Download Modules - Emergency Nurses Association

Module 1
Part 1: Older Adults in the Emergency Department: The Context of Care
1. Describe the implications of an aging society upon emergency department (ED) utilization.
2. Define ageism.
3. State two examples of ageism.
4. Identify challenges to caring for the older adult in the ED environment.
5. Describe two initiatives that support best practices in the ED.
Part 2: Assessment and Triage of the Older Adult in the Emergency Department
1. Describe age-related sensory changes and alterations in the neurological, cardiovascular, pulmonary,
renal/genitourinary, gastrointestinal, and musculoskeletal systems of the older adult and
nursing implications.
2. Identify the clinical significance of age-related changes with regard to atypical disease presentation
and health.
3. Discuss assessment of cognition and physical function.
4. Describe two risk assessment tools.
Module 2
Changes in Medical Care and Medical Ethics
1. Describe the medical-ethical issues that affect the older adult.
2. Explain the concept of hospice and hospice components.
3. Explain the concept of advocacy needs of the older population.
Module 3
Environmental and Toxicological Emergencies
1. Describe three age-related changes that impact the ability of the older adult to respond to environmental
and toxicological illnesses and injuries.
2. Outline special considerations for physical assessment and history taking of older adults presenting with
complaints related to the environment and toxic substances.
3. Describe the nursing care of older patients with environmental and toxicological injuries and illnesses.
Module 4
Infectious Diseases
1. Describe how infection may present differently in older adults than in younger individuals.
2. List three reasons why older adults are more at risk for infectious diseases.
3. Describe the role of the emergency nurse in the management of older adult patients with common
infectious diseases.
4. Discuss the transmission of common infectious diseases seen in older adults.
Module 5
The Musculoskeletal System
1. Describe changes to the musculoskeletal system associated with aging.
2. List three factors that increase risk of musculoskeletal injury in older adults.
3. Outline physical assessment of older adults with musculoskeletal emergencies.
4. Describe the emergency management of the most prevalent fractures in older adults.
Module 6
The Integumentary System
1. Describe five age-related changes to the skin and their corresponding clinical significance.
2. Identify five key elements of emergency skin assessment for older adult patients.
3. Describe best evidence strategies for cleansing, debridement, closure, and
dressing choices for wounds presenting to the emergency department.
4. Recognize four key signs and symptoms of focal and spreading wound infection.
5. Describe the current emergency management of rhabdomyolysis in the older adult.
6. Describe five strategies that can be used to prevent skin breakdown of older
patients in emergency care settings.
Module 7
The Cardiovascular System
1. List three cardiovascular changes that occur in the older adult.
2. Describe how age affects the patient with heart failure.
3. Describe treatment outcomes for the older adult with an acute myocardial infarction.
4. Discuss the assessment of pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators in the geriatric
population presenting to the emergency department.
5. Recall how to complete a vascular assessment on the older adult patient.
Module 8
Fluids and Electrolytes
1. List some of the normal physiological changes that impact the older adult’s fluid and electrolyte status.
2. Recognize the signs and symptoms of imbalances in the electrolytes potassium, magnesium, calcium,
and sodium.
3. Identify the appropriate treatments for fluid and electrolyte imbalances based on symptoms and severity.
4. Identify the causes and symptoms of malnutrition.
5. Compare the differences between chronic and acute renal failure and the interventions needed for
each one.
Module 9
Eyes, Ears, Nose, Throat, and Respiratory Systems
1. Describe five age-related changes to the eyes, ears, nose, and throat (EENT) E-E-N-T and their
corresponding clinical significance.
2. Identify five key elements of emergency EENT assessment for older adult patients.
3. Apply a focused respiratory assessment to older adults using both objective and subjective data.
4. Describe the key emergency department management strategies for older adults with specific EENT and
respiratory conditions.
Module 10
Part 1: Mental Health
1. Describe the impact of psychiatric conditions on the older adult population.
2. Identify behaviors and risk factors associated with psychiatric conditions in the older adult.
3. Describe the impact of cultural disparities and their effect on the identification of psychiatric conditions.
4. Identify necessary precautions needed when administering medication to the older adult.
5. Describe characteristics of common mental health conditions.
6. List barriers to caring for the older adult with a psychiatric condition.
Part 2: Elder Maltreatment
1. Describe the different categories of maltreatment that can affect the older adult.
2. Explain the different types of maltreatment that can affect the older adult.
3. Identify signs and symptoms of maltreatment in the older adult.
4. Explain risk factors for maltreatment in the older adult population.
5. Describe nursing considerations for the older adult patient with suspected history
of maltreatment.
Module 11
Part 1: Medications and Pain
1. Identify pharmacodynamic changes associated with aging.
2. Describe four assessment findings in the older adult that could be related to medication therapy.
3. Name three medication classifications that pose a high risk for adverse reactions in older adults.
4. List three reasons why the older adult may not be taking medications correctly.
5. Identify resources that can be accessed for additional information related to medications and the
older adult.
Part 2: Pain in Older Adults
1. Identify physiological changes in pain perception that occur with aging.
2. Describe key aspects of pain assessment in older adults.
3. Select factors included in a nonverbal pain assessment as appropriate to older adults with dementia
or delirium.
4. Explain treatment of pain in older adults using a systematic approach to management.
5. Name three medications commonly used for pain management that should be avoided in treating pain in
older adults.
Module 12
Trauma and Falls
1. Identify prevention techniques for minimizing the occurrence and severity of trauma in older adults.
2. Describe incidents of trauma, associated risk factors for trauma, and common mechanisms of injury in
older adults.
3. Describe the unique triage needs for older adults with trauma as compared to younger trauma patients.
4. List the principles and considerations of trauma assessment in the older adult patient, including
commonly presenting comorbidities.
5. Describe the management techniques for traumatic brain injury, concussions, and spinal injury in the
older adult.
Module 13
The Endocrine System
1. State four endocrine glands affected by the aging process.
2. List four symptoms exhibited by the older adult that are potentially caused by an aging or damaged
endocrine system.
3. Describe three implications of the aging liver upon the older adult’s health.
4. Identify two common life-threatening situations that the older adult with diabetes may experience.
Module 14
Gastrointestinal & Genitourinary Conditions
1. Identify GI and GU clinical presentations in older adults and age-related considerations.
2. Describe how assessment and management strategies for GI and GU clinical conditions may differ in
older adults.
3. Identify the importance of considering function, social status, and cognitive status in the management of
and discharge planning related to GI and GU conditions in the older adult.
Module 15
The Nervous System
1. Describe age-related changes and alterations in the neurological system.
2. Identify common sensory disorders that impact older adults.
3. Discuss how Parkinson’s disease can impact the health and functionality of older adults.
4. Identify signs and symptoms of stroke and the patient outcomes with each.
5. Identify signs and symptoms of Bell’s palsy in the older adult.
6. Describe the range of confusional states and assessment strategies for discriminating these states from
other cognitive impairment syndromes.
7. Identify changes in the aging neurological system that can lead to neuropathy.
Module 16
Module 17
Part 1: Autoimmune and Hematological Diseases
1. Describe the physiology of autoimmune disease processes in the older adult.
2. Identify key components of the assessment for various autoimmune issues in older adults.
3. Explain the management and treatment of various autoimmune issues in older adults.
Part 2: Hematological Diseases
1. Describe the physiology of hematological disease processes in the older adult.
2. Identify key components of the assessment for various hematological issues in older adults.
3. Explain the management and treatment of various hematological issues in older adults.
4. Describe the differences between various blood product deficiencies in the patient and considerations in
replacing specific blood products.
Discharge Planning for the Older Adult from the ED
1. Identify three different learning styles.
2. Describe the teach-back method.
3. Identify the necessary components of provider handoffs.