Exam 2 Flashcards
Cognition
Integration of mental processes and intellectual function
Cognition is necessary for…
Reasoning, learning, memory, personality
S/S of Impaired Cognition
Loss of short/long term memory
Disorientation to person, place, time, and/or situation
Impaired reasoning/decision making
Impaired language skills
Emotionally labile
Delusions and hallucinations
Risk Factors for Impaired Cognition
Advanced age Brain trauma, disorder, or disease Toxins Substance use disorder Genetic diseases Depression Fluid/Electrolyte imbalances Opioids, steroids, psychoactive drugs, and general anesthesia
Health History for Impaired Cognition
Onset, signs/symptoms
Comorbidities such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, cancer, post-op, pain, hypothyroidism, end of life
Mini-Mental Status Examination
Delirium
An acute confused state, may become fearful or anxious, often secondary to another problem
May be caused by lack of sensory stimulation, alcohol withdrawal, dehydration, lack of environmental cues
Dementia
A chronic confused state
Onset is subtle
Slowly progressive and organic
Problems with confusion and disorientation, personality changes, impaired judgment
Delayed Intellectual Functions
Have more to do with children
Amnesia
Occurs as a result of a head trauma
Primary Prevention of Impaired Cognition
Avoid substance use
Safety measures such as helmets, prevention of head injuries, monitoring for lead in the water
Stimulate intellect
Nursing Interventions for Impaired Cognition
Focus on safety
Communication aids such as eye glasses, hearing aides
Orientation on a regular basis
Identify and treat causes
Nursing Interventions for the Prevention of Delirium
Provide therapeutic activities
Early mobilization
Control pain
Minimize use of psychoactive drugs
Prevent sleep deprivation
Maintain oxygen levels and fluid/electrolyte balance
Nursing Interventions for Delirium
Identify and treat cause
Safety
Nonessential medications should be stopped (with a Doctor’s order)
Nutrition and fluid should be supervised
Environment should be quiet and calm, contain familiar environmental cues, encourage visits from family and friends
Most Common Types of Dementia
Alzheimer’s Disease
Vascular or Multi-Infarct Dementia
Alzheimer’s Disease
Chronic, progressive, irreversible disease process
Caused by the degeneration of the brain that leads to impaired intellectual function
Plaques in the cortex, neurofibril tangles
Risk Reduction for Alzheimer’s Disease
Engage in activity, change diet, exercise
Diagnostics for Alzheimer’s Disease
CT scan would show smaller brain
Acetylcholine levels
Early Stage of Alzheimer’s Disease
Mild memory lapses, difficulty in work or social activities
Able to compensate for loss and function independently
Further Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease
Obvious memory lapses, confabulating
Problem to recognize familiar faces, word finding problems
May get lost in familiar places
Sundowning, wandering
Speaking skills deteriorate, ADL problems
Disorientation with delusions and hallucinations
Apraxia, Visual Agnosia, Dysgraphia
Apraxia
Inability to carry out sequential movements on command
Visual Agnosia
Inability to recognize objects by sight
Dysgraphia
Difficulty writing
Terminal Stage of Alzheimer’s Disease
Severe mental and physical deterioration
Alzheimer’s Disease Treatments
Goal is to manage cognitive and behavioral symptoms
Aricept and Namenda used to enhance acetylcholine uptake into the brain, which enables patient to maintain memory over time
Ativan to help with anxiety and stress
HALOPERIDOL–antipsychotic
Anti-depressants
Nursing Interventions for Alzheimer’s Disease
Support cognitive function by cuing, guidance, providing a calm predictable environment, clear simple explanations, memory aids
Safety measures such as removing all hazards, putting in hand rails, providing adequate lighting, prohibiting driving, smoking only with supervision, avoiding restraints
Vascular Dementia
Associated with cerebrovascular disease, same risk factors as cardiovascular disease
Abrupt onset, caused by clot in a small vessel, multiple infarcts or strokes
Uneven, stepwise downward decline
Impairments dependent on what area of the brain is affected
Associated with HTN, CVD, hypercholesterolemia, smoking, diabetes
Opthalmologist
Physician that specializes in diagnosing and treating eye diseases and prescribes lenses
Optometrist
Professional in eye assessment, vision and vision problems
Does not treat eye diseases
Optician
Grinds and fits lenses, according to prescriptions
Eye Assessment History
Complaint, pain, discharge, onset/duration/recurrent, precipitating/relieving factors, effects on ADLs, history (diabetes, macular degeneration, surgeries)
Optic Nerve
Cranial Nerve II
Important to realize any damage to this will affect vision
Occipital Lobe
Visual center of the cerebral cortex
Entropion
Eyelid that folds inward
Related to atrophy, congenital conditions, muscle spasms
Need to monitor this, help with any self-care issues, observe for infection/inflammation
Trichiasis
Turning in of the eyelids
Give eyedrops to soothe, monitor for infection/inflammation
Ectropion
Outward position of the eyelid with tearing, corneal dryness, red sclera
Can lead to vision loss, tear loss
Topical meds are prescribed around the clock
Can occur from trauma, laceration/burn, paralysis
Ptosis
Drooping of the eyelid
Related to congenital factors, stroke, neurological trauma
Nystagmus
Involuntary oscillation of eye
Not very common
Caused by drug intoxication, problems with the inner ear
Visual Acuity Tests
Snellen chart
Finger count
Slit Lamp Examination
Magnification that evaluates inflammation and cataracts
Noncontact Tonometry
Looking at intraocular pressure, screening for glaucoma, puff of air in the eye
Goldmann Applanation Tonometry
Cone-shaped device used and placed in the eye to detect pressures
Color Vision Diagnostic Exams
Check for inherited impairments or acquired impairments (use of Digitalis, cataracts)
Amsler Grid
Assesses disturbances in central vision (macular degeneration)
Fluorescein Angiography
Dye is injected to check retinal blood flow
Pre-Procedure: consent, check kidney function, allergies to dye/seafood/iodine, hydration, warn about warmth and metallic taste
Post-Procedure: monitor for N/V, watch for gold hue to the skin, urine may turn orange
Automated Perimetry Test
Identifies flashes of light as they enter the field of vision
What is the correct procedure for performing an ophthalmoscopic exam on the client’s right retina?
From a distance of 8-12 inches and slightly to the side shine a light into the patient’s pupil
Refractory Errors
Problems relating to the bending of light that creates vision in the eye
Signs and Symptoms of Refractory Errors
Diminished or blurred vision
Treatment of Refractory Errors
Corrective lenses
Surgical correction such as LASIK (may cause dry eyes) or Intacs (ring implanted through an incision that reshapes the cornea)
Myopia is the refractive error most commonly corrected by surgery
Myopia
Nearsightedness
Can see near, can’t see far
Hyperopia
Farsightedness
Can see far, can’t see near
Presbyopia
Old-age farsightedness, loss of elasticity of the ciliary muscles
Astigmatism
Unequal curve in the shape of the cornea or lens, leads to problems with focusing