NURS 6501 Week 1 Discussion - Scenario; 83-year-old resident

Ji-Ah Song. (2023). Effects of Contrast Therapy Using Flexible Thermoelectric Devices on Lower Extremity Edema, Pain, Muscle Fatigue, and Stress in Nursing Home Workers: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Korean Journal of Adult Nursing, 35(1), 61– 70. https://doi.org/10.7475/kjan.2023.35.1.61 McCance.& Huether,S. E.(2019). Pathophysiology: The biologic basic for disease in adults and children (8thed). St. Louis, MO: Mosby/Elsevier. NURS 6501 Week 1 Discussion Main Post Case - An 83-year-old resident of a skilled nursing facility presents to the emergency department with generalized edema of extremities and abdomen. History obtained from staff reveals the patient has a history of malabsorption syndrome and difficulty eating due to a lack of dentures. The patient has been diagnosed with protein malnutrition. (Announcement section indicates that this patient is an elderly female.) Malabsorption and lack of dentures Patient has a history of malabsorption syndrome and has been diagnosed with protein malnutrition. McCance & Huether (2019) defines malabsorption syndrome as internal mucosa’s (mucus lining of intestinal walls) failure to absorb or transport nutrients digested from the food. Malabsorption is very common in elderly patients due to variety of reasons. Additionally, this patient has lack of dentures. Digestion begins from the mouth, by properly chewing the food and utilizing saliva to initiate the breakdown. Many times, patients avoid even wearing dentures due to poor fit or discomfort. It is also likely that patient may avoid certain food groups due to poor dentition and, hence exacerbating malnutrition. Protein Malnutrition and Genetics McCance & Huether (2019) highlights that the chains of amino acids in proteins are critical in many enzymatic and hormonal functions, but genetics play a critical role in the host gene constitution which affect the albumin (type of protein) formation, nutrient absorption in cells, metabolic rates as well as energy usage. Genetics contribution to the dentition in individuals is well known, and as discussed earlier, dentition plays a key role in the digestion and nutrient absorption (NIH, 2019). Thus, genetics cannot be ruled out as a contributor to patient’s chronic recommend that there are more tests required for the patient to identify the source and treat accordingly. References McCance, K. L. & Huether, S. E. (2019). Pathophysiology: The biologic basis for disease in adults and children (8th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby/Elsevier. NIH. (2019). Genes are key to oral health & beyond. Advancing the nation's oral health