Types of Neurocognitive Disorders
This acute, reversible condition is characterized by sudden confusion and fluctuating levels of consciousness.
What is delirium?
What are risk factors for delirium?
Older age, infection, nutritional deficiencies, hepatic or renal failure, cardiovascular and respiratory disease, substance use or withdrawal, electrolyte imbalance, polypharmacy, surgery, and change in environment
Clients with dementia should be placed in this type of environment to reduce agitation.
What is a calm, low stimulation, and well lit environment?
What are cholinesterase inhibitors?
Drug class that increases acetylcholine levels in the brain by preventing its breakdown
Based on the scenario, what condition is Mrs. Thompson most likely experiencing?
Delirium
This term describes a progressive, irreversible decline in memory, judgement, and function.
What are risk factors for Alzheimer's disease?
Advanced age, head trauma, cardiovascular disease, lifestyle factors, and family history
Rugs and electrical cords
What should the nurse monitor for when giving donepezil?
Bradycardia, syncope, fluid volume deficit
Which assessment findings support this diagnosis?
onset of confusion and agitation
This form of neurocognitive disorder is the most common and is associated with a gradual neuronal degeneration.
What is Alzheimer's Disease?
What is agnosia?
The inability to recognize familiar objects, even though vision is intact
This item helps identify clients who wander and ensures their safety
identification bracelet
What is an adverse effect of giving NSAIDs and cholinesterase inhibitors together?
GI bleeding
Which risk factors likely contribute to Mrs. Thompson's condition?
infection, advanced age, hospitalization
clients who have mild neurocognitive disorder may or may not progress to this more severe form of.
What is major neurocognitive disorder?
What is the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM)?
Tool that screens for confusion and differentiates delirium from dementia
clients with severe confusion should have rooms located in this area for close observation
What is near the nurses station?
What teaching would you give a patient who is taking donepezil?
You should take the medication before going to bed at the end of the day
Which nursing action should the nurse prioritize to keep Mrs. Thompson safe?
Put in a room near the nurses' station, take to restroom frequently, use bed alarm instead of restraints, put all personal belongings within reach
This type of dementia is caused by abnormal protein plaques and tangles that damage brain cells over time.
What is Alzheimer's disease (neurodegenerative dementia)?
What is used for ruling out other causes of cognitive decline?
EEG, CT, PET scans
Maintaining consistent caregivers and a structured daily schedule supports this key patient need
What is consistency and orientation.
What is the action of memantine?
Blocks the entry of calcium into nerve cells; this slows down brain-cell death
What education should the nurse provide to Mrs. Thompson's condition on how delirium differs from dementia?
Delirium is sudden and reversible, dementia is gradual and irreversible