Chapter 44- Sensory functioning Sensory reception – the process of receiving data about the external or internal environment through senses Visual Auditory Olfactory Gustatory Tactile Kinesthesia – an awareness of positioning of body parts and movement. Visceral pertains to the inner organs Proprioception – describes the sense, usually at a subconscious level, of the movements and position of the body, and especially its limbs, independent from vision Sensory perception – the conscious process of selecting, organizing and interpreting data from the senses into meaningful information. Perception is influenced by the intensity, size, change or representation of stimulus. As well as by past experiences, knowledge, and attitude. Four conditions to receive data 1. A stimulus, an agent, act or other influence capable of initiating a response by the nervous system, must be present 2. A receptor or sense organ must receive the stimulus and convert it to a nerve impulse 3. The nerve impulse must be conducted along a nervous pathway from the receptor or sense organ ot the brain. 4. A particular area in the brain must receive and translate the impulse into sensation. Arousal Mechanism- to receive stimuli and respond appropriately, the brain must be alert and aroused. The reticular activating system (RAS), a poorly defined network that extends from the hypothalamus to the medulla, mediated arousal. The optimal arousal state of the RAS is a general drive states called sensoristasis. The body quickly adapts to constant stimuli Factors affecting sensory stimulation Developmental considerations – Culture Personality and lifestyle Stress and illness Medications Nursing Diagnosis Disturbed sensory perception – a state in which a person or group experiences or is at risk for a change in the amount, pattern or interpretation of incoming stimuli. o These alterations may be visual, aditory, gustatory, olfactory, tactile or kinesthetic. o Sensoy deprivsation, sensory overload, and uncompensated sensory loss may also be used to further specify the disturbed sensory perception and in some cases the tiology. o Common etioloies Altered environmental stimuli, excessive or insufficient Altered sensory reception, transmission or integration. Chemical alterations, endogenous (electrolyes) or exogenous (drugs) Psychological stress. Implementing o Teach patients and significant others methods for stimulating the senses. o Teach patients with intact and impaired sense self care behaviors o Interact therapeutically with patients with sensory impairments o Control patient discomfort when possible o Offer care that provides rest and comfot o Be aware of the need for sensory aids and prostheses o Use social activies to stimulate senses and mind o Enlist aid of family members to participate in or encourage activities.
