Topic 5: Health Assessment Of The Older Adult Objectives: 1. Evaluate the complexities and implications associated with the aging process. 2. Develop strategies for supporting patients in end-of-life care. 3. Conduct a clinically relevant, hol

Topic 5: Health Assessment Of The Older Adult

Objectives:

1. Evaluate the complexities and implications associated with the aging process.
2. Develop strategies for supporting patients in end-of-life care.
3. Conduct a clinically relevant, holistic health assessment.
4. Document a clinically relevant, holistic health assessment.
5. Implement infection control measures consistent with personal protective equipment
(PPE) utilization and home care setting practices.

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,  

Topic 5 DQ 2
End-of-life care becomes an issue at some point for elderly patients. Discuss the difference
between palliative care and hospice care programs. Discuss what you can do as a nurse to support
your patients regarding end-of-life care in accordance with their wishes. Explain the use of
advance directives versus Physician Order for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST) and their legal
implications when providing care for elderly patients.
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 Competency 9.4. 

Shadow Health: Comprehensive Assessment
In this assignment you will conduct a full health assessment on a patient in a single clinic visit.
Within the Shadow Health platform, you will have one opportunity to complete the
Comprehensive Exam. On average, this assignment should take 180 minutes to complete.
Students may need additional time. Upon completion, submit the lab pass through the
assignment dropbox.
Please review the "Shadow Health Comprehensive Assessment Documentation" assignment
before you begin to ensure you understand the documentation expectations within Shadow
Health for this assignment.

After completing this Comprehensive Assessment, you will be awarded a Digital Clinical
Experience (DCE) score. The DCE score will appear on your Lab Pass which you will submit to the
classroom drop box. The DCE score will be used as your percentage grade for this assignment.
You are not required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite.
American Association of Colleges of Nursing Core Competencies for Professional Nursing
Education
This assignment aligns to AACN Core Competencies 2.2, 2.3, 2.7. 

Shadow Health: Comprehensive Assessment Documentation
The purpose of this assignment is to communicate the findings of a comprehensive health
assessment through the effective use of electronic communication tools.  When completing the
Shadow Health Comprehensive Assessment assignment, you will need to ensure that you are
documenting vital signs and nursing notes within Shadow Health.
Your work will be assessed in Shadow Health to award points based on your documentation.
No additional submission is needed. 
Please review the assignment rubric prior to starting the Shadow Health Comprehensive
Assessment.
American Association of Colleges of Nursing Core Competencies for Professional Nursing
Education
This assignment aligns to AACN Core Competencies 2.3, 8.1, 8.2, 8.4.