Cognition

Question 1

what is cognition

Answer 1

Mental processes where one acquires, stores, retrieves and uses information

Question 2

What are the primary involvement

Answer 2

perception, attention, memory, communication, decision making skills and problem solving skills

Question 3

What is metacognition

Answer 3

The human ability to think about thinking

Question 4

What are the basic concepts of normal cognition

Answer 4

Obtain level of survival and adaptation
function effectively as a social being
engage in meaningful and purposeful activity

Question 5

What is perception

Answer 5

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

Question 6

what is attention

Answer 6

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

Question 7

what is memory

Answer 7

individuals ability to retain, store and retrieve information
consists of short term and long term memory

Question 8

Sensory memory

Answer 8

Earliest stage of memory
Visual and auditory input retained for less than a few seconds

Question 9

Short term memory

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Long term memory

Answer 10

final destination of information that can be stored indefinitely
Involves non declarative memories: info outside of conscious awareness

Question 11

semantic memory

Answer 11

Part of long term memory
collection of facts, verbal info

Question 12

episodic memory

Answer 12

Part of long term memory
personal experiences

Question 13

procedural memory

Answer 13

types of implicit memories that enable a person to perform learned skills and tasks

Question 14

RAS

Answer 14

Reticular activating system
The area of the brain that controls alertness and attention

Question 15

What are alterations that are associates with impaired cognition and sensation

Answer 15

Aging
Depression
Delerium
Sensory deprivation
Sensory overload

Question 16

Describe Aging as an alteration

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Describe depression as an alteration

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Describe delirium

Answer 18

Is reverabile
Signs and symptoms include fluctuating awareness, impairment of memory, disorganized thinking, hallucinations, and disturbances of sleep-wake cycles

Question 19

What is the treatment for delirium

Answer 19

Treating the underlying cause first
Patient safety
Medications need to be reevaluates
Monitor nutrition and fluid intake
Prevent hypoxia
Adequate pain management

Question 20

Describe sensory overload

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Describe sensory deprevation

Answer 21

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

Question 22

Anomia

Answer 22

Type of ashphia in which a person can’t recall names of everyday objects

Question 23

Alogia

Answer 23

Lack of speech/impoverished speech

Question 24

Describe Alzheimers disease

Answer 24

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

Question 25

What are risk factors to alzheimers

Answer 25

Age, Sex ( 3x more common in women ) family history, geneticf factors, smoking, depression

Question 26

What are preventions for Alzheimers

Answer 26

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

Question 27

What drugs could you take

Answer 27

NMDA: slow down the decline
Donepezil, Exelon, Galantamine: stabilizes language, memory and reasoning for about 6-12 months

Question 28

What would you implement for one with cognitive alterations

Answer 28

Orient to person, place and time
Maintain a safe environment
Keep communications clear and simple
Provide reminders for or assistance with self care

Question 29

What are some independent interventions you could take

Answer 29

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