NRS-420 Topic 5 DQ 1
Topic 5 DQ 1
You are a Home Health RN who is making an initial visit to the home of an elderly couple to assess and develop a plan of care. Mr. Juarez, an 88-year-old man, broke his right tibia due to a fall. He was recently discharged from a skilled rehabilitation center where he had developed a catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) from his indwelling urinary catheter. The infection has resolved, and he has now been discharged home with an indwelling urinary catheter. He remains in a cast and has graduated to limited use of crutches but is still unable to perform routine activities of daily living (ADLs).You will be coming to the home once a week.
Based on this scenario, describe the infection control measures that need to be observed and the personal protective equipment (PPE) that would be used during these visits. Explain how some of the characteristics of the aging process may lead to vulnerabilities related to independent living, elder abuse, social connections, etc.
Initial discussion question posts should be a minimum of 200 words and include at least two references cited using APA format. Responses to peers or faculty should be 100-150 words and include one reference. Refer to “RN-BSN DQ Rubric” and “RN-BSN Participation Rubric,” located in Class Resources, to understand the expectations for initial discussion question posts and participation posts, respectively.
American Association of Colleges of Nursing Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education
This assignment aligns to AACN Core Competencies 6.2, 3.6,
Submitted on:
Apr 29, 2024, 7:11 PM
Maureen Kilzer
Apr 29, 2024, 9:25 PM
Class the following question is a Classroom Assessment Technique. (CAT) It is not required. If you choose to do so with a substantive post or response you will earn participation points.
Sample Answer for NRS-420 Topic 5 DQ 1
To assist Mr. Juarez in creating a home environment that is resistant to falls, it is important there are a few things to keep in mind. First off, advise patients to remove any tripping hazards like loose rugs, clutter, and cords that could get in his way. It’s also a good idea to make sure the home is well-lit to help him see better, especially at night. Consider using things like grab bars in the bathroom, handrails on stairs, and a raised toilet seat to give extra support. If Mr. Juarez taking any medications, be aware of possible side effects like feeling sleepy or dizzy, which could increase his risk of falling. Recommend doing some exercises to improve strength, balance, and flexibility – this can really help reduce chances of falling. Physical therapy could be a great option for Mrs. Juarez. Lastly, work together on a plan for what to do in case of a fall. Knowing how to get help quickly and handle emergencies can make a big difference (Campani et al., 2020).
Campani, D., Caristia, S., Amariglio, A., Piscone, S., Ferrara, L. I., Barisone, M., Bortoluzzi, S., Faggiano, F., Dal Molin, A., Silvia Zanetti, E., Caldara, C., Bellora, A., Grantini, L., Lombardi, A., Carimali, C., Miotto, M., Pregnolato, A., & Obbia, P. (2020). Home and environmental hazards modification for fall prevention among the elderly. Public Health Nursing, 38(3), 493–501. https://doi.org/10.1111/phn.12852
Sample Answer for NRS-420 Topic 5 DQ 1
Mr. Juarez is 88 y.o in a cast and using crutches in a limited maner. At that age I would summarize that strength to hold himself up well on crutches is also limited. The patient is likely in the category of geriatric syndrome and will need many interventions to keep him safe (Ong et al., 2021). For starters, Mr Juarez will need good foot wear when walking. Socks without grips will not be adequate. Mr. Juarez also needs hand rails in hallways and bathrooms. These will be important in the off chance that the hall is too skinny for the crutches.
Taking up any rugs that are on the floor and also moving any cords that might be exposed on the floor will be vital to safety. If there is an excessive amount of furniture in the home, some pieces may need to be moved to an area that isn’t being utilized to clear space to move around.
Mr. Juarez has trouble with ADL’s and I would imagine that bathing would also pose a problem. Fall prevention while doing these task will be mitigated with a bath chair in the bathroom to assist when he is tired.
Education is going to be the engine that drives the change in this situation. Fall prevention education is important to allow the patient to take charge of their care (Ong et al., 2021). Mr. Juarez needs to understand that his age, chronic conditions, and his cast put him a significant risk for a fall. Since he has had a previous fall he should understand the importance of prevention by now.
Ong, M. F., Soh, K. L., Saimon, R., Wai, M. W., Mortell, M., & Soh, K. G. (2021). Fall prevention education to reduce fall risk among community-dwelling older persons: A systematic review. Journal of Nursing Management, 29(8), 2674–2688. https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.13434
Ward, K., & Reuben, D. (2019). Comprehensive geriatric assessment. Uptodate.com. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/comprehensive-geriatric-assessment
Sample Answer for NRS-420 Topic 5 DQ 1
The process of teaching Mr. Juarez how to make his house “fall resistant” would include the following steps:
1. Clear the Floor: Get everything off the floor as a first step. Anything that could be a tripping hazard, such as little pieces of furniture, pet supplies, electrical wires, etc., falls into this category.
The second piece of advice is to install grab bars and handrails in high-traffic locations, such as the bedroom, bathroom, and stairs. They help Mr. Juarez immensely whether he is walking or changing positions.
3. Enhance Lighting: Make sure that every room in the house has enough light. Mr. Juarez can use this to better identify any dangers. To enhance your visibility during the night, you might want to think about putting night lights in the corridors, bathrooms, and bedrooms.
Lastly, in the kitchen, bathrooms, and any other room where the floor can become wet, use non-slip mats. Slips and falls can be avoided with this.
Shoe Safety: Have Mr. Juarez try on some shoes with non-slip bottoms. Socks and slippers make it more likely that you will slip and fall.
6. Getting Regular Eye Exams: If you have poor vision, you are more likely to fall. Mr. Juarez can keep his vision clear and his spectacles current by scheduling regular eye exams.
7. Exercise: Being physically active on a regular basis can help you avoid falls by enhancing your strength and balance.
8. Review of Medications: Some drugs have the potential to make you feel lightheaded or alter your balance (Martin, 2019). These adverse effects can be better managed if Mr. Juarez and his healthcare professional examine his prescriptions often.
9. Keep up with routine home maintenance to reduce the risk of fall . For example, you may need to secure rugs that have come loose, correct any uneven floors, or fix tiles that have come free.
Mr. Juarez can make his home much safer for himself and his family by adhering to these measures.
Reference:
Martin, L. A. (2019, March 28). Fall Prevention: Solutions for the Home. EDIS, 2005(5). https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-fy734-2005