the nurse listens to report concerning an elderly patient

by Maxwell Bartoletti 6 min read

Reporting Elder Abuse: The Responsibility of Nurses

16 hours ago Caring for an older patient requires discussing sensitive topics. Many older people have a "don't ask, don't tell" relationship with health care providers about certain problems, such as driving, urinary incontinence, or … >> Go To The Portal


What does the nurse observe when an elderly client enters the room?

The nurse observes the gait and stature of an elderly client entering the room. Which of the following findings is an age-related change? Gait is wide based.

What does a nurse note on an elderly client's hands?

A nurse notes the presence of brown, pigmented patches on an elderly client's hands. What is the proper term for the nurse to use to document this finding? A nurse is inspecting an elderly client's head and neck.

What does the caretaker of an elderly person tell the nurse?

The caretaker of an elderly person tells the nurse that she is worried that the client will choke because of swallowing problems secondary to a recent cerebrovascular accident (CVA). What suggestion should the nurse give the caretaker to minimize the risk of aspiration in the client?

What does a nurse inspect in an elderly client's abdomen?

A nurse inspects an elderly client's abdomen and notices the presence of a mass. What is an appropriate action by the nurse in regards to this finding? A nurse is interviewing a 79-year-old client regarding her present health concern.

What is the role of the nurse in caring for the older person?

Geriatric nurses are educated to understand and treat the often complex physical and mental health needs of older people. They try to help their patients protect their health and cope with changes in their mental and physical abilities, so older people can stay independent and active as long as possible.

How do you communicate with an elderly patient?

Use proper form of address. Establish respect right away by using formal language. ... Make older patients comfortable. ... Take a few moments to establish rapport. ... Try not to rush. ... Avoid interrupting. ... Use active listening skills. ... Demonstrate empathy. ... Avoid medical jargon.More items...•

What should be done if you are concerned about a patient's ability to understand important information?

What should be done if you are concerned about a patient's ability to understand important information? Get permission from the patient to speak with a family member. Give the patient the information and assume he understands when he nods. Assume it will not harm the patient not to know every detail.

When communicating with an older patient you should?

20 COMMUNICATION TIPSAllow extra time for older patients.Minimize visual and auditory distractions.Sit face to face with the patient.Don't underestimate the power of eye contact.Listen without interrupting the patient.Speak slowly, clearly and loudly.Use short, simple words and sentences.More items...

How do you communicate with an elderly parent?

Eight Tips for Talking to Your Aging Parents About Important...Empathize with feelings. ... Practice good communication skills. ... Let your parent be part of the decision-making process. ... Start your discussions early. ... Include other family members. ... Agree to disagree. ... Strive to honor and respect your parents.More items...

How do you communicate effectively with patients?

Communicating Effectively with PatientsAssess your body language. ... Make your interactions easier for them. ... Show them the proper respect. ... Have patience. ... Monitor your mechanics. ... Provide simple written instructions when necessary; use graphics where possible. ... Give your patients ample time to respond or ask questions.

What is important to remember when providing care to adults ages 80?

Adults 80 and Older Encourage expression of feelings and thought, encourage humor, and remind them to stay positive to help prevent depression. Health should be monitored closely, and proper nutrition, exercise and rest should be encouraged.

How do you assess patient understanding?

Teach-back steps: I assess my patients' understanding by asking them to explain the concept in their own words. I clarify anything my patients did not understand and reassess their understanding. If my patients still do not understand, I find a new way to explain the concept.

Which of the following is good practice when listening to patients?

Keep in mind these tips to help you listen carefully to patients of all cultures: • Listen to the patient without interrupting or letting your mind wander. Show your genuine interest in the patient's replies. Be still; don't fidget or sigh. Take notes but don't doodle.

How do you deal with elderly people?

How to Communicate With Difficult Seniors and Older AdultsExercise Patience and Compassion. It goes without saying that patience and compassion are often needed when dealing with the elderly. ... Ask Instead of Order. ... Ask Instead of Assume. ... Use “I” instead of “You” Language. ... Offer Choices Whenever Possible. ... Set Consequences.

What is a patient care report?

The primary purpose of the Patient Care Report (PCR) is to document all care and pertinent patient information as well as serving as a data collection tool. The documentation included on the PCR provides vital information, which is necessary for continued care at the hospital.

When communicating with older adults it is important to be aware of?

In dealing with all patients, but particularly older adults, it is important that we be aware of what we are communicating through our body language. In situations in which the words and body language are conveying two different messages, most people respond to the body language.

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Working with elderly

The experience, she said, carried her through nursing school and through her 30-year nursing career, and to gain the clinical expertise needed to become a gerontological nurse practitioner. Mason knew it “was a perfect fit” when she had the opportunity to join the nursing team at Mercy LIFE – West Philadelphia.

DIG DEEP

To find the right destination on their career journeys, nurses need to develop an innate understanding of what prompted them to get into nursing in the first place and what keeps them coming back.

GET A JUMP ON THE INEVITABLE

The primary challenges facing those who care for older adults will typically arise from end-of-life issues.

REMEMBER: YOU MAY NOT KNOW

Caring for older adults can be trying even for the most experienced nurses at times, Mason said. To succeed in elder care, nurses need to realize they don’t have all the answers.

REAP THE REWARDS

While caring for older adults can be challenging, Mason said the experience also carries great rewards for those willing to dive in.

Why does a 70 year old retired mechanic come to the office?

A 70-year-old retired auto mechanic comes to the office because his neighbor is concerned about the client's memory. The client admits to misplacing his keys more often and forgetting what he is supposed to buy from the grocery store and where he has parked the car. He denies getting lost in familiar places.

What are the pulses of the pedis?

Dorsalis pedis pulses are 3+ left and 1+ right. Dorsalis pedis pulses are 1+ left and 4+ right. Dorsalis pedis pulses are 1+ left and 2+ right. D. To compensate for a stooped posture and less flexible knee, hip, and shoulder joints, the elderly person often walks. with a waddling type of gait.

Can a nurse palpate a dorsalis pedis pulse?

The nurse is doing a shift assessment on an older adult client with diabetes who has had a 2 pack/day smoking habit for 22 years. The nurse cannot palpate a dorsalis pedis pulse even with a Doppler. When reviewing previous assessment findings, they show that pulses were weakly palpable.

Why is it important to listen to older adults?

Because older adults may have atypical symptoms, it is important to listen closely to what your patient has to say about trouble sleeping, lack of energy, and general aches and pains. It is easy to dismiss these as "just aging" and leave depression undiagnosed and therefore untreated. Back to contents.

What are the problems of an older patient?

Incontinence. Long-term care. Mental health. Sexuality and sexual health. Alcohol use and substance abuse. Delivering bad news to older patients. Isolation and loneliness. Caring for an older patient requires discussing sensitive topics. Many older people have a "don't ask, don't tell" relationship with health care providers about certain problems, ...

How to contact the Eldercare Locator?

Your local Area Agency on Aging may be able to help patients find alternative methods of transportation. Contact the Eldercare Locator at 800-677-1116 for your Area Agency on Aging. Back to contents.

What are some problems that older people don't ask?

Many older people have a "don't ask, don't tell" relationship with health care providers about certain problems, such as driving, urinary incontinence, or sexuality. Hidden health issues, such as memory loss or depression, are a challenge. Addressing problems related to safety and independence, such as giving up one's driver's license ...

What is long term care?

Long-term care includes informal caregiving, assisted living, home health services, adult day care, nursing homes, and community-based programs. Early in your relationship with an older patient, you can begin to talk about the possibility that he or she may eventually require long-term care of some kind.

What is the most difficult topic for a doctor to address?

Discussing driving concerns with older patients. Recommending that a patient limit driving — or that a patient give up his or her driver's license — is one of the most difficult topics a doctor has to address. Driving is associated with independence and identity, and making the decision not to drive is very hard.

How to talk to an older patient about sexuality?

Discussing sexuality and sexual health with your older patient. An understanding, accepting attitude can help promote a more comfortable discussion of sexuality. Try to be sensitive to verbal and other cues. Don't assume that an older patient is heterosexual, no longer sexually active, or does not care about sex.

What is geriatrics in nursing?

Geriatrics is the science of old age and the application of knowledge related to the biologic, biomedical, behavioral, and social aspects of aging. DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 137 OBJ: 2. TOP: Definitions of Old Age KEY: Nursing Process Step: N/A. Click again to see term 👆. Tap again to see term 👆.

What is the definition of geriatrics?

Geriatrics is the science of old age and the application of knowledge related to the biologic, biomedical, behavioral, and social aspects of aging. DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 137 OBJ: 2. TOP: Definitions of Old Age KEY: Nursing Process Step: N/A.

What is the term for a patient who is ill and needs information and skills to help them regain or maintain

Injured and ill patients need information and skills to help them regain or maintain their level of health; this is referred to as restoration of health. Not all patients fully recover from illness or injury. Many have to learn to cope with permanent health alterations; this is known as coping with impaired functions.

Why is rapport important in nursing?

A nurse is teaching an older adult patient about strokes.

What are reinforcers in nursing?

Three types of reinforcers are social, material, and activity. When a nurse works with a patient, most reinforcers are social and are used to acknowledge a learned behavior (e.g., smiles, compliments, words of encouragement). Examples of material reinforcers include food, toys, and music.

What is the evaluation component of the nursing process?

Evaluation of the teaching process involves determining outcomes of the teaching/learning process and the achievement of learning objectives, not patient care. Assessing the goal of meeting patient care is the evaluation component of the nursing process. A nurse is going to teach a patient about hypertension.

What is coping with long term impaired functions?

Teaching family members to help the patient with health care management (e.g., giving medications through gastric tubes, doing passive range-of-motion exercises) is an example of coping with long-term impaired functions. Injured and ill patients need information and skills to help them regain or maintain their levels of health.

Why is patient education important?

Patient education helps patients make informed decisions about their care and become healthier and more independent, not dependent. Nurses provide patients with information needed for self-care to ensure continuity of care from the hospital to the home. Click again to see term 👆. Tap again to see term 👆.

What do injured patients need?

Injured and ill patients need information and skills to help them regain or maintain their levels of health. Some examples of this include teaching a woman who recently had a hysterectomy about her pathology reports and expected length of recovery and teaching a teenager with a broken leg how to use crutches.