NUR 233 Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia: Pathophysiology, Risk Factors, Clinical Manifestations, Cognitive Assessment, Mini-Mental State Examination, Neuroimaging, PET and MRI Scans, Neuropsychologic Testing, Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms, Sundow

NUR 233 Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia: Pathophysiology, Risk Factors, Clinical Manifestations, Cognitive Assessment, Mini-Mental State Examination, Neuroimaging, PET and MRI Scans, Neuropsychologic Testing, Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms, Sundowning, Wandering, Safety Interventions, Eating and Swallowing Difficulties, Caregiver Role Strain, Nursing Assessment, Nursing Management, Functional Maintenance, Therapeutic Communication, Coping Strategies, Emotional Support, Environmental Modifications, Medication Management, End-of-Life Planning, Personal Care, Delirium Prevention, Agitation Management, Redirection Techniques, Distraction Strategies, Reassurance, and Quality-of-Life Enhancement in Alzheimer’s Patients Exam Questions Verified and Provided with Complete A+ Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026 is alzheimers disease a type of dementia? yes PATHOPHYSIOLOGY of alzheimers • No proven cause • Decrease in neurotransmitters • Theories: restriction of blood flow, destruction of cells by free radicals, and apoptosis Actual diagnosis of alzheimers made only at autopsy RISK FACTORS advanced age and fam history CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS initially: little to no decline regarding self-care Forgetfulness = 1st symptom - language difficulties, short-term memory, loss of sensory information, emotional lability, changes in personality, loss of cognitive skills - loss of ability to complete tasks DIAGNOSTIC STUDIES tests and brain scans tests for alzheimers mental status and physical/neuro exams brain scans for alzheimers CT, MRI, and PET DIAGNOSTIC STUDIES Neuropsychologic testing can help document the degree of cognitive impairment - mini cog - MMSE used to determine a baseline from which to evaluate change over time MINI MENTAL STATE EXAMINATION (MMSE) - tool that can be used to systematically and thoroughly assess mental status - tests five areas of cognitive function: orientation, registration, attention and calculation,recall, and language - score of 23 or lower is indicative of cognitive impairment (max = 30) - takes only 5-10 minutes to administer and istherefore practical to use repeatedly and routinely PET Scan Positron Emission Tomography