Assessment of an Older Patient Flashcards
What can be tried to overcome hearing impairment when assessing an older patient?
- Ensure appropriate environment
- Ensure hearing aids in
- Speak slowly and clearly
- Try writing
What can be tried to overcome vision impairment when assessing an older patient?
- Ensure appropriate environment
- Ensure have glasses
What is cognition?
The mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses.
What does cognition involve?
Dynamic organisation of thoughts and sensations, so that what is perceived is given meaning
What part of the brain are intellectual processes a function of?
The cerebral cortex
What might indicate a persons level of cognitive function?
Action and behaviour
What may an assessment of cognitive function form part of?
The general assessment and clerking conducted on admission to hospital
What standardised tests of cognitive function are there?
- Abbreviated mental test (AMT)
- MMSE
What is in the AMT?
10 questions that evaluate attention, memory, and orientation
When is the AMT recommended for use?
For use in the first instance when a patient appears muddled or confused
What is the MMSE?
A screening tool to determine the cognitive function aspect of a mental state assessment in older adults specifically
Why was the MMSE developed?
To provide a standardised quantitative test of cognitive aspects of mental function
What are the areas of cognitive function to be tested?
- Orientation
- Attention
- Registration
- Immediate recall
- Short term recall
- Language
- Ability to follow simple and written commands
Is MMSE a diagnostic tool?
No
What is the result of MMSE not being a diagnostic tool?
It is not equivalent to a neurological examination or formal mental status testing