Week 4 - Sensory System PDF

HCAP 1210 Sensory System  The five senses are sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch  Receptors for taste are in the tongue (taste buds)  Receptors for smell are in the nose.  Touch receptors are in the dermis, especially in the lips, toes and...

HCAP 1210 Sensory System  The five senses are sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch  Receptors for taste are in the tongue (taste buds)  Receptors for smell are in the nose.  Touch receptors are in the dermis, especially in the lips, toes and fingertips Hearing and Vision Disorders Sight and hearing: Many people have some degree of hearing or vision loss Allow communication, learning, and moving Common causes are: about Birth defects Are important for most activities Accidents Are important for safety and security needs Diseases Aging Important for balance needs Tinnitus  Tinnitus is the perception of noise, ringing or buzzing in the ears.  Tinnitus isn't a condition itself — it's a symptom of an underlying condition, such as age-related hearing loss, ear injury or a circulatory system disorder.  Although bothersome, tinnitus usually isn't a sign of something serious.  Although it can worsen with age, for many people, tinnitus can improve with treatment.  Meniere's disease is a disorder of the inner ear that can lead to dizzy spells (vertigo) and hearing loss. An increase of fluid in the inner ear, causing pressure in the middle ear  Usually only one ear is affected  Symptoms include:  Vertigo (dizziness) Ménière’s  Tinnitus Disease  Hearing loss  Pain or pressure in the affected ear  Severe dizziness may cause nausea and vomiting  Safety is needed during vertigo  The person must lie down  Falls are a major concern   Gradual hearing loss associated with aging Presbycusis  Occurs after age 50  No cure  Hearing aids and speech reading (lip reading) are helpful  Signs or symptoms vary—hearing loss may not be obvious A client’s behaviour and attitude may change due to hearing problems—frustration, anger May deny that they have a hearing problem Signs of hearing problems: Speaking too loudly Leaning forward to hear Turning and cupping the unaffected ear toward the speaker Responding inappropriately Asking for words to be repeated Effects of Hearing Impairment Hearing loss can affect all aspects of a person’s heath—physical, emotional, social, intellectual, and spiritual Hearing is needed for speech Hearing loss may result in slurred speech Words may be mispronounced Some people with earing loss have monotone speech or drop word endings It may be hard to understand what the person says Canadian Hearing Society is an excellent resourc Effects of Hearing Impairment (Cont.) Hearing aids are electronic devices that fit inside or behind the ear. They make sounds louder. They do not correct, restore, or cure hearing problems. The person hears better because the device makes sounds louder. Background noise and speech are louder. If a hearing aid does not seem to work properly, try these measures (Box 40-1, p. 916): Check whether the hearing aid is on; it has an on or off switch. Check the battery position. Insert a new battery if needed. Clean the hearing aid. Aids for Hearing Loss  Hearing aids are expensive—handle with care  Look for visual signs of damage, cracks, or clogged openings  Insert battery, turn on—check for whistling sound, which indicates battery is working  Apply correctly—incorrect insertion may cause the aid to fall out or whistling sound to occur  Keep hearing aid in dry place; avoid getting the device wet  When not in use, turn hearing aid off and keep the battery door open  Do not use when showering  Report missing or damaged hearing aid  Review next slide on how hearing aids look Care of Hearing Aids  Some clients wear hearing aids and some do not Some clients learn sign language (See Figure 40-2, p. 918) Encourage socialization with others to avoid isolation of the client Clients with significant hearing loss are also at risk for injury—ensure the client is safe at all times Caring for Clients With Hearing Impairment Critical Thinking!  Mr. John Callahan, age 71, is a new resident at the Golden Years Assisted Living Facility. He had been living alone for the past 18 months, following the death of his wife. He entered the facility at the insistence of his two daughters, who both live out of state. They reported to the admissions nurse that their father had always been the life of the party and had always enjoyed family gatherings and social events until the past few months. They have noticed him becoming withdrawn. For example, they reported that at Christmas, when the family gathered, he sat quietly in the corner instead of participating in conversation. When his daughter asked him whether he was feeling well, his reply was, “Yes, I like the snow.”  List the behaviors that may indicate that Mr. Callahan has hearing loss?  Name the three types of hearing loss common the older adults?  Name at least five risk factors for hearing impairment?  When speaking with him, name at least three adaptative techniques staff should use?  Name at least three environmental modifications or devices that will enhance Mr. Callahan’s ability to hear and participate in conversations?  Eye Disorders and Vision Impairment  Vision loss occurs at all ages.  Problems range from mild vision loss to complete blindness.  Vision loss is sudden or gradual in onset.  One or both eyes are affected.  The person who is legally blind sees at 6 m (20 ft.) what a person with normal vision sees at 60 m (200 ft.).  Conjunctivitis (pink eye) is an inflammation of the clear membrane that covers the white part of the eye and lines the inner eyelid. EXTREAMLY CONTAGIOUS!!!  A complication of diabetes  Tiny blood vessels in the retina are damaged.  Usually both eyes are affected. Diabetic   Everyone with diabetes is at risk. Blood can leak from the blood vessels, creating scar Retinopathy tissue that pulls the retina away from the back of the eye. Age-Related Macular Degeneration  Also called AMD or ARMD  A disease that blurs central vision and causes damage to the macula, located in the centre of the retina  The disease is usually gradual in onset  Central vision becomes fuzzy, shadowy  Client may lose central vision but have some peripheral vision  It is the leading cause of blindness in persons 55 years of age and older.  There is no cure Glaucoma  An eye disease that causes pressure within the eye, which damages the optic nerve  Vision loss with eventual blindness occurs  Usually age-related; onset sudden or gradual  Can develop in one or both eyes  Peripheral vision (side vision) is lost—tunnelvision (can see only straight ahead)  Blue–green halos around lights  Glaucoma has no cure  Prior damage cannot be reversed  Medications and surgery can control glaucoma and prevent further damage to the optic nerve Cataracts  A clouding of the lens in the eye— prevents light from entering the eye  A cataract can occur in one or both eyes  Signs and symptoms include:  Sensitivity to light and glares  Cloudy, blurry, or dimmed vision  Surgery is the only treatment  Removal of cloudy lens and implantation of new lens Presbyopia  Gradual inability to focus on close objects  Associated with aging—usually occurs after age 40  Corrective lenses or contact lenses can help  Effects of Vision Impairment Vision loss affects Clients can learn to Guide dog and white Canadian National physical, emotional, move about, complete cane with a red tip are Institute for the Blind social intellectual, and activities of daily care, recognized worldwide (CNIB) has good spiritual health and learn new reading resources methods Talking books Different types of aids, technology advances Support to clients and families  Aids for Vision Problems Contact lenses—hard or Report any eye redness Eyeglasses—correct Plastic lenses scratch soft or drainage, eye pain, or vision problems easily blurred vision Fit directly on the eye Expensive—keep in case when not Use special cleaning solutions or worn soft cloth to dry Proper cleansing or soaking solution is important May be worn for 12–24 hours or certain types for up to one week—usually removed for swimming and sleeping  Aids for Reading Braille is a touch reading and Communication Aids Medical devices writing system that uses raised dots for each letter of the alphabet The first 10 letters also represent the Large print clocks, oral clocks, large letters Talking prescription devices numbers 0 through 9 for playing cards Caring for Clients With Vision Loss  Sense of hearing, touch, smell, taste may become more developed with loss of vision  Client may be sensitive to the tone of a person’s voice  Alert client to your presence  Walk slightly ahead, allow client to hold onto your arm, inform of approaching obstacles  Explain the location of food on a plate by relating to the position of the hands of a clock  Keep area free of clutter  Inform client if you close doors Refer to Box 40-3 (p. 924) for more guidelines for caring for clients with vision loss Dying Client’s Physical Needs Hearing is one of Vision blurs and Always assume that the last functions gradually fails. the client can hear. lost. The skin feels cool, Speech becomes pale, and mottled harder. (blotchy) — provide good skin care. Dying Client’s Physical Needs The following may be areas Provide a comfortable and to provide assistance with: pleasant room. Comfort and positioning Remove unnecessary Pain relief drugs equipment. Vision and eye care The client and family Hearing, speech arrange the room as they wish. Mouth, nostril, and skin care Elimination and nutrition