Nursing Clinical Rounds

 

 


Sensory and perception disorders affect clients' ability to interact with their environment, significantly impacting safety, independence, and quality of life. These disorders may arise from structural changes, trauma, aging, or systemic illness. Nurses must identify at-risk clients, assess functional impairments, and apply evidence-based interventions to maintain or restore sensory health. From managing vision loss to hearing rehabilitation, nursing care includes screening, education, assistive technology, and collaborative planning. This round emphasizes the nursing process in supporting sensory health and preventing sensory deprivation or overload complications.

Case Study: Navigating Vision and Hearing Decline in a Geriatric Client
Client: Ms. Evelyn Martinez, 82 years old

Background:

Lives alone in senior housing
Medical history includes age-related macular degeneration (AMD), presbycusis, and controlled hypertension
Difficulty reading labels and hearing doorbell, especially at night
Daughter noticed expired meds and mismatched shoes during recent visit
Recent Assessment Findings:

BCVA: 20/160 (right eye), 20/80 (left eye)
Blurred central vision; unable to read small print
Uses OTC reading glasses; does not use hearing aids
Audiometry: Moderate bilateral sensorineural hearing loss
Mild tinnitus and night-time disorientation
Nursing Assessment and Planning:

Identified risks: Falls, medication errors
Referred for low vision aids and audiology evaluation
Nursing diagnoses:
Risk for Injury
Impaired Sensory Perception (visual and auditory)
Self-Care Deficit
Environmental modifications: Increased lighting, talking medication dispenser, visual cue cards
Client education on assistive devices and safety
Interventions and Follow-Up:

Reinforced use of Amsler grid for AMD monitoring
Taught communication strategies (face-to-face conversation, writing cues)
Coordinated with family/home health for daily check-ins
Referred for orientation and mobility training
Evaluation: Improved medication adherence, reduced fall risk
???? Discussion Prompt
Choose ONE of the following topic areas and respond thoroughly:

1. Alterations and Risk Factors in Sensory and Perception

What are common causes and symptoms of alterations in vision or hearing, particularly among older adults?
What client populations are most at risk for developing sensory and perception disorders, and why?
2. Assessment and Nursing Process for Sensory Health

What data should nurses collect to identify visual or auditory impairment during routine assessment?
How can the nursing process be applied to develop individualized care plans for clients like Ms. Martinez?
3. Interventions and Complication Prevention

What interventions can nurses use to promote communication, safety, and independence in clients with sensory deficits?
What complications can arise from unmanaged sensory impairment, and how can nurses evaluate the success of interventions?

 

 

 

Sample Answer

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interventions and Complication Prevention for Sensory Deficits

 

 

Interventions to Promote Communication, Safety, and Independence

 

Nurses use a multi-faceted approach, tailored to the specific sensory deficit (e.g., vision loss vs. hearing loss), to empower clients like Ms. Martinez.

 

Promoting Communication 🗣️

 

For Hearing Impairment (Presbycusis):

Positioning: Face the client directly, maintaining eye level. Ensure the light source is on the nurse’s face, not the client's.

Speaking Technique: Speak slowly and clearly, in a normal conversational tone and volume. Avoid shouting, which distorts sound.

Environment: Minimize background noise (turn off TV/radio) and close the door to reduce auditory overload.

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Clarity: Rephrase rather than just repeating sentences if the client doesn't understand. Use written communication or visual aids as necessary.

For Visual Impairment (AMD):

Verbal Cueing: Verbally announce your presence upon entering the room and explain all actions before touching the client. State when you are leaving.

Orientation: Keep furniture placement consistent. Verbally orient the client to the location of food on a plate using the clock method (e.g., "meat is at 12 o'clock, vegetables are at 6 o'clock").

Reading Aids: Encourage the use of high-contrast materials and large print. Recommend specialized technology like screen readers or magnification apps.

 

Promoting Safety 🛑

 

Environmental Modification (Ms. Martinez):

Lighting: Increase ambient, diffuse lighting throughout the home, focusing on stairs, bathrooms, and hallways. Use motion-sensor lights for night-time navigation.

Contrast: Use high-contrast colors (e.g., dark rug on light floor, red tape on the edge of steps) to enhance depth perception for low vision.

Auditory Cues: Install high-decibel or flashing light doorbells/smoke detectors to compensate for presbycusis.

Medication Management: Implement the use of talking or specialized pill dispensers with auditory alarms to reduce the risk of medication errors noted by her daughter.

Fall Prevention: Ensure the client wears appropriate, sturdy footwear. Refer for Orientation and Mobility (O&M) training to teach safe navigation techniques using a cane or guide.

 

Promoting Independence 💪

 

Assistive Devices: Actively encourage the client to accept and consistently use prescribed low vision aids (magnifiers) and properly fitted hearing aids (addressing her non-use).

Self-Care Training: Break down self-care tasks (e.g., hygiene, dressing) into smaller, sequential steps and provide verbal or tactile cues until the process is memorized.

Social Engagement: Facilitate connection with support groups or community services for the visually or hearing impaired to prevent social isolation.