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Breast
•    Breast tissue shrinks with menopause
•    Teach client breast self examination
Abdomen - Reproductive System
•    Auscultation should be performed before palpation to prevent distortion of bowel sounds
•    Tightening of abdominal muscles hinders accuracy of palpation and auscultation
•    Warm hands before touching client’s abdomen.
•    Men breathe abdominally; women breathe costally.
•    Auscultate all four quadrants for bowel sounds
•    Auscultate abdomen between meals
Musculoskeletal
•    Older adults walk with smaller steps and need a wider base of support
Neurological
•    Glasgow Coma Score
o    not valid in patients who have used alcohol or other mind-altering drugs
o    possibly not valid in patients who are hypoglycemic, in shock, or hypothermic (below 34C)
o    should be compared to total of 10 when client is intubated
•    Reflexes are normally less brisk or even absent in older clients
•    Reflex response diminishes in the lower extremities before the upper extremities are affected
•    Absent reflexes may indicate neuropathy or lower motor neuron disorder
•    Hyperactive reflexes suggest an upper motor neuron disorder
Teaching client and family
•    Teaching-learning process mirrors the nursing process
•    Select teaching strategies that are compatible with the client’s learning style, age, culture, level of education
•    Client teaching should be multi-sensory
•    Always confirm the client’s understanding of the information presented
•    Teaching must be geared to the level of the learner
•    Repeat key information and summarize main points at intervals
•    Explain medical terminology in lay terms
•    Determine the client’s learning style and gear teaching methods to using that style
•    Sequence information the way the client will use it
•    Be concrete and use the simplest words and the shortest sentences when teaching low literacy clients, or any client under stress