Cognition Flashcards
what is cognition
Mental processes where one acquires, stores, retrieves and uses information
What are the primary involvement
perception, attention, memory, communication, decision making skills and problem solving skills
What is metacognition
The human ability to think about thinking
What are the basic concepts of normal cognition
Obtain level of survival and adaptation
function effectively as a social being
engage in meaningful and purposeful activity
What is perception
Interpretation of stimuli or inputs that takes place in the brain
Sensory dependent
Touch, taste, vision, hearing and smell
Varies across lifespan
Orientation to person, place, time and sitation
what is attention
Brains ability to remain alert, and aware while prioritizing concentration on a stimulus or mental event
may be affected by development, genetic, biological rhythms, culture or other environmental factors
what is memory
individuals ability to retain, store and retrieve information
consists of short term and long term memory
Sensory memory
Earliest stage of memory
Visual and auditory input retained for less than a few seconds
Short term memory
Lasts several seconds only, 15 sec
Can be reversed or repeated, and transferred into long term memory
Involves working memory, capacity to manipulate info stores in short term memory such as sequence of directions
Long term memory
final destination of information that can be stored indefinitely
Involves non declarative memories: info outside of conscious awareness
semantic memory
Part of long term memory
collection of facts, verbal info
episodic memory
Part of long term memory
personal experiences
procedural memory
types of implicit memories that enable a person to perform learned skills and tasks
RAS
Reticular activating system
The area of the brain that controls alertness and attention
What are alterations that are associates with impaired cognition and sensation
Aging
Depression
Delerium
Sensory deprivation
Sensory overload
Describe Aging as an alteration
Due to number of neurons decrease, decline in the ability to interpret sensory stimuli, response time is slower. But does not affect judgement, language or the ability to love independently
Describe depression as an alteration
Can cause symptoms of dementia
Signs and symptoms includeL loss of interest, sadness for an extended period of time, decreased self esteem, sleeping too much or insomnia and changes in eating patterns
Describe delirium
Is reverabile
Signs and symptoms include fluctuating awareness, impairment of memory, disorganized thinking, hallucinations, and disturbances of sleep-wake cycles
What is the treatment for delirium
Treating the underlying cause first
Patient safety
Medications need to be reevaluates
Monitor nutrition and fluid intake
Prevent hypoxia
Adequate pain management
Describe sensory overload
An overabundance of stimuli
When the brain is overly stimulated it ceases to make sense of incoming stimuli
Symptoms inclide anxiety, attention deficit and confusion
Describe sensory deprevation
A person who cannot see, hear, feel or respond to the environment may feel socially isolated
Symptoms include patient may appear bores, restless, and disinterested
Anomia
Type of ashphia in which a person can’t recall names of everyday objects
Alogia
Lack of speech/impoverished speech
Describe Alzheimers disease
Most common type of dementia
60-80% of all dementia for people 65 and older
6th leading cause of death in the US
Two types familial early onset before age of 65 and sporadic, typically develops after 65
What are risk factors to alzheimers
Age, Sex ( 3x more common in women ) family history, geneticf factors, smoking, depression
What are preventions for Alzheimers
Heart healthy diet, Mediterranean diet
moderate consumption of alcohol
Stay socially active and connected with others
Engage in activities that excessive cognitive functions
Utilize stress management techniques
What drugs could you take
NMDA: slow down the decline
Donepezil, Exelon, Galantamine: stabilizes language, memory and reasoning for about 6-12 months
What would you implement for one with cognitive alterations
Orient to person, place and time
Maintain a safe environment
Keep communications clear and simple
Provide reminders for or assistance with self care
What are some independent interventions you could take
Ensure the patient is not being abused or exploited
Ensure patients partner in healthcare decisions as much as possible, get them in touch with resources
Help patients establish advanced directives early in stage
Provide teachings about legal rights and protections
Assist caregivers and community members to understand their disorder
