1. Most common "Geriatric syndrome" conditions
Answer - falls and gait abnormalities
- frailty
- delirium
- urinary incontinence
- sleep disorders
- pressure injuries
- malnutrition
- sarcopenia- loss of muscle strength that can happen when someone gets older and does less activity
2. The chronic illness trajectory and nursing responses
Answer 1. pretrajectory- before the illness course begins, the preventative phase, no signs/symptoms
present
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,2. trajectory onset- s/s present, includes diagnostic period
3. crisis- life threatening situation
4. acute- active illness/complications that require hospitalization for optimal management
5. stable- controlled illness course/symptoms
6. unstable- illness course-symptoms not completly controlled by regimen but not requiring/desiring hospitalization
7. downward- progressive decline in physical/mental status characterized by increasing disability/symptoms
8. dying- active decline in physical/mental status characterized by increasing disability/symptoms
Immediate weeks, days, hours preceding death
3. Characteristics of successful chronic illness management models
Answer - interdiscipli-
nary team of health care professionals, often led by a nurse
- ability to conduct initial and intermitten comprehensive assessments
- skill in the development of a comprehensive care plan that is individualized, incorporates evidence based protocols,
and is culturally appropriate
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, - adequate funding to implement the plan over time
- actively engages the patient and family caregivers in care
- proactive monitoring of the pt's clinical status and ability and willingness to modify the care plan as needed
- success in facilitating transitions across settings
- facilitation of the pt's access to community resources
4. Reducing caregiver stress
Answer - educate yourself about the disease/med condition
- contact appropriate disease-related organization to learn about resources and edu and support groups to help you
adapt to the challenges you encounter
- find a health care professional who understands the disease
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