Care of the Older Client: Geriatric Nursing, Safety, and Evidence-Based Interventions | Chapter 21 from Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-PN Examination (7th Edition)

Care of the Older Client: Geriatric Nursing, Safety, and Evidence-Based Interventions | Chapter 21 from Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-PN Examination (7th Edition)

Book cover

Welcome to Chapter 21 of the Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-PN Examination (7th Edition) by Linda Anne Silvestri and Angela E. Silvestri. This chapter equips nurses and students with essential knowledge for providing safe, respectful, and effective care to older adults—an ever-growing population in today’s health care landscape. Understanding physiological changes, psychosocial needs, safety risks, and legal responsibilities ensures you’re prepared for both NCLEX-PN questions and real-world geriatric care.

Watch the full chapter video summary below, and subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for in-depth NCLEX-PN gerontology content and practical skills:

Physiological Changes of Aging and Nursing Implications

  • System-by-System Overview: Review normal age-related changes in skin, neurological function, muscle and bone, cardiac, respiratory, renal, GI, endocrine, immune, reproductive, and special senses.
  • Functional Concerns: Risk of falls, hypothermia, impaired mobility, decreased sensation, and altered medication metabolism.
  • Vision, hearing, taste, and tactile declines—impact on safety and independence.

Mental Health: Depression, Dementia, and Delirium

  • Depression: Recognize signs, screen for suicide risk, and implement supportive interventions.
  • Dementia vs Delirium: Key differences, risk factors, and assessment findings for each condition.
  • Grief and Isolation: Address psychosocial needs, loss, and strategies for social connection.

Pain, Infection, and Medication Safety

  • Pain Management: Use behavioral signs, pain scales, and multimodal treatments for chronic and acute pain.
  • Infection Control: Understand atypical presentations (e.g., confusion), support immune function, and prioritize early detection.
  • Medication Administration: Adjust for altered absorption/excretion, polypharmacy risks, and Beers Criteria (medications to avoid).
  • Safety Tips: Prevent aspiration, monitor for adverse effects, and ensure thorough medication reconciliation.

Abuse, Legal, and Ethical Responsibilities

  • Types of elder abuse: domestic, institutional, self-neglect; identify risk factors and warning signs.
  • Mandatory reporting, documentation, and advocacy for client protection.

Communication, Autonomy, and Individualized Care

  • Adapt communication for sensory losses (e.g., presbycusis, vision impairment).
  • Promote autonomy, reminiscence, and engagement in care planning.
  • Support dignity, independence, and coping with dependency and functional decline.

Looking for more visual strategies and practical examples? Watch the video above and subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for every NCLEX-PN chapter review and clinical skill guide!

Conclusion: Compassionate, Competent Geriatric Nursing

Chapter 21 of Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-PN Examination (7th Edition) prepares you to deliver high-quality, individualized care to older adults—protecting their safety, mental health, and dignity at every step. From recognizing subtle signs of infection to navigating polypharmacy and preventing elder abuse, these competencies are critical for NCLEX-PN and your nursing career.

If you found this breakdown helpful, subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for more NCLEX-PN chapter guides, geriatric study tips, and evidence-based care resources.

If you found this breakdown helpful, be sure to subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for more chapter-by-chapter textbook summaries and academic study guides.

Explore the full YouTube playlist for Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-PN Examination (7th Edition) here: Complete Playlist

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Behavior Therapies & Evidence-Based Practice — Chapter 9 Summary from Systems of Psychotherapy

Image
Behavior Therapies & Evidence-Based Practice — Chapter 9 Summary from Systems of Psychotherapy Chapter 9 of Systems of Psychotherapy: A Transtheoretical Analysis explores the robust field of behavior therapies, which focus on changing maladaptive behaviors through practical, empirical methods. These approaches, grounded in learning theory and continuous assessment, have become foundational in treating a range of psychological conditions. This expanded summary, based on our podcast-style breakdown of Chapter 9 , highlights the key techniques, theoretical foundations, and clinical applications of behavior therapy. Want a concise video guide? Watch the chapter summary above and subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for more psychology study resources! The Foundations of Behavior Therapy Behavior therapy focuses on observable, measurable changes in behavior rather than probing unconscious processes. Using empirical methods, therapists continuously assess and adjust treatmen...
Read more

Cognitive & Rational-Emotive Therapies — Chapter 10 Summary from Systems of Psychotherapy

Image
Cognitive & Rational-Emotive Therapies — Chapter 10 Summary from Systems of Psychotherapy Chapter 10 of Systems of Psychotherapy: A Transtheoretical Analysis explores the evolution and techniques of Cognitive Therapy (CT) and Rational-Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). Developed by Aaron Beck and Albert Ellis, these therapies target the root of emotional distress by challenging and changing maladaptive thought patterns. This in-depth summary, based on our podcast breakdown of Chapter 10 , explains the major concepts, therapeutic techniques, and clinical impact of these cognitive-based approaches. Watch the chapter summary above and subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for expert textbook guides and psychology study resources! The Foundations of Cognitive Therapy & REBT Cognitive therapies emerged in response to limitations of psychoanalysis and behaviorism, emphasizing the role of thoughts in shaping emotions and behaviors. Aaron Beck’s Cognitive Therapy and Albert E...
Read more

Materials Failure: Fracture, Fatigue, and Creep — Chapter 8 Summary from Callister’s Materials Science and Engineering

Image
Materials Failure: Fracture, Fatigue, and Creep — Chapter 8 Summary from Callister’s Materials Science and Engineering Chapter 8 of Materials Science and Engineering: An Introduction by William D. Callister, Jr. and David G. Rethwisch explores the primary failure modes in engineering materials: fracture, fatigue, and creep. This chapter is essential for anyone interested in the reliability, durability, and safety of materials used in engineering structures and components. By understanding these mechanisms, engineers can design safer, longer-lasting products and infrastructure. Watch the full podcast-style summary below, and subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for more clear, chapter-by-chapter breakdowns of foundational STEM topics! Fracture: Ductile vs. Brittle Failure Ductile fracture involves significant plastic deformation and energy absorption prior to failure. It usually provides visual warning signs, making it the preferred mode in most engineering applications. I...
Read more