Care of the Patient with Degenerative Neurological Disorders
1. examples of neurodegenerative disorders: - alzheimer's
-parkinson's
-multiple sclerosis
-myasthenia gravis
-ALS
-guillain-barre syndrome
2. What causes Alzheimer's disease?: unknown; but there is a presence of amyloid plaques and
neurofibrillary tangles in the brain
3. is there a cure for alzheimer's?: no
4. risk factors for alzheimer's: age
females
family history
5. what is the life expectancy for patients with alzheimer's?: 8-10 years
6. incidence and
prevalence of alzheimer's increases afer years of age: 65
7. how do the ventricles look in a brain with alzheimer's?: enlarged because the actual brain mass
decreases
8. stages I-III of alzheimer's last - years: 2-7
9. stage 1 of alzheimer's: no impairment: normal cognitive function; others dont notice but the patient does
10. stage II of alzheimer's: mild cognitive decline:
-forgetting words
-misplacing things
-forgetting recent events
-noticed by close friends/relatives
11. stage III of alzheimer's: mild cogntive impairment:
-impairs daily life
-attects home and work
-diflculty planning and organizing
-patient will try to hide signs and symptoms
12. stage IV of alzheimer's: mild alzheimers (2 years):
-Memory declines
,-Financial and Math becomes very challenging
, -Diflculty performing sequential tasks like driving or cooking
-Still able to recognize family and friends.
13. stage V of alzheimer's: early dementia to moderate alzheimers (1.5 years):
-Cognitive decline more drastic
-Needs assistance
-Memory decline continues, forgets address, phone number gets disoriented easily
-Decision and judgement are attected, needs assistance choosing appropriate clothing to match weather/season
-Needs increased supervision
14. stage VI of alzheimer's: moderately severe alzheimers (2.5 years):
-Lack of awareness of present events
-Inability to remember the past and carry on a conversation
-Unable to recall names or recognize family members but they will know they are familiar
-Need assistance with daily tasks like eating, dressing, going to the bathroom
15. stage VII of alzheimer's: severe alzheimer's (1-2.5 years):
-Speech becomes very limited
-Serious decline in basic abilities including movement, walking, sitting, standing, eating, drinking
-Need total assistance
-Very susceptible to secondary complications like disease and infection (UTIs, Pneumonia), Falls.
16. Which of the following findings is typical in the early stage of Alzheimer's?
1.Difficulty performing tasks such as dressing 2.Atherosclerotic
changes in the blood vessels on CT scan 3.Agitation and mood
swings
4.Difficulty recalling new information: 4.Diflculty recalling new information
17. what can we as nurses observe in the patient that would be red flags for
alzheimers?: - Changes in cognition
-Alterations in communication and language abilities
-Changes in behavior, personality, and judgment, self-care skills
-Inappropriate reaction to changes in the patient's routine
18. what diagnostic exams can help diagnose alzheimer's?: CT/MRI, lumbar puncture,
biopsy post-mortem
1. examples of neurodegenerative disorders: - alzheimer's
-parkinson's
-multiple sclerosis
-myasthenia gravis
-ALS
-guillain-barre syndrome
2. What causes Alzheimer's disease?: unknown; but there is a presence of amyloid plaques and
neurofibrillary tangles in the brain
3. is there a cure for alzheimer's?: no
4. risk factors for alzheimer's: age
females
family history
5. what is the life expectancy for patients with alzheimer's?: 8-10 years
6. incidence and
prevalence of alzheimer's increases afer years of age: 65
7. how do the ventricles look in a brain with alzheimer's?: enlarged because the actual brain mass
decreases
8. stages I-III of alzheimer's last - years: 2-7
9. stage 1 of alzheimer's: no impairment: normal cognitive function; others dont notice but the patient does
10. stage II of alzheimer's: mild cognitive decline:
-forgetting words
-misplacing things
-forgetting recent events
-noticed by close friends/relatives
11. stage III of alzheimer's: mild cogntive impairment:
-impairs daily life
-attects home and work
-diflculty planning and organizing
-patient will try to hide signs and symptoms
12. stage IV of alzheimer's: mild alzheimers (2 years):
-Memory declines
,-Financial and Math becomes very challenging
, -Diflculty performing sequential tasks like driving or cooking
-Still able to recognize family and friends.
13. stage V of alzheimer's: early dementia to moderate alzheimers (1.5 years):
-Cognitive decline more drastic
-Needs assistance
-Memory decline continues, forgets address, phone number gets disoriented easily
-Decision and judgement are attected, needs assistance choosing appropriate clothing to match weather/season
-Needs increased supervision
14. stage VI of alzheimer's: moderately severe alzheimers (2.5 years):
-Lack of awareness of present events
-Inability to remember the past and carry on a conversation
-Unable to recall names or recognize family members but they will know they are familiar
-Need assistance with daily tasks like eating, dressing, going to the bathroom
15. stage VII of alzheimer's: severe alzheimer's (1-2.5 years):
-Speech becomes very limited
-Serious decline in basic abilities including movement, walking, sitting, standing, eating, drinking
-Need total assistance
-Very susceptible to secondary complications like disease and infection (UTIs, Pneumonia), Falls.
16. Which of the following findings is typical in the early stage of Alzheimer's?
1.Difficulty performing tasks such as dressing 2.Atherosclerotic
changes in the blood vessels on CT scan 3.Agitation and mood
swings
4.Difficulty recalling new information: 4.Diflculty recalling new information
17. what can we as nurses observe in the patient that would be red flags for
alzheimers?: - Changes in cognition
-Alterations in communication and language abilities
-Changes in behavior, personality, and judgment, self-care skills
-Inappropriate reaction to changes in the patient's routine
18. what diagnostic exams can help diagnose alzheimer's?: CT/MRI, lumbar puncture,
biopsy post-mortem
