Lesson 1Basic pain assessment tools suitable for older adults and when to escalateIntroduces basic pain assessment tools suitable for older adults, including numeric and faces scales, tools for cognitive impairment, observing nonverbal cues, documenting findings, evaluating response to interventions, and when to escalate pain.
Understanding pain in older adultsNumeric and verbal rating scalesFaces scales and visual toolsAssessing pain in dementia or deliriumNonverbal and behavioural pain cuesDocumentation and escalation of painLesson 2Pulse assessment: radial pulse technique, rate, rhythm, strength, normal vs abnormal findings and immediate responsesDetails radial pulse assessment, including locating the pulse, counting rate, assessing rhythm and strength, recognizing normal versus abnormal findings, factors affecting pulse, documentation, and when to seek urgent review or escalate concerns.
Locating and supporting the radial arteryCounting pulse rate accuratelyAssessing rhythm and regularityGrading pulse strength and volumeNormal age-related pulse variationsAbnormal findings and escalation stepsLesson 3Vital signs overview: temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure—normal ranges for older adults and age-related variationProvides an overview of vital signs in older adults, including temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, and pain, typical age-related ranges, factors influencing readings, frequency of monitoring, and when to escalate abnormal results.
Core components of vital signsAge-related normal ranges summaryFactors affecting vital sign readingsBaseline observations and trendsFrequency of monitoring and timingWhen to escalate abnormal findingsLesson 4Blood pressure measurement: cuff selection, correct technique (seated/lying), orthostatic checks and interpretationDescribes accurate blood pressure measurement, including cuff selection and sizing, positioning seated or lying, step-by-step technique, orthostatic checks, common errors, interpretation of results, and when to escalate abnormal readings.
Selecting correct cuff size and limbPositioning patient seated or lyingStep-by-step manual BP techniqueUsing automated BP devices safelyOrthostatic BP: procedure and timingInterpreting readings and escalationLesson 5Skin inspection: pressure injury risk sites, recognizing redness, breakdown, and basic pressure-relief measuresExamines skin inspection for pressure injury risk, including high-risk sites, recognizing early redness and skin changes, staging basics, simple pressure-relief strategies, moisture and shear management, documentation, and timely escalation.
Common pressure risk areas in older adultsEarly signs of redness and non-blanchingIdentifying skin breakdown and blisteringBasic repositioning and offloading methodsManaging moisture, friction, and shearReporting and documenting skin changesLesson 6Measuring temperature: methods, device selection, expected values, interpretation of fever in older adultsCovers temperature measurement methods, device selection, infection control, expected temperature ranges in older adults, interpreting fever or low temperature, factors affecting readings, documentation, and when to notify the registered nurse.
Routes and devices for temperature takingPreparing the older adult for measurementCorrect technique for each temperature routeNormal temperature ranges in older adultsRecognizing fever and hypothermia signsRecording results and reporting concernsLesson 7Capillary blood glucose: when ordered, safe technique, target ranges for older adults and hypoglycemia/hyperglycemia actionsExplores safe capillary blood glucose monitoring for older adults, including preparation, technique, infection control, target ranges, recognizing hypo and hyperglycemia, documentation, and when to promptly escalate concerns to the registered nurse.
Indications and pre-test preparationHand hygiene and infection control stepsLancing, sampling, and meter operationTarget glucose ranges in older adultsRecognizing and treating hypoglycemiaRecognizing and responding to hyperglycemiaLesson 8Respiratory assessment: counting respirations, signs of distress, normal ranges and red flagsFocuses on respiratory assessment, including counting respirations, observing depth and pattern, recognizing signs of respiratory distress, normal ranges for older adults, common red flags, documentation, and when to escalate urgently for help.
Positioning and observing the chestCounting respiratory rate discreetlyAssessing depth, pattern, and effortNormal respiratory ranges in older adultsEarly signs of respiratory distressRed flag signs and urgent escalation
