Sensory Perception

Question 1

What is the difference between reception and perception?

Answer 1

Reception is the process of receiving stimuli from nerve endings in the skin and body.
• Perception is the ability to interpret the impulses transmitted from the receptors and give meaning to the stimuli.

Question 2

What are the four components of a sensory experience?

Answer 2

Stimulus
• Reception
• Perception
• Arousal mechanism

Question 3

What is the role of the reticular activating system in the sensory experience?

Answer 3

In a sensory experience, the reticular activating system (RAS), which is located in the brainstem, controls consciousness and alertness.

Question 4

List five major factors that affect sensory function.

Answer 4

• Developmental level
• Culture
• Illness and medications
Stress
• Personality and lifestyle

Question 5

Compare and contrast the sensory changes in childhood with those in older adulthood.

Answer 5

All senses are operable at birth, but over the early childhood years the senses are refined. By early adulthood, senses are at their peak, unless they are affected by illness or injury. As the adult
ages, all of the senses are affected. With aging, most senses experience a decline in acuity and discrimination.

Question 6

How does sensory deprivation occur?

Answer 6

Sensory deprivation occurs when there is a deficiency of meaningful stimuli in the person’s environment.

Question 7

Identify five signs of sensory deprivation.

Answer 7

Irritability
• Confusion
• Reduced attention span
• Decreased problem-solving ability
• Drowsiness
• Depression
• Preoccupation with somatic complaints (e.g., heart palpitations)
• Delusions (misinterpretations of external stimuli)
• Hallucinations (seeing, hearing, feeling, tasting, or smelling something that is not there)

Question 8

How does sensory overload occur?

Answer 8

Sensory overload develops when either environmental or internal stimuli—or a combination of both— exceed a higher level than the client’s sensory system can effectively process. It can also occur in clients who, because of neurological or psychiatric disorders, are unable to adapt to continuing, nonmeaningful stimuli.

Question 9

Identify five signs of sensory overload.

Answer 9

• Irritability
• Confusion
• Reduced attention span
• Decreased problem-solving ability
• Drowsiness (due to insomnia)
• Muscle tension
• Anxiety
• Inability to concentrate
• Decreased ability to perform tasks
• Restlessness
• Disorientation

Question 10

Discuss the difference between myopia and hyperopia.

Answer 10

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is the ability to see close objects well but not distant objects.
• Hyperopia, or farsightedness, implies that the eye sees distant objects well but not near objects.

Question 11

What is the difference between conduction deafness and nerve deafness?

Answer 11

Conduction deafness is caused by problems affect- ing any structure that transmits vibrations. These structures are in the outer and middle ear.
• Nerve deafness is caused by damage to cranial nerve VIII or the receptors in the cochlea.

Question 12

Identify three factors that may impair the sense of taste.

Answer 12

• Impaired smell
• Xerostomia
• Upper respiratory tract infections • Smoking
• Vitamin B12 or zinc deficiency
• Injury to the mouth, nose, or head • Medications

Question 13

How is the sense of smell triggered?

Answer 13

The sense of smell is triggered when chemoreceptors in the upper nasal cavities detect vaporized chemicals.

Question 14

What areas of the body have the greatest number of tactile receptors?

Answer 14

The hands and face have the greatest number of tactile receptors.

Question 15

What type of health concerns may be generated by kinesthetic deficits?

Answer 15

Kinesthetic deficits place the patient at risk for balance and coordination problems and falls.

Question 16

Identify six areas you should assess for a client with known or suspected sensory alterations.

Answer 16

• Factors affecting sensory perception
• Mental status
• Level of consciousness
• Recent changes in sensory stimulation
• Use of sensory aids
• The client’s environment
• The support network
• Focused examination of vision, hearing, taste, smell, touch, and balance

Question 17

What factors must be evaluated when it is known that a client uses a sensory aid?

Answer 17

When a client uses a sensory aid, the function and accessibility of the device must be assessed.

Question 18

Identify at least two ways that you can assess vision and hearing deficits at the bedside.

Answer 18

• Vision assessments. Have the client read a newspa- per, menu, or other printed matter and observe the client for squinting. To assess distance, you might have the client identify someone or an object across the room.
• Hearing assessments. Observe conversations, perform the whisper test, and evaluate how loud the TV or radio is.
For more information, see Chapter 31, Focused Assessment box Bedside Assessment of Sensory Function, in your textbook.

Question 19

Identify three safety measures that may be used with clients with visual impairment.

Answer 19

• Place eyeglasses within easy reach.
• Make sure eyeglasses are clean, in good repair, and of the proper prescription.
• Provide sufficient light, but avoid glare by using soft, diffuse lighting.
• When outdoors, provide sunglasses or visors or hats with brims.
• A client with significant impairment should be evaluated for ability to drive.

Question 20

Identify three safety measures that may be used with clients with hearing impairment.

Answer 20

• If the client has a hearing aid, check to make sure that it is working properly, the batteries are func- tional, and the sound is adjusted to a comfortable level for the client.
• Blinking lights can be installed that alert the per- son to an incoming call or the ring of a doorbell.
• Security alarms and smoke detectors with light notification are also available.
• Phones often require sound amplification or con- version to text telephone service. Vibration fornotification or ring tone is useful for hearing impaired persons.
• Some clients may also be candidates for the services of a hearing aid dog.
• Make sure the call bell is within reach of the patient for notification to the nurse.

Question 21

What are the major concerns associated with loss of smell and taste?

Answer 21

Loss of the sense of smell diminishes taste and denies the client the pleasure of enjoying food. Without the gustatory sense, a client may eat less and be at risk for nutritional deficits and weight loss. Safety issues (e.g., inability to smell smoke) are also a concern when the client cannot smell.

Question 22

What safety measures should be taught to a client with tactile impairment?

Answer 22

• Use a bath thermometer to monitor water temper- ature and prevent burns.
• Change positions frequently to relieve pressure on bony prominences.
• Use properly fitting shoes and socks.
• Immediately report signs of circulatory impairment (e.g., declining motor function, cool temperature, gray-blue coloration).
• Inspect the client daily for open areas, cut, abra- sions, or areas of redness.