5.3 - Diagnosing Dementia Flashcards
How do Physicians diagnose dementia?
4
Taking and extensive history from the patient and his/her family
Closely observing the patient
Performing a physical exam
Performing mental status and psychological tests
What 4 things are included in a Patient History in patients with Dementia?
ADL’s
IADL’s
Independent family functioning – community affairs
Other
What are 2 examples of IADL’s?
Everyday problem solving
Business and financial affairs
What are 4 examples of Independent Family Functioning – Community Affairs?
Job responsibilities
Shopping
Volunteer
Social groups
What are 2 Other Subjects that we might patients during a patient history for dementia?
Hobbies
Personal care
What 5 things are included in an Exam when diagnosing dementia?
Cognitive domains
Aphasia
Apraxia
Agnosia
Executive functioning
What are 2 Diagnostic Approaches to Dementia?
Neuroradiologic Studies
Clinical Neurobehavioral Exams (Primary data for diagnosis)
Who can assist in Differentiation of Dementias?
5
Clinicians
Neuroradiologists
Neuropathologists
Geneticisits
Microbiologists
How do Clinicians assist in differentiation of dementias?
Clinical signs and symptoms
How do Neuroradiologists assist in differentiation of dementias?
Static images of brain structure and dynamic images of brain metabolism
How do Neuropathologists assist in differentiation of dementias?
Postmortem analysis of brain tissue
How do Geneticisits assist in differentiation of dementias?
Families where disease or disease cluster appear
How do Microbiologists assist in differentiation of dementias?
Chromosomes to mutations in specific genes
What are 5 categories of symptoms that are used to evaluate Dementia?
Impaired cognition
Impaired function
Mood/mental Phenomena
Behaviors
Drives
What kinds of items are included in the Impaired Cognition category when evaluating dementia?
(12)
Memory
Language
Orientation
Writing + Reading
Calculating
Recognizing
Attention
Concentration
Planning + Organizing
Personality Change
Executing
Social Rules
What kinds of items are included in the Impaired Function category when evaluating dementia?
(11)
Cooking
Finances
Housekeeping
Shopping
Driving
Hearing + Sight
Dressing
Mobility (Falls)
Bathing + Grooming
Feeding
Continence
What kinds of items are included in the Mood/Mental Phenomena category when evaluating dementia?
(21)
Depression
Self-Deprecation
Somatic Complaints
Crying Spells
Diurnal Variation
Withdrawn
Anxiety
Fatigues Easily
Death/Suicidal
Disinterest
Anhedonic (unable to find pleasure in activities)
Low Energy Level
Apathy
Panic
Lability
Irritable
Euphoria
Delusions
Illusions
Rapid Speech
Hallucinations
Acute Confusion
What kinds of items are included in the Behaviors category when evaluating dementia?
(12)
Verbal Abuse
Uncooperation
Physically Aggressive
“Sundowning” (confusion seen late in the day)
Demands Interaction
Outbursts
Catastrophic
Noisy
Wandering
Hoarding + Rummaging
Sexual Aggression
Intrusive
What kinds of items are included in the Drives category when evaluating dementia?
(8)
Poor Appetite
Weight Loss
Excessive Appetite
Hypersexuality
Hyposexuality
Sleeping Poorly
Excessive Sleep
Out of Bed at Night
What are 4 Standardized Screening Tools for Dementia?
Mini Mental Status Exam (MMSE)
Clinical Dementia Rating Scale
Blessed Dementia Scale
Global Deterioration Scale
What is the Gold Standard for screening dementia?
Mini Mental Status Exam (MMSE)