Geriatric Nursing (Theory)
Course No.:
BSN 11
Placement:
Second Year
Total Hours:
40 Hours
Total Marks:
50 Marks
Course Description
This course introduces students to the biophysical and psychosocial aspects of the aging process and the needs of elderly people. The course provides information about the selected health problems of elderly clients and their nursing implications. This is a key subject in Geriatric Nursing studies.
Course Objectives
At the end of the course the student will be able to:
- Define the terms related to geriatric nursing.
- Explain the theories of aging.
- State the needs and developmental tasks of elderly people.
- Describe the physiological changes and major health problems of elderly people.
- Explain the common psychosocial problems of the elderly people.
- Describe the common cancer therapies and palliative care for cancer patients.
- Explain the process of geriatric rehabilitation including the national programs to assist the elderly people in Nepal.
Syllabus Table of Contents
Quickly navigate to any unit in the Geriatric Nursing Syllabus using the links below.
Also Read: Adult Nursing II (BSN 10) Syllabus
Course Content Details
Unit 1: Introduction 6 hrs
- Definition of terms: Elderly adult, aging, gerontology, geriatric nursing
- Theories of aging: Biologic, psychosocial and developmental theory
- Needs and developmental tasks of elderly people
- Health assessment of elderly clients:
- Physiological need assessment
- Psychosocial need assessment
- Health promotion activities:
- Activities of daily living and exercise
- Nutrition
- Health check up
- Safety measures and
- Drug therapy
- Religious activities
Unit 2: Health Problem (using system approach) 14 hrs
- Aging nervous system: Physiological changes, health maintenance, and nursing implications for Multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease.
- Aging gastrointestinal (GI) system: Physiological changes, health maintenance, and nursing implications for indigestion, constipation, diarrhoea, anorexia, lactose intolerance, fecal incontinence, rectal prolapse, hiatus hernia, diverticulitis and cancer of GI tract.
- Aging cardiovascular system: Physiological changes, health maintenance, and nursing implications for Congestive cardiac failure, arteriosclerosis, atherosclerosis, arrhythmias, corpulmonale, myocardial infarction and hypertension (review).
- Aging respiratory system: Physiological changes, health maintenance, and nursing implications for COPD, asthma and emphysema (review).
- Aging genitourinary system: Physiological changes, health maintenance, and nursing implications for Benign prostate hypertrophy, impotence, UTI, senile vaginitis, uterine prolapse, cystocele, rectocele, incontinence of urine and urinary calculi (review).
- Aging endocrine system: Physiological changes, health maintenance, and nursing implications for Diabetes mellitus, and thermo-regulation disorders.
- Aging special sensory system: Physiological changes, health maintenance, and nursing implications for Decubitus ulcer, dermatitis, senile cataract, glaucoma, blurring vision, hearing deficit.
- Aging musculo-skeletal system: Physiological changes, health maintenance, and nursing implications for Osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, fracture and injuries.
Unit 3: Psycho-Social Problems 3 hrs
- Psychosocial changes and health maintenance
- Psychosocial problems and their management: Depression, suicidal tendencies, paranoia, anxiety and senile dementia, insomnia, assaultive behavior, and sun down syndrome.
- Elderly abuse
- Social isolation, loneliness and
- Bereavement
Unit 4: Cancer Therapies and Palliative Care for Cancer Patients 14 hrs
- Epidemiology and types of cancer
- Characteristics of benign and malignant tumors and metastasis mechanism
- Common cancer therapies: Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, immune therapy
- Palliative care: Hospice and home care
Unit 5: Rehabilitation of Elderly Clients 3 hrs
- Philosophy of rehabilitation (review)
- Disability in elderly people
- Sensory deficit and communication problems
- Home care of disabled elderly clients
- Institutionalization of elderly people: Geriatric home
- National program to support elderly people: Pension, elderly allowance and health care and social facilities including transportation concession etc.
Teaching and Evaluation
- Teaching Learning Methods: Self-directed learning, interactive lecture, group discussion, group work, observation visit.
- Internal Assessment: Report of observation visit, written test and written assignment.
- Final Examination: Written test.
References
- Abrems, W. B., Robert, B. (Ed.), (1990). The Merck Manual of Geriatrics. NJ: Merck & CO., Inc.
- Basnet, S. and Sharma, S. (2003). Aging Problems: Two side of a Coin; Chabahil: HPRCAW
- Berry & Kohns. (2000). Principles of Sterile Technique: Pre, Intra and Post Operative Care. Mosby Co.
- Eliopoulos, C. (1990). Caring for the Elderly in Diverse Care Settings. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott.
- Farrell, J. (1990) Nursing Care of the Older Persons. New York: J. B. Lippincott.
- Murrey, R. B. and Zentner, J. P. (1989). Nursing Assessment and Health Promotion Through the Life Span. NJ: Prentice Hall Inc.
- Thomas, L. (1991). Learning to Care for Elderly People. London: Edward Arnold.
- Suzanne, C. S. and Brenda, G. (2004). Brunner and Siddarth’s Textbook of Medical Surgical Nursing. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.