Geriatric nursing
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By using caring behaviors and recognizing the grief process, the nurse can help the dying patient and family gain emotional control, complete unfinished business, work through anticipatory grief, and learn how to let go.
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This article will describe a systematic practical approach that was developed to evaluate and manage one of the most dangerous and costly geriatric emergencies in our nation-delirium in hospitalized frail elders. The article is about nurses and physicians who worked together in a continuous quality improvement process to find a collaborative method to reduce the occurrence, severity, duration, and devastating outcomes of acute delirium.
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In spite of the availability of potent antibiotics and sophisticated diagnostic techniques, pneumonia continues to be a serious problem among elders. Respiratory infections occur frequently and often are complex. ⋯ Current therapeutic measures and appropriateness of hospitalization are discussed. Via synthesis and application of this material, nurses can maximize positive outcomes by identifying symptoms, individualizing care, and implementing effective preventive education in the acute care setting, as well as in the community.
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The increasing number of geriatric patients undergoing surgical procedures provides continuing anesthesia and nursing challenges. There are many reasons why elderly patients require close observation after anesthesia and surgery. Careful assessment and aggressive attention to hints of impending renal, cardiac, metabolic, ventilatory, infectious, or thromboembolic complications are crucial for the postoperative care of the elderly patient.