7.5 Learning Activities
Learning Activities
(Answers to “Learning Activities” can be found in the “Answer Key” at the end of the book. Answers to interactive activity elements will be provided within the element as immediate feedback.)
Practice Activity
Data Collection/Assessment
- Working with a partner or a “simulated patient,” use the following questions and actions listed to perform a sensory function assessment. Use critical thinking to ask as-needed follow up questions.
Vision:
- Do you wear glasses or contact lenses?
- Do you have problems reading or doing close work? Do you have problems seeing far away objects?
- Do you have any floaters in your vision (spots)?
- When have you last had your eyes examined by an eye doctor?
- Is there a family history of glaucoma or other eye diseases?
- Have you ever had eye trauma or surgery?
- Read words from a book or newspaper.
Hearing:
- Do you currently have any ear pain, discharge, or hearing changes?
- Do you note yourself having trouble hearing in certain situations?
- Do you note any dizziness or ringing in your ears (tinnitus)?
- Do you work in an environment where you are exposed to loud noise on a regular basis? Do you wear protection on your ears from the noise?
- Have you taken any medications that came with a warning to report any changes in hearing?
- Have family members or friends mentioned that you seem not to hear?
- Perform the whisper test.
Smell:
- How is your sense of smell?
- Identify some scents like coffee or lemons with eyes closed.
Touch:
- Are you able to feel when someone is touching you?
- Do you have unusual sensations or numbness and tingling?
- Identify an object with eyes closed like a key.
Taste:
- Have you noted any changes in your ability to taste foods?
- Is your appetite “normal” for you? Have you noted a decrease?
- Taste and identify a food like sugar or salt.
Analysis and Care Planning
2. Create a nursing diagnoses based on your assessment findings.
3. Identify a patient-centered goal and SMART expected outcomes.
4. Outline nursing interventions to help the patient to meet the established goal and expected outcome.