Term
| causes of the most prevalent cognitive disorders? |
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Definition
Cognitive impairment disorders (also known as organic mental disorders)
are disturbances to mental status which have a physiological cause.
Common causes include;
- Central nervous disease, including;
o Encephalitis
o Epilepsy
o Neoplasms
- Drugs and poisons, either intoxication or withdrawal
- Endocrine dysfunction
- Electrolyte imbalances
- Infections
- Post-operative state
- Psychosocial stressors |
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Term
| Describe the assessment of a patient with a cognitive disorder. |
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Definition
− The Folstein Mini-Mental Status Exam (MMSE)
− Psychogeriatric assessment scales
− Mental Status Examination (MSE)
− Clifton Assessment Procedures for the Elderly
− Suicide and self-harm risk assessment
− Physical assessment |
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Term
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Definition
D – rug interactions. If prescribed more than 3 drugs, check the
interactions.
E – motional disturbance/crisis/loss.
M – etabolic dysfunction, such as diabetes or thyroid disturbance.
E – yes and ears (sensory impairment).
N – utritional deficiencies.
T – umour or trauma.
I – nfection or brain abscess.
A – rteriosclerosis. |
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Term
| Characteristic features of delirium? |
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Definition
− Disturbance of consciousness (major sign)
o Reduced clarity of awareness
o Difficulty maintaining, or a shift in, attention span
o Reduced focus
o Confusion
− Cognitive changes
o Memory deficit
o Disorientation
o Language disturbance
− Psychotic symptoms, particularly visual hallucinations and paranoid delusions
− Abnormalities in motor activity
− Emotional changes, including fear
− Agnosia (inability to name objects) and dysgraphia (inability to write)
− Usually experience Sundowning. |
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Term
| Characteristic features of dementia? |
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Definition
− Alzheimer’s Disease (50% - 60% of cases)
o Memory loss, usually short-term
o Language impairment
o Decline in fine motor skills
o Disorientation
o Loss of recognition skills
o Onset between 40 – 90 years of age
o 10% of patients experience epileptic seizures in the later
stages. |
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Term
| Differentiate between reversible and irreversible cognitive disorders |
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Definition
Reversible:
Delirium
Secondary dementia
Irreversible:
Alzheimer’s disease
Vascular dementia
Parkinson’s disease
Creutfeldt-Jakob disease |
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Term
| Discuss the management of a patient with a dementia. |
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Definition
− Maintain a safe environment
− Identify general medical needs of the patient
− Provide supportive psychological care
− Maintain activities of daily living
− Educate the patient, family and carers
− Maintain consistency in daily care |
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Term
| Discuss pharmacological interventions for the management of cognitive disorders. |
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Definition
− Benzodiazepines, for insomnia and anxiety
− Anti-depressants (mostly SSRIs)
− Anti-psychotics, for delusions and hallucinations.
− Cholinesterase inhibitors, which can decrease cognitive
defects. However, it carries the risk of severe liver and gastric
side-effects.
− Vitamin E, which decreases functional decline.
− Selegiline (a MAOI), may delay cognitive deterioration. |
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Term
Define...
o Abulia
o Acalculia
o Alzheimer’s disease (AD)
o Amnesia
o Anomia
o Aphasia
o Apraxia |
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Definition
o Abulia
Loss of ability to make decisions.
o Acalculia
Difficulty in performing simple arithmetic.
o Alzheimer’s disease (AD)
The most common form of irreversible dementia, characterized by impairment in memory, thinking and reasoning without affecting conscious status.
o Amnesia
Partial or total memory loss.
o Anomia
Difficulty recalling names or words.
Patient has babbling speech.
o Aphasia
Inability to speak.
o Apraxia
Loss of motor activity. |
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