NUR 2571-Final Exam Review -complete

Document Content and Description Below

Alzheimer’s Disease • Etiology o Unknown but r/t genetics, age and head injuries. o Neuronal degeneration results in memory loss and loss of speech, reasoning and higher functioning. • Stage... s (Review Chart 42-1, know how to identify stages) o Early/Mild ▪ Poor memory, poor judgment and mild cognitive changes. o Middle/Moderate ▪ Impairment of all cognitive functions, unable to handle finances, disorientation to place/time/events, depression or agitation, aphasia, wandering. o Late/severe ▪ Weight loss, severe cognitive loss, total dependence, bedridden, agnosia, incontinence. • Educate patients family on signs and symptoms of stages and what to expect, there is little point in educating the patient because they will forget. • Review chart 42-1 Iggy, pg. 860 • Treatment o Cholinesterase inhibitors help slow cognitive degeneration o Antidepressants o Review Hogan 595 (Know side effects and nursing considerations for medications) o Goal is to slow the progression of the disease, Alzheimer’s cannot be cured. • Recognize that these patients are at high risk for harm in relation to self-care deficit. They may not be able to feed themselves or clean themselves, so it is the nurses responsibility to be sure they are fed and cleaned. CONTINUED....... [Show More]

Last updated: 1 year ago

Preview 1 out of 8 pages