Assessing Fall Risk and Reducing Falls in the Elderly More than one in four American adults 65 years of age and older have reported falling and one in five sustain a severe fall-related injury, including fractures and traumatic brain injuries (CDC, 2021). Falls account for over 50% of injury-related...

Digital Rectal Exam Digital rectal examination begins with taking a health history, while ensuring privacy. While doing so, observe carefully for nonverbal cues of pain or discomfort. Obtain consent for the examination and secure a chaperone. Order of examination is...

Gastrointestinal Assessment The focused gastrointestinal system assessment begins with taking a health history. While doing so, observe carefully for signs of pain or discomfort. The order of examination is performed as inspection, auscultation, percussion, and light and...

Management of Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding Acute, overt lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) is described as hematochezia (passage of fresh blood from the anus, usually mixed with stool) originating from the colon or the rectum. It is caused by a variety of anatomic, vascular...

Management of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding In the U.S., acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is more common than lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB). UGIB typically presents as hematemesis (vomiting of blood or coffee-ground appearing material) or melena (black, tarry stools...

Understanding Different Types of Pain Pain is an uncomfortable signal that something hurts. Pain intensity may vary between mild to unbearable and can significantly impact an individual’s psychosocial, emotional, and physical functioning (National Institute of Health, 2023...