Exam 2 Mod 3&4 (Psych) Flashcards
Complex neurobiological and developmental disability that typically appears during the first 3 years of life.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
S/sx of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Deficits in social relatedness, including communication, nonverbal behaviors, and interactions.
Can you SPOT the early signs of ASD?
Social: avoid eye contact; no interest in other kids, no pretend play, and unusual play patterns
Persistent Sensory Differences: getting upset over everyday sounds, over or underactive to light, smells, tastes, textures
Obsessive/repetitive behavior: flapping hands; rocking back and forth; having obsessive interests in a particular object or activity
Talking/Comm delays: little or no babbling by 12 months, no word by 16 months. May appear deaf; loss of previous verbal skills or language.
ASD Interventions
-Begin early 2nd or 3rd year
-Assist with behavior modification program
-Structure opportunity for small successes
-Set clear rules
-Decrease environmental stimulation
-Introduce child to new situations slowly
Children with ADHD show an inappropriate degree of
inattention and impulsiveness with hyperactivity
Absence of hyperactivity classified as
ADHD primarily inattentive type (previously known as ADD)
Sx of children with ADHD
Hyperactive: jumps in conversations
Inattentive: difficulty listening/paying attention
Impulsivity: difficulty waiting for them to turn in conversations
Medications for ADHD
Stimulants increase dopamine
Methylphenidate
Amphetamine and dextroamphetamine (Adderall)
Non-Stimulants
Guanfacine
Alpha 2 adrenergic agonist
Things to remember for stimulants
-Insomnia and weight loss are common side effects of stimulants
-Administer in AM to allow nighttime sleep
-Monitor weight and height
-Monitor VS
-Taper dose when discontinuing
S/E of non-stimulants
somnolence, lethargy, fatigue, insomnia, nausea, dizziness, hypotension
Group of psychiatric conditions, most of which are primarily biological in origin, that can significantly affect functioning and one’s quality of life, especially if they go untreated. Examples: mood disorders, Schizophrenia, personality disorders
Serious Mental Illness (SMI)
Inability to recognize one’s own illness due to the illness itself
Anosognosia
Treatment issues seen in those with serious mental illness
-Anosognosia: Inability to recognize one’s own illness due to the illness itself
-Nonadherence: Due to lack of trust in providers, anosognosia, med costs, and mental health stigma
-Medication Side effects
-Treatment inadequacy: lack of funded services, inadequate housing
Assessment strategies for SMI
Intentional & unintentional risk:
-Intentional: suicidality or homicidality
-Unintentional: Inadequate nutrition, inadequate clothing for weather, smoking, carelessness while driving.
Depression, hopelessness, anxiety
Signs of impending relapse
-Decreased sleep, increased impulsivity or paranoia, diminished reality testing, increased delusional thinking, or command hallucinations.
Physical health problems
-Brain tumor or drug toxicity can appear like a SMI
Comorbid illnesses
Tx nonadherence
-Signs such as worsening sx, unused meds, missed appointments, or reluctance to talk about the issues
Intervention strategies for SMI
-Involve pt in goal setting and tx planning
-Emphasize quality of life instead of focusing on sx
-Focus on the now
-Promote social skills and provide opportunities for socialization
-Involve in support groups to expose them to people who have been there
-Educate about illness and recovery
How to establish a relationship with SMI patient
-Do not stand too close as it may cause discomfort
-Breakdown complex skills such as resolving conflict, into more manageable subcomponents
-Calm and firm voice
What disease?
Low Acetylcholine (learning memory and mood), high Glutamate (involved in cell signaling, learning and memory)
Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease
Meds used for cognitive sx
MOA and examples
-Cholinesterase inhibitors –> increasing available acetylcholine
Ex: Donepezil (used for all stages including severe), Galantamine
-NMDA antagonists –> regulates glutamate
Ex: Memantine
Do the meds used to treat cognitive sx of Alzheimer’s stop the progression of the disease?
No. Only preserves function.
Are there any drugs approved to treat the behavioral sx of Alzheimer’s?
None approved; high risk!
Antipsychotics used off-label and with extreme caution, as last resort. FDA does not approve because of detrimental outcomes.
Alzheimer’s disease
Integrative therapy
Omega-3 fatty acids
Stage of Alzheimer’s disease & associated priority intervention, and family education
-Memory lapses: losing or misplacing items, difficulty concentrating and organizing. Short-term memory loss noticeable to close relations.
-Can still perform ADLs.
Stage 1/Mild
Stage of Alzheimer’s disease & associated priority intervention, and family education
-Forgetting events of one’s own hx: difficulty performing tasks that require planning and organizing, (Such as paying bills, managing money), difficulty with complex mental math.
-Personality and behavioral changes: appears withdrawn, compulsive, repetitive actions.
-Changes in sleep patterns, can wander and get lost, can be incontinent.
-Priority Intervention: Risk for Injury; identify threats to their safety.
Stage 2/Moderate
Stage of Alzheimer’s disease & associated priority intervention, and family education
-Losing ability to talk with others: need assist with ADLs, incontinence, losing awareness of one’s environment, progressing difficulty with physical abilities
-Eventually loses ability to move, can develop stupor and coma
-Death frequently related to choking or infection.
Stage 3/Severe
Points of education for family of Alzheimer’s pt
Safe environment
-Gradually restrict use of motor vehicles
-Minimize sensory stimulation
-Label rooms, drawers, and frequently used objects
Wandering
-Put mattress on the floor
-Wear medical alert bracelet that cant be removed
-Alert police and neighbors about wandering
-Put complex locks on doors
-Place locks at top of the door
-Encourage physical activity during the day
Useful activities
-Provide picture magazine and children books if reading ability declines
-Simple activities
-Group activities that are familiar and simple
A progressive deterioration of cognitive functioning and global impairment of intellect with no change in consciousness.
Onset is slow, over months to years. Not reversible.
Dementia
Contributing factors of dementia
Contributing factors: Alzheimer’s disease, neurological disease, vascular disease, alcohol use disorder, head trauma.
Describe the nursing care for pt with dementia:
Calm voice, short directions, remember their dignity, safe environment, reminders and cues in their environment.
Loss of language ability
Aphasia
Loss of purposeful movement
Apraxia
Loss of sensory ability to recognize objects & people
Agnosia
Creation of stories in place of missing memories to maintain self-esteem; lying to protect dignity
Confabulation
Repetition of phases or gestures long after stimulus is gone
Perseveration
Diminishing ability to read or write
Agraphia
Tendency to put everything in the mouth
Hyperorality
Tendency for mood to drop and agitation to rise as light of day diminishes
Sundowning
A disturbance of consciousness and a change in cognition that develops over a short period of time, abrupt onset with periods of lucidity.
MEDICAL EMERGENCY
Delirium
Sx of delirium
-Impaired memory, judgment, and attention span that can fluctuate, disorientation (often to time and place, but rarely to person), disorganized thinking, delusions and hallucinations (usually visual).
-Speech is rapid, inappropriate, and incoherent.
What do delirious pts look like?
Cardinal signs include inability to focus, an abrupt onset with features that fluctuate with periods of lucidity, disorganized thinking and poor executive functioning.
Contributing factors of delirium
Delirium is ALWAYS due to underlying physiological causes. Often due to sepsis and they are at risk for seizures.
fever, hypotension, infection, hypoglycemia, adverse drug reaction, head injury, emotional stress, seizures, dehydration, sleep deprivation, vision or hearing impairment.
Is delirium reversible?
Yes, w/ treatment
Interventions for delirium
-Assess for acute onset and fluctuating levels of consciousness
-Prevent physical harm due to confusion, aggression, or fluid and electrolyte imbalances
-Minimize use of restraints (increases confusion)
-Assist w/identification and treatment of cause
-Use supportive measures to relieve distress
Priorities for delirium
-Medical emergency - hemodynamically unstable!
-Risk for injury
-Assess vitals, LOC, and neurological signs
Errors in perception of sensory stimuli
Illusion
False sensory stimuli
Hallucinations