Geriatrics and geriatric nursing

During this course, students will gain knowledge about the specific health problems and differences in the course of diseases in the elderly. They will be prepared for independent nursing of elderly people while providing professional, comprehensive geriatric care regardless of place and time of health services provision.

Learning outcomes

KNOWLEDGE – A STUDENT KNOWS AND UNDERSTANDS:

1. risk factors and health risks in patients of different ages,

2. etiopathogenesis, clinical symptoms, course, treatment, prognosis and principles of nursing care of patients in selected diseases,

3. principles of diagnosing and planning patient care in internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics-gynecology, pediatrics, geriatrics, neurology, psychiatry, intensive care, palliative care, long-term care,

4. patient reactions to illness, hospital admission and hospitalization,

5. the aging process in biological, psychological, social and economic aspects,

6. etiopathogenesis of the most common diseases of the elderly age,

7. tools and scales for assessing the support of the elderly and their families and the principles of their activation,

8. pathophysiology, clinical symptoms, course, treatment and prognosis of diseases of developmental age: respiratory system, cardiovascular system, nervous system, urinary tract, gastrointestinal system and endocrinological, metabolic, allergic and blood diseases,

9. methods and techniques of communicating with patients unable to establish and maintain effective communication due to health condition or treatment applied.

SKILLS – A STUDENT IS ABLE TO:

1. gather information, formulate a nursing diagnosis, establish nursing care goals and plan, implement nursing interventions, and evaluate nursing care,

2. provide counselling within the scope of self-care of patients at different age and health condition concerning developmental defects, diseases and addictions,

3. conduct prophylaxis of complications occurring in the course of diseases,

4. prepare records of prescription forms of therapeutic substances in the continuation of treatment,

5. document patient's health situation, the dynamics of its changes and the realized nursing care, taking into account IT tools for data collection,

6. teach a patient and his/her guardian how to select and use nursing and rehabilitation equipment and medical devices,

7. prepare and administer drugs to patients by various routes, independently or as ordered by a physician

SOCIAL SKILLS – A STUDENT IS READY TO:

1. be guided by the best interests of the patient, respect the dignity and autonomy of those entrusted to their care, show understanding for differences in worldview and culture, and show empathy in relationships with patients and their families,

2. recognize and recognize their own limitations in terms of knowledge, skills and social competences, and make self-assessments of deficits and educational needs.

3. independently and reliably perform the profession in accordance with ethical principles, including compliance with moral values and duties in patient care

4. respect patients' rights