Instructions Instructions Please respond to all 6 discussion separately/INDIVIDU

Instructions Instructions Please respond to all 6 discussion separately/INDIVIDUALLY. Please divide the words equally between the 6 responses. Discussion #1Dementia is a neurological condition marked by cognitive decline, memory loss, impaired thinking, and alterations in behavior and personality. It is a progressive disorder that predominantly impacts older individuals, although it can manifest in younger persons as well. Neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s disease, are frequently associated with dementia. Additional variations of dementia encompass vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia. (NIA, 2022).
Elevated blood pressure can heighten the risk of developing dementia, especially vascular dementia, due to its impact on the heart, arteries, and blood circulation. Also, engaging in cognitive activities is believed to promote the formation of a “cognitive reserve.” This concept suggests that individuals who consistently challenge their brains throughout their lives may have increased protection against brain cell damage associated with dementia. Additionally, while advanced age is the primary risk factor for dementia, it is important to note that the likelihood of developing dementia increases with age. However, it is crucial to understand that dementia is not a typical part of the aging process (Alzheimer Society, n.d.).
Making adjustments to 12 risk factors could potentially result in the prevention or delay of approximately 40% of dementias. Examples of specific actions include: preventing head injury; limiting alcohol use, as alcohol consumption of more than 21 units per week increase developing dementia; endorse the use of hearing aids and protect ears from hearing loss by avoiding excessive noise exposure; avoid smoking, second-hand smoke, and exposure to air pollution; and reduce obesity and its associated condition of diabetes. Likewise, several risk factors often concentrate in communities with inequalities, particularly among marginalized ethnic groups and vulnerable populations. Addressing these factors necessitates promoting health and implementing societal measures to improve living conditions, such as creating environments that encourage regular physical activity (Livingston et al., 2020).
References
Alzheimer Society. (n.d.). Risk factors for dementia. Alzheimer Society. Retrieved July 16, 2023, from https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/how-can-i-prevent-dementia/risk-factors-dementia
Livingston, G., Huntley, J., Sommerlad, A., Ames, D., Ballard, C., Banerjee, S., Brayne, C., Burns, A., Cohen-Mansfield, J., Cooper, C., Costafreda, S. G., Dias, A., Fox, N., Gitlin, L. N., Howard, R., Kales, H. C., Kivimäki, M., Larson, E. B., Ogunniyi, A., & Mukadam, N. (2020). Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2020 report of the Lancet Commission. The Lancet, 396(10248), 413–446. https://doi-org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30367-6
National Institute on Aging (NIA). (2022, December 8). What is dementia? Symptoms, types, and diagnosis. National Institute of Health. Retrieved July 16, 2023, from https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-is-dementia
Discussion #2A cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is an extremely common neurological issue and is often referred to as a stroke, in fact, it is the second leading cause of death for adults in the United States (Sommers, 2022). A stroke occurs when there is an interruption of blood flow to the blood vessels supplying the brain, which in turn leads to brain tissue death and can have several lasting symptoms that may or may not be alleviated with therapy (Sommers, 2022). Some contributing factors that can lead to CVA include cigarette smoking, cardiac dysrhythmias, a sedentary lifestyle, hypertension, secondhand smoke, heart failure, diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea, and a family history of stroke (Sommers, 2022). To prevent stroke, there are many things that can be changed in a patient’s control. A few controllable changes include implementing smoking cessation, increasing daily exercise, improving diet, and maintaining treatment of other diseases (Hoffman & Sullivan, 2019). In order to promote patient health and help them maintain these changes, the nurse can provide education about the topic, as patients who understand the “why” behind their changes often actually make the changes (Hoffman & Sullivan, 2019). In order to help patients stick to these changes, it is helpful to involve their loved ones as they can help get them more active, cook healthier meals together, and vow to quit smoking with the patient.
References:
Hoffman, J., & Sullivan, N. (2019). Davis advantage for medical-surgical nursing: Making Connections to Practice.
Sommers, M. S. (2022). Davis’s Diseases & Disorders: A Nursing Therapeutics Manual. FA Davis. FA DAVIS. Retrieved July 17, 2023, from https://fadavisreader.vitalsource.com/reader/books/9780803694729/epubcfi/6/60[%3Bvnd.vst.idref%3Danorexianervosa]!/4.
Discussion #3Some older adults might develop a mild to severe form of Parkinson’s disease as they get older. Parkinson’s disease is a central nervous system neurodegenerative illness that causes primarily motor impairment. It produces tremor, stiffness, and gait abnormalities, and it can also impair speech. (Hoffman & Sullivan, 2019) The contributing factors are mostly idiopathic, however there are ties to environmental chemicals (pesticides and herbicides), brain damage, brain tumors, antipsychotic medication usage, and a hereditary component as possible causes of Parkinson’s. Bradykinesia, tremor, stiffness, and postural instability are the four cardinal symptoms. Other clinical signs include changes in mood, cognition, and behavior. (Hoffman & Sullivan, 2019)
Fall risk and mobility, aspiration precaution, and bowel and bladder function are all aspects of health promotion for Parkinson’s patients and their families. Parkinson’s disease affects balance and muscular control by affecting both the neurological and musculoskeletal systems. (Treas et al., 2019) Tests of coordination and grip strength can be used to evaluate neurological impacts. The patient’s safety is a top consideration because these have an impact on their gait. Teaching the patient to wear slippers with nonskid soles, make sure their shoes fit correctly, and stay away from loose, trailing clothing. The bed should be low to the ground, the room floors should be clear of debris, strong railings should be installed, and any rugs that might cause the patient to trip should be removed. For the safety of the patient, swallowing interventions such as helping with meals, keeping the patients upright during feeds, and consulting a speech therapist as necessary should be put into place. Lastly, Parkinson’s disease may affect how the bowels and bladder function, increasing the risk of incontinence and constipation in the patient. The patient can be helped with these problems by adding high fiber items to their diet, maintaining a regular bowel routine, and softening their stool as needed with medication. With these treatments, the patient with Parkinson’s disease can lead a regular life.

Reference:
Hoffman, J. J., & Sullivan, N. J. (2019). Davis Advantage for Medical-Surgical Nursing (2nd ed.). F. A. Davis Company. https://fadavisreader.vitalsource.com/books/9781719642156
Treas, L. S., Barnett, K. L., & Smith, M. H. (2021). Davis Advantage Basic Nursing (3rd ed.). F. A. Davis Company. https://fadavisreader.vitalsource.com/books/9781719642118
Discussion #4Symptoms of strokes depend on which part of the brain has been affected. Most common signs and symptoms include one sided weakness in the face, arm, or legs, difficulty speaking or understanding speech, confusion, loss of balance, headache, blurred vision, and problems with balance and walking. Effects of a stroke may be temporary or lifelong, resulting in long term effects on the lives of patients and families. Patients are affected socioeconomically, emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually.
It is the nurse’s role to support the patient in each of these roles. This can be done through assistance with ADL’s, rehabilitation, including the family in interventions, and formulating patient specific care plans. Nurses can provide emotional support and allow patients to communicate their fears and worries with us. In addition, we can collaborate with families and spiritual leaders in order to provide appropriate spiritual care for the patient that is in line with their culture and identity. Collaborating with physical therapists, occupational therapists, and social workers provides the necessary practical tools for rehabilitation and other forms of support.
We can incorporate principles from Grand Canyon University’s statement on the integration of faith and work into our healthcare practice. For example, we can maintain a devotion to compassion and care for the spiritual needs of our neighbors. By incorporating love into our care and understanding that each individual is our neighbor and shares our human experience, both parties can benefit from selfless service.
Grand Canyon University, (2023) Statement On The Integration of Faith and Work, https://www.gcu.edu/sites/default/files/media/Documents/Statement-IFLW.pdf
Murphy, S. J., & Werring, D. J. (2020). Stroke: causes and clinical features. Medicine (Abingdon, England : UK ed.), 48(9), 561–566. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mpmed.2020.06.002
Discussion #5Some characteristics findings for a stroke include sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body, sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech, sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes, sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or lack of coordination, or sudden severe headache with no known cause (CDC, 2022). The effect of a stroke can depend on how much brain tissue was affected and the location of the obstruction. This sudden incident can cause the patient and family to feel new strain of stress and frustration depending on circumstances of the effects of the stroke. Each caregiver’s responsibilities vary with the unique needs of the stroke survivor. Role changes and new skills may need to be learned (American Stroke Association, 2020). After a stroke, a patient can feel a lot of emotions. A stroke can cause an individual with disabilities that may have not been present before. The adjustment to these new changes can be hard for both the patient and the family members. It is crucial for nurses to be present in every aspect for a patient that recently suffered from a stroke. As nurses, assessing for impaired swallowing related to lower cranial nerve dysfunction or decreased level of consciousness, impaired gas exchange related to aspiration, sensory perceptual alterations, impaired physical mobility, impaired verbal communication, and impaired family coping can be fundamental in the patient’s recovery (Hoffman & Sullivan, 2019). Providing resources and emotional support can help assist the patient in their recovery process.
By integrating concepts from the “Statement on the Integration of Faith and Work”, as nurses, we can promote human flourishing and strive to further the good of the culture and the society through education and the embodiment of biblical principles related to goodness and justice.
American Stroke Association. (2020). Effects of stroke. www.stroke.org. https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/effects-of-stroke
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022b, May 4). Stroke signs and symptoms. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/signs_symptoms.htm
Hoffman, J. J., & Sullivan, N. J. (2019). Davis Advantage for Medical-Surgical Nursing (2nd ed.). F. A. Davis Company. https://fadavisreader.vitalsource.com/books/9781719642156
Grand Canyon University, (2023) Statement On The Integration of Faith and Work, https://www.gcu.edu/sites/default/files/media/Documents/Statement-IFLW.pdf
Discussion #6The phrase “stroke” is a broad term used to describe a change in blood flow to the brain, which can be brought on by either ischemic (blood vessel blockage) or hemorrhagic (brain hemorrhage) stroke. 87% of strokes are ischemic; intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) accounts for 10% of strokes, and aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) accounts for 3%. (Hoffman & Sullivan, 2019) Unexpected weakness (often more noticeable on one side than the other), feeling dizzy, lack of coordination, trouble speaking, facial drooping, abrupt visual problems and a sudden, strong headache are all characteristic of a stroke. Patients’ and their families’ life may be disrupted by the impacts. Patients who have had a stroke are at a significant risk of developing depression; this risk is around 50% higher than that following a heart attack. (Morris, 2022) This also applies to fatigue, insomnia, and anxiety. The family may become caregivers as a result, which might put further stress on them.
Stroke prevention measures like taking anti-platelet therapy and lipid-lowering and antihypertensive medications and follow-up cerebrovascular care after discharge are crucial to promoting wellness and preventing stroke recurrence. (Hoffman & Sullivan, 2019) The nurse’s role is to support the patient’s psychological, emotional, and spiritual needs. In addition to rehabilitation treatments, it’s important to consider how the disease may influence a patient’s career, family role (e.g., primary provider), and need for help from family caregivers.
The worldview gives hope of healing, not just for individuals but also for families, communities, and societies in which people live, work, and serve one another. This is how the idea example from the “Statement on the Integration of Faith and Work” might be expressed.
Reference:
Hoffman, J. J., & Sullivan, N. J. (2019). Davis Advantage for Medical-Surgical Nursing (2nd ed.). F. A. Davis Company. https://fadavisreader.vitalsource.com/books/9781719642156
Morris, C. (2022) Stroke affects the whole family, and here’s how to help keep it together. www.heart.org. https://www.heart.org/en/news/2021/05/17/stroke-affects-the-whole-family-and-heres-how-to-help-keep-it-together