Dementia and Delirium Flashcards
General term for slow, progressive cognitive impairment that is severe enough to impact daily living?
Dementia
Acute change in cognition caused by an underlying medical issue
Delirium
Common causes of Delirium?
- Infection (UTI, pneumonia, flu)
- Medications
- Surgery
Most commonly used measure of cognitive impairment?
Mini-mental State Exam (MMSE)
Assessment tool that is appropriate for use in MCI and early dementia?
Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
Risk Factors for Delirium and Dementia?
- Increased Age
- Genetics or Family history of dementia or delirium
- History of head trauma (concussions, loss of consciousness)
- Uncontrolled chronic health issues (i.e. diabetes and hypertension)
- Lifestyle choices (i.e. poor diet, lack of exercise, anti-social)
- Gender and Race/Ethnicity?
- Dementia and/or prior delirium = Increased risk for delirium
Signs and Symptoms of dementia?
- Progressive cognitive impairment over weeks or months
- memory loss
- Communication and language problems
- Inability to focus and pay attention
- Impaired reasoning and judgment
- Visual or auditory disturbances
- Stark personality changes (mostly with frontotemporal dementia)
Signs and Symptoms delirium?
- Progressive cognitive impairment over a few hrs to days
- Communication and language problems
- Inability to focus and pay attention
- Impaired reasoning and judgment
- Visual or auditory disturbances
- Stark personality changes (mostly with frontotemporal dementia)
Interventions for dementia?
- Medications
- Namenda, Exelon, Aricept
- Eliminate or minimize sources of agitation (i.e. pillows)
- Limit changes (schedule, environment)
- Set up reminders and safeguards
- Encourage socialization
- Reminiscence therapy
Interventions for delirium?
- Early treatment of the underlying medical issue
- Minimize polypharmacy
- Provide reassurance and safe, calming environment
Items from home at hospital - Communication with family / caregivers and person with delirium
- Anticipate the potential for delirium
Sexual Harassment
Unwelcome verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature?
Sexual Assault
any sort of sexual activity in which one of the people is involved against his or her will and where physical force may or may not be used.
Common Problems Related to Combat Exposure
- Drug and alcohol related disorders
- Accidental deaths
- Higher levels of general psychiatric distress
- More frequent somatic complaints
- Anxiety/panic disorders
- Suicide
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Military sexual trauma (MST)
- Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Common Manifestations of MST/PTSD?
- Social impairment, detachment, loss of interest
- Memory deficits/Impaired memory
- Poor concentration and attention
- Emotional numbing referred to as “ freezing of the heart”
- Anger outbursts, irritability
- Feelings of intense guilt
- Recurrent dreams/nightmares/frightening thoughts
- Sleep disorders/Insomnia
- Depression, anxiety
- Avoidance
- Chronic pain
- Substance abuse
