The Realities of Practice-Assignment #2 Older Adult Health Concerns
Mrs. Talisker
As a homecare nurse, you are scheduled to visit Mrs. Talisker, an 86 year old women living with her daughter in a townhouse complex. Mrs. Talisker has dementia and a Stage III sacral ulcer she is also extremely frail and unsteady on her feet. Her mental status currently presents as confused, but she has been described by other nurses to be pleasantly demented. Her daughter has been the sole care provider for her mother up to this point, and is relieved to now have the assistance of your nursing homecare agency.
Since Mrs. Talisker is unsteady on her feet, she spends a significant portion of the day in bed, and requires assistance to mobilize to the washroom. The daughter must remain vigilant to ensure her mother does not attempt to use the washroom by herself, given her increased risk of falls.
Upon assessment, you find Mrs. Talisker to be lethargic, but cooperative with your physical assessment. You notice reddening spots on both her heels where they make contact with the bed. Similarly, you take a complete set of vitals and find that her temperature is 38.1, and her heart rate is 100 bpm. Upon checking her previous vitals record, you notice that these measurements are higher than her normal average.
1. Provide a summary of the situation in your own words, including background information and key issues related to the selected case scenario.
2. Describe the presenting issues that you believe are more important in the care of the patient and their family.
