Healthy Age

The client becomes short of breath during added exertion requiring her to walk up more than 25 steps. The client admits to smoking less than ½ pack of cigarettes per day. No edema to distal extremities was observed; no clubbing to nail beds, or purse-lipped breathing was observed. There are diminished breath sounds bilaterally without wheezing, crackles, or rhonchi. The client does not use home oxygen support system. She does have a previous history of breast cancer, and is status post a left mastectomy. When asked when her last mammogram was performed, the client stated that it occurred a few years ago. The client believes also that x-rays each year can cause cancer. Nutrition: The client has a full set of natural teeth without dental caries or chips. Three teeth are capped and four have fillings. There is no impairment to chewing or swallowing. The client prepares meals for herself and other members of her family. Food is an important means of celebrating or entertaining for the client. The client does admit to some problems with upset stomach and diarrhea occasionally from eating out and takes over-the-counter remedies such as Mylanta and Imodium.
             3. Activity: Television and computers are in the client's home for self-relaxation. The client maintains an independent living style and is able to dress and toilet and is impeccably groomed; she is able to cook, clean, and move all digits of either hand to dial a cellular phone. The client does wear reading glasses and enjoys reading about astrology and current events. She moves all extremities without impediment or prosthetic. The "Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living- (Ebersole and Hess, 2001, p. 270) was utilized during this portion of the assessment in which the client was given 1 point for independence and 0 points for dependence of the following activities: Bathing 1 point - The client bathes herself completely without personal assistance.