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Please write a Paragraph answering to this discussion below with your opinion. Please include citations and references in alphabetical order in case of another source.
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A comprehensive health assessment in a geriatric patient is conducted to help identify potential abnormal findings (Grand Canyon University, 2012). The assessment should include a physical examination, family history, evaluation of cognition, sensory loss, nutrition, mental health, and a determination of any advance care plan for end of life.
When the nurse first encounters the patient, there are clinical signs that can be observed by paying close attention to the client’s general appearance and behavior. Close observation is important in conducting a thorough assessment, and observation begins from the first moment of contact with the client. Important factors to notice include the steadiness of the patient’s gait and balance, and the general appearance of self-care and hygiene. Also, it is important to note if the elderly client is wearing corrective lenses or hearing aids. These findings are indications of a sensory deficit, and they should trigger the nurse to speak slowly and clearly, making direct interactions in close proximity.
Assessment of family history is important in assessing risk factors and heritable disease, and, especially with the elderly, it has the added benefit of helping the nurse address living conditions and the existence of a support system, which might be beneficial when evaluating a patient’s ability to manage care. Cognition is a critical factor in determining patient’s ability to manage care. A patient with a neurodegenerative disorder, such as dementia, may have a severely diminished capacity to comply with medical recommendations, follow-up care, self-care, and nutrition.
Assessment of nutrition should include examination of the hair, nails, and teeth. This can provide important clues about the state of a patient’s nutrition. Patient’s with diminished nutrition may not be as resilient after sickness or injury, and they are more vulnerable to pathogens and hospital-acquired infections.
The assessment of advanced directives and end-of-life plans is another crucial element in providing care for the elderly. This portion of the assessment is important because many of these directives are legally binding, and they can provide a large amount of information and direction to healthcare providers in the event of death or incapacitation.
References
Health assessment of the older adult (2012). Grand Canyon University. Retrieved from https://lc-ugrad3.gcu.edu/learningPlatform/user/users.html?
