Sensory Functioning

Question 1

What senses are involved in sensory reception

Answer 1

vision, auditory, olfactory, gustatory, tactile, stereognosis, kinesthetic, visceral, proprioception

Question 2

What is proprioception

Answer 2

a sense at subconcious level with regard to movement and position of the body (limbs usually)

Question 3

What are the four conditions to receive data?

Answer 3

Stimulus
Receptor
Nervous pathway to the brain
Functioning brain to receive and translate impulse into a sensation

Question 4

States of Awareness

Answer 4

Concious, Unconcious

Question 5

What is conscious?

Answer 5

delirium, dementia, confusion, normal consciousness, somnolence, minimally conscious, locked in syndrome

Question 6

Unconscious

Answer 6

asleep, stupor, coma, vegetative state

Question 7

Factors contributing to sensory alteration

Answer 7

overload, deprivation, deficit, poverty

Question 8

Deprivation

Answer 8

• lower sensory input: decreased stimuli, impaired receiving or processing

Question 9

Sensory Overload

Answer 9

• pt experiences lots of stimuli
• brain is out of control, has hallucinations/cognitive disturbances/emotional disturbances because of this
• help pt reduce stimuli

Question 10

Sensory deficits

Answer 10

-impaired sight/hearing
- altered taste
- numbness/paralysis
- sensory processing disorder
- sensory poverty

Question 11

T or F Sensory poverty can result in loneliness

Answer 11

True, depression and lack of community, lonliness increases stroke, CAD, AD and Dementia

Question 12

What assessment questions should the nurse ask about sensory changes?

Answer 12

Sudden or gradual?

Question 13

What are pt outcomes for sensory alterations

Answer 13

-live in safe environment
-exhibit meaningful organization of stimuli
-schedule appropriate health screenings
-maintain A&O
-respond appropriately to sensory stimuli

Question 14

What are some ways to care for visually impaired pts?

Answer 14

• announce presence
• speak in normal tone
• explain what you are doing
• call light within reach and demonstrate pt can find call light
• orient pt to surroundings
• clear pathways/floor
• assist w/ ambulation
• announce when leaving

Question 15

What are some ways to care for hearing-impaired pts

Answer 15

• orient pt to presence (lights/waving)
• decrease background noise
• check pt hearing aides
• good lighting
• talk directly to pt
• hand motions
• write

Question 16

What are some ways to communicate with a pt who is confused

Answer 16

• face to face contact
• speak calmly, simply, and directly
• reorient
• explain self care activities
• offer explanations for care
• emphasize pt strenghts

Question 17

Communicate with unconcious pt

Answer 17

-hearing is the last sense be careful what you say
- speak in a normal tone
- tell patient what is going on
- keep environment to a low