Geriatrics

Front 1

dressings:

Back 1

take care in applying and removing tape, skin is fragile

Front 2

enemas

Back 2

use with caution; elders are at risk for fluid and electrolyte imbalances. if needed, hold buttocks together after administration to help retain fluid.

Front 3

heat.cold application

Back 3

use with caution; elders are at greater risk for tissue damage due to decreased sensation

Front 4

hand washing

Back 4

scrupulous hand washing imperative; elders are the increase risk of infection, particularly in adult day care and assisted living

Front 5

intramuscular injections

Back 5

use a shorter needle if lacking subcutaneous tissue
grasp atrophied muscle between thumb and fingers to inject medicine

Front 6

IV/Blood administration

Back 6

rate and volume of infused fluid may need to be lower to prevent circulatory overload

Front 7

oxygen use

Back 7

ck skin/mucous membranes around mask or cannula frequently for signs of skin irritation or breakdown

Front 8

restraint use

Back 8

use only when all other measures have failed and elder is at risk for serious injury, apply for shortest possible period of time and ck freq, use padding to prevent skin breakdown

Front 9

suctioning

Back 9

lower suction pressure to prevent damage to fragile mucous membranes, suction more freq to prevent aspirations, gag and cough reflexes decrease

Front 10

tube feedings

Back 10

use smaller, more freq feedings or continous feedings to prevent large gastric residuals due to decrease gastric motility

Front 11

urinary catheter

Back 11

do not use for tx of incontinence!
elders are at high risk for UTI and septicemia

Front 12

venipuncture / IV insertion

Back 12

.use warm compresses to dilate the vein
.avoid back of hand; decreases ability to function
.tie tourniquet more loosely and use small bore .needle; veins are fragile, use shallower angle of insertion; veins are more superficial
.apply traction to skin to prevent vein rolling
.minimize tape use to prevent skin tears