Alzheimer's Disease - ANSWER Most common dementia
Progressive - ANSWER Incurable
Destroyed neurons - ANSWER Memory, function, ADL decline
Early symptoms of Alzheimer's - ANSWER Mild forgetfulness
Late symptoms of Alzheimer's - ANSWER Total care
Pathophysiology of Alzheimer's - ANSWER ↑ Beta-amyloid plaques
Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors - ANSWER ↑ acetylcholine at synapses
Drugs for Alzheimer's - ANSWER donepezil (Aricept)
NMDA Receptor Antagonist - ANSWER Prevents glutamate overstimulation
Drug for Alzheimer's - ANSWER memantine (Namenda)
Biologic Agent — Aducanumab (Aduhelm) - ANSWER Prevents β-amyloid clumping
1
, Side effects of Aducanumab - ANSWER Headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, vision
changes
Adverse effects of Aducanumab - ANSWER Allergic reaction
Intended Responses of Alzheimer's drugs - ANSWER Temporary ↓ dementia symptoms
Anticholinergics - ANSWER Medications that reduce tremor and rigidity.
benztropine (Cogentin) - ANSWER An anticholinergic medication used to reduce tremor
and rigidity.
trihexyphenidyl - ANSWER An anticholinergic medication used to reduce tremor and ri-
gidity.
Intended Responses - ANSWER Expected outcomes from anticholinergic use including re-
duced tremor, reduced rigidity, improved mobility, and reduced motor symptoms.
Side Effects - ANSWER Common adverse effects of anticholinergics including dizziness,
nausea, and hypotension.
Adverse Effects - ANSWER Serious risks associated with anticholinergics including suicidal
ideation, neutropenia, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, myocardial infarction, shock, narco-
lepsy, and rhabdomyolysis.
Nursing Responsibilities Before - ANSWER Actions to take before administering anticho-
linergics including reviewing full medication list, obtaining baseline vital signs, conducting a
baseline neuro exam, and evaluating tremors, rigidity, gait, and swallowing.
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Progressive - ANSWER Incurable
Destroyed neurons - ANSWER Memory, function, ADL decline
Early symptoms of Alzheimer's - ANSWER Mild forgetfulness
Late symptoms of Alzheimer's - ANSWER Total care
Pathophysiology of Alzheimer's - ANSWER ↑ Beta-amyloid plaques
Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors - ANSWER ↑ acetylcholine at synapses
Drugs for Alzheimer's - ANSWER donepezil (Aricept)
NMDA Receptor Antagonist - ANSWER Prevents glutamate overstimulation
Drug for Alzheimer's - ANSWER memantine (Namenda)
Biologic Agent — Aducanumab (Aduhelm) - ANSWER Prevents β-amyloid clumping
1
, Side effects of Aducanumab - ANSWER Headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, vision
changes
Adverse effects of Aducanumab - ANSWER Allergic reaction
Intended Responses of Alzheimer's drugs - ANSWER Temporary ↓ dementia symptoms
Anticholinergics - ANSWER Medications that reduce tremor and rigidity.
benztropine (Cogentin) - ANSWER An anticholinergic medication used to reduce tremor
and rigidity.
trihexyphenidyl - ANSWER An anticholinergic medication used to reduce tremor and ri-
gidity.
Intended Responses - ANSWER Expected outcomes from anticholinergic use including re-
duced tremor, reduced rigidity, improved mobility, and reduced motor symptoms.
Side Effects - ANSWER Common adverse effects of anticholinergics including dizziness,
nausea, and hypotension.
Adverse Effects - ANSWER Serious risks associated with anticholinergics including suicidal
ideation, neutropenia, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, myocardial infarction, shock, narco-
lepsy, and rhabdomyolysis.
Nursing Responsibilities Before - ANSWER Actions to take before administering anticho-
linergics including reviewing full medication list, obtaining baseline vital signs, conducting a
baseline neuro exam, and evaluating tremors, rigidity, gait, and swallowing.
2
