chapter 5 Flashcards
confusion
the inability to think logically and clearly.
delirium
a state of severe confusion that occurs suddenly and is usually temporary.
cognition
the ability to think logically and clearly.
cognitive impairment
loss of ability to think logically and clearly.
dementia
the serious loss of mental abilities, such as thinking, remembering, reasoning, and communicating.
Alzheimer’s disease
a progressive, incurable disease that causes tangled nerve fibers and protein deposits to form in the brain, which eventually causes dementia.
perseveration
the repetition of words, phrases, questions, or actions.
sundowning
becoming restless and agitated in the late afternoon, evening, or night.
catastrophic reaction
reacting to something in an unreasonable, exaggerated way.
pacing
walking back and forth in the same area.
wandering
walking aimlessly around the facility or facility grounds.
elope
in medicine, when a person with Alzheimer’s disease wanders away from a protected area and does not return.
hallucinations
false or distorted sensory perceptions.
delusions
persistent false beliefs.
rummaging
going through drawers, closets, or personal items that belong to oneself or others.