Alzheimer's, Dementia, Delirium

Question 1

When vessels in brain start to atrophy (can be caused by hypertension, diabetes, etc.)

Answer 1

Vascular dementia

Question 2

Is onset of dementia gradual or sudden?

Answer 2

Gradual

Question 3

Example of reversible cause of dementia

Answer 3

Liver impairment

Question 4

Irreversible cause of dementia

Answer 4

Alzheimer’s

Question 5

Name of exam used to test for dementia

Answer 5

Mini-mental state exam

Question 6

Labs and orders used to diagnose dementia

Answer 6

Head CT, MRI, B12 levels, neurosyphilis, hypothyroidism

Question 7

Alzheimer’s is known as the ______ of the life span

Answer 7

Reversal

Question 8

Modifiable causes of Alzheimer’s

Answer 8

Health of heart and blood vessels, diabetes, HTN, current smoking, high cholesterol (use of statins)

Question 9

Brain abnormalities found in Alzheimer’s

Answer 9

Neurofibrillary tangles, amyloid plaques, loss of neuron connection

Question 10

TEMPORARY but acute mental confusion

Answer 10

Delirium

Question 11

Sx = short-term memory loss

Answer 11

Mild cognitive impairment

Question 12

Sx = reading problems, poor object recognition, poor direction sense

Answer 12

Mild Alzheimer’s

Question 13

Sx = poor judgement, impulsivity, short attention

Answer 13

Moderate Alzheimer’s

Question 14

Sx = visual problems

Answer 14

Severe Alzheimer’s

Question 15

Most common drug used for Alzheimer’s

Answer 15

Donepezil (Aricept)

Question 16

Typical length of delirium

Answer 16

~ 1 to 7 days

Question 17

Highest rates of delirium found in…

Answer 17

Hospitalized older adults, males