AC2 Exam 1 Flashcards
Why is clinical decision making complex in older aduts?
Need for the ability to prioritize care, many different issues reside within the older adult that the RN needs to analyze
What is an ADL?
activities of daily living
toileting, bathing, dressing, feeding, continence
LAST TO GO**
What does IADL mean?
Instrumental activities of daily living
Using the telephone, shopping, housekeeping, grocery lists, laundry, handling medications, handling finances
45-50% of 85+ older adults can perform these tasks
Abnormal changes in the older adult
incontinence, obesity
What are some interventions that can prevent or decrease fall risk?
change positions slowly, move rugs/ cords,
make sure shoes hit, avoid drowsy meds
What is the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG)?
a test used to assess mobility in older adults, if the pt cant complete in 12 seconds, they are at a high fall risk
look at what the pt holds onto during the test
How do you administer the TUG test?
“When I say Go, i want you to
1. stand up from the chair
2. walk to the line on the floor at your normal pace
3. turn
4. walk back to the chair at your normal pace
5. sit back down”
What should the nurse always focus on?
Safety
How does immobility affect the overall levels of care?
Increases dependency d/t convenience (putting a brief on a pt instead of rounding q2hr and assisting to bathroom)
If a patient has a new onset of falls or increase in the number of falls, what should the nurse think?
infection or medication
A patient having multiple falls is a marker for what?
general decline, (LTC for >1year or death, 1/4 die <6mo)
What is constipation?
shitless, shitunreliable, shithurt
infrequent, incomplete, or painful evacuation of feces
What should the nurse do to assess for constipation?
perform abdominal assessment, elimination history, surgeries/ diagnosis that can cause constipation, mobility issues
What is used to help with constipation?
fiber, fluids, ambulation, enemas, laxatives
How does the nurse know when to administer a laxative?
3 days AFTER using fluids, fiber, and ambulation
When do you take a stimulant laxative?
at night
What is waters role in constipation?
brings fluid to the stool and softens it
What are some types of laxatives?
stimulant, osmotic , stool softener
Senna
stimulant laxative
Polyethylene glycol (Miralax)
osmotic
Stool softener
Docusate sodium
Types of incontinence include….
urge
stress
overflow
functional
Urge incontinence is described as…
abrupt, strong **urge **to void with moderate to large volume of leakage
What are some causes of urge incontinence?
UTI, bladder spasticity, caffeine, CNS lesions (sadie and overactive bladder)