Discuss the types of consideration a nurse must be mindful of while performing a health assessment on a geriatric patient as compared to a middle-aged adult. 

Nurses must consider certain factors when performing a health evaluation on older adults. These may not be so important for middle-aged people. For instance, due to the normal aging process it is likely that a geriatric patient’s body will function differently than someone who is much younger. Any physical exam should also include an assessment of coordination and balance, which can be harder for older individuals than their peers.

In addition to this, assessing mental health is also important in these cases as issues like dementia or depression can have a significant impact on one’s overall wellbeing. In addition, older patients often take multiple medications simultaneously. Therefore it may be helpful to examine all the medication to determine if there are any necessary adjustments or changes to diagnoses. Being aware of the differences between middle-aged and geriatric patients will help to ensure appropriate care, and avoid any mistakes that could occur during assessment or treatment programs.