Nursing Diagnosis for Aged Persons in Gerontological Clinical Practice of Nursing Students

Hur, Hea Kung; Lim, Young Mi; Kim, Mi Chung

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to identify the nursing diagnoses for aged persons in gerontological clinical practice of nursing students. In this study, a total of 101 cases including 36 cases of hospitalized elder, 33 cases of institutionalized elders, and 32 cases of community dwelling elders were used in case studies reported by nursing students. Descriptive statistics was employed to determine 370 nursing diagnoses in 101 cases. There were four findings. First, 47.5% of total 370 nursing diagnoses was 'risk for injury'. The next highest percentage of nursing diagnoses was 38.9%( powerless/hopelessness/self-esteem disturbance). Second, the most nursing diagnosis for hospitalized elders was 'knowledge deficit'(41.7%), and the next was 'risk for injury'(38.9%), and 'risk for impaired skin integrity'(27.8%). Third, for both institutionalized elders and community dwelling elders, the most nursing diagnosis was 'risk for injury', and the next was 'powerlessness/hopelessness/self-esteem disturbance', and 'activity intolerance/impaired physical immobility'. Fourth, the related factors of 'risk for injury' were low bone density, low balance, low visual and auditory ability, muscle atrophy, low cognitive function, danger environment, and knowledge deficit. the related factors of 'powerlessness/hopelessness/self-esteem disturbance' were low activity ability, social isolation, low motivation depression, change of daily pattern, decrease of memory, and disorientation. These findings have implications that risk for injury related to physical changes of aging is the most significant health problem of frail elders in diverse setting. In addition, emotional problems of powerless, hopelessness, and self-esteem disturbance are significant need to develop nursing intervention for frail elders in diverse setting.