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Chapter 8
Unit 2: Nursing care of clients with neurosensory disorders
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Alzheimer's Disease: (Pg. 82) | Nonreversible type of dementia (60% of cases >65yrs old) -Progressively develops -7 stages - |
| What is dementia? | Multiple cognitive deficits that impair memory and can affect language, motor skills & abstract thinking |
| How long do you live for? | Some die 4-6 yrs after dx -Others up to 20 years |
| What is the number one risk factor of AD? | After the age of 65 |
| Major characteristics of AD? | Memory loss, judgment issues, personality changes |
| Risks of AD? | Advanced age, genetic predisposition (ApoE), env't, head injury previously, sex (female) |
| Lab tests for AD | Genetic testing for ApoE |
| Are there any dx procedures? | No -Brain tissue exam after death -Can only rule out other diseases during life |
| Patient centered care.. Pg. 84 | Basic/common sense.. see book |
| Medications for AD.. target what issues | Behavioral/emotional; anxiety, agitation, combativeness & depression Ex. antidepressants, antipsychotics, anxiolytics -They temporarily slow the course of the disease |
| What theory of AD are the meds based on? | AD is the result of depleted levels of the enzyme acetyltransferase (produces acetylcholine) |
| Donepezil (Aricept) .. (Pg. 85) | Prevents the breakdown of ACh -Increased nerve impulses at nerve sites |
| Side effects of Aricept | Frequent stools/upset stomach Dizziness/headache Lightheaded, unsteady gait Caution w COPD/asthma |
| Alternative therapy for AD -Estrogen -Ginkgo | -Estrogen for women: may prevent AD, but does not decrease preexisting dementia -Ginkgo biloba: herbal product to increase memory & blood circulation |