week 10: Sexuality & Spirituality

Question 1

how do you define sexuality?

Answer 1

the expression of an one’s sexuality, individuality, and emotional closeness with others that involves love, warmth, sharing, touching, and intercourse

Question 2

how is sexual health different then sexuality?

Answer 2

f-ocuses more on the knowledge and risks and adverse consequences of unprotected sex
-it also includes the access to sexual health care and an environment promoting sexual health
-sexuality is who you love and are attracted to rather than the health

Question 3

what are the factors that determine sexual activity in older adults?

Answer 3

health, socioeconomic status, self-esteem

Question 4

to maintain sexual health in older adults, they need to understand physical changes in their sexual response, which include:

Answer 4

-Present health status→respiratory & heart disease
-Medications
-Past and present life satisfaction
-Status of marital or intimate relationships
-Reduction in availability of sex hormones (both genders)

Question 5

Female age-related changes→r/t hormones

Answer 5

-lower sexual desire
-lack of lubrication

Question 6

Male age-related changes

Answer 6

erectile dysfunction

Question 7

What are common medical conditions affecting sexual activity/health?

Answer 7

-diabetes mellitus
-depression
-cancer
-neuropathy
-spinal cord injuries
-angina
-uncontrolled hypertension
-lung disease

Question 8

what are common medications affecting sexual activity/health?

Answer 8

-Antihypertensive
-Antipsychotics
-Antidepressants
-Antianxiety
-Diuretics
-Recreational or illicit drugs

Question 9

what are things to consider when approaching or conducting a sexual health assessment?

Answer 9

-incorporate sexuality questions in nursing history
-use language that is accurate , open, and positive
-screen for sexual concerns while making patient feel at ease
-include questions related in intimate partner violence
-look for clues that a person has questions

Question 10

what is the PLISSIT Model?

Answer 10

it is a questionnaire to assess sexual health

Question 11

PLISSIT Model acronym

Answer 11

P= permission
LI=limited information
SS=specific information
IT = intensive therapy

Question 12

Provide examples of how to conduct each part of the model

Answer 12

P = would it be okay to ask you some questions about your sexual health?
LI = explain expected age related changes
SS = “what I’d like to do, if this is okay with you, I’d like to bring the information to _______ to develop a plan of care to address your concerns”

Question 13

what is spirituality?

Answer 13

an awareness of one’s inner self and a sense of connection to higher being, nature, or to some purpose greater than oneself

Question 14

spirituality influence on health status

Answer 14

spirituality is an important factor that helps individuals achieve balance needed to maintain health and well being and to cope with illness

Question 15

what is spiritual distress?

Answer 15

impaired ability to experience and integrate meaning and purpose in life through connectedness with self, others, art, music, literature, nature, and/or a power greater than oneself

Question 16

how does spiritual distress affect health?

Answer 16

it tends to happen with illness (acute, chronic, terminal), conflicts between beliefs and treatment, unable to practice rituals (it affects health because the patient has not way of emotionally dealing with illness)

Question 17

how does spirituality and spiritual beliefs affect older adults?

Answer 17

-association between older adults’ spirituality and ability to adjust or cope with illness and other life stressor’s are associated.
-important for older adult to feel connected
-greater social support positively impacts spiritual well-being
-often use prayer as primary coping mechanism when ill

Question 18

what is FICA?

Answer 18

tool used for spiritual assessments to see if a patient identifies with a particular belief system or spirituality and how much it influences their life and health

Question 19

FICA acronym

Answer 19

F = faith & belief
I = importance & influence
C = community
A = address

Question 20

give examples of how to assess each component of FICA

Answer 20

F = “What is your faith or belief”
I = “What importance does your faith or belief have in your life”
C = “Are you part of a religious or spiritual community?”
A = “How would you like me, your healthcare provider, to address these issues in your healthcare?”