Week 9: Sensory Perception

sensation

the ability to perceive stimulation through one’s sensory organs such as the nose, ears, and eyes

stimuli

Internal

• from within the body. includes feelings of pain, internal temperature

External

• from outside the body. stimuli received and processed through the five senses: vision, hearing, taste, smell, and touch

inter-related concepts of sensory perception

Intracranial regulation

Nutrition

Mobility

Development

Pain

Functional ability

Factors impacting on sensory perception

Environment. — sensory deprivation/sensory overload, location (ICU)

Previous experience.

Illness.

Medications. — illicit drugs, sedatives, opiates

Dementia/Delirium.

Impacts:

• increased anxiety

• depression

• hallucinations

• cognitive dysfunction

• falls

• agitation

3 most common types of sensory alterations

1. Sensory deficits

2. Sensory deprivation

3. Sensory overload

sensory overload

when you’re getting more input from your 5 senses than your brain can sort through and process

sensory deprivation

inadequate quality or quantity of stimulation

assessment

• Use of assistive devices

• Mental status

• Physical assessment

• Ability to perform self-care

• Health promotion habits

• Hazards

Possbile Nursing Diagnosis

• impaired memory

• risk of falls and injury

• impaired communication

• social isolation

Nursing Process: Implementation

• involvement of the family

• community resources

• multidisciplinary healthcare team

• focus on ability rather than disability

• promoting self-care

• priorities - safety, communication, promoting independence

Nursing Priorities

1. Safety

2. Ensure sensory glasses/ hearing aids available

3. Check environment - overstimulation / sensory deprivation?

4. Assess cognition and impacts

5. Promote orientation / reorientation

Nursing Interventions

• ensure bed safety

• stay with patient and reorient

• provide reassurance

• improve lighting

• reduce environmental noise

• assess for delirium

• notify physician if condition worsens