neurocognitive disorder Flashcards
the six cognitive functions affected in neurocognitive disorders
- complex attention.
- executive function
- learning and memory
- language
- perceptual-motor skills
- social cognition–interaction
ICU triad
delirium, pain and agitation
delirium is a medical emergency
yep, it is associated with high mortality rates
primarily a disorder of attention and awareness, developing acutely over hours and days. Sxs. may fluctuate throughout the course of the day and worsening at night
delirium
most common precipitants if delirium in children are (2)
febrile illness and medications
delirium generally manifests as ____________________ on electroencephalography (EEG). An exception is delirium tremens, which is associated with ___________. EEG lacks sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of delirium but it is useful for ruling out ____________________.
delirium generally manifests as diffuse background slowing on electroencephalography (EEG). An exception is delirium tremens, which is associated with fast activity. EEG lacks sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of delirium but it is useful for ruling out non-convulsive seizures
A quick, first glance bedside exam for suspected substance/medication intoxication is VALEUMS
VALEUMS
- vital signs
- alertness level
- eyes–pupil size and position
- urine–bladder distension or incontinence
- mucous membrane– moisture
- skin– temperature and moisture
these sxs are associated with what?
short attention span, disorientation, fluctuations in level of consciousness, visual hallucinations, and impairment in recent memory
Delirium
most likely diagnosis and which diagnostic test to do?
Delirium + hemiparesis or other focal neurological signs and sxs
CVA or mass lession
- do a Head CT/Brain MRI
most likely diagnosis and which diagnostic test to do?
Delirium + elevated blood pressure _ papilledema
hypertensive encephalopathy
- do a Head CT/ Brain MRI
most likely diagnosis and which diagnostic test to do?
Delirium + dilated pupils + tachycardia
drug intoxication
- do a urine tox screen
most likely diagnosis and which diagnostic test to do?
Delirium + fever + nuchal rigidity + photophobia
Meningitis
- do a lumbar puncture
most likely diagnosis and which diagnostic test to do?
Delirium + tachycardia + tremor + thyromegaly
thyrotoxicosis
- do a free T4, T3 and TSH
preferred agent for Delirium
Haloperidol
Which medication is indicated for treatment of agitation that places the patient or others at risk?
D2 antagonists
which medications often worsen delirium by causing paradoxical disinhibition or oversedation?
Benzodiazepine
most likely diagnosis and which diagnostic test to do?
Cognitive impairment with stepwise increase in severity + focal neurological signs
vascular disease
- do a Head CT/Brain MRI
most likely diagnosis and which diagnostic test to do?
Cognitive impairement + cogwheel rigidity + resting tremor
Lewy body disease and parkinson’s disease
- clinical
most likely diagnosis and which diagnostic test to do?
cognitive impairment + gait ataxia + urinary incontinence + dilated cerebral ventricles
normal pressure hydrocephalus
- do a Head CT/ Brain MRI
most likely diagnosis and which diagnostic test to do?
cognitive impairment + fatigue + cold intolerance + coarsse hair + constipation
hypothryoidism
- get a TSH/free T4
most likely diagnosis and which diagnostic test to do?
cognitive impairment + parasthesias + diminished position anad vibration sensation + megaloblasts on CBC
Vit. B 12 deficiency
- get a serum B12
most likely diagnosis and which diagnostic test to do?
cognitive impairment + tremor + Kayser-Fleischer rings + abnormal LFTs
Wilson’s disease
- Ceruloplasmin