Geriatric Patient Assessment
Describe your clinical experience for this week with a geriatric patient 65 years or older
- Did you face any challenges, any success? If so, what were they?
- Describe the assessment of a patient, detailing the signs and symptoms (S&S), assessment, plan of care, and at least 3 possible differential diagnosis with rationales.
- Mention the health promotion intervention for this patient.
- What did you learn from this week’s clinical experience that can beneficial for you as an advanced practice nurse?
- Support your plan of care with the current peer-reviewed research guideline.
Submission Instructions:
- Your initial post should be at least 500 words, formatted and cited in current APA style with support from at least 2 academic sources within5 years 2020-2025
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Geriatric Patient Assessment
Clinical Relevance
As the geriatric population grows, clinicians must be equipped to perform detailed assessments that go beyond routine physical exams. Age-related physiological changes, polypharmacy, cognitive decline, and social isolation often present unique challenges in diagnosis and management. Understanding how to conduct a thorough and individualized assessment ensures safer, more effective care plans.
Key Components of Assessment
A typical assessment includes evaluation of vital signs, history of present illness, medical and surgical history, medication reconciliation, and review of systems. However, in older patients, it should also incorporate cognitive screening (e.g., Mini-Cog), functional assessments (ADLs and IADLs), fall risk evaluation, nutritional status, and pain management. These domains help identify subtle signs of decline that might otherwise go unnoticed in younger patients.
Importance in Clinical Practice
A thorough assessment can uncover multiple issues requiring coordinated interventions. For instance, what appears as fatigue may stem from anemia, depression, or medication side effects. By considering differential diagnoses, applying evidence-based guidelines, and implementing preventive care strategies, providers can enhance outcomes and reduce hospital readmissions.
Conclusion
Mastering the geriatric patient assessment empowers nurse practitioners and other clinicians to address the complexities of aging. It supports safer medication management, timely detection of geriatric syndromes, and implementation of individualized, holistic care plans.
