N109: Foundations in Nursing Practice

N109: Foundations in Nursing Practice Study Guide conductive hearing loss occurs in combination with a sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). In other words, there may be damage in the outer or middle ear and in the inner ear or auditory nerve. When this occurs, the hearing loss is referred to as a mixed hearing loss . Pain or Discomfort Paresthesia is a sensation, usually felt on the skin or in the extremities, that is described as numbness, tingling, pins and needles, or pricking. It is also known as having the arm, leg, or other body part "fall asleep." Paresthesia may be classified as either transient or chronic. Transient paresthesia may be a symptom of hyperventilation syndrome or compression of a nerve, such as occurs when sitting on a foot for an extended period of time. Chronic paresthesia may result from poor circulation, nerve irritation, neuropathy, or many other conditions and causes. 5.7 Factors Influencing Sensory Ability and Impairment Genetics Some forms of deafness and visual impairment may have a genetic etiology. A careful family history may indicate a genetic etiology to a patient's sensory impairment. Apregnancy history and thorough physical examination for presence of minor or major physical abnormalities are important components of the initial assessment. Gender Some impairments are more likely to appear in one sex than in the other. For example, color blindness occurs much more frequently in males, while otosclerosis is more common in young women. Age Senses are not fully developed at birth, becoming more acute as the child grows. Senses typically peak in early adulthood and then begin to diminish as the individual ages. A substantial proportion of the information that we use to function is captured through multiple senses and must be centrally combined and integrated to provide a coherent observation. Impairments in the capture of information are highly prevalent, particularly among the older population. Adult-onset hearing loss and refractive errors (age-related causes of vision impairment) are respectively the world’s highest- and second highest-ranking disabilities among people age 60 years and over. Specific problems as noted in the sections above may be more prominent in one age group than in others. In addition, there is an increased risk for accidental injury among children with hearing and vision impairment. Psychological Factors Sensory impairment is often regarded from a strictly medical point of view and its effects on mental health can be poorly recognized. Communication is a key issue for deaf and deaf-blind people, and difficulties can lead to developmental, psychological, and emotional problems, which can delay or prevent appropriate assessment and treatment. Children may have additional problems associated with the cause of their sensory impairment and need early multi-disciplinary intervention. Emotional and practical support is needed for families to make fully informed choices. Access to mental health services may be particularly difficult to achieve for deaf and deaf-blind people.

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