Delerium/Dementia/Geri considerations

Question 1

causes of delirium

Answer 1

• toxins
• alcohol
• trauma
• impactions in the elderly
• poor nutrition
• electrolyte imbalances
• anesthesia

Question 2

causes of Dementia

Answer 2

Atherosclerosis

• neurotransmitter deficits
• cortical atrophy
• ventricular dilation
• loss of brain cells
• possible viral causes
• AD

Question 3

D-E-M-E-N-T-I-A to r/o other dz

Answer 3

D- drug reactions/interactions
E- emotional disorders
M- metabolic/endocrine
E- eye and ear disorders
N- nutritional problems
T- tumors
I- infection
A- arteriosclerosis

Question 4

AD (impaired ability to learn new information and recall previously learned information) and 1 or more of the following:

Answer 4

• aphasia
• apraxia (inability to performa previously learned task)
• agnosia (inability to recognize an object)
• inability to plan, organize, sequence and make abstract differences

Question 5

what are additional AD findings?

Answer 5

• limb rigidity
• flexion posture
• disorientation
• gait disturbances
• impaired judgment

Question 6

Diagnostics for dementia

Answer 6

to r/o other dz:

• CVC, lytes, glucose, BUn/Crt, LFTs, B12, VDRL
• CT or MRI to r/o tumors

Question 7

Management of dementia

Answer 7

Neuro consult

meds to increase availability of acetylcholine

Question 8

meds used in dementia

Answer 8

acetylcholinesterase inhibitors:
donepezil
-galantamine
-rivastigmine