special care: Sensory Impairment Flashcards

1
Q

Define sensory impairment

A

When one or more sense is no longer functioning as normal - doesn’t have to be a full loss

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2
Q

Define a mild distance vision impairment.

A

presenting visual acuity worse than 6/12

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3
Q

Define a moderate distance vision impairment.

A

presenting visual acuity worse than 6/18

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4
Q

Define a severe distance vision impairment.

A

presenting visual acuity worse than 6/60

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5
Q

Define blindness in terms of distance vision impairment.

A

presenting visual acuity worse than 3/30

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6
Q

What is cataract?

A

Clouding of the lens which leads to decreased vision

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7
Q

What occurs in age related macular degeneration?

A

there is a circulatory insufficiency

this causes degenerative lesions developing from photoreceptor cells becoming damaged and scarred

= loss in the central field if vision

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8
Q

What are the two types of macular degeneration, which is the mist common?

A

Wet - severe loss within months

Dry - gradual loss (common)

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9
Q

What causes glaucoma?

A

Fluid accumulation in the front of the eye which increases the intraocular pressure

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10
Q

What are the two types of glaucoma?

A

primary open angle - gradual blockage of the drainage channels within the eye

angle closure - rapid blockage of the drainage channels within the eye

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11
Q

What causes diabetic retinopathy.

A

High blood sugars cause the vasculature supplying the retina to become leaky/blocked.

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12
Q

Describe the stages of disease in diabetic retinopathy.

A

background retinopathy = bulges develop in BV, some burst and bleed.

pre-proliferative retinopathy = more severe changes to BV and more bleeding

proliferative retinopathy = scar tissue and new weak BV form on the retina causing vision loss

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13
Q

What are the risk factors for diabetic retinopathy?

A
Duration of diabetes 
High blood sugars 
Pregnancy
levels of selected serum lipids 
genetic factors
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14
Q

What is hemianopia?

A

Blindness in one half of the visual field

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15
Q

What commonly causes hemianopia?

A

stroke

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16
Q

What techniques would you use to treat someone with a visual impairment.

A

Always identify yourself and others in the room

inform the patients of people moving around, entering and leaving the room

tell them what you are going to do before you do it

have alternative formats available to the patient i.e. braille, audiotapes

17
Q

Define hearing impairment

A

a person who is not able to hear as well as someone with normal hearing.

spectrum of impairment
one or both ears

18
Q

What is the starting point for hearing loss

A

mild = 25dB

19
Q

List congenital causes of hearing impairment

A

maternal rubella, syphilis or other infections

low birth weight

birth asphyxia

drug use during pregnancy e.g. cytotoxic, diuretics, antimalarials

severe neonatal jaundice

20
Q

List acquired causes of hearing impairment

A

meningitis, measles, mumps

chronic ear infections

otitis media

exposure to excessively loud noises

injury to the head/ear

wax/foreign body blocking the canal

age

drugs - antimalarials etc

21
Q

What techniques would you use to treat someone with a hearing impairment?

A

do not shout

ask their preferred method of communication

ask if they would like to use a loop system

clear speech and normal lip pattern

write things down

ensure no echo in the room

ensure no background noise

allow extra time

book communication support if require i.e. BSL interpreters etc.