As geriatric patients age, their health and functional stability may decline res
As geriatric patients age, their health and functional stability may decline resulting in the inability to perform basic activities of daily living. In your role as a nurse practitioner, you must assess whether the needs of these aging patients are being met. Comprehensive geriatric assessments are used to determine whether these patients have developed or are at risk of developing age-related changes that interfere with their functional status. Since the health status and living situation of older adult patients often differ, there are a variety of assessment tools that can be used to evaluate wellness and functional ability. For this Discussion, you will consider which assessment tools would be appropriate for a patient in a case scenario.
Resources:
https://meded.ucsd.edu/clinicalmed/assets/docs/Vital%20Signs%20and%20Introduction%20to%20the%20Exam.pdf
https://gsaenrich.geron.org/brain-health
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/downloads/adult/adult-combined-schedule.pdf
https://hign.org/consultgeri/try-this/general-assessment
Case – DISCUSSION BOARD
Mr. Roberts, a 67-year-old man, was referred to your office for a hearing evaluation. He continues to work in a printing company, although he works only part time. He has worked at the printing company for the past 35 years. He complains that he cannot hear much of the dialogue on the television. He is accompanied by his wife, who states that her husband cannot hear her at home. He has no history of dizziness, tinnitus, or vertigo. He has had cerumen impactions removed from both ears in the past.
VS: BP 138/72 Pulse 80 Resp 20 Temp 97.8 02 Sat 97%
PMH/PSH: Insomnia, bunion surgery right foot 10 years ago, vertebroplasty for L4 compression fracture 5 years ago.
Allergies: Penicillin – causes rash
Medications:
Melatonin 5mg po qHS
Multivitamin 1 po daily
Ibuprofen 200mg 2 – 3 tabs PRN back pain
Social History: Married for 40 years to current wife, lives in one-story single-family home. Ran the presses for printing company for over 30 years, retired 2 years ago. He and his wife have 3 children who live out of the area, they also have 5 grandchildren that they like to visit several times a year. Never smoked, has history of alcohol misuse, stopped drinking 25 years ago, active member of the local AA chapter.
ROS: Difficulty hearing high frequency sounds, can’t distinguish conversations in public areas, gradual onset of symptoms. Some issues with back pain especially with prolonged standing.