title: Vulnerability of older patients in critical care.
abstract: One of the patient characteristics in the AACN Synergy Model is vulnerability. Vulnerability is defined in the model as the susceptibility to actual or potential stressors that may adversely affect patients' outcomes. The risk of vulnerability increases in older patients in critical care units.
authors.affiliation: Sonya R. Hardin is a professor, College of Nursing, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina. hardins@ecu.edu.
authors.forename: Sonya R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Hardin
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015897:Comorbidity; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D064648:Critical Care Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D016294:Models, Nursing; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D010347:Patient Care Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011788:Quality of Life; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014481:United States; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data