Nursing Care of Physiologic & Psychologic Disorders

by | Feb 16, 2025 | Medical

 

Discuss the Nursing care of age-related Physiologic or Psychologic Disorder.

Present the age-related Physiologic or Psychologic Disorder
Choose from one: Integumentary function, Urinary function, Musculoskeletal function or Endocrine function.
Describe the age-related changes and common problems and conditions.
Summarize the nursing management appropriate for your Physiologic or Psychologic Disorder chosen

Sample solution

Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.


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God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Nursing Care of Age-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders

This discussion focuses on the nursing care of age-related changes and common problems within the musculoskeletal system.

Age-Related Changes in the Musculoskeletal System:

The musculoskeletal system undergoes significant changes with age, impacting mobility, strength, and overall quality of life. These changes include:

  • Decreased Muscle Mass (Sarcopenia): Muscle mass and strength decline progressively after the age of 30, accelerating after 50. This is due to a decrease in muscle protein synthesis, hormonal changes, and reduced physical activity.

Nursing Care of Age-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders

This discussion focuses on the nursing care of age-related changes and common problems within the musculoskeletal system.

Age-Related Changes in the Musculoskeletal System:

The musculoskeletal system undergoes significant changes with age, impacting mobility, strength, and overall quality of life. These changes include:

  • Decreased Muscle Mass (Sarcopenia): Muscle mass and strength decline progressively after the age of 30, accelerating after 50. This is due to a decrease in muscle protein synthesis, hormonal changes, and reduced physical activity.
  • Bone Density Loss: Bone resorption (breakdown) exceeds bone formation, leading to decreased bone mineral density and increased risk of osteoporosis. This is particularly pronounced in postmenopausal women due to estrogen decline.
  • Cartilage Degeneration: The cartilage that cushions joints thins and becomes less elastic, increasing friction and leading to osteoarthritis.
  • Ligament and Tendon Changes: Ligaments and tendons lose elasticity and become more prone to injury.
  • Changes in Joint Structure: Joints may become stiffer and less flexible due to changes in cartilage, ligaments, and synovial fluid.
  • Postural Changes: Vertebral compression fractures and changes in spinal curvature can lead to a stooped posture and decreased height.

Common Problems and Conditions:

These age-related changes increase the risk of several musculoskeletal problems:

  • Osteoporosis: A condition characterized by low bone density and increased risk of fractures, particularly in the hip, spine, and wrist.
  • Osteoarthritis: A degenerative joint disease characterized by pain, stiffness, and loss of function. It commonly affects weight-bearing joints like the knees and hips.
  • Falls: Decreased muscle strength, impaired balance, and postural changes increase the risk of falls, which can lead to fractures and other injuries.
  • Fractures: Osteoporosis and falls increase the risk of fractures, which can have significant consequences for older adults, including pain, disability, and even mortality.
  • Muscle Weakness: Sarcopenia contributes to muscle weakness, making it difficult to perform daily activities.

Nursing Management:

Nursing management for age-related musculoskeletal disorders focuses on promoting mobility, preventing falls, managing pain, and maintaining independence. Key interventions include:

  • Fall Prevention:

    • Assessment: Conduct a comprehensive fall risk assessment, including gait, balance, muscle strength, and environmental factors.
    • Interventions: Implement fall prevention strategies such as exercise programs to improve balance and strength, home safety modifications (e.g., grab bars, adequate lighting), and education on safe ambulation techniques.

  • Exercise Promotion:

    • Assessment: Evaluate the patient’s current activity level and identify any barriers to exercise.
    • Interventions: Encourage regular weight-bearing exercises (e.g., walking, jogging, dancing) and resistance training to maintain muscle mass and bone density. Provide guidance on appropriate exercises and modify activities as needed.

  • Pain Management:

    • Assessment: Assess pain level using a validated pain scale and identify factors that exacerbate or relieve pain.
    • Interventions: Implement pain management strategies, including non-pharmacological approaches (e.g., heat, cold, massage, relaxation techniques) and pharmacological interventions (e.g., analgesics, anti-inflammatory medications) as prescribed.

  • Osteoporosis Management:

    • Assessment: Identify risk factors for osteoporosis and encourage bone density screening as recommended.
    • Interventions: Educate patients on lifestyle modifications to prevent osteoporosis, including adequate calcium and vitamin D intake, regular exercise, and smoking cessation. Administer medications as prescribed (e.g., bisphosphonates) and monitor for side effects.

  • Assistive Devices:

    • Assessment: Evaluate the need for assistive devices such as canes, walkers, or braces to improve mobility and stability.
    • Interventions: Provide education on the proper use of assistive devices and ensure they are fitted correctly.

  • Patient Education:

    • Educate patients and families about age-related changes in the musculoskeletal system, risk factors for falls and fractures, and strategies to maintain musculoskeletal health.
    • Provide information on community resources and support groups.

  • Collaboration:

    • Collaborate with other healthcare professionals, such as physical therapists, occupational therapists, and physicians, to develop a comprehensive plan of care.

By addressing these key areas, nurses can play a vital role in helping older adults maintain their musculoskeletal health, prevent injuries, and live fulfilling lives. It’s crucial to remember that each individual ages differently, and care should be personalized to meet the unique needs and abilities of each patient.

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