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Biomedical subjects

M O Hogstel

Publications and source records attributed to M O Hogstel.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

Safety or autonomy. An ethical issue for clinical gerontological nurses.

A common dilemma is whether to ensure a safe environment for the older person or to allow the older person to continue to live independently in an environment where personal safety may not be ensured. Conflicting opinions between marginally competent older adults and adult children regarding satisfactory living arrangements involve a forced choice between the moral principles of beneficence and autonomy. An ethical dilemma cannot be resolved on the basis of values alone. Pertinent ethical principles must be applied and an ethical theory used to guide the resolution. Autonomy is considered the supreme ethical principle in Western culture. The decision to set it aside, even to promote safety, takes rigorous ethical justification.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1989

Feeding the frail elderly.

1. Frail older adults need to be fed carefully and observed closely while eating to prevent choking and aspiration of food and fluids. They choke more easily on clear liquids than on soft foods with some texture. 2. The licensed nurse is responsible for evaluating the physical status of frail older adults before feeding them and for assuring that less qualified personnel are aware of the dangers and specific precautions in feeding these types of patients. 3. The use of nutritious finger foods allows frail older people some degree of independence by encouraging them to feed themselves whenever possible. Careful menu planning can result in a variety of nutritious foods for older people. 4. Soft-cooked vegetables and fruits are more appetizing and acceptable to frail edentulous older adults than pureed or ground foods. Making mealtime special may be one of their few pleasures. 5. Frail older adults should remain in a sitting or semi-Fowler's position for at least one to two hours after eating to prevent possible regurgitation and aspiration of food or fluids.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Anticipation and early detection can reduce bowel elimination complications.

Adequate bowel elimination is essential for physiologic functioning and daily comfort of older patients. A careful assessment of normal bowel elimination patterns will help to prevent unnecessary bowel problems when the older patient is hospitalized or admitted to a long-term care facility. Constipation and incontinence are the two most common bowel elimination problems affecting older adults. Many simple nursing interventions exist that will help to prevent major complications that can occur when constipation or incontinence is present.

Aged↗
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Use of reality orientation with aging confused patients.

Use of reality orientation with elderly confused patients in a nursing home setting was evaluated. Although no significant differences were found in degree of confusion, as measured by the questionnaire developed for this study, between an experimental group who participated in a concentrated three-week reality orientation program and a control group, many effects were positive. Nursing home staff were cooperative and helpful. Families of some of the patients were pleased with improvements in their relatives. Many patients became less confused, more open, and appeared to be more alert.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Teaching students observational skills.

Students need to learn to observe specific details about patients and patients' environments in order to make accurate assessments and give quality nursing care. However, nursing faculty cannot expect students to be able to master observational skills without specific assistance in learning how to observe as well as what to observe.

Clinical Competence↗