NRNP 6540 Week 4 Knowledge check
1. Martin is an 82-year-old with a history of smoking and alcohol use, which are known risk
factors in developing oral cancers. List another risk factor for oral cancer for developing oral
cancer.
Besides tobacco and alcohol use, other risk factors for developing oral cancer include ill-fitting
dentures; however, the duration of denture use, in general, is not. For Asians like myself, several
genetic polymorphisms, in addition to environmental carcinogens like betel quid chewing have
been associated with oral cancer development. Pipe smoking and sun exposure are also
implicated in lip cancer. Leukoplakia and erythroplasia are also precursors to oral cancer.
2. What other diagnostic testing would you perform to evaluate for cataracts?
Diagnostic testing to evaluate cataracts includes visual acuity and examination of the eye.
After initial screening, a referral to an ophthalmologist for a complete evaluation is
recommended. Pupillary dilation and slit lamp exam would reveal white, gray, or brownish
opacities if a patient developed a cataract. Small cataracts indicate dark areas on the red
reflex in a dilated eye while for large cataracts, the red reflex may not be visible.
3. What would your next step be for a patient you suspect has a diagnosis of acute angle
glaucoma?
For a patient that a practitioner suspects having an acute angle glaucoma, an
immediate referral for a complete ophthalmic examination to an ophthalmologist
should be performed. Permanent visual loss occurs within 2 to 5 days if the condition
is not treated. Treatment includes peripheral iridectomy or laser iridotomy. The use
an osmotic diuretic IV or orally and miotic eye drops may be used to
lower intraocular pressure preoperatively. The practitioner must communicate to the
specialist medical conditions that need monitoring using the said agents.
4. What education would you give your older patients about the preventable causes of hearing
loss?
Education on older patients regarding preventable causes of hearing loss would include the use of protective devices
to guard against occupational or recreational hearing loss, equalize ear pressure when diving, chew gums or use
decongestants in airplanes, avoid flying or diving if the patient has upper respiratory infection, and to
avoid ototoxic medications. It is also important to educate the patient on the proper technique for cerumen removal,
avoiding Q-tip type ear swabs and other foreign bodies in the ear. Any sign if hearing difficulty in elder patients
would require hearing screening tests.
5. How often should an older adult be screened for hearing loss?
Hearing screening tests for patients over 65 years old and persons who report hearing difficulty
are recommended. Periodic screening for hearing loss is not recommended in asymptomatic
adults as recently revised by USPSTF. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
recommends screening every 3 years for adults more than 50years old. For those patients
residing in long-term care facilities, screening for hearing loss is recommended on admission and
as needed thereafter.
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