Clinical signs & diagnosis
What are two abnormal brain structures that are prime suspects in damaging and killing nerve cells in Alzheimer’s
What are plaques and tangles
To communicate effectively,caregivers should use this type of language structure rather than long,complex explanations
What are short,simple sentences
This type of short-term care gives primary caregivers a much-needed temporary break from their caregiveing duties
What is respite care
Alzheimer’s primarily attacks this vital organ of the body
What is the brain
While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, these types of substances can be prescribed to help manage or temporarily slow down cognitive symptoms
What are medications
This acute,fluctuating state of confusion is often mistaken for dementia progress but is frequently caused by underlying infections like UTIs or medication side effects
What is delirium
This phenomenon describes a marked increase in agitation,confusion,and behavioral problems,that occurs in the late afternoon or early evening
What is sundowning
Thus legal document allows a patient to appoint a trusted individual to make medical decisions on their behalf when they lose capacity
What is medical power of attorney (healthcare proxy/durable power of attorney for healthcare)
This key neurological hallmark of Alzheimer’s consists of abnormal clusters of chemically sticky proteins that build up between nerve cells
What are amyloid plaques
Donepezil belongs to this class of standard medications,which work by preventing the breakdown of a key chemical messenger involved in memory and learning
What are cholinesterase
A deficiency in this specific water-soluble vitamin can mimic the cognitive deficits of dementia and cause neurological symptoms like peripheral neuropathy
What is vitamin B12
Instead of correcting a patient with late-stage dementia who ask for their long-deceased mother,providers should use this therapeutic communication approach to address the underlying emotion
What is validation therapy
This clinical determination is made by a healthcare provider regarding a patient’s ability to make a specific medical decision at a specific time
What is decision-making capacity
These abnormal structures,made of twisted microscopic fibers of the tau protein,destroy a cells vital nutrient transport system from inside the neuron
What are the neurofibrillary tangles
Meantime regulates the activity of glutamate by blocking this specific receptor type,helping to protect brain cells from overexcitation
What is an NMDA receptor
This type of dementia typically presents with early personality changes,disinhibition,and executive dysfunction rather than early memory loss
What is frontotemporal dementia (FTD)
When a patient exhibits repetitive questioning or wandering,this primary non-pharmacological strategy should be deployed instead of a physical or chemical restraint
What is redirection/distraction
This term describes the severe physical,emotional,and financial exhaustion experienced by family memebers caring for a patient with chronic dementia
What is caregiver burnout
This specific area of the brain,heavily involved in forming new memories,is usually one of the first areas damaged by Alzheimer’s pathology
What is the hippocampus
Healthcare workers must monitor patients on cholinesterase inhibitors closely for these two highly common gastrointestinal side effects
What are nausea and diarrhea
(Vomiting and anorexia)Flactuating cognition,recurrent visual hallucinations,and spontaneous features of Parkinsonism point to diagnosis of this specific dementia type
What is dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB)
This behavioral term describes a patient closely following their caregiver or provider around like a second shadow due to anxiety or confusion
What is shadowing
When a surrogate decision-maker makes medical choices based on what they believe the patient “would have wanted” rather than what the surrogate want,they are using this ethical standard
What is the substituted judgement standard
Carrying the E4 allele of this specific gene significantly increases a person’s risk of developing late-onset Alzheimer’s disease
What is APOE (Apolipoprotein E)
This newer class of intravenous infusion therapies targets and removes amyloid-beta plaques from the brain,rather than just treating symptoms
What are anti-amyloid monoclonal antibodies