures to support patient needs (use of assistive devices)
Advocacy support for patients who may disagree with decisions for treatment

Nursing Interventions

Nurses are directed toward empowering older adults by strengthening self-care capacities, eliminating or minimizing self-care limitations, and providing direct services.
Interventions need to address various health challenges.
Assessments and identification of individual needs are paramount for successful interventions
The nurse, as a healer, employs comfort, compassion, support, and care factors in addition to usual procedures.
Nurses should actively engage in patients' healing processes through teaching, modeling, coaching and encouraging.
Availability and presence are essential for nurse-patient interaction
Willingness to form meaningful connections with the patient is crucial

Common Geriatric Syndromes and its Management

Geriatric syndromes are collections of symptoms occurring in older adults.
These syndromes are multifactorial and often episodic.
Common ones include risk of falls, frailty, sarcopenia, risk of malnutrition, Alzheimer's disease, constipation, eye disorders, urinary incontinence, and sleep disorders

Chronic Conditions

Conditions lasting more than a year affecting daily living and needing medical care
Involves comprehensive assessment, highlighting functional status and quality of life.
An interdisciplinary approach from healthcare professionals is often beneficial
Examples include cardiovascular diseases, pulmonary diseases, arthritis, dementia, cancer, diabetes, and osteoporosis

Nutrition

Focus in older adult care is on quality and quantity of calories as requirements and intake often reduce.
Nutritional assessment involves taking a detailed history and performing a thorough physical assessment to evaluate and identify nutritional risks, and considering the implications of emotional health, medications, and lifestyle factors

Death and Dying

Death is inevitable and often difficult for people to face
A six-step approach to communicating bad news about end of life can help healthcare workers to support patients and family

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Description

This quiz explores key concepts in geriatric nursing, including the factors influencing health decisions and the role of nursing interventions. Delve into essential assessment focuses, self-care limitations, and the contributions of gerontological nurses to health promotion. Test your understanding of the unique challenges faced by older individuals in healthcare.