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SAFE Balance Screening Report

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In February, I had the opportunity to volunteer as a student nurse at one of Fresno State’s SAFE Balance screening sessions. This event was not only specifically important to our community, but to the entire realm of medical field in general because people are living longer. Not only is the elderly population increasing, they also are having to live with many other health issues, which is where medical professionals’ come into play to promote disease prevention, wellness, and overall living a lifestyle in the healthiest and most independent way possible. Precisely, one of the major health concerns among the elderly, is their risk for falls, since falls are growing an increasing problem in fractures, which often lead to other health problems.…show more content…
As a team, we each performed separate evaluation screenings within our scope of practice. For example, as a nursing student I examined the patient’s blood pressure throughout different assessments to examine patterns or changes in blood pressure readings, specifically to monitor for signs of orthostatic hypotension. I also performed an eye exam using the Snellen eye chart to assess for vision. Additionally, I examined the patient’s cognition by administering a Mini-Cognition exam and evaluating the patient for depression. All of which are risk factors that can contribute to a patient’s risk for falling. Both the kinesiology student and the physical therapist student worked together in performing a variety of physical examinations that focused assessing balance, gait, muscle strength, and sensory limitations among many extrinsic and intrinsic factors that contribute to falls. The pharmacist students also worked together by reviewing all the medications that the patient was currently taking. Their main focus was to identify why the patient was taking the medications, how often, who was prescribing the medications, and if the patient was using the same pharmacy. This was strictly important to identify any possible drug-drug interactions. Although, this patient in particular was being prescribed medications from different doctors, she said they were all aware of all the medications she is taking and she makes sure she uses the same pharmacy as well. After reviewing all the medications, there were two in particular that stood out to my team that could possibly have drug-drug interactions. One was Lexapro, which was prescribed to her for anxiety and the other was a cardiac medication, since the patient experiences atrial fibrillations. The main concern was the possible adverse side
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