Acute care geriatric patients often present with muted or vague signs and symptoms of the infection process. They are at risk for a delay in diagnosis and treatment of acute infections, sepsis, and severe sepsis.

Acute care geriatric patients often present with muted or vague signs and symptoms of the infection process. They are at risk for a delay in diagnosis and treatment of acute infections, sepsis, and severe sepsis.

DQ Question

Growing older is characterized by a decline in the efficiency of the numerous regulatory mechanisms that promote functional integration between organs and cells. Consequently, in physiologically stressful circumstances, homeostasis may fail to be maintained. As people age, their capacity to maintain homeostasis declines, which has an impact on many regulatory systems in various areas and, at least in part, explains the rise in interindividual variability (Farheen et al., 2021). Significant pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic changes occur as people age. Although pharmacodynamic changes include altered sensitivity to several medication classes such as anticoagulants, hypertensive, and psychiatric medicines, pharmacokinetic changes include decreased hepatic and renal clearance in addition to a rise in the amount distribution of liposoluble pharmaceuticals.

ORDER A PLAGIARISM-FREE PAPER HERE ON; Acute care geriatric patients often present with muted or vague signs and symptoms of the infection process. They are at risk for a delay in diagnosis and treatment of acute infections, sepsis, and severe sepsis.

Because of the consequences of age, comorbidities, the use of intrusive equipment, and variables linked with institutionalization, older people are more vulnerable to infections. It has been demonstrated that elderly people account for 40-50% of all instances of bacteremia (Prescott & Angus, 2018). Furthermore, the incidence and death rate of severe sepsis in elderly patients has gradually climbed to a rate of 26.2 instances per 1,000 people, with a 38.4% fatality rate in patients over the age of 85.

It is crucial to offer family members the knowledge and self-assurance to speak out and ask questions about the principles of proper infection control. It is vital to explain to the patient that sepsis is a serious illness that may require hospital intensive care services. As an illustration, instruct the patient to make an effort to set reasonable weekly goals like getting dressed, having a shower, or climbing stairs variability (Farheen et al., 2021). They should also be aware of any symptoms that call for quick medical treatment. Thus, urge the patient to attend all scheduled follow-up sessions. When a family member requests “alternative therapy,” it is critical to educate the family to understand the need for medication therapy, especially if antimicrobial medicines are being supplied. Christian thinks that nurses should offer patients love, hope, and care until they die. As a result, it will be critical to promote the autonomy and comfort of elderly people reaching the end of their lives.

References

Farheen, S., Agrawal, S., Zubair, S., Agrawal, A., Jamal, F., Altaf, I., Kashif Anwar, A., Umair, S. M., & Owais, M. (2021). Patho-Physiology of Aging and Immune-Senescence: Possible Correlates With Comorbidity and Mortality in Middle-Aged and Old COVID-19 Patients. Frontiers in Aging, 2. https://doi.org/10.3389/fragi.2021.748591

Prescott, H. C., & Angus, D. C. (2018). Enhancing Recovery From Sepsis. JAMA, 319(1), 62. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2017.17687

Acute care geriatric patients often present with muted or vague signs and symptoms of the infection process. They are at risk for a delay in diagnosis and treatment of acute infections, sepsis, and severe sepsis.

Discuss the etiology of their less than dramatic presentations, including pathophysiologic changes of aging and the “masking” of normal compensatory indicators by pharmaceuticals (e.g., beta blockers, NSAIDs, prednisone, scheduled Tylenol-containing medications).

Provide an example of how you would provide family or significant others with education on the seriousness of sepsis in the elderly. Discuss how you would react to a family member’s request for an “alternative therapy.” Include discussion of how you would incorporate a Christian worldview into your practice as you approach a critically or terminally ill geriatric patient.

Support your summary and recommendations plan with a minimum of two APRN-approved scholarly resources.

 

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