Nursing of Geriatrics

Course Syllabus

PN 1012

Credit Hours: Two

Schedule: M -W online
Weeks 1-8

PN Department

Darryl Gillit, MSN, RN, COI

Phone: 870-391-3180
Email: dgillit@northark.edu
Office: A100C

Fall 2017
 Syllabus Acknowledgment
Course:

PN 1012-50

Semester:

Fall 2017

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 NORTH ARKANSAS COLLEGE
PRACTICAL NURSING PROGRAM

Course Title: Nursing of Geriatrics

Course Number: PN 1012 - 50

Instructor: Darryl Gillit, MSN, RN, COI

Office: A100C
Phone: 870-391-3180
Email: dgillit@northark.edu
Please allow at least 24-72 hours response time.

Office hours: 8:00 am to 3:00 pm Monday through Friday.

Course Credit &

Time Allotment: 2 semester credit hours
Monday & Wednesday online activities, weeks 1-8
Clinical will be on Thursday and Friday, 6:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., starting on
week one.

Course
Instructors: Darryl Gillit, MSN, RN, COI

Course
Description: This course explains the role of the nurse in meeting the physiologic,
psychosocial, and spiritual needs of the elderly. Course content includes
the normal aging process, effects of aging on the body, physiologic,
psychosocial, and spiritual needs of the elderly, effects of medications in
the elderly and leadership and management skills of the nurse. The
concepts from Basic Nursing will be integrated into this course. Pre- or
co-requisites: BIOL 1434 or 2214 and 2224. Co-requisites: PN 1005,
1105, 1006.

Rationale: The purpose of this course is for the student to learn to provide safe and
effective nursing care to the Geriatric patient. This course also
incorporates beginning management skills for employment in a long term
care facility.

Audience for the

Course: Individuals, who applied, met the criteria, fulfilled all the requirements and
were selected into the PN Program.

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Northark General Learning
Outcomes:
The learning outcomes of general education will be common to all
students regardless of their major. When students have completed the
general education component of their studies, they should be able to:
1. Apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills across disciplines.
2. Apply life skills in areas such as teamwork, interpersonal
relationships, ethics, and study habits.
3. Communicate clearly in written or oral formats.
4. Use technology appropriate for learning.
5. Discuss issues of a diverse global society.
6. Demonstrate math and/or statistical skills.

Course Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to
1. Utilize the nursing process and critical thinking skills to develop a plan
of care for common physiologic, psychosocial, and spiritual problems
of the older adult, (measured by written plan of care from critical
thinking activity).
2. Identify therapeutic communication techniques when working with
older adults (measured by critical thinking activity).
3. Describe principles of safety when working with the older adult
including falls, restraints, environmental issues, and dementia
(measured by critical thinking activity).
4. Explain the effects of an individual’s culture on physiologic,
psychosocial, and spiritual needs of the older adult (measured by
critical thinking activity).
5. Discuss caring behaviors of the nurse when caring for the older adults
(measured by critical thinking activity).
6. Recognize the normal physiologic, psychosocial, and spiritual
changes of the older adult due to aging (measured by critical thinking
activity).
7. Describe ethical and legal aspects involved in providing care to the
older adult (measured by critical thinking activity).
8. Prioritize physiologic, psychosocial, and spiritual needs when caring
for the older adult (measured by critical thinking activity).
9. List leadership skills for a charge nurse in a nursing home or long
term care facility (measured by critical thinking activity).
10. State principles of medication administration in the older adult to
safely administer medication and monitor patients for adverse
reactions (measured by critical thinking activity).
11. Identify importance of incorporating evidence-based practice to
provide effective patient care (measured by topic-of-the-week
assignment and discussion).

Course Text: Basic Geriatric Nursing, 6th Ed., Williams

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Course Resources:

Personal computer
 The student is expected to have access to a computer with these
system requirements. If you have any problems with your
computer, i.e., computer crashes, internet goes down, or etc., it is
your responsibility to have a backup plan.

Email Account
 A Northark email account was issued to you automatically when
you enrolled in your classes. To access your email, navigate to
Northark’s Web site at www.northark.edu. On the Students tab,
you should see a link Student Email. You may also access your
email from web.mail.northark.edu. Your email address will be your
username@mail.northark.edu

Computers On-Campus
 JPH Business building – Computers are available in rooms B206,
207, 208, 209, & 302. (See schedule on the wall of the 2nd floor of
the JPH Building)

Libraries
 There are computers available for all Northark students on the
north and south campuses.

Please contact the Library for current operating hours.

Writing Lab
 South Campus room Resources on the north and south campus
including the library, computer labs, and the Learning Assistance
Center (math & science tutors, writing lab, testing center)

If you are having any issues in your course, the first person you
should contact is your instructor. If you need technical assistance
for logon issues, contact Brenda Freitas (Northark IT department) at
bfreitas@northark.edu or 870.391.3275.

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Course Content: Unit I Overview of Aging
Trends and Issues
Theories of Aging
Physiologic Changes

Unit II Basic Skills for Gerontologic Nursing

Health Promotion and Health Maintenance
Communicating with Older Adults
Nutrition and Fluid Balance
Medication and Older Adults
Health Assessment of Older Adults
Meeting Safety Needs of Older Adults

Unit III Psychosocial Care of the Elderly

Cognitive and Perception
Self-Perception and Self-Concept
Roles and Relationships
Coping and Stress
Values and Beliefs
End of Life Care
Sexuality and Aging

Unit IV: Physical Care of the Elderly

Meeting Nutritional and Fluid Needs
Care of Aging Skin and Mucous Membranes
Elimination
Activity and Exercise
Sleep and Rest

Coursework: A. Unit Examinations

Test I Overview of Aging
Test II Basic Skills for Gerontologic Nursing
Test III Psychosocial Care of the Elderly
Test IV Physical Care of the Elderly
Final Comprehensive Final

Students in online courses must take a proctored final/major exam.

B. Homework Assignments/ Learning Activities

1. Completion of Critical Thinking and Case Study Assignments
offline and online.
2. Pop Quizzes offline and online.
3. Completion of Collaboration Forums online
4. Weekly Evidence-Based Practice Topics through
Collaboration Forums online.
5. Viewing of internet resources including videos regarding
current topics online.
6. Miscellaneous Assignments According to Instructor.

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Forums: This is the portion of the online course that replaces discussion that would
typically happen in the classroom of a face-to-face course. You will be
required to participate in discussions during the semester. The forum is
located under the Forums tab on the Portal. There are more directions as
well as due dates in the Assignments section.

Course Grade/ Evaluation: The course Grade is determined as follows:

Unit Examinations 35%
Homework Assignments 15%
Comprehensive Final Examination 50%
A 79% or higher must be made to successfully complete
the course.

Attendance & Participation

Policy: A student must post to the online classroom at least once in the first week
to be counted in attendance and to be considered as an active student in
PN 1012 Nursing of Geriatrics. Students must actively participate in the
course by turning in assignments and posting to collaboration forums each
week which will count as attendance in the course. Instructors will not
withdraw a student from this course. Students are responsible to
officially withdraw from courses they are no longer participating in.

Participation
Active student and faculty participation in the online classroom results in a
rich educational experience for all students. Meaningful participation in the
classroom collaboration forums is expected and is graded. Failure to
participate in the online collaboration forums will impact the grade for the
course. Active-duty military should discuss any limitations on participation
with the instructor.

It is the student’s responsibility to discuss any lack of participation in

online activities and the possibility of make-up work with the instructor as
soon as possible.

Guidelines for Class Participation

Students are encouraged to contribute to class discussion via
collaboration forum. Participation is key to a lively, interesting class. Class
participation provides the opportunity to practice speaking and persuasive
skills, as well as the ability to listen. Comments that are vague, repetitive,
unrelated to the current topic, disrespectful of others, or without sufficient
foundation will be evaluated negatively. What matters most is the quality
of one's contributions to the class discussion, not the number of times one
speaks. Frequent contributions are, however, encouraged.

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Online Forums
Students are expected to participate in the online forums in the following
manner:

Enter “Forums” a minimum of 2 days each week. If this poses difficulty

contact your instructor immediately and work on other arrangements.

Make sure you have completed the assigned reading and have read the
instructions thoroughly before you participate in collaborative forum
discussion. Your participation points are derived from the depth of your
responses. The discussion should contain substantial information regarding
the topic. (“I agree” or “Good job” is not sufficient to earn points.) You are
asked to critique other student’s work. Your suggestions & questions may
assist the student to make a higher grade…thus you can help each other out
by being honest with your critiques!

Use the appropriate “Forums” and type in the “subject” you are addressing in
the subject area. Type in your response to the collaboration discussion
question.

Read other student’s posts, post an in-depth comment/reply, or ask/answer

questions about the topic under study. Add any new information you may
have found in your reading.

Return to the site at a later time that week and review questions/ further
collaboration discussion on the topic for that week. Be sure to read and
answer any comments/questions that students have about your previous
communications. (There is a due date for the posts for each forum.)

The student will be assigned points for each forum.

Points will be earned according to the depth and number of postings during
the collaboration discussion.
(See Grading Criteria posted below)

General Rules for Forums:

Respect others’ ideas, feelings, and experience.

Be courteous. It is important to be honest and express yourself freely, but be

sure that you include praise as well as constructive criticism.

When posting responses, back up your assertions with data and evidence.
This is especially important if you disagree with a response or topic.

Remember that online communication lacks non-verbal cues. Make every

effort to be clear and concise in communication.

Never use all capital letters. This is considered “SHOUTING!”

Humor can be misinterpreted because there is no non-verbal. Use emotion-

icons (such as smiley faces.)

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 PLEASE check your course announcement e-mail each time you log on! Any
changes in assignments, etc. will be reported in this manner.

Course Calendar: See the Course Calendar on the Portal to see due dates for assignments
and test. If the assignments or syllabus needs to be changed for any
reason there will be notification of the changes as an announcement on
the Portal.

The syllabus acknowledgment must be returned via File Exchange by the 10th day of
the semester. (Online courses only-You will automatically be dropped from the course if this
is not returned.)

Academic Dishonesty:

Academic fraud and dishonesty are defined as follows:

Cheating: Intentionally using or attempting to use unauthorized materials,
information, or study aids in any academic exercise.

Facilitating academic dishonesty: Intentionally or knowingly helping or

attempting to help another commit an act of academic dishonesty.

Test tampering: Intentionally gaining access to restricted test booklets,

banks, questions, or answers before a test is given; or tampering with
questions or answers after a test is taken.

Plagiarism: Intentionally or knowingly representing the words and ideas

of another as one's own in any academic exercise.

Academic dishonesty will not be permitted. It shall be at the

instructor’s discretion to fail the student for that assignment, remove
the student from the class, reduce the student’s grade or petition to
have the student suspended from the college.

ADA statement: North Arkansas College complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Students with
disabilities who need special accommodations should make their requests
in the following way: (1) talk to the instructor after class or during office
hours about their disability or special need related to classroom work;
and/or (2) contact Kim Brecklein at 870-391-3338 or you can e-mail Ms.
Brecklein at kbrecklein@northark.edu.

Final Note: Refer to the Practical Nursing Student Handbook and semester
schedule for policies concerning daily assignments, attendance, tardiness,
dress code, academic integrity, make-up work, student responsibilities and
ADA statement.

The stated schedule, assignments, and procedures in this course are

subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances. Students will
be notified verbally or in writing of changes by the instructor.

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 Objectives Content Learner Activities
Upon Completion of this course, the student
will:

UNIT I: OVERVIEW OF AGING

A. Classroom - Trends and Issues A. Trends and Issues Before Class:
Define Aging Read: Williams, Chapter 1.
1. Design a schedule that includes time for
study, personal needs, family and social During Class:
and recreational activities. Lecture.

Discussion of Critical Thinking Activities

2. Describe the subjective and objective ways Attitudes Toward Aging
that aging is defined. a. Personal
Completion of Chapter 1 Student
b. Societal
Activity Worksheets.
3. Identify personal and societal attitudes Myths About Aging
toward aging. a. Gerontophobia
After Class:
b. Ageism
Bring an evidence-based practice topic
4. Define ageism. c. Role of the Family (at least 1 article) that addresses issues
d. Culture and Caregiver Choices affecting the elderly (i.e. legislation,
5. Discuss the myths that exist about aging. Preparing for Old Age ageism, economics, housing, neglect,
Demographics abuse).
6. Identify recent demographic trends and Economics of Aging
their impact on society. a. Factors that Influence
b. Legislation
7. Describe the effects of recent legislation c. Politically Active Senior Citizens
on the economic status of older adults. Groups
Role of the Nurse in Financial
8. Identify the political interest groups that Issues
work as advocates for older adults.

9. Identify the major economic concerns of

older adults.

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 Objectives Content Learner Activities
10. Describe the housing options that are Housing
available to older adults. a. Independent or Assisted-Living
b. Life Release
c. Government Subsidized
d. Group-Housing
e. Community Residential
f. Nursing Home
11.Discuss the health care implications of an Health Care
increase in the population of older adults a. Medicare
b. DRGs
c. Supplemental Medicaid

12. Describe the changes in family dynamics
that occur as family members become
older.
Demographic Changes Affecting the
Family
a. Extended Lifespan
b. Chronic Conditions
c. Increase Younger Generations
d. Increasing Number of Widows
e. Change in Women’s Role

13. Examine the role of nurses in dealing The Nurse and Family Interactions
with an aging family.

14. Identify the different forms of elder abuse. Elder Abuse

a. Self-Neglect
15. Recognize the most common signs of b. Family Abuse
abuse. c. Physical Abuse
d. Neglect
e. Emotional Abuse
f. Financial Abuse
g. Abandonment
h. Caregiver Abuse
1) Prevention
2) Delegation Issues
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 Objectives Content
16. Describe methods that are effective in Prevention of Abuse
preventing elder abuse. a. Respite Care Programs
b. Support Groups
B. Theories of Aging B. Theories of Aging
17. Differentiate between how a theory is
different from a fact.
18. Describe the most common biologic Biologic Theories
theories of aging. a. Molecular
b. Cellular
19. Describe the most common psychosocial Psychosocial Theories
theories of aging. a. Disengagement
b. Activity
c. Life Course Theories
20.Discuss the relevance of these theories to Implications for Nursing
nursing practice.
C. Physiologic Changes C. Physiologic Changes
21. Describe the most common structural Integumentary System
changes observed in the normal aging a. Normal Structure and Function
process. b. Normal Age-Related Changes
c. Abnormal Conditions Common
22. Discuss the impact of normal structural with Aging
changes on the older adult’s self-image and Musculoskeletal System
lifestyle. a. Normal Structure and Function
b. Normal Age-Related Changes
23. Describe the most commonly observed c. Abnormal Conditions Common
functional changes that are part of the
with Aging
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Learner Activities
Before Class:
Read: Williams, Chapter 2.
During Class:
Lecture.
Discuss Critical Thinking Activities.
Completion of Chapter 2 Student
Activity Worksheets.
Videos: -“Ageless America”
-MSNBC-“Aging in America”
-Do assignment related to video
Before Class:
Read: Williams, Chapter 3.
During Class:
Lecture.
Completion of Chapter: 3 Student Activity
Worksheets
Video: NIH “Stroke”
Participate in question and answer on
 Objectives
normal aging process.
24. Discuss the impact of normal functional
changes on the older adult’s self-image and
lifestyle.
25. Identify the most common diseases related
to aging in each of the body systems.
26.Differentiate between normal changes of
aging and disease processes
27.Discuss the impact of age related changes
on nursing care
Content Learner Activities
Respiratory System Discussion Board.
a. Normal Structure and Function
b. Normal Age-Related Changes
c. Abnormal Conditions Common
with Aging
Cardiovascular System
a. Normal Structure and Function
b. Normal Age-Related Changes
c. Abnormal Conditions Common
with Aging
Hematopoietic and Lymphatic
Systems
a. Normal Structure and Function
b. Normal Age-Related Changes
c. Abnormal Conditions Common
with Aging
Gastrointestinal System
a. Normal Structure and Function
b. Normal Age-Related Changes
c. Abnormal Conditions Common
with Aging
Urinary System
a. Normal Structure and Function
b. Normal Age-Related Changes
c. Abnormal Conditions Common
with Aging
Nervous System
a. Normal Structure and Function
b. Normal Age-Related Changes
c. Abnormal Conditions Common
with Aging
Special Senses
a. Normal Structure and Function
b. Normal Age-Related Changes
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 Objectives
UNIT II: BASIC SKILLS FOR
GERONTOLOGIC NURSING
A. CLASSROOM - Health Promotion
and Health Maintenance
1. Describe recommended health-
maintenance practices and how they
change with aging.
2. State methods of assessing health-
maintenance practice.
3. Describe how health maintenance is
affected by cognitive and sensory
changes.
4. Identify older adults who are most at
risk for experiencing health-
maintenance problems.
Content Learner Activities
c. Abnormal Conditions Common
with Aging
Endocrine
a. Normal Structure and Function
b. Normal Age-Related Changes
Abnormal Conditions Common with
Aging
Reproductive and Genitourinary
Systems
a. Normal Structure and Function
b. Normal Age-Related Changes
c. Abnormal Conditions Common
with Aging
Before Class:
A. Health Promotion and Health Read: Williams, Chapter 4.
Maintenance
Recommended Health Practices During Class:
a. Diet Lecture.
b. Exercise
c. Tobacco and Alcohol Limitations Discuss local agencies, sample nursing
d. Physical Exams and care plan and Critical Thinking
Preventive Overall Care Questions.
e. Dental Exams
f. Maintaining Healthy Attitudes Complete Worksheets.
Factors that Affect Health Promotion
and Maintenance Participate in Critical Thinking Activities
a. Religious Beliefs on Discussion Board regarding “Health
b. Cultural Beliefs Maintenance”.
c. Knowledge and Motivation
d. Mobility
e. Importance of Aging
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 Objectives Content Learner Activities
f. Impact of Cognitive and Sensory
5. Identify selected nursing diagnosis Changes
related to health-maintenance problems. g. Impact of Change Related to
Accessibility
6. Describe nursing interventions that are Nursing Process for Ineffective
appropriate for older adults experiencing Health Maintenance.
alterations in health maintenance.

B. Communicating with Older Adults

7. Identify communication techniques that
are effective with older adults
B. Communicating with Older Adults Before Class:
8. Define empathetic listening. Effective Communication Read: Williams, Chapter 5.

9. Explain the significance of nonverbal During Class:

communication with older adults. Empathetic Listening Lecture.

Nonverbal Communication Complete Worksheets

a. Symbols
b. Tone of Voice CLINICAL:
c. c. Body Language Adult Day Care/Activity Center
d. Space, Distance, and Position Assignment
e. Gestures
f. Facial Expressions
g. Eye Contact
h. Pace or Speed of
Communication
i. Timing
j. Touch
k. Silence

10. Discuss verbal communication techniques

used when sending and receiving
messages.
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 Objectives Content Learner Activities
Verbal Communication
a. Informing
11. Differentiate between social and b. Direct Questioning
therapeutic communication. c. Open-ended Techniques
d. Confronting
Social Communication

C. Maintaining Fluid Balance and

Meeting Nutrition Needs

12. Identify the various types of nutrients. C. MAINTAINING Fluid Before Class:
Balance and Meeting Read: Williams, Chapter 6.
Nutrition Needs
Nutrients During Class:
a. Carbohydrates Lecture.
b. Proteins
c. Fats Sample diet group work.
13. Describe the components of a healthy
d. Vitamins
diet for older adults. Discuss Critical Thinking, “Nutritional
e. Minerals
Assessment” in chapter 6.
f. Water
14. Explain age-related changes in nutritional
and fluid requirements. Healthy Diet for the Elderly
Discuss delegation Considerations in c
chapter 6.
15. Analyze age-related changes that affect
Age-Related Changes
nutrition, digestion, and hydration. Complete worksheets.
a. Nutritional and Fluid
Requirements
16. Discuss how emotional, social, and Discuss evidence-based practice for
b. Affect on Nutrition, Digestion,
cultural factors affect nutritional status. nutritional intake of the elderly. Search
and Hydration
17. Describe methods of assessing the Cochrane at www. cochrane.org.
nutritional status and practices of older
Emotional, Social, and Cultural
adults.
Factors

7
 Objectives Content Learner Activities
Assessment Do assignment Critical Thinking, Risk
a. Weight Change for Aspiration.
b. Appetite Change
18. Recognize the older adults who are most at c. Nutritional Intake Complete and discuss risk for aspiration
risk for problems related to nutrition and d. Social and Cultural Factors care plan.
hydration e. Home Care or Discharge
Planning Discuss delegation considerations for
Risk Factors nutritional needs.
a. Metabolic Disorders
b. Neurologic or Musculoskeletal
Problems
c. GI Tract Disturbances
d. Inadequate Resources
19. Identify selected nursing diagnosed related e. Loss of Nutrients
to nutritional or metabolic problems. f. Living Alone
g. Cultural Influences
h. Grief
Nursing Diagnosis
a. Imbalanced Nutrition -
Less than Body
Requirements
b. Imbalanced Nutrition -
More than Body
Requirements
c. Risk for Imbalanced Nutrition
d. Readiness for Enhanced
Nutrition
e. Imbalanced Fluid Volumes
20. Examine appropriate interventions that will f. Impaired Swallowing
help older adults to meet their nutrition and g. Risk for Aspiration
hydration needs

D. Medications and Older Adults

21. Explore the factors that increase the risk of
8
 Objectives Content Learner Activities
medication problems Nursing Interventions

D. Medications and Older Adults Before Class:

Medication-Related Problems Risk Read: Williams, Chapter 7.
22. Explain specific precautions that are Factors
necessary when administrating medication a. Physiologic Changes of Aging During Class:
to older adults in an institutional setting. b. Polypharmacy Lecture.
c. Cognitive and Sensory Changes
d. Knowledge Deficits Discuss Critical Thinking Activity in
23. Identify the risks related to aging and e. Financial Concerns Chapter 7.
pertinent nursing observations for specific Medication Administration in an
drug categories Institutional Setting Complete Worksheets.
Common Drug Categories
a. Cardiac Medications Participate in Question and Answer on
Discussion Board.
b. Diuretics
c. Antihypertensives
24. Relate the nursing process to the d. Psychotropics
administration of medication in the older e. Anti-infectives
adult. f. Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatories
g. Bronchodilators
25. Discuss the older adults rights as they h. Anti-Ulcer Medications
relate to medication administration.
Nursing Process
26. Identify information that should be provided
to older adults regarding medication.

27. Describe the impact of age related changes Older Adults Rights
on self-administration of medication.

28. Describe nursing interventions that can Patient Education

reduce problems related to self-
administration of medication in the home.
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 Objectives Content Learner Activities
Self-Administration

E. Health Assessment of Older Adults

29. Identify different levels of assessment.

30. Differentiate between subjective and

objective data.

31. Discuss the importance of a thorough E. Health Assessment of Older Adults Before Class:
assessment of the older adult. Health Assessment Read: Williams, Chapter 8.
a. Objective Data
32. Describe the appropriate methods for b. Subjective Data During Class:
structuring and conducting an interview. Lecture

Interviewing Older Adults Complete Worksheets.

33. Identify approaches that facilitate a
successful physical examination of the a. Physical Setting
b. Establishing Rapport Participate in Question and Answer
older adult.
c. Structuring discussion.
34. Discuss the modifications used when
preparing an older person for a physical
examination. Successful Physical Exams
a. Preparation
35. Describe the techniques used when b. Cultural Considerations
performing a physical examination.

36. Explain the adaptations used in assessing

vital signs in older adults. Physical Assessment Techniques
a. Inspection
b. Palpation
37. Discuss the significance of the Minimum c. Auscultation
Data Set as a tool for comprehensive d. Percussion
assessment of institutionalized older
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 Objectives Content Learner Activities
adults. Vital Signs

F. Safety Needs of Older Adults

38. Discuss the types and extent of safety
problems experienced by the aging Minimum Data Set
population.

39. Explain internal and external factors

that in- crease safety risks for adults.
F. Safety Needs of Older Adults Before Class:
Types Read: Williams, Chapter 9.
40. Discuss interventions that promote safety
for older adults. a. Falls
b. Burns During Class:
c. Poisoning Lecture
41. Discuss factors that place older adults at
risk for imbalanced thermoregulation. d. Automobile Accidents
e. Temperature Extremes Discuss Critical Thinking Activities
Risk Factors “Restraints” in Chapter 9.
42. Describe those older adults who are
most at risk for developing problems a. Internal
1) Decreased Visual and Discuss Delegation considerations in
related to imbalanced thermoregulation. “Use of Restraints” in Chapter 9.
Auditory Activity
43. Identify signs and symptoms of 2) Slow Response Time
3) Decreased Oxygen Supply Identify evidence-based practice for
thermoregulatory problems. safety issues in the elderly. Search
4) Weakness
5) Medications Cochrane at www.cochrane. org.
44. Identify interventions that assist older
adults in maintaining normal body 6) Cognitive Changes
Do assignment regarding article on falls.
temperature. b. External
UNIT III: PSYCHOSOCIAL CARE OF 1) Strangers
THE ELDERLY 2) Motor Vehicles
A. CLASSROOM - Cognition and 3) Extreme Environmental
Perception Climate
1. Describe normal sensory and cognitive Nursing Process
functions a. Risk for Injury
b. Hypo/Hyper-thermia

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 Objectives Content Learner Activities
2. Describe how sensory perception and
cognition change with aging.
A. Cognition and Perception Before Class:
3. Discuss the effects of disease Read: Williams, Chapter 10.
processes on perception and cognition. Normal Sensory and Cognitive
Functioning During Class:
4. Recognize older adults who are most at Lecture
risk for experiencing perceptual or Sensory and Cognitive Changes
cognitive problems with Aging Discuss Critical Thinking Activities
“Dementia”, Disturbed Thought Process
5. Explain methods of assessing changes in Care Plan and Impaired Verbal
perception and cognition. Effects of Disease Processes Communication Care Plan in Chapter
10.
6. Identify selected appropriate nursing
diagnosis related to cognitive and Risk Factors Complete Worksheets
perceptual problems.

Assessment

Nursing Diagnosis
a. Disturbed Sensory Perception
1) Visual
2) Auditory
3) Kinesthetic
4) Gustatory
5) Tactile
6) Olfactory
b. Disturbed Thought Processes
7. Describe nursing interventions that are 1) Confusion
appropriate for older individuals 2) Delirium
experiencing problems related to 3) Dementia
perception or cognition. c. Impaired Communication

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 Objectives Content Learner Activities
1) Dysarthria
8. Discuss pain assessment and 2) Dysphasia
management as they relate to older d. Pain
individuals. Nursing Interventions
a. Disturbed Sensory Perception
b. Disturbed Thought Processes
c. Impaired Verbal Communication
d. Pain
B. Self Perception and Self-Concept
9. Discuss the concepts of self-perception
and self-concept.

10. Describe hoe self-perception and self-

concept change with aging.

B. Self-Perception and Self-Concept Before Class:

11. Discuss the effects of disease processes Normal Self-Perception and Self- Read: Williams, Chapter 11.
on self-perception and self-concept. Concept
During Class:
12. Identify signs of later life depression. Self-Perception/Self-Concept Lecture
Changes with Aging
13. Identify suicide risk in older adults. Complete and discuss powerlessness
care plan in chapter 11.
14. Describe methods of assessing changes in Effect of Disease Processes
self-perception and self-concept. Complete Worksheets.

15. Recognizing older adults who are most at

risk for experiencing problems related to
self-perception and self-concept.
Assessment
16. Identify selected appropriate nursing
diagnoses related to self-perception or self-
concept problems.
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 Objectives Content Learner Activities
Risk Factors

17. Analyze nursing interventions that are Nursing Diagnoses

appropriate for older adults experiencing a. Disturbed Body Image
problems related to self-perception and b. Risk for Low Self-Esteem
self-concept.
c. Fear
d. Anxiety
C. Roles and Relationships e. Hopelessness
18. Describe normal roles and relationships. f. Powerlessness
Nursing Interventions
19. Describe how patterns of roles and
relationships change with aging.

20. Discuss the effects of disease processes

on the ability to maintain roles and Before Class:
C. Roles and Relationships
relationships. Read: Williams, Chapter 12.
Normal Roles and Relationships
21. Explain methods of assessing changes in During Class:
Age-Related Changes
roles and relationships. Lecture

Effects of Disease Processes Complete Critical Thinking Activities.

22. Recognize older adults who are most at Complete Worksheets.

risk for experiencing problems related to
changes in roles and relationships.
23. Identify selected nursing diagnoses related Assessment
to role ad relationships.

24. Incorporate nursing interventions that are

Risk Factors
appropriate for older individuals
experiencing problems related to changing
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 Objectives Content Learner Activities
roles and relationships. Nursing Diagnoses
a. Dysfunctional Grieving
b. Social Isolation
D. Coping and Stress c. Interrupted Family Processes
25. Explain the concepts of stress and coping. Nursing Interventions

26. Recognize the physical, emotional, and

behavioral signs of stress.

D. Coping and Stress Before Class:

27. Demonstrate methods for reducing stress. Normal Stress and Coping Read: Williams, Chapter 13.

28. Discuss changes in stress and coping

that occur with aging. Signs of Stress Talk with an older adult about their life
a. Physical stresses and how they cope.
b. Emotional
c. Behavioral During Class:
29. Identify older adults who are most at Stress Reduction Lecture
risk for experiencing stress-related a. Emotional
problems. b. Problem-Solving Discuss student’s assessment of an
c. Relaxation Techniques older adult.
30. Identify selected nursing diagnoses
related to stress-related problems. d. Complementary and Alternative Complete and discuss relocation stress
Therapies syndrome care plans.
e. Defense Mechanisms
Coping and Stress with Aging
31. Describe nursing interventions that are Older Adults at Risk Complete Worksheets.
appropriate for older individuals who are
experiencing problems related to stress Nursing Diagnoses Discuss Nursing Care Plan - Social
and coping. a. Ineffective Coping Isolation.
b. Relocation Stress Syndrome
E. Values and Beliefs
32. Discuss the impact of personal values
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 Objectives Content Learner Activities
and beliefs on everyday life. Nursing Interventions

33. Identify values and beliefs commonly

found in today’s older adult population.

E. Values and Beliefs Before Class:

Impact of Personal Value and
Beliefs
34. Relate the effect of values on health care
practices. Common Values and Beliefs of
Older Adults
35. Compare the spiritual and cultural a. Economic
practices of major religions as they relate b. Intrapersonal Values
to death. c. Religious or Spiritual Values
Read Williams, Chapter 14.
During Class:
Lecture.
Discuss own personal values and
spiritual distress in the elderly.

36. Demonstrate methods of assessing beliefs
and values.
37. Recognize older adults who are most at
risk for experiencing problems related to
values and beliefs.
Effect of Values on Health Practices
a. Economic
b. Intrapersonal
c. Religious or Spiritual Values
Complete Critical Thinking Activities.
Brainstorm strategies to handle a conflict
between caregiver and patient values.
Complete Worksheets.

Assessment of Values
38. Examine selected nursing diagnoses
related to values or beliefs.
Risk Factors
39. Analyze nursing interventions appropriate a. Major Life Stressors
for older individuals who are b. Recent Loss
experiencing problems related to values c. Patient/Caregiver Value Conflicts
or beliefs. d. Removal from Support
Nursing Diagnoses
a. Spiritual Distress

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 Objectives Content Learner Activities
F. End-Of-Life Care Nursing Interventions
40. Analyze personal and societal attitudes
related to death and end-of-life planning.

41. Examine factors that are likely to influence

end-
of life decision making. F. End-Of-Life Care Before Class:
Attitude Toward Death and End-Of- Read: Williams, Chapter 15.
42. Explore caregiver attitudes toward end- Life Planning
of-life care. During Class:
Factors Influencing Decision-Making Lecture
43. Value the importance of effective
communication at the end of life. Discuss ethical dilemmas surrounding
death and dying.
Caregiver Attitudes
44. Identify cultural and spiritual Discuss Critical Thinking Activities
considerations related to end-of-life “Personal Beliefs” and “Ethical
care. Effective Communication Dilemmas.”
Ethical Dilemmas
Nursing Process - Assessment and Discuss Delegation Considerations for
45. Explain nursing assessments and Interventions End-of-Life Care.
interventions appropriate to end-of-life a. Cultural Considerations
care. b. Spiritual Considerations
c. Physiological Changes Complete Worksheets.
d. Cognitive Changes
46. Discuss the role of the nurse when
interacting with the bereaved.

G. Sexuality and Aging

47. Describe how sexuality changes with
aging.
Role of the Nurse

48. Explore causes for decreased sexual

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 Objectives Content Learner Activities
function in the older adult. G. Sexuality and Aging Before Class:
Normal Sexuality Changes Read: Williams, Chapter 16.
a. Women
b. Men During Class:
Decreased Sexual Function Lecture
49. Examine methods for assessing sexual
a. Illness
functioning.
b. Alcohol and Medication Discuss student’s feelings regarding
c. Loss of a Sex Partner sexual activity among senior citizens.
50. Recognize the older persons who are most
at risk for experiencing problems related to Assessing Sexual Dysfunction
Risk Factors Complete and discuss sexual
sexually.
dysfunction nursing care plan.
a. Loss of Partner
b. Problems with Physical Mobility
Complete Worksheets
c. Institutional Setting
d. Physical Illness
Nursing Diagnosis
Nursing Interventions
H. Care of Aging Skin and Mucous
Membranes
51. Discuss changes related to aging that
have an effect on skin and mucous
membranes.
H. Care of Aging Skin and Mucous Before Class:
52. Recognize the older adults who are most Membranes
at risk for problems related to skin and Changes Related to Aging Read: Williams, Chapter 17.
mucous mem- branes. a. Skin
b. Hair During Class:
c. Nails Lecture
Older Adults at Risk
a. Circulatory Problems Discuss pressure ulcer assessment
b. Restricted Mobility tools and preventive measures.
53. Describe interventions that assist the older
adult in maintaining intact skin and c. Nutritional or Fluid Imbalances
d. Cognitive Impairments Discuss delegation considerations.
mucous mem- branes.
Nursing Process Complete Worksheets.

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 Objectives Content Learner Activities
a. Impaired Skin Integrity Identify evidence-based practice for
b. Impaired Oral Mucous care of aging skin. Search
Membranes Cochrane at www.cochrane.org.

I. Elimination
54. Describe the normal elimination
processes.

55. Examine age-related changes in

I. Elimination Before Class:
bladder and bowel elimination.
Normal Elimination Patterns Read: Williams, Chapter 18.
a. Urine Elimination
b. Bowel Elimination During Class:
Age-Related Changes Lecture
56. Explain methods for assessing elimination
practices. a. Constipation
b. Diarrhea Complete and discuss Critical
c. Incontinence Thinking Activities.
57. Identify the older adults who are most at
Assessment Complete and discuss Constipation
risk for problems with elimination.
a. Urine Elimination Care Plan.
58. Identify selected appropriate nursing b. Bowel Elimination Discuss delegation considerations.
diagnoses related to elimination Complete Worksheets.
problems. Patients at Risk
a. Urine Elimination Problems During or After Class:
b. Bowel Elimination Problems Complete case study on falls and
Nursing Diagnoses urinary incontinence, Mr. Johnson
59. Explain interventions used to prevent or
a. Constipation in Glendon & Ulrich.
reduce problems related to elimination.
b. Diarrhea
c. Bowel Incontinence
60. Identify selected appropriate nursing d. Urinary Incontinence
diagnoses related to elimination problems. Urinary Retention
Nursing Interventions

19
 Objectives Content Learner Activities
a. Constipation
b. Bowel Incontinence
d. Urinary Incontinence
J. Activity and Exercise e. Urinary Retention
61. Describe normal activity and exercise
patterns.

J. Activity and Exercise Before Class:

62. Explain how activity and exercise
Normal Activity Patterns Read: Williams, Chapter 19.
patterns change with aging.

Activity and Aging During Class:

a. Decrease in Speed Lecture
b. Decrease in Joint Flexibility
c. Decrease in Agility Complete Critical Thinking Activity.
d. Decrease in Dexterity
e. Decrease in Stamina Complete and discuss impaired
Effects of Disease Processes physical mobility care plan.
a. Cognitive Dysfunction
b. Neurologic Damage Discuss delegation considerations.
c. Arthritis
63. Relate the effects of disease processes d. Inadequate Oxygenation Complete Worksheets.
on the ability to participate in exercise e. Intermittent Claudication
and activity. f. Malnourishment
g. Depression
64. Examine methods of assessing changes Assessment
in the ability to participate in activity or
exercise.

64. Recognize the older adults who are most Risk Factors
at risk for experiencing problems related to a. Impaired Physical Mobility
activity and exercise. b. Activity Intolerance
c. Decreased Cardiac Output
d. Self-Care Deficits
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 Objectives Content Learner Activities
e. Deficient Diversional Activities
65. Identify selected nursing diagnoses
related to activity and exercise problems

Nursing Diagnoses
a. Impaired Physical Mobility
66. Describe nursing interventions that are b. Activity Intolerance
appropriate for older individuals c. Decreased Cardiac Output
experiencing problems related to activity d. Self-Care Deficits
and exercise. e. Deficient Diversional Activities
Nursing Interventions
67. Differentiate between a custodial focus and
a rehabilitation focus in nursing care.

68. Discuss the impact of nurses’ attitudes on

care planning. Rehabilitation - Benefits and Goals
a. Custodial Focus
69. Identify the benefits of a rehabilitation focus b. Rehabilitative Focus
on older adults. Nurses Attitude
70. Identify the goals of rehabilitation nursing.

K. Sleep and Rest

71. Describe normal sleep and rest patterns.

72. Explore how sleep and rest patterns

21
 Objectives Content Learner Activities
changes with aging. K. Sleep and Rest Before Class:
Normal Sleep and Rest Read: Williams, Chapter 20.

Sleep and Aging During Class

a. Sleep Efficiency Decreases
73. Discuss the effects of disease processes in b. Sleep Time Decreased
sleep. c. Less REM and 4 Non-REM
Sleep
74. Describe methods of assessing changes in d. Sleep Interruption
sleep and rest patterns. Sleep Disorders
a. Insomnia
75. Identify older adults who are most at risk b. Sleep Apnea
for experiencing disturbed sleep patterns. Assessment
Lecture
Discuss comparisons of students’ sleep
patterns to those of older adults.
Complete and discuss disturbed sleep
pattern care plan.
Complete Worksheets.

Risk Factors During or After Class:

a. Pain Complete aging, sleep/rest care study,
b. Chronic Respiratory and Mrs. White in Glendon & Ulrich.
Cardiovascular Problems
c. Frequent Elimination
d. Nocturnal Movement
76. Identify selected nursing diagnoses related e. Anxiety
to sleep or rest problems. f. Drugs
g. Excessive Environmental Stimuli
h. Sedentary Lifestyle
Nursing Diagnosis : Disturbed
77. Describe nursing interventions that are Sleep Pattern
appropriate for older individuals
experiencing problems related to disturbed
sleep patterns.
Nursing Interventions

22