Dementia basics
What is the Geriatric Depression Scale?
This is the 2nd most common form of dementia.
What is Vascular Dementia?
Alzheimer's Disease usually starts after this age ____, but can occur as young as this age ____. More than half of people over this age ____ have AD.
What is age 65, age 40, and age 85.
Patients may do this as AD progress because they "forget" the steps necessary to complete a task.
What is increase their activity level or wander.
Also accepted: get up and down frequently, pace, or need constant supervision to remain safe.
The cognitive, functional, and behavioral changes that destroy a person’s ability to function.
What is Dementia?
These imagining studies can help rule out other causes of impaired cognition and behavior changes or reversible dementias.
CT and MRI
Visual hallucinations, akinesia, rigidity, REM sleep behavioral disorder, fluctuating alertness, and sensitivity to both L-dopa and antipsychotics
What is Lewy body dementia ?
While the exact cause of AD is unknown, it is known that these play a part in interfering with neurotransmitters.
What are amyloid plaques (deposits of proteins) and tangles of non-functioning neurons?
This is the only time a definitive diagnosis of AD can be made.
What is after death during an autopsy.
This is the goal of Dementia treatments.
What is maintain mental function and independence for as long as possible?
Screening tool that helps confirm the presence of cognitive impairment and often the first test in evaluation of suspected dementia
What is the mini-mental status examination ?
Also accept: montreal cognitive assessment
Phenomenon in which severely depressed or anxious individuals appear demented.
What is pseudodementia?
The characteristics of Alzheimer's Disease are...
What are a progressive, irreversible, degeneration neurons that start very benign and eventually leads to loss of cognitive function and changes in behavior and mood.
AD is the _____ leading cause of death in the US.
What is 6th overall?
Also accepted: 5th in those over age 65.
Name 3 non-pharmacologic interventions that may help treat or reduce the behavioral symptoms of dementia.
Music therapy, therapeutic touch, movement, animal therapy, distraction, "jobs", ect
First line medication administered for Alzheimer's disease
What is Donepezil ?
Also accept: acetylcholineesterase inhibitors, tacrine, rivastigmine, and galantamine.
Note: Cholinesterase inhibitors enhance acetylcholine uptake and preserve memory.
Neurodegenerative disease caused by repeated head injuries, often seen in boxers or football players.
What is Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy?
Also accepted: "punch-drunk syndrome" or "dementia pugilistica"
These are most common causes of death related to AD.
What are pneumonia, malnutrition, and dehydration.
Also accepted: sepsis, falls,
What are reversible causes of dementia?
Also accepted: Depression, abnormal vitamin levels, medication toxicity, ETOH or drug abuse, polypharmacy, or drug toxicity.
The single strongest risk factor in the development of dementia.
What is age?
These personal histories are crucial to make a probable clinical diagnosis of dementia.
What are family history, social and cultural history, medical history (including medications)
Also accepted: employment and occupational history
This type of dementia is associated with HTN and CVD and is characterized by an uneven, stepwise downward decline in mental function.
What is Vascular Dementia?
These are some examples of behavior changes that may occur as AD progresses.
What are depression, suspicion, paranoia, hostility, aggression.
Also accepted, fearful, emotional
Suspected causes of AD include these factors.
What are genetic, lifestyle, environmental factors.
Also accepted: dietary, inflammatory, hormones, and trauma.
Name 5 possible nursing management strategies (aka nursing diagnoses or nursing themes). *Not specific interventions*
What are: Supporting Cognitive Function, Promoting Physical Safety, Promoting Independence, Reducing Anxiety and Agitation, Improving Communication, Providing for Socialization, Promoting Adequate Nutrition, Promoting Balanced Activity and Rest.