Delilrium Vs Dementia

Question 1

Delirium

Answer 1

Sudden, transient onset of clouded sensorium

Question 2

Delirium Causes

Answer 2

Toxins
Alcohol/drug abuse
Trauma
Impactions in the elderly
Poor nutrition
Electrolyte imbalances
Anesthesia

Question 3

Dementia

Answer 3

Gradual memory loss with decreased intellectual functioning usually occurring over the age of 60

Question 4

Dementia Causes

Answer 4

Atherosclerosis
Neurotransmitter Deficit
Cortical atrophy
Ventricular dilation
Loss of brain cells
Possible viral causes
Alzheimer’s (most common)

Question 5

Dementia Mneumonic to rule out other diseases

Answer 5

D= drug reaction/interactions
E= Emotional disorders
M= Metabolic/endocrine disorders
E= eye and ear disorders
N= Nutritional problems
T= Tumors
I = Infection
A= Arteriosclerosis

Question 6

Alzheimer’s Disease

Answer 6

The development of multiple cognitive defects characterized by both memory impairment and one or more of the following:
Aphasia
Apraxia
Agnosia
In ability to plan, organize, sequence and make abstract difference

Additional findings: 
Limb rigidity
Flexion posture
Disorientation
Gait disturbances
Impaired memory
Other

Question 7

Alzheimer’s Incidence/Causes

Answer 7

The most common cause of dementia
Unknown cars; affects over 5.8 million individuals in the United States; women greater than men
Earliest complaints from family: loss of short-term memory
Acetyl choline deficiency

Question 8

Alzheimer’s Diagnostics

Answer 8

Usual lab diagnostics should be drawn to rule out other diseases: CBC, LYTES, Glucose, blood urea nitrogen, liver function tests, B12, been a real disease research laboratory
CT or MRI to rule out tumors

Question 9

Alzheimer’s Management

Answer 9

Neurological consult

Cholinesterase inhibitors (increase the availability of acetylcholine):
donepezil (Aricept) (all stages)
galantamine (razadyne) (mild to mod)
Rivastigime (Exelon) (mild to mod)

N-methyl D- aspartate (NMDA)
Memantine (namenda) (Mod to severe)

Combination preparations:
Memantine and donepezil (Namzaric) (mod to severe)

Refer patient/family for counseling as appropriate