Fundamentals of Nursing Chapter 13 Young and Middle Adults (Notes from Textbook)

Young Adults

late teens to mid 30s

Young Adult Physical Change

Young adult usually completes physical growth by the age of 20. With the exception of pregnant or lactating women.

Young adults are quite active

Experience severe illnesses less frequently than older age groups.

Tend to ignore physical symptoms and postpone seeking health care.

Weight and muscle mass may change as a result of diet, exercise, and lifestyle.

Young Adult Health Risks

Risk factors originate int he community, lifestyle patterns, and family history

Young Adult Health Risks: Family History

Family history of a disease puts a young adult at risk for developing it in the middle- or older-adult years.

Young Adult Health Risks: Unplanned pregnancy

Continued source of stress that may result in adverse health outcomes for the mother, infant and family

Young Adult Health Risks: STIs

Major problem. STIs including syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, HPV, AIDS. Can become chronic and lead to infertility or death.

Young Adult Health Risks: Poor hygiene habits

poor dental hygiene increases risk of periodontal disease.

Young Adult Health Risks: Human Trafficking

Runaway and homeless youth and young adults have gained recognition as a significant and growing social problem.

Turns to illegal and dangerous activities to survive and may be at risk for human trafficking

Young Adult Health Risks: Substance Abuse

Dependence on stimulant or depressant drugs sometimes results in death. Overdose of stimulant drug. Caffeine is naturally occurring legal stimulant. Tobacco and alcohol use

Young Adult Health Risks: Violent Death and Injury

Mostly from physical assaults, MVA and other accidents, suicide attempt.

Factors include poverty, family breakdown, child abuse and neglect, drug involvement, repeated exposure to violence and ready access to guns

Intimate Partner Violence (domestic abuse): pregnant women 36% at more risk than non-pregnant women.

Young Adult Health Promotion

Lifestyle (use of tobacco, alcohol) put them at risk for illnesses or disabilities

Genetically susceptible to certain chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, and familial hypercholesterolemia

Cancer screening: Encourage adults to perform monthly skin, breast, or male genital self-examination.

Young Adult Acute Care

Includes treatments for:

- accidents

- substance abuse

- exposure to environmental or occup. hazards

- stress-related illness

- respiratory infection

- influenza

- urinary tract infection

- minor surgical procedures

Young Adult Chronic Disease

Uncommon at this stage

Begin to occur but not recognize until later

Middle Adults

mid 30s - 60s

Middle Adults: Physical Changes

Major physiological changes occur between 40 and 65 years of age.

- greying of hair

- wrinkling of skin

- decrease in vision and hearing

- thickening of waist (metabolism changes)

WOMEN:

Perimenopause (the period during which ovarian functions declines, resulting in diminishing number of ova and irregular menstrual cycle. Last 1 to 3 years)

Menopause (the disruption of this cycle. The ovaries no longer produce estrogen and progesterone, and blood level of these hormones drop. Occurs between 45 and 60 years of age)

MEN: Climacteric ( occurs in early 50s. Decreased levels of androgens)

May still be fertile. Penile erection is less firm, ejaculation is less frequent

Middle Adults Health Concerns: Depression

Common among middle adults.

RISK FACTORS:

- Being female

- Disappointments or losses at work, at school, or in family relationships (departure of the last child from the home.

- Family history

SYMPTOMS:

- weight loss or gain

- insomnia vs hyperinsomnia

- irritability

- decreased alertness

- fatigue

- headaches

- anxiety

Middle Adults Health Concerns: Stress

due to physiological changes and facing certain health realities.

Middle Adults Health Concerns: Obesity

Reduce quality of life and increase risk for many serious chronic diseases and premature death (hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, osteoarthritis, obstructive sleep apnea)

Middle Adults Health Promotion

Forming positive health habits:

- Diet/ exercise

- avoidance of tobacco, drugs, alcohol

- routine screenings ( breast, prostate, skin, testicular)