The clinical consequences of dehydration are critical. The validity of the common laboratory parameters of hydration status is far from being absolute, especially so in the elderly." (Leibovitz, et al., 2007) it is related however that "combinations of these indices are more reliable." (Leibovitz, et al., 2007) the study reported by Leibovitz et al. is one that assessed hydration status among elderly LTC residents with oropharyngeal dysphagia and in which a total of 28 orally fed patients with grade-2 feeding difficulties on the functional outcome swallowing scale (FOSS) and 67 naso-gastric tube (NGT)-fed LTC residents entered the study." (Leibovitz, et al., 2007) That utilized as indices of hydration status include: "the common laboratory, serum and urinary tests." (Leibovitz, et al., 2007) Results are stated to have been "considered an indicative of dehydration and used as 'markers of hydration', if they were above the accepted norms."
Stated as results in this study are the following: "...The mean number of dehydration markers was significantly higher in the FOSS-2 group (3.8 ± 1.3 vs. 2 ± 1.4, p = 0.000). About 75% of these FOSS-2 patients http://content.karger.com/ProdukteDB/images/entity/gteq.gif
4 dehydration markers versus 18% of the NGT-fed group (p = 0.000). A low urine output (800 ml/day) also had a significant number (2 ± 1.5) of positive indices of dehydration." (Leibovitz, et al., 2007) Liebovitz et al. states that dehydration "was found to be common among orally fed FOSS-2 LTC patients. Surprisingly, probable dehydration, although of a mild degree, was not a rarity among NGT-fed patients either. The combination of 4 parameters, BUN, BUN/SCr, U/SOsm and UOsm, offers reasonable reliability to be used as an indication of dehydration status in daily clinical practice." (Leibovitz, et al., 2007)
The work of William Osler (2003) entitled: "Captain of the Men of Death" states that community-acquire pneumonia (CAP) "is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the elderly, with an estimated annual health-care cost in the United States of $4.4 billion." The incidence of pneumonia has bee shown in epidemiological studies to increase with aging "with the risk being almost six times higher in those ? 75 years old, compared to those < 60 years of age." (Osler, 2003) the work of Marrie (1990) states findings that 33 of 1,000 nursing home residents each year were hospitalized for treatment of pneumonia as compared with 1.14 of 1000 elderly individuals living in the community. Rello, Rodriguez and Jubert (1996) found that COPE, heart disease, malignancy, malnutrition, congestive heart failure and diabetes mellitus has been implicated as risk factors for community acquire pneumonia in the elderly." (as cited in Osler, 2003)
The work of Rothenberg, et al. (2007) entitled: "Texture-Modified Meat and Carrot Products for Elderly People with Dysphagia: Preference in Relation to Health and Oral Status" published in the journal of 'Food & Nutrition' (2007) reports a study in which the preference for texture-modified carrot and meat products in elderly people aiming to meet the needs of people with impaired chewing and/or swallowing was studied. Data is reported to have been collected through use of questionnaires that focused on health, oral status and preference for the products. Participants in the study were 108 elderly individuals in ordinary housing and 50 individuals living in special housing. The results of the study report: "19% had a body mass index ?22, predominantly in SH (24%). Stroke was reported by 20% of...
Woods up with an exercise group close to her house, or a support group who could help her with adjusting to her new diagnosis and give her support. The social worker and the nursing staff would also be able to educate Mrs. Woods' family on the condition and what needs to be done to maximize her bone health. 5. Should Mrs. Woods have a history of renal calculi; care will be taken for the administration
Aspiration Pneumonia Prevention through in-Service Training for Nurses NR451 RN Capstone Course Design for Change Proposal: Aspiration Pneumonia Prevention through in-Service Training for Nurses This is a position paper recommending the implementation of an in-service training among nurses in the hospital and skills nursing facilities on the prevention of aspiration pneumonia, of which a large segment of the sufferers are elderly patients. Especially in the case of elderly patients with nasogastric or under
Parkinson's disease is a neurological disorder which is primarily diagnosed in people aged 50 and above. This degenerative disease affects the muscular movement, creates tremor and increases posture rigidity. First explained in 1817 by James Parkinson, this disease is prevalent throughout the world. In the United States as well as the UK around 2% of the elderly population is afflicted by this neurological disorder. In the U.S. alone there are
Cultural Competence Culturally competent care Cultural competence and the Old age homes The basic knowledge in nursing or medical studies in itself is not enough. As Watson puts it, there is need to instill the humanistic aspect into the career or the profession. Watson believes that the nurse must establish a caring relationship with patients, display unconditional acceptance of the patient with whatever condition they are in, treat patients as holistic beings, treat
Periodontal disease and respiratory disease: A systematic review of the evidence," Agado & Bowen (2012) perform a systematic review or meta-analysis style of research to determine whether there is a correlation between periodontal disease and pneumonia, or between periodontal disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a "common" condition that includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Smoking is a major risk factor for COPD; but pneumonia can be caused by a
Pathophysiology- Adaptive Response The body has a natural adaptive response that allows it to cope with both internal and external environments. Adaptive responses in the medical and healthcare field are commonly referred to as signs and symptoms and they play a crucial role in that they help health practitioners to discern the underlying conditions, thus diagnose the disorder to be treated/managed (Huether, McCance & Parkinson, 2013). This paper is a discussion
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
Get Started Now