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Upon Discharge To Home: A Case Study

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Scenario:

An 84-year-old male was admitted to the hospital today after falling at home. He currently lives alone; his wife passed away three years ago. He has one (1) daughter who lives nearby. He wears glasses and has a hearing aid in his right ear. His gait is slow and unsteady and reports feeling weak. Two months ago, the patient was alert and oriented to person, place and time and living independently. Today, he is oriented to person but thinks that it is 1994, that he is in his home, and he is looking for his wife. Due to his change in mental status, his daughter has decided when he is released from the hospital; he will move into her house. She works at home and will be able to care for him during the day.

Initial Discussion Post:

Develop a teaching plan to address the patient’s safety …show more content…

Nursing Diagnosis Statement: Impaired physical mobility related to gait and balance deficits, weakness, visual disturbances, and cognitive impairment as evidenced by recent fall (Ladwig, Ackley, & Makic, 2016).

Outcomes:

The patient will remain free of falls on 09/23/2016 (Ladwig, Ackley, & Makic, 2016, p. 341).

Patient's daughter will have the home free of clutter with proper lighting, to prevent falls upon patient discharge to home on 09/23/2016 (Ladwig, Ackley, & Makic, 2016).

Interventions:

Independent-Teach patient what to expect when being discharged to home after a fall.

Interdependent-Consult physical therapy to assess patient's impaired mobility and the need for gait and balance training. The therapist will also assess the patient's weakness and the need for possible strength training (Ladwig, Ackley, & Makic, 2016, p. 344).

Patient's daughter will orient the patient to new surroundings at her home as needed in the home setting.

Remove all scatter or throw rugs (or make sure that they have a non-skid backing on them) (Treas & Wilkinson, 2014, p.

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