Module 6 Adulthood Flashcards
what age range is young adults?
mid to late 30’s
middle adulthood age range?
30’s to 60’s
what occurs during young adulthood?
individuals move away from their families, establish career goals, and decide whether to marry and begin families or to remain single
what personal lifestyle assessment questions would you ask?
assessment of general life satisfaction; hobbies and interests; habits (eg diet, sleep, exercise); home conditions (housing, finances); occupational environment (type of work etc)
what does erasure mean?
- the social process through which transsexuality is managed in cultures and institutions as being ultimately impossible
- erasure describes how sexual minority identities are systematically “erased” from heteronormative society by allowing only gender binary (male/female) on health records and other documents
what do young adults hope for a career?
- hope to have fulfilling careers
- successful employment ensures economic security and promotes friendships, social activities, support, and self respect
- in many two-career partnerships, the benefits experienced (eg improved finances) may outweigh possible stressors (bills)
define sexual desire
responses to physical and mental stimuli during or in anticipation of sexual activity
define sexual behaviour
how humans experience and express their sexuality
define sexual identify
how a person identifies their sexuality
what are the certain guidelines to a successful marriage?
- Ensure emotions are based on love rather than physical attraction
- Explore motivations for marriage
- Develop clear communication
- Accept that behaviour and habits are unlikely to change after marriage
- Determine compatibility in important beliefs and values
what indicates the successful maturation in the developmental stage of family structures and parenting?
nurses can assess for 10 hallmarks of emotional health
-if one or more of the hallmarks are not met, further assessment may be required
what are some factors that increase the risk of illness
-poor food choices, smoking, stress, high-risk sexual behaviour, substance abuse, and inactivity
what can lead to high risk sexual encounters and adverse health outcomes?
computer-mediated communication (internet dating, or sexting)
what is the leading cause of injury and death in young adults
accidents
what are 80% of firearm deaths caused from?
result of suicide, accident, or legal intervention; remainder are attributed to criminal offences
list factors that may predispose to violence
- poverty
- breakdown of family relations
- child abuse and neglect
- access to firearms
how can a nurse detect personal and environmental risk factors for violence?
-nurse performs a thorough psychosocial assessment including behavioural patterns, history of physical and substance abuse, education, work history and social support systems
what are stimulants (uppers) and how can they result in death?
being dependent on uppers can put stress on the cardiovascular and nervous system and can cause overdose
-ex. of stimulant (upper) is cocaine
what are depressants (downers) and how can they result in death?
downers can lead to accidental or intentional overdose
-examples: Xanax or sleeping pills
what is unplanned pregnancy a source of?
a source of stress for mother, infant, and family. this being because many young adults have educational and career goals that take precedence over family development
when there is an unplanned pregnancy, how should a nurse go about discussing this?
-determine the situational factors that affect the pregnancy outcome
issues such as: family support systems; potential parenting disorders; depression; coping mechanisms; and possible financial, career, or housing problems
what can STI’s lead to?
chronic disorders (from genital herpes), infertility (from gonorrhea), or death
do STI’s always show symptoms?
no, some people dont show any signs of symptoms
what infection immediately shows discomfort and discharge?
STI’s
what does infertility refer to?
lack of conception after a reasonable period of sex without contraception
list factors for females and males that can cause infertility
females: ovulatory dysfunction or a pelvic factor
males: sperm and semen abnormalities
how does exercise positively affect adults?
- increases cardiopulmonary function by decreasing BP and HR
- decreases fatigue, insomnia, tension, and irritability
what is the leading cause of death in canada?
cancer
what examination enables early detection of an illness ?
routine health screening
what are examples of situational job stress?
- when new boss enters workplace
- deadline soon approaching
- worker given new responsibilities
- person becomes dissatisfied with a job
- varies from person to person
examples of family stress that can possibly lead to family dysfunction?
- births
- death
- illnesses
- marriages
- job losses
what does prenatal care include?
thorough physical assessment of the pregnant women during regularly scheduled intervals; info regarding STIs, vaginal infections, and urinary infections that could affect the fetus. Also education on exercise, diet and child care
this age typically has good physical and emotional health, therefore, what are the typical causes for this age to be in acute care?
- accidents
- substance abuse
- exposure to environ./occupational hazards
- stress related illnesses
- resp. infections
- gastroenteritis, influenza
- UTI’s
- minor surgery
- middle adulthood is similar but may require longer recovery periods
what are the hallmarks for emotional health?
• A sense of meaning/direction in life
• Successful negotiation through transitions
• Absence of feelings of being cheated or disappointed by life
• Attainment of several long term goals
• Satisfaction with personal growth and development
• When married, feelings of love for partner, when single, satisfaction with social interactions
• Satisfaction with friendships
• Generally cheerful attitude
• Acceptive of constructive criticism
-No unrealistic fears
list physical changes for middle adulthood
- greying of hair
- wrinkling of skin
- thickening of waist
- decreases in hearing and visual acuity
- menopause
- less firm erections, less frequent ejaculations (but are still capable of producing fertile sperm and therefore becoming a father)
describe perimenopause
-ovarian function declines which results in a diminishing number of ova and irregular menstrual cycles
can women still become pregnant during perimenopause?
yes they can, because only menopause is the true cessation of menstruation
why does menopause occur?
because the ovaries stop producing estrogen and progesterone
whats the typical age range for those who begin menopause
45-60 years
what psychosocial changes can occur for the middle adults?
- sandwich generation
- children moving away from home
- martial separation
- death of a loved one
- mid life crisis can occur
list health promotion needs of the middle adulthood?
- adequate rest
- leisure activities
- regular exercise
- good nutrition
- reduction or stopping of smoking and alcohol
- regular screening exams
what is eriksons stage for adulthood?
- generativity vs stagnation (generat.=willingness to care for and guide others)
- they can achieve this through their own kids or younger people
- if they cant achieve generativity, stagnation occurs where excessive concern with themselves or destructive behaviour toward their children/community
list 3 ways that stress can be reduced
- frequency of stress-producing situations can be minimized (find ways to prevent stressful situations: time management etc)
- stress resistance can be increases by psycho-physiological preparation (increasing self esteem, redirecting goals etc)
- physiological response to stress can be avoided (relaxation techniques etc)
what is one possible cause of menopause?
mood changes and depression are common
list a few examples of problems people who develop debilitating chronic illness experience
- role reversal
- changes in sexual behaviour
- altered self-image
describe the majority of older adults and the stereotype related to them
- most remain functionally independent despite the increasing prevalence of chronic disease.
- majority are active and involved members in community
- *small number have lost ability to care for themselves, are confused/withdrawn or cant make decisions**
list myths and stereotypes of the older adult
- that they cant use computers or cell phones
- they are forgetful, confused, rigid, bored, unfriendly, and unable to understand and learn new info
- ageism, which is a discrimination against people because of increasing age
what are the 5 key points to ensure an age-specific approach for older people?
- The interrelation between physical and psychosocial aspects of ageing
- Effects of disease and disability on functional status
- The decreased efficiency of homeostatic mechanisms
- The lack of standards for health and illness norms
- Altered manifestations of and responses to specific disease
-to ensure culturally safe means of communication during assessment, important to:
- Identify how the older person wishes to be addressed
- Assess the health-related beliefs and practices of the older person
- Know the beliefs and practices of the older person’s culture group with regard to spatial requirements, eye contact, and touch, and use them to establish rapport
what are some symptoms that show an older person has a UTI?
confusion, loss of appetite, weakness, dizziness, fatigue instead of fever, dysuria, frequency or urgency
what are some symptoms that show an older person has pneumonia?
tachycardia, tachypnea, confusion without the more common symptoms of fever and productive cough
what are some symptoms that show an older person with a myocardial infarction?
epigastric discomfort, restlessness, hypotension, confusion, or no pain
list early indicators of acute illness in older persons
- change in mental status
- falls
- dehydration
- decrease in appetite
- loss of function
- dizziness
- incontinence
what does the SPICES tool assess for?
S-sleep disorders P-problems eating or feeding I-incontinence C-confusion E-evidence of falls S-skin breakdown
what are the 3 common conditions that affect cognition?
delirium, depression and dementia
what is delirium
- medical emergency
- potentially reversible
- UTI’s or pneumonia can cause this in older people
- fluctuating onset of confusion, disturbances in attention, disorganized thinking, and or decline in consciousness
- last hours to days long
- often it fluctuates over a 24hr period and can be worse at night
- fluctuations in emotions occur, with outbursts, anger, crying and or feeling fearful
what are the 3 main types of delirium?
- Hypoactive
- Hyperactive
- Mixed delirium
- also a subsyndromal delirium in which the person presents with only some of the features of delirium
what is dementia?
- gradual and progressive decline in mental processing ability that affects short-term memory, language, judgement, reasoning, and abstract thinking
- gradual deterioration and irreversible
what is depression?
- cluster of depressive symptoms is present on most days, most of the time, for at least 2 weeks
- biologically based illness that affects a person’s thoughts, feelings, behaviour, and even physical health
- often worse in morning
- reversible disorder like delirium
- the manifestation of depression in older adults differs from younger people
- older people note being “blue” or “down in the dumps”
- people with dementia and depression have a higher risk developing delirium
define social isolation and loneliness and describe the two types of loneliness
- social isolation: lack of sense of belonging, social engagement, and quality of relationships
- loneliness: a feeling of dissatisfaction with the level of social contact
- isolation occurs in two forms: it may be a choice to not interact with others, or it may be a response to conditions that inhibit the ability or the opportunity to interact with others
what is elder abuse?
-elder abuse is the mistreatment of an older person by other people who are in a position of trust or power or who are responsible for the adult’s care. ex. not performing an action (inaction) that caretaker has a duty to perform (such as not providing medication to a person who needs them)
list the types of abuse
· Physical
· Sexual
· Psychological or emotional
· Material (illegal or improper exploitation of an older persons funds, property or assets
· Neglect (intentional or unintentional harmful behaviour on the part of an informal or formal caregiver in whom the older person has placed his or her trust
-Self-neglect (threatens their own health and safety (not eating)
what are the two most common causes of death in older persons?
cancer and heart disease
describe the need for immunizations for older adults
- annual immunizations against influenza is recommended for all older persons, especially who live in long term care facilities and for those with chronic cardiovascular, pulmonary, and metabolic disorders
- vaccines against pneumococcal pneumonia is recommended for all persons older than 65 years
- influenza vaccine is needed every year, whereas pneumococcal is needed only once (although some authorities recommend a booster vaccination 10 years after the initial vaccination
what should BP be for a healthy person? describe the thoughts on hypertension
normal is 150/90 or less. just because hypertension is common, does not mean it is normal or harmless
what is the leading cause of injury for people older than 65 years of age in canada?
falls, caused by several individual and environmental factors
describe touch
- gently touch conveys affection and friendliness
- touch is a therapeutic tool that nurses can use to help comfort older persons
- however, may not be appropriate for some cultures
what is cognitive stimulation?
-this is in which persons engage in cognitive activities such as games, appears to show promise in improving cognitive function in persons with moderate to severe dementia
what are the two types of restorative care that help with ongoing care?
- Continuing the convalescence from cute illness or surgery that bean in the acute care setting
- Addressing chronic conditions that affect day to day functioning
- both types of care take place in private homes and long-term care facilities
What are two significant physiological changes of the middle years?
Menopause in women and changes in sexual response in men
Except for pregnancy-related changes, young adults are generally in this period of physical development?
they’re stable
Acute care setting increase an older persons risk for what?
Delirium, dehydration, malnutrition, health care-associated infections, urinary incontinence, and falls
what are 3 health goals for middle-aged adults?
- preventing stress-related illnesses 2. participating in health assessments 3. adopting positive health habits
what continues through young and middle adulthood?
cognitive development
what influences the quality of care for older persons?
Nurses attitudes toward older persons. Attitudes should be based on accurate info about older persons, not on myths and stereotypes
what are five psychosocial changes for middle-aged adults?
- career transition 2. sexuality 3. martial changes 4. family transition 5. care of aging parents
describe the young adult, middle and older adults stages from erikson’s theory
Young adult (mid 20's-40's): Intimacy vs isolation. Has intimate relationships, stable positive feelings about self, has strong sense of personal identity Middle Adult (Mid 40's-60's): Generativity vs self absorption. Accepts changes in appearance and physical endurance, reassesses life goals. shows contentment with aging Older adult (Late 60's and older): Ego integrity vs despair. feels positive about own life and its meaning, is interested in providing a legacy for next generation. Looks back with satisfaction in accomplishments, few regrets. Despair- failure to accept one's life as meaningful, leads to bitterness and emotional desolation
