Physical Diagnosis Session 2

"Sundowning effect" is when elderly patients' symptoms and status get worse at night.
- In a similar manner, elderly pts' symptoms usually get worse with a change of environment or routine.
When doing a post-op history as about: pain (controlled or not, where on the scale), surgery site status (ask Staff if you should remove bandages, look for infection), GI/U status (pt should pee, poop, and pass gas), and food consumption status (eating liquids, soft diet or normal diet, how much, how often).
For the patient who is an alcoholic, they are at risk for "DTs" (delenium tremors) due to alcohol withdraw in the hospital. Be sure to ask about alcohol consumption.