HCA 160 Flashcards
What happens to the integumentary system in old age?
Nails becomes thicker
Decrease strength
Black spots
Hair loss/whitening
Muscle atrophy (stiff joints, that’s curl up)
What are 6 things that happen to the nervous system in old age?
Change to sleep patterns
Short memory
Decreased blood flow to brain
Decreased sensitivity to pain decreased sense of taste, smell, and I touch
Decreased vision and hearing
What is delirium?
Mental confusion as a result of medical social or environmental conditions
What are some causes of delirium?
Dehydration, infections, alcohol withdrawal, constipation, pain, day-night reversal.
What are some symptoms of delirium?
Speech is incoherent, disoriented, short term memory recall, disorientated to time or please.
Delirium is treatable. True or false
True
That does the TA-DA method stand for?
Tolerate
Anticipate
Don’t
Agitate
What are the 4 main types of dementia
Alzheimer’s
Vascular (multi-infarct dementia)
Levy body
Frontal temporal lobe dementia
Define depression
Persistant sadness and lack of pleasure or loss of interest in previously rewarded or enjoyable activities
How long does depression last for?
6 months - 1 year or longer
Do brain cells die in a person with depression
No
How is the memory like for a person with depression
Generally intact but may be selective
What time of day is depression worse
In the morning
What is the main care approach for a person with depression
Help them follow care plan and offer them hope
What is the memory like for a person with delirium
Their recent and immediate memory is impaired
What time of day is delirium worse
Night in the dark and upon awaking
What is the main care approach for a person in a delirium
Early recognition
Keeping the person safe
Define dementia
Progressive loss of brain cells resulting in the decline of cognitive and day to day functions
How long does dementia last
8-20 years
What is the memory of a person with dementia like
They loss STML and LTML
When are the symptoms worse in a person with dementia
Evening sundown
What is the main care approach for a person with dementia
Maintain and enhance abilities that remain focus on the positive and support the lost abilities
Is depression treatable
Yes
