Alzheimer's

Question 1

AD is similar

Answer 1

dementia

Question 2

AD

Answer 2

Chronic, progressive, neurodegenerative brain disease** = no cure
slow death

Question 3

AD is One of the most feared disorders of modern times due to

Answer 3

catastrophic consequences

Question 4

What gender has AD more and dies more?

Answer 4

women

Question 5

AD is fatal in

Answer 5

8-10 years after dx

Question 6

Etiology of AD

Answer 6

UNKNOWN but likely multiple factora

Question 7

Risk Factors of AD

Answer 7

AGE >65 (not alone needs another factor)
Family Hx = 1st-degree relative with dementia
higher if more than 1 relative
HTN
Obesity
stroke
hyperlipidemia
DM
Head trauma

Question 8

AD is not a normal part of

Answer 8

aging

Question 9

Familian Alzheimer’s disease

Answer 9

clear inheritance pattern
onset before 60
rapid disease discourse

Question 10

Sporadic Alzheimer’s disease

Answer 10

no familial connection

Question 11

Genetic Link of AD

Answer 11

An increase in Beta-amyloid protein increases risk

Question 12

Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Answer 12

health of brain closely related to health of the heart and blood vessels
HTN
Obesity
stroke
hyperlipidemia

Question 13

Diabetes in relation to AD

Answer 13

Chronic high levels of insulin & glucose may be toxic to brain
Insulin resistance interfere with ability to breakdown amyloid

Question 14

Patho of AD

Answer 14

Beta-amyloid protein production contain plagues that disable memory and cog functions
- neurofibrillary tangles
- loss of connections btw neurons
neuron death

Question 15

Plagues of Beta-amyloid

Answer 15

consists of clusters of insoluble deposits of a protein

Question 16

Neurofibrillary tangles

Answer 16

are abnormal collections of twisted protein threads inside nerve cells. The main component of these structures is a protein called tau.

Question 17

Areas of the brain affected by Alzheimer’s

Answer 17

intelligence
judgment
behavior
memeory
language

Question 18

10 Warning Signs of AD

Answer 18

1. Memory loss*******
2. Difficulty performing familiar tasks
3. Problems with language
4. Disorientation to time and place (silver alerts)
5. Poor or decreased judgment
6. Problems with abstract thinking
7. Misplacing things (ex: put milk in pantry not refrigerator)
8. Changes in mood or behavior (flat)
9. Changes in personality
10. Loss of initiative

Question 19

AD Memory changes

Answer 19

forgets entire experience
rarely remembers later
gradually unable to follow direction
gradually unable to use notes as reminders
Unable to care for self

Question 20

Normal Memory changes

Answer 20

forgets part of an experience
often remembers later
able to follow directions
able to use notes and reminders
able to care of self

Question 21

Retrogenesis

Answer 21

Stop and go backward toward a kid with an older body
-brain deteriorates and stops the functioning of the body

Question 22

AD is also known as

Answer 22

retrogenic

Question 23

What is the definitive dx for AD?

Answer 23

No definitive diagnostic test exist for AD
Diagnosed by exclusion
Definitive diagnosis requires an autopsy

Question 24

Brain Imaging Test

Answer 24

CT
MRI
PET

Question 25

Neuropsychologic Testing

Answer 25

Mini-Cog: same thing over and over
Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE): same test every visit and fewer the recognition the worse it gets (Orientation to time, registration, naming, reading)

Question 26

PET scan shows

Answer 26

Hypometabolism in many areas of the brain in AD

Question 27

AD Tx

Answer 27

NO CURE
exists to stop the deterioration of brain cells in AD
control undesirable s/s
provide support for caregiver

Question 28

Memantine (Namenda)

Answer 28

NMDA receptor agonist: protects nerve cell against excess amounts of glutamate

Question 29

Cholinesterase Inhibitors

Answer 29

Donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon)

Question 30

Antidepressants

Answer 30

Sertraline (Zoloft), citalopram (celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac)

Question 31

Antipsychotic drugs

Answer 31

Haloperidol (Haldol), risperidone (Risperdal)

Question 32

goal of AD

Answer 32

maintain functional ability as lon as possible
dignity maintained

Question 33

AD Nurse Mgmt

Answer 33

Rhythm
Safety
Autonomy
Reduce anxiety and agitation
Improve communication
Socialization
Nutrition
Balanced activity/rest
Educate home and community assistance

Question 34

Sundowning

Answer 34

up and alert at night and fights

Question 35

How do you communicate with AD pts?

Answer 35

play along with them