54. Alzheimer's

Question 1

Most common type of dementia with 60-80% of the cases

Answer 1

alzheimer’s

Question 2

average lifespan of someone with alzheimer’s

Answer 2

4-8 years after diagnosis and up to 20 years

Question 3

What is considered younger onset of alzehimer’s

Answer 3

<66y

Question 4

What happens to brain with alzheimer’s

Answer 4

1. Nerve cell death
2. Tissue loss
   - plaques: abn clusters of protein fragment
   - tangles: twisted strands of another protein

Question 5

s/s alzheimers

Answer 5

1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life
2. Challenges in planning or solving problems.
3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks.
4. Confusion with time or place.
5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships.
6. New problems with words in speaking or writing.
7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps.
8. Decreased or poor judgement.
9. Withdrawal from work or social activities.
10. Changes in mood and personality

Question 6

Stages of alzehimer’s

Answer 6

1. mild (early)
   - able to function independently
   - forgetting familiar words
   - trouble remembering names, losing everyday objects
2. moderate (middle)
   - requires increasing care (toileting/bathing)
   - forgetfulness of personal hx
   - place/time confusion
3. severe (later)
   - longest stage
   - requires full-time care
   - loss of awareness
   - changes in physical abilities
   - vulnerable to infections

Question 7

Alzheimer meds:

- cholinesterase inhibitors:

Answer 7

• prevents breakdown of ACH to keep ACH high and delays s/s
• symptoms related to memory, thinking, language, and judgement
• examples: donapezil (aricept)
• galantamine (razadyne)
• rivastigmine (exelon)

Question 8

side effects of cholinesterase alzheimer meds

Answer 8

• increased bowel movements
• loss of appetite
• N/V

Question 9

Alzheimer meds:

- N-Methyl-D-Aspartate receptor antagonist

Answer 9

• Regulates glutamate activity to increase information processing
• Improves memory, attention, reason, language
• Example: Memantine (Namenda)

Question 10

side effects of N-Methyl-D-Aspartate alzheimer meds

Answer 10

• constipation
• confusion
• dizziness
• HA