Memory Problems: Assessment Flashcards
short term memory is anything up to __ mins
30
difference between implicit and explicit memory?
you’re conscious in your knowledge of explicit memory and not in implicit
what kind of memory involves knowledge of skills and tasks?
procedural memory
what kind of memory manages facts and events?
declarative memory
semantic memory manages..
organised knowledge
facts
if you cant identify categories there is a problem with your ___ memory
semantic
sensory memory is memory up to what time?
1 sec ago
your ability to ride a bike or play sports relies on ___ memoy
procedural
declarative memory is a form of explicit/implicit memory
explicit
procedural memory is a form of explicit/implicit memory
implicit
what 4 functions do you need to be able to process memory?
attention
encoding
storage
retrieval
describe anterograde amnesia?
difficulty acquiring NEW material and remembering events since the ONSET of the illness/injury eg 50 first dates
describe retrograde amnesia?
difficulty in remembering information prior to the illness/injury
forgetting appointments and difficulty with finding words suggests dementia T or F
F, sounds more like mild cognitive impairment
what part of the memory is most affected in dementia?
short term memory
if a patient isnt aware of their cognitive problems this could signify dementia T or F
T
when does forgetting objects signify a memory problem?
if you forget what the item is used for or if its put in an inappropriate place
if a patient has moderate memory problems and depression how should they be treated?
treat the depression first
DO NOT DIAGNOSE DEMENTIA UNTIL OTHER CO-MORBIDITIES HAVE BEEN TREATED
consciousness is clouded in dementia T or F
T
criteria for a dementia diagnosis?
2 or more of:
forgetfulness, memory loss, confusion, poor reasoning and logic, personality changes, poor judgement, ability to focus, visual perception
how is sleep in dementia?
nocturnal wandering
confuson
how do emotions present in dementia?
patient is shallow, labile and irritable
what questions can you ask to gage whether their memory loss is affecting daily life?
ask about cooking issues TV - do they remember channels? follow news? cleaning? driving hobbies ever got lost/disorientated?
what information should you get from a collateral history?
functional abilities at home what do they support them with any changes in recent weeks? rate and pattern of cognitive decline do they know they have a problem?
main umbrella things to ask about in memory loss Hx?
memory before and now what do they forget? concentration mood anxious/worries coping at home? find out their routine ask about finances
addenbrokes cut off?
mid 80s/100
what should be considered along with cognitive assessment as to whether a patient has dementia or not?
acute or chronic?
premorbid vs morbid function
overall mental state
collateral history
if a patient is borderline after assessment what is done?
wait 6-12 months and reassess; don’t diagnose!
reversible causes of cognitive impairment?
alcohol delirium medication thyroid/endocrine/metabolic neuro infections brain lesions depression
define mild cognitive impairment
noticeable cognitive impairment with LITTLE deterioriation
how should you structure giving a diagnosis of dementia?
patient has someone there what do they already know? what do they want to know? explain dementia + type thoughts/feelings concerns management plan
4 main symptoms of alzheimers disease?
poor short term memory loss
dysphasia
dyspraxia
agnosia
dysphasia is more common in vascular dementia/alzheimers
vascular
affective symptoms are present in what 2 types of dementia
vascular
frontottemporal
dyscalculia is a feature of what dementia…
vascular dementia
what drugs can be prescribed to dementia patients to slow cognitive decline?
cholinesterase inhibitors
SPECT is a good form of imaging for what dementia?
FTD
1st line imaging for dementia?
CT
when would you do an MRI in dementia?
young patient
atypical features
fast progression
when would you do a DAT scan in dementia?
if the patient has parkinsons plus symptoms
parkinsons dementia/LBD
side effects of cholinesterase inhibitors?
GI headaches muscle cramps bradycardias worsen COPD/asthma
when to avoid cholinesterase inhibitors?
active peptic ulcer
severe asthma/COPD
memantine is a drug to manage what dementia?
AD
at what stage of dementia should memantine be started?
moderate dementia
what drug class should be avoided in LBD or parkinsonian dementia?
antipsychotics - make parkinsonian symptoms worse!
