Final answer:
Compassion fatigue is likelier among nurses working with the elderly due to the emotional demands and continuous care required, which can lead to exhaustion, depersonalization, and a diminished sense of personal accomplishment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Compassion fatigue is a state of emotional exhaustion that can affect healthcare professionals, such as nurses, who are exposed to high levels of stress in their work environment. Among nurses, compassion fatigue is more likely to affect those who work with populations where the demands are emotionally taxing and continuous care is required. Working with the elderly, especially in cases where the caregivers may also experience high stress, isolation, and lack of support, can significantly increase the risk of compassion fatigue.
Other factors contributing to compassion fatigue among nurses include work overload, heavy physical work, patient concerns (dealing with death and medical concerns), and interpersonal problems with other medical staff. It is characterized by exhaustion, depersonalization, and a diminished sense of personal accomplishment. These conditions are frequently encountered in settings that involve constant caregiving to the elderly who may suffer from various forms of dependency and ailment, increasing the likelihood of nurses in these settings experiencing higher rates of compassion fatigue.