NURSING NUR2349 Professional Nursing I Exam 1 Study Guide MODULE 1:

MODULE 1:  Care of the Older Adult o Changes associated w/ aging  Differentiate between aging changes & changes associated with chronic illness  Common health issues affecting older adults  Decreased nutrition/hydration o Aging changes  Diminished sense of taste and smell  Tooth loss/Poor dentition  Constipation  Reduced income  Chronic disease  Fatigue  Increased urine concentration  Decreased mobility  Stress, loss, and coping o Common sources of stress  Rapid environmental changes that require immediate reaction  Changes in lifestyle resulting from retirement or physical incapacity  Acute or chronic illness  Loss of significant others  Financial hardships  Relocation  Accidents o Falls  Most happen at home  Fallophobia: fear of falling  Presbyopia: farsightedness that worsens with aging o Motor vehicle crashes  < reaction time  < ability to multitask  > risk for sleep disturbances  Chronic disease  Drug use and misuse o Can become a problem d/t chronic and acute health problems  Polymedicine: use of many drugs to treat multiple health problems  Polypharmacy: use of multiple drugs, duplicative drug therapy, high-dosage medications, and/or drugs prescribed for too