Fundamentals of Nursing: Late Adulthood and Spirituality

These flashcards cover essential concepts and assessments related to nursing care for older adults, including health concerns, spiritual needs, and community resources.

What are the key components of nursing care for older adults?

Key components include addressing physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development/changes, health promotion, Erikson's developmental stages, major life-span transitions, and health concerns.

How can healthcare providers distinguish between dementia and delirium?

Through clinical assessment focusing on the onset, course, and cognitive deficits of each condition.

What is 'failure to thrive' in older adults?

A syndrome characterized by weight loss, decreased appetite, poor nutrition, and inactivity.

What is the focus of the Elder Justice Act of 2009?

To address elder mistreatment and provide funding to Adult Protective Services (APS).

What are some common chronic conditions in older adults?

Common chronic conditions include heart disease, cancer, chronic lung disease (COPD), and stroke.

What spiritual needs should nurses assess in older adults?

Nurses should assess for spiritual distress and the impact of spirituality on health and coping.

What are the signs of potential elder abuse?

Signs include unexplained injuries, changes in behavior, neglect of basic needs, and financial exploitation.

How does aging affect cognitive changes in middle adults?

Cognitive decline is rare but can occur with illness or trauma; regular mental stimulation can help maintain cognitive function.

What role do cultural considerations play in nursing care for older adults?

Cultural awareness is essential for tailoring care plans that respect the diversity of beliefs and practices in aging populations.

What factors contribute to spiritual distress in older adults?

Factors include acute and chronic illnesses, terminal illnesses, and near-death experiences.

What is the impact of spirituality on coping with health issues?

Spirituality can provide individuals with energy, inner strength, and a sense of purpose during difficult times.

What assessment tools can be used for evaluating spiritual well-being?

Tools include the Spiritual Well-Being Questionnaire and Quality of Life Group Questionnaire.

What are the outcomes of effective spiritual care planning?

Outcomes include feelings of peacefulness, connectedness, and participation in spiritual practices.

What are the 4Ms and SPICES tools in geriatric assessment?

4Ms: What Matters, Medications, Mentation, Mobility; SPICES: Sleep disorders, problems with eating, incontinence, confusion, evidence of falls, skin breakdown.

What specific aspects of development and changes do nurses address when providing care for older adults?

Nurses address physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development and changes.

Which well-known developmental theorist's stages are relevant when considering nursing care for older adults?

Erikson's developmental stages.

What three clinical factors are crucial for healthcare providers to assess when distinguishing between dementia and delirium?

Onset, course, and specific cognitive deficits.

What are the four primary characteristics that define 'failure to thrive' in older adults?

Weight loss, decreased appetite, poor nutrition, and inactivity.

What is the main objective of the Elder Justice Act of 2009?

To address elder mistreatment.

Which specific service entity receives funding to aid in addressing elder mistreatment as per the Elder Justice Act of 2009?

Adult Protective Services (APS).

What are some of the most common chronic health conditions found in older adults according to the document?

Heart disease, cancer, chronic lung disease (COPD), and stroke.

Besides obvious spiritual needs, what critical aspect of spirituality should nurses assess in older adults regarding their overall health?

The impact of spirituality on health and coping.

What types of unexplained physical signs might indicate potential elder abuse?

Unexplained injuries.

What behavioral changes in an older adult should alert a nurse to potential elder abuse?

Changes in behavior.

Beyond physical or emotional harm, what specific type of exploitation is a recognized sign of elder mistreatment?

Financial exploitation.

Under what specific conditions might cognitive decline occur in middle-aged adults?

With illness or trauma.

What method is suggested to help maintain cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults?

Regular mental stimulation.

How do cultural considerations improve the quality of nursing care for older adults?

By tailoring care plans that respect the diversity of beliefs and practices.

What categories of illnesses are identified as contributing factors to spiritual distress in older adults?

Acute, chronic, and terminal illnesses.

How does spirituality empower individuals when coping with health issues?

It can provide individuals with energy, inner strength, and a sense of purpose.

Name one assessment tool specifically mentioned for evaluating spiritual well-being.

The Spiritual Well-Being Questionnaire (or Quality of Life Group Questionnaire).

What are two positive emotional or psychological outcomes of effective spiritual care planning?

Feelings of peacefulness and connectedness.

In the '4Ms' framework for geriatric assessment, what does 'Mentation' specifically refer to?

Cognitive function or mental status.

What does each letter in the SPICES acronym represent in the context of geriatric assessment tools?

Sleep disorders, problems with eating, incontinence, confusion, evidence of falls