Clinical experience caring for geriatric patients at a family health clinic

Full Answer Section

One of the challenges I faced was communicating with the patients. Many of the patients had hearing or vision impairments, so it was important to speak slowly and clearly. I also had to use simple language that they could understand. One of the successes I had was helping a patient with diabetes manage their blood sugar levels. The patient was having difficulty controlling their blood sugar, and they were at risk for developing complications. I worked with the patient to develop a plan to manage their blood sugar, and they were able to achieve their goals. Here is an assessment of a patient I saw this week: Patient: Mr. Smith, a 75-year-old man Chief Complaint: Fatigue History of Present Illness: Mr. Smith reports that he has been feeling tired for the past few weeks. He says that he has no energy and that he has been sleeping more than usual. He also reports that he has been having trouble concentrating. Past Medical History: Mr. Smith has hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol. He takes medication for all of these conditions. Physical Examination: Mr. Smith's vital signs are within normal limits. His blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg, his heart rate is 70 beats per minute, and his respiratory rate is 16 breaths per minute. His lungs are clear to auscultation. His abdomen is soft, non-tender, and non-distended. Assessment: Mr. Smith is a 75-year-old man with fatigue. His past medical history is significant for hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol. His physical examination is unremarkable. Plan of Care: I will order a complete blood count, chemistry panel, and thyroid function tests. I will also refer Mr. Smith to a cardiologist for further evaluation. Differential Diagnosis:

• Anemia
• Hypothyroidism
• Depression
• Chronic fatigue syndrome

Rationales:

• Anemia can cause fatigue.
• Hypothyroidism can cause fatigue.
• Depression can cause fatigue.
• Chronic fatigue syndrome is a chronic illness that causes fatigue.

I am confident that I was able to provide quality care to the geriatric patients I saw this week. I was able to communicate effectively with the patients, and I was able to develop a plan of care that will help them improve their health.

Sample Solution

  This week, I had the opportunity to care for a number of geriatric patients at a family health clinic. Some of the patients I saw had chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. Others had acute conditions such as infections and falls.