You are a Home Health RN who is making an initial visit to the home of an elderly couple to assess and develop a plan of care. Mr. Juarez, an 88-year-old man, broke his right tibia due to a fall. He was recently discharged from a skilled rehabilitation center where he had developed a catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) from his indwelling urinary catheter.
The infection has resolved, and he has now been discharged home with an indwelling urinary catheter. He remains in a cast and has graduated to limited use of crutches but is still unable to perform routine activities of daily living (ADLs).You will be coming to the home once a week.
Based on this scenario, describe the infection control measures that need to be observed and the personal protective equipment (PPE) that would be used during these visits.
Explain how some of the characteristics of the aging process may lead to vulnerabilities related to independent living, elder abuse, social connections, etc.
Initial discussion question posts should be a minimum of 200 words and include at least two references cited using APA format. Responses to peers or faculty should be 100-150 words and include one reference. Refer to “RN-BSN DQ Rubric” and “RN-BSN Participation Rubric,” located in Class Resources, to understand the expectations for initial discussion question posts and participation posts, respectively.
Example one Irino
Home Health Visit: Infection Control and Vulnerabilities in Aging
Home Health Registered Nurse (RN), some of the essential aspects of care include infection control and the special precautions required when attending to elderly patients. In the first home visit of the client, it is necessary to adhere strictly to infection control measures since the client has an indwelling urinary catheter and has been admitted with CAUTI.
It is mandatory to wash hands before and after contact with any patient to minimize the spread of new pathogens. Also, applying personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves and gowns, where necessary during catheter care, is essential in promoting aseptic practices (Nursing et al., 2023). Appropriately disposal of medical waste and observing strict aseptic measures when removing or changing the catheter are critical to avoid more complications.
The aging process presents various challenges that impact Mr. Juarez’s recovery and independence. Skeletal system changes like the loss of bone density and muscle strength lead to increased chances of falling and mobility challenges, as seen in the case of Mr. Juarez, who could barely use crutches.
Thus, the patient may have some cognitive impairment or sensory loss that affects his capacity to complete ADLs without risk and, therefore, needs help continually (Ho et al., 2021). Social risks like social isolation are well known among older people, especially those with restricted mobility. Some of these factors include:
These factors when compounded with the fact that Mr. Juarez relies greatly on caregivers, may make him vulnerable to elder abuse or neglect, intentional or otherwise. It is crucial to stay in touch with his family and caregivers as this will assist in the protection and care of the man.
In conclusion, it is necessary to stress that caring for Mr. Juarez involves addressing not only the infection control precautions but also the other aspects of his physical, psychological, and social frailty due to his age. This paper discusses how, as a Home Health RN, I would offer patient-centered care to Mr. Juarez while ensuring that my actions create a safe environment that will improve his quality of life.
Example 2 Elizabeth
The infection control measures to be observed include peri care, hand hygiene, encouraging hydration to help wash out bacteria from the urinary tract, proper catheter care, placing catheter bag below the bladder to promote flow by gravity and prevent back flow. Up to 1 in 5 individuals in the population of the USA and 3 European countries (the UK, Netherlands and Germany) are at increased risk of infection, due to factors such as increasing age (Dowding, 2020). The Personal Protective Equipment that would be used during the home visits for Mr. Juarez is gloves, gown when there is risk for splash and a face mask.
The aging process leads to changes in an individual in all aspects of their being. This includes physically, mentally, emotionally, psychologically and socially. Some age-related changes result in increased susceptibility to and frequency of disease, frailty, or disability. (The National Institute on Aging, 2020).
Due to physical decline such as hearing loss, poor vision, muscle weakness there is a vulnerability to falls and other factors such as one being unable to care for themselves, hence affecting independent living. Elder abuse may be because of the elderly having to depend on others to care for them, memory decline such as in dementia where they may not be able to speak out for themselves. Social connections are hugely impacted by the aging process as the elderly loose friends, loose family members such as spouses, they may not be able to participate in social activities that they used to, may have feelings of isolation especially those that are in facilities such as nursing homes or their children are gone and they are just home by themselves, may be isolated if they cant keep up with technology which is new to them hence unable to connect to the world, loss of their ability to drive leaving them with no option but to depend on others.
Example 3 rani
Infection Control and Aging Vulnerabilities in Home Health Care
During home visits for Mr. Juarez, strict infection control protocols are needed to avert problems associated with his indwelling urine catheter. The foundation of infection prevention is good hand hygiene, which should be carried out with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer both before and after patient treatment. To prevent backflow, the drainage bag should be kept below the level of the bladder, the catheter insertion site should be cleaned with mild soap and water, and the drainage system should be kept closed (Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology [APIC], 2022). Gloves are required for catheter care, but masks and gowns may be utilized if there are increased infection risks or respiratory issues. Maintaining a clean home environment requires the safe disposal of PPE and any medical waste (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2022).
A few vulnerabilities brought on by aging may impact one’s ability to live independently. For example, cognitive decline might make it more difficult to follow care instructions or take prescriptions, and musculoskeletal changes like diminished strength and balance can make falls more likely. The elderly are frequently socially isolated, which makes them more vulnerable to elder abuse and worsens mental health conditions, including depression (National Institute on Aging [NIA], 2021). The need for extra assistance is highlighted by the fact that caregiver tiredness, particularly when one partner is the primary caregiver, can increase the likelihood of unintentional neglect.
To address these problems, the nurse should instruct the couple on prevention of infections, incorporating appropriate care methods. Caregiver stress can be lessened by making referrals to nearby social agencies or respite care programs. Additionally, a range of community services catered to senior care are accessible through resources like the
You need to put the link for all references and for the replies, you need to add new information from the same reference they used.
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