COEP Flashcards
(16 cards)
What is the role of the interprofessional team in elderly care?
To help the patient, family, and caregivers achieve positive health outcomes
Collaboration among different health professionals is essential for comprehensive elderly care.
Identify a minimum of five health-related issues for older Americans.
- Decreased Nutrition and Hydration
- Risk of Falls
- Impaired Driving Ability
- Polypharmacy
- Cognitive Decline
These issues are prevalent in the aging population and require careful assessment and intervention.
What can a nurse do to help with decreased nutrition and hydration?
- Assess dietary needs
- Educate on healthy eating
- Monitor fluid intake
- Collaborate with dietitians
- Encourage small, frequent meals
Nutritional support is vital for maintaining health in older adults.
What are risk factors for falls in older adults?
- Decreased mobility
- Sensory perception decline
- Medications affecting balance
- Environmental hazards
- Muscle weakness
Identifying these factors can help in developing prevention strategies.
What type of questions could you ask to assess a patient’s risk for safety issues?
- Do you feel steady when you walk?
- Have you had any falls in the past year?
- Are there obstacles in your home?
- Do you take medications that make you dizzy?
- Do you use assistive devices?
These questions help gauge the patient’s risk level for falls and safety issues.
What are evidence-based falls risk prevention interventions for older adults?
- Regular exercise programs
- Home safety assessments
- Medication reviews
- Vision checks
- Use of assistive devices
Implementing these interventions can significantly reduce the risk of falls.
What is an appropriate first-line intervention for safety issues?
Diversion
Diversion techniques can help redirect attention and reduce anxiety in patients.
What should you teach older adults to promote health?
- Illness prevention
- Healthy diet
- Regular exercise
- Importance of screenings
- Medication management
Teaching these practices can enhance health outcomes in older adults.
What are some health disparities for subgroups within the older adult population?
- Cultural barriers
- Language differences
- Socioeconomic status
- Access to healthcare
- Geographic location
Understanding these disparities is crucial for providing equitable care.
What is the Beers list?
A list of potentially inappropriate medications for older adults
The Beers criteria help clinicians avoid prescribing medications that may pose risks to elderly patients.
What assessment questions are important for detecting adverse drug events in older adults?
- Do you take five or more prescription medications?
- Do you take herbs or supplements?
- Are your prescriptions filled at more than one pharmacy?
- Do you have trouble opening medication bottles?
- Do you live alone?
These questions help identify patients at risk for medication-related complications.
What are the signs of neglect and abuse in older adults?
- Unexplained injuries
- Sudden changes in finances
- Withdrawal from social activities
- Poor hygiene
- Frequent hospital visits
Recognizing these signs is crucial for timely intervention.
What are some assessment tools for impaired cognition in older adults?
- Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
- Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
- Clock Drawing Test
- Confusion Assessment Method (CAM)
These tools are validated for assessing cognitive function.
What factors contribute to impaired nutrition in older adults?
- Poorly fitting dentures
- Changes in taste or smell
- Difficulty cooking for one
- Reduced income
- Fatigue
Addressing these factors can improve nutritional intake.
What is meant by the policy ‘start low, go slow’ in medication management for the elderly?
Initiating medications at lower doses and increasing slowly as needed
This approach minimizes the risk of adverse effects in older adults.
What are key interventions to prevent impaired tissue integrity in older adults?
- Nutritional support
- Repositioning and support surfaces
- Skin cleansing and moisture barriers
- Avoiding skin injury from friction
- Increasing mobility
These interventions are essential for maintaining skin integrity.
