Dementia is defined by a loss of previous levels of cognitive, executive, and memory function in a state of full alertness (Bourgeois, Seaman, & Servis, 2008). Show
Statistics and IncidencesCases of dementia are increasing due to longer life expectancy of the world population.
CausesFollowing are major etiologic categories for the syndrome of dementia:
Clinical ManifestationsThe following symptoms have been identified with the syndrome of dementia:
Assessment and Diagnostic FindingsLaboratory tests can be performed to rule out other conditions that may cause cognitive impairment.
Medical ManagementTo date, only symptomatic therapies are available and thus do not act on the evolution of the disease.
Pharmacological ManagementThe mainstay of therapy for patients with dementia is the use of centrally acting cholinesterase inhibitors to attempt to compensate for the depletion of acetylcholine in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus.
Nursing ManagementThe nursing management of a client with dementia include the following: Nursing AssessmentAssessment of a client with dementia include the following:
Nursing DiagnosisNursing diagnoses that you can use for developing nursing care plans for patients with dementia include:
Nursing Care Planning and GoalsThe major nursing care planning goals for dementia are:
Nursing InterventionsThe nursing interventions for a dementia client are:
EvaluationThe outcome criteria for a patient with dementia include:
Documentation GuidelinesDocumentation needed for a client with dementia include the following:
Practice Quiz: DementiaQuiz time about the topic! Please visit our nursing test bank page for more NCLEX practice questions. 1. Edward, a 66-year-old client with slight memory impairment and poor concentration, is diagnosed with primary degenerative dementia of the Alzheimer’s type. Early signs of this dementia include subtle personality changes and withdrawal from social interactions. To assess for progression to the middle stage of Alzheimer’s disease, the nurse should observe the client for: A. Occasional irritable outbursts. 1. Answer: B. Impaired communication.
2. Nurse Pauline is aware that Dementia, unlike delirium, is characterized by: A.
Slurred speech. 2. Answer: B. insidious onset.
3. The nurse is aware that the following ways in vascular dementia different from Alzheimer’s disease is: A. Vascular dementia has more abrupt onset. 3. Answer: A. Vascular dementia has more abrupt onset.
4. A 65 years old client is in the first stage of Alzheimer’s disease. Nurse Patricia should plan to focus this client’s care on: A.
Offering nourishing finger foods to help maintain the client’s nutritional status. 4. Answer: B. Providing emotional support and individual counseling.
5. Nurse Kate would expect that a client with vascular dementia would experience: A. Loss of remote memory related to
anoxia. 5. Answer: D. Disturbance in recalling recent events related to cerebral hypoxia.
ReferencesSources and references for this study guide for delirium:
Which nursing intervention is a priority for a client with delirium?Nursing interventions for patients with delirium include the following: Assess level of anxiety. Assess client's level of anxiety and behaviors that indicate the anxiety is increasing; recognizing these behaviors, nurse may be able to intervene before violence occurs. Provide an appropriate environment.
Which of the following is considered to be the primary treatment for delirium?Antipsychotics: In general, antipsychotics are considered as the medication of choice in the management of delirium.
Which would be the priority goal for a client with dementia?Most often, the goals focused on improving quality of life for the person with dementia, followed by caregiver support goals (goals that help reduce caregiver stress or make caregiving as easy as possible). Some commonly chosen goals for the person with dementia included: Maintaining physical safety.
Which is an infection related cause of delirium?A urinary tract infection or dehydration can cause delirium in certain people. The time after surgery (called the postoperative period) is a common time for delirium to develop, especially in older people. This may be related to pain or the use of anesthesia or pain medications.
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