L.2.5 Flashcards
What is dementia, and how is it classified (disease or syndrome)?
- Dementia is a syndrome
- It results from progressive damage to the brain, leading to a decline in multiple higher cognitive functions.
What causes the symptoms of dementia?
progressive neurodegeneration that damages the brain.
How does dementia differ from delirium in terms of consciousness?
Unlike delirium, dementia does not affect consciousness, which remains intact
Does dementia worsen over time?
Yes
What kinds of personality and behavioral changes are associated with dementia?
increased irritability, apathy, or agitation.
List at least five cognitive functions commonly affected by dementia.
Memory, thinking, orientation, calculation, learning capacity, language, and judgment.
How does dementia impact language abilities?
can cause difficulties in understanding and producing language.
What is the term for difficulty in coordinating body movements in dementia, and give an example?
Praxis; an example is having trouble buttoning a shirt.
How is memory specifically impacted by dementia?
Memory issues in dementia may include forgetting recent events, names, or how to perform familiar tasks.
What does “perception” refer to in the context of dementia, and what are some difficulties associated with it?
Perception involves recognizing objects and sounds, and difficulties might include not recognizing a familiar face or misinterpreting common sounds
How can one differentiate between normal aging and dementia in terms of cognitive decline?
Normal aging involves occasional forgetfulness, while dementia includes severe and progressive impairments in memory and other cognitive domains, significantly affecting daily life.
What specific changes in judgment might be seen in someone with dementia?
Impaired judgment in dementia could lead to unsafe decision-making, such as crossing a busy street without looking or giving away large sums of money to strangers.
What are the three stages of cognitive impairment in the progression of dementia?
Mild cognitive impairment, moderate cognitive impairment, and severe cognitive impairment.
What are the key features of mild cognitive impairment (MCI)?
Slight memory or cognitive challenges while managing everyday tasks remains possible. MCI is not necessarily indicative of dementia.
How does moderate cognitive impairment differ from mild cognitive impairment?
individuals struggle to manage their affairs and daily activities, often exhibit erratic or volatile behavior, and cannot live alone.
What are the hallmark features of severe cognitive impairment?
Loss of independence, being bedridden, non-verbal communication, inability to swallow, and requiring 24/7 care
Name at least five main subtypes of dementia.
Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, Lewy body dementia, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) dementia, and alcoholic dementia.
Which subtype of dementia is the most common?
Alzheimer’s disease
What are some key features of Alzheimer’s disease?
Memory loss, dysphasia (language difficulties), dyspraxia (movement coordination impairment), anosmia (loss of smell)
Define dysphasia and provide an example of how it manifests in Alzheimer’s disease
Dysphasia is a language difficulty, such as trouble finding the right words to express thoughts.
What is dyspraxia, and how does it present in Alzheimer’s patients?
Dyspraxia is an impairment in coordinating movement despite physical ability, such as difficulty buttoning a shirt
What behavioral changes are commonly observed in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease?
Wandering, confusion, and sometimes agitation or aggression
What is anosmia, and how might it be relevant to Alzheimer’s disease?
Anosmia is the loss of smell, which is a common symptom in Alzheimer’s disease.
How does vascular dementia differ from Alzheimer’s disease in terms of progression?
Vascular dementia often progresses in a stepwise pattern due to successive strokes or brain injury, whereas Alzheimer’s progresses more steadily