Exam (elaborations)
N450 - Neurologic System (3).
- Institution
- N450 - Ch. 3 - Principles Of Geriatrics
N450 - Neurologic System (3).
[Show more]
Seller
Follow
Content preview
N450 - Neurologic SystemIntroduction - ANS-- Our neurological system defines who we are - it controls consciousness,
ethics, cognition, judgement, decision making and behavior
- When brain function ceases, life itself is determined to have ceased.
- The neurological system consists of two systems: Central
and Peripheral
- The functional health of older adults is dependent on a healthy, functioning neurological
system.
- The functions of all other bodily systems rely on the intact function of the neurological system
- Older adults have greater fear of losing mind or memories than body functions
Central Nervous System - ANS-- Neurotransmitters influence memory and cognition, mood, and
motor function and are very important
- Neurotransmitters also control the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA), which integrates
the endocrine, immune, and nervous systems.
- The brain decreases in size and weight with aging.
- The function and survival of neurons depends on key biological processes and with aging
there is neuronal death and changes in the synapse between neurons
- These changes are especially pronounced in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's
disease or Parkinson's disease
- The three d's can occur individually or together - know the baseline behavior or cognition
Acetylcholine - ANS-important in memory formation as well as movement
Dopamine - ANS-important in mood and movement
- the balance of the dopamine and acetylcholine causes smooth movement
Norepinephrine and Serotonin - ANS-are involved in mood
Glutamate - ANS-excitatory
GABA - ANS-inhibitory
Normal Changes of Aging - ANS-The challenge of caring for older adults is not to treat normal
aging changes as disease
- What is normal and what is related to disease - hard to distinguish
- Cognition - characterized by memory, attention span, and by executive function (ability to plan
& think abstractly)
Normal changes of Aging in the Neurologic System. - ANS-- Decrease in size and weight of
brain
, - Decrease in number of neurons
- Decrease in arterial perfusion secondary to arterial sclerosis
- Decrease in neurotransmitters as well as receptors
- Mean increase in glucocorticoids which can lead the body to be in a chronic stress state - pt is
more likely to develop diabetes, depression
- Change in sleep cycles - insomnia or frequent awakening which interferes with REM sleep
(restores us, forms memories and organizes thoughts) - don't get restoration
- Increase in reaction time - slower to respond - issue w/driving and problem w/falling
- Decrease in DTR, vibration and light touch as well as **propriception** (position sense of body
parts)
- Change in all of the senses - decrease in smell, hearing, vision
- Change in autonomic nervous system - baro receptors - when change position it takes a long
time for BP to come up (orthostatic hypotension)
- Change in thermoregulation - can't regulate temperature as well - higher risk for heat stroke
Peripheral Nervous System - ANS-- The spinal cord is not spared in aging --> degeneration of
the spine can lead to pain, immobility and disability
- Arthritis of the spine - lumbar/sacral or other spines
- Cells of the spinal cord decline in number, and narrowing of the interior of vertebral bodies puts
pressure on the spinal cord.
- From the perspective of directing nursing care, the neurologic conditions of the central nervous
system fall into the categories of memory, movement, seizure disorders, and stroke.
- The conditions of the peripheral nervous system fall into the categories of motor, sensory, and
autonomic disorders
- Motor sensory problems and autonomic disorders
Conditions of the CNS - ANS-- Mental status includes more than just cognitive ability; level of
consciousness, appearance and behavior, speech and language, mood and affect, perception
and thought content, and insight and judgment all are factors in mental health status
- When older persons have difficulties with their memory or changes in their behavior, they need
to be carefully assessed to determine whether there is a treatable cause.
- Looking at LOC, cognitive ability, speech, language and appearance, behavior, perception &
thought content
**This becomes a safety issue - maybe interpreting environment differently**
**Huge burden on care givers to protect them**
Typical Cognitive Function vs. Cognitive Disorder in the Older Adult - ANS-- Forgetfulness
should not be confused with true cognitive impairment
- If allowed more time, older adults experience no more memory loss than younger persons
- A decline in cognitive function is an effect of disease not the normal aging process
- Cognitive Disorders of the Older Adult: Depression, Delirium and Dementia; Cranial Tumors;
Subdural Hematomas; Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
***Most of the time we need to rule these things out and then diagnose depression, delilrium or
dementia***
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 modockochieng06. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for CA$11.48. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
Can Stuvia be trusted?
4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)
81531 documents were sold in the last 30 days
Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy study notes for 14 years now