Chapter 5 2. Muscle strength and coordination peak a. Established sex drive remains high for men b. Female sex drive reaches peak during later phase of young adulthood 5. Basal metabolic rate (BMR) decreases at 2% to 4% per decade after 20 years of age 1. Mental abilities reflect formal operations (see Chapter 34, Nursing Care of Adolescents, Growth and Development) 2. Resolving developmental crisis of intimacy versus isolation and beginning to resolve developmental crisis of generativity versus stagnation 3. Establishing new family relationships and parenting patterns 4. Establishing self in, and advancing in, chosen occupation C Common health problems: accidents, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), sexually transmitted infections (STIs), cancer involving reproductive organs, hypertension, suicide, alcoholism, spousal abuse, fertility regulation, periodontal disease, unbalanced diet, obesity, intimacy problems 1. Encourage attendance at safety programs to promote accident prevention (e.g., defensive driving) 2. Increase public awareness of problems and availability of crisis counseling, support groups, other community resources (e.g., hot lines, Alcoholics Anonymous, family planning clinics) 4. Promote awareness that optimal diet and exercise are essential to achieving and maintaining optimal health; encourage nutritional evaluation and consultation 5. Teach to use exogenous supplemental vitamins with caution, especially vitamins A, D, and E; excessive doses can cause health problems 6. Teach dietary guidelines following U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommendations b. Maintain healthy body mass index (BMI) c. Reduce saturated fat, cholesterol d. Eat adequate amount of vegetables, grain products, fruit (fruits are low in sodium but high in sugar) f. Limit daily intake of alcoholic beverages to no more than one drink for women and two drinks for men 7. Teach breast and testicular self-examination techniques; encourage regular medical checkups 1. Greater diversity in physiologic conditioning results from established lifestyle 2. Early clinical findings of aging (e.g., wrinkling, thinning hair, decreased muscle tone, decreased nerve function) 3. Decreased BMR with subsequent weight gain unless caloric intake is reduced 4. Decreased production of sexual hormones 1. Cognitive abilities enhanced because of motivation, past experiences 2. Resolving developmental crisis of generativity versus stagnation 3. Adjusting to changes in family caused by aging parents, growing or returning children 4. Maintaining satisfactory status in one’s career 5. Accepting physical changes associated with advancing age 6. Developing personally satisfying social and civic activities
Growth and Development of the Adult
The Young Adult (Age 20 to 44 Years)
Data Base
General Nursing Care of Young Adults
Planning/Implementation
The Middle-Age Adult (Age 45 to 59 Years)
Data Base
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Growth and Development of the Adult
