NURSE-UN 1243 Adult and Elder Nursing 3 WEEK 2 Exam 1– Neuro Basics &the 3Ds
Changes in the Aging Brain
• Changes can occur, especially to the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus
• Changes also occur in neurons, neurotransmitters and blood vessels
• Damage from free radicals and...
Changes in the Aging Brain
• Changes can occur, especially to the prefrontal cortex and the
hippocampus
• Changes also occur in neurons, neurotransmitters and blood vessels
• Damage from free radicals and inflammation increases
• Memory loss is NOT a normal part of the aging process.
• Growing evidence of the older brain having adaptive capacities
When/How to Assess Cognitive Function
When to assess:
• On admission/transfer/discharge
• Once a shift during hospitalization
• As a follow up to hospitalization within 6 weeks
• Before making an important healthcare decision
• Following changes in pharmacotherapy
• During a change in behaviour
How to assess:
• Mini mental status exam
• Mini COG
o Give patient 3 words
o Have them draw a clock w/ numbers & times
o Ask patient to repeat 3 words
,Dementia
• Chronic & terminal illness
• You have a change in mental ability enough to interfere w/ daily
functioning
• Must have memory loss AND another cognitive decline
o Loss of coherent speech, ability to understand spoken or written
language
o Loss of ability to recognize or identify objects
o Loss of ability to execute motor activities
o Loss of ability to think abstractly, make sound judgments, plan
& carry out complex tasks
Categories of dementia
• Dementia itself is not a diagnosis it is an umbrella term
o Alzheimer’s disease: amyloid plaques develop between nerve cells.
60% of
dementia diagnoses = Alzheimer’s.
o Lewy body disease: deposits of protein alpha-synuclein in the brain
o Vascular dementia: caused by damage due to major stroke or
multiple minor stroke
o Frontotemporal: progressive nerve cell loss in the frontal lobes
o Normal pressure hydrocephalus: accumulation of CSF
Mild Cognitive Impairment
• Often a prodromal stage of dementia
• Independent in ADLs but with a decrease in performance
• MCI + depression = much higher likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s
disease
Alzheimer’s Disease
• MOST expensive condition in the nation
• Risk factors include: age, family history, head trauma, diabetes,
depression, higher education, large social networks
• Pathophysiology: development of plaques between neurons loss of
connection and death of neurons
Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s
• Memory loss that disrupts daily life
• Challenges in problem solving
• Difficulty completing familiar tasks
• Confusion with time or place
• Trouble understanding visual images
• New problems w/ words
• Misplacing things
• Decreased/poor judgement
• Social withdrawal
• Changes in mood/personality
• Inability to manage a budget
, Behavioural Symptoms
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller ElonMusk. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $15.99. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
