chronic neuro problems 3 Flashcards
1
Q
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
A
- rare progressive neuro disorder characterized by loss of motor neurons
- Lou Gehrig’s dz
- men:women 2:1
- onset between 40 and 70
2
Q
cause of ALS
A
motor neurons in the brainstem and spinal cord gradually degenerate
3
Q
s/s of ALS
A
- weakness of the limbs
- dysarthria (language)
- dysphagia, drooling
- muscle wasting and twitching
- pain
- sleep dx
- spasticity
- depression
- constipation
- esophagial reflux
4
Q
diagnosing ALS
A
- H/P
- PE
- EMG
5
Q
drugs used in ALS
A
CNS agent/glutamate antagonist: Rilutek
- slows the progression of ALS
- no cure
6
Q
nursing interventions in ALS
A
- facilitate communication
- risk for aspiration
- early ID of respiratory insufficiency
- decrease pain from muscle weakness
- reduce risks of injury
- support
7
Q
dementia
A
- syndrome characterized by dysfunction or loss of:
- memory
- orientation
- attention
- language
- judgment
- reasoning
- personality and behavioral problems
- neurodegenerative and vascular causes
8
Q
diagnosing dementia
A
2 or more brain functions are significantly impaired
9
Q
delirium
A
- state of temporary but acute mental confusion
- common, life threatening, and possible preventable
10
Q
causes of delirium
A
- cholinergic deficiency
- excess release of dopamine
- increased and decreased sertonergic activity
11
Q
s/s of delirium
A
- early: inability to concentrate, loss of appetite, restlessness
- late: agitation hallucinations
- give Haldol
12
Q
Alzheimer’s Dz (AD)
A
- chronic, progressive, degenerative disease of the brain
- family vs sporadic
- genetic and environmental factors
13
Q
changes in the brain structure and function in AD
A
- amyloid plaques
- neurofibrillary tangles
- loss of connections between neurons
- neuron death
14
Q
s/s of AD
A
- memory loss that affects job
- difficulty performing familiar tasks
- language problems
- disorientation to time and place
- poor judgment
- problems with abstract thinking
- misplacing things
- changes in mood or behavior
- changes in personality
- loss of initiative
15
Q
mild stage of AD
A
- forgetfulness beyond what is seen in a normal person
- short term memory impairment, especially for new learning
- loss of initiative and interests
- may forget recent events or the names of people or things
- small personality changes
- unable to solve simple math
- slowly lose the ability to plan and organize
