Chapter 49 Sensory Alterations Flashcards
Stereognosis
A sense that allows a person to recognize the size, shape, & texture of an object
Three components of any sensory experience
Reception, perception, & reaction
The actual perception or awareness of unique sensations depends on the receiving region of the?
Cerebral cortex, where specialized neurons interpret the quality and nature of sensory stimuli
The most common types of sensory alterations are?
Sensory deficits, sensory deprivation, & sensory overload
Sensory deficits
patients with sensory deficits often change behavior in adaptive or maladaptive ways
Sensory deprivation
Three types
1) reduced sensory input (sensory deficit from visual or hearing loss)
2) elimination of patterns or meaning from input (exposure to strange environments)
3) restrictive environments (bed rest)
Sensory overload
prevents meaningful response by the brain
- causes a state similar to sensory deprivation, in contrast to deprivation, overload is individualized
Infants and children are at risk for?
Visual and hearing impairments because of a number of genetic, prenatal, & postnatal conditions
Visual changes during adulthood include
Presbyopia & the need for glasses for reading usually occurs from ages 40-50
- cornea becomes flatter and thicker which leads to astigmatism
- pigment lost from iris
- collagen fibers build up in anterior chamber increasing risk of glaucoma
- reduced visual fields
- increased glare sensitivity
- impaired night vision
- reduced depth perception
- reduced color discrimination
hearing changes begin at the age of
30
Changes of hearing associated with aging include
- decreased hearing acuity
- speech intelligibility
- pitch discrimination
- low pitched sounds easier to hear
Gustatory and olfactory changes begin around age
50 & include a decrease in the number of taste buds & sensory cells in the nasal lining
-reduced taste discrimination and sensitivity to odors are common
Proprioceptive changes common after age
60 & include increased difficulty with balance, spatial orientation, & coordination
-also tactile changes, including sensitivity to pain, pressure, & temp secondary to peripheral vascular disease & neuropathies
Non-hispanic whites had a higher prevalence of age-related
Macular degeneration than non-hispanic African Americans but a lower prevalence of diabetic retinopathy & glaucoma
- Which type of problem are you having with you vision/hearing?
Nature of the problem nursing assessment questions
