NUR-3412 Mental Health Nursing: Neurocognitive Disorders

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Questions and Answers

What is a requirement for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease?

Extended plateaus in cognitive decline

Sudden decline in cognition

No evidence of mixed etiology (correct)

Mixed etiology with other neurodegenerative diseases

What is a common symptom of Alzheimer's disease?

Improved judgment

Decreased or poor judgment (correct)

Enhanced problem-solving skills

Increased participation in social activities

What is a characteristic of cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease?

Recovery of cognitive function

Rapid, sudden decline

Steadily progressive, gradual decline (correct)

Extended periods of stability

What is a sign of Alzheimer's disease?

Memory loss that disrupts daily life Signup and view all the answers

What is a common consequence of Alzheimer's disease?

Withdrawal from work or social activities Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of an individual with cognitive impairment in the Social Cognition domain?

Shows insensitivity to social standards Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common complication of hospitalization in older patients?

Delirium Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a potential underlying cause of delirium?

Systemic infection Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of delirium?

A change in cognition that develops rapidly over a short period Signup and view all the answers

Which neurotransmitter is associated with an excess in delirium?

Dopamine Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential risk factor for delirium?

Postoperative condition Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of complex attention in neurocognitive disorders?

Difficulty holding new information in mind Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of neurocognitive disorder?

Dementia Signup and view all the answers

What is a common symptom of executive function impairment in neurocognitive disorders?

Need to rely on others to plan instrumental activities Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining feature of neurocognitive disorders?

A significant change from a previous level of functioning Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a nursing diagnosis common to clients with neurocognitive disorders?

Impaired Verbal Communication Signup and view all the answers

What is a treatment modality relevant to the care of clients with neurocognitive disorders?

Medication therapy Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of delirium according to the DSM 5 Diagnostic Criteria?

Rapid and abrupt onset of impaired attention Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a change in cognitive domain associated with delirium?

Increased problem-solving skills Signup and view all the answers

What is a recommended strategy for managing delirium?

Providing a consistent physical environment and daily routine Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of using environmental cues in delirium management?

To stimulate memory and promote appropriate behavior Signup and view all the answers

When should physical restraints be used in delirium management?

As a last resort, when necessary Signup and view all the answers

What is the benefit of providing a low-stimulation environment for patients with delirium?

It reduces the patient's sense of disorientation Signup and view all the answers

What is Agnosia characterized as in Alzheimer's disease?

Inability to identify objects, sounds, or people using one or more of your senses Signup and view all the answers

What is the current status of treatment for Alzheimer's disease?

Symptomatic treatments are available, but no curative treatment. Signup and view all the answers

What is Aphasia characterized as in Alzheimer's disease?

Inability to communicate through speech, writing, or signs Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a hypothesis for the etiology of Alzheimer's disease?

Nutritional deficiency Signup and view all the answers

What type of interventions are used to treat Alzheimer's disease?

Pharmacological interventions Signup and view all the answers

What is Amnesia characterized as in Alzheimer's disease?

Memory loss, including facts, information, and experiences Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Major Domains of Cognitive Function

Complex attention: difficulty in environments with multiple stimuli
Executive function: inability to perform complex projects
Learning and memory: repeats conversation, often within the same conversation
Language: significant difficulties with expressive or receptive language
Perceptual – Motor: significant difficulties with previously familiar activities
Social cognition: changes in behavior, showing insensitivity to social standards

Delirium

Acute cognitive disturbance, often reversible condition
Characterized by a disturbance in attention and awareness and a change in cognition
Develops rapidly over a short period
Epidemiology: most common complication of hospitalization, especially in older patients
Comorbidity: always due to underlying physiological causes
Etiology: multifactorial, including systemic infections, metabolic disorders, comorbid medical conditions, and more

Delirium - DSM 5 Diagnostic Criteria

Rapid and abrupt onset of impaired attention and lack of awareness of environment
Change in at least one cognitive domain, including impairment in recent memory, disorientation to time and place, language, and perceptual disturbance
Associated features: change in sleep-wake cycle, change in emotional states

Delirium - Management

Treat underlying causes
Provide a consistent physical environment, daily routine, and caregivers
Use environmental cues to stimulate memory, reorient, and promote appropriate behavior
Communicate with simple, direct, descriptive statements
Use physical restraints, as needed

Neurocognitive Disorders (NCDs)

Include both delirium and major and mild neurocognitive disorders
Characterized by a clinically significant deficit in cognition or memory, representing a significant change from a previous level of functioning

Alzheimer's Disease

Characterized by memory loss that disrupts daily life
Signs and symptoms include:
- Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
- Challenges in planning or solving problems
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks
- Confusion with time or place
- Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
- New problems with words in speaking or writing
- Decreased or poor judgment
- Withdrawal from work or social activities
Etiology: unknown, but several hypotheses have been supported, including genetics, biological, brain changes, head injury, and Down's syndrome
Pharmacological interventions: symptomatic treatments, including acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (e.g., Aricept, Cognex, Exelon, Razadyne)

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Description

Test your knowledge of neurocognitive disorders, including delirium, etiological factors, clinical symptoms, and nursing interventions. This quiz covers the key concepts and treatment modalities for clients with neurocognitive disorders. It's a perfect study guide for nursing students in the College of Health Sciences Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program.