Med-Surg Exam 4: Neurological
Alzheimer’s/Demetia
Assessment findings:
Alzheimer’s- genetic & environmental, neuritic plaques and vascular
degeneration of the brain, (risks) women, 65+, down syndrome, TBI
Vascular- strokes or other vascular disorders, decreased blood flow to the
brain causing ischemia/necrosis, (risks) men, 65+, cardiovascular
comorbidities *this can make the progression of dementia faster
Disease progression:
Expected complications:
Caregiving implications: maintain memory/cognition as long as possible,
promote socialization/communication, reminiscence, orientate if therapeutic,
reduce distraction and noise, follow a daily routine and self-care habits
Agitation/aggression interventions:
Elder abuse: physical, sexual, neglect self-neglect, abandonment, emotional
or psychological, financial
Medications:
- Cholinesterase Inhibitors: may delay onset but won’t alter course, may
improve functional ADLs, watch for sx of bradycardia
- NMDA Receptor Antagonist: slows pace of deterioration, can be given
with donepezil
*Risks for pneumonia, UTI, pressure ulcers, dysphagia, aspiration pneumonia
Alzheimer’s/Demetia
Assessment findings:
Alzheimer’s- genetic & environmental, neuritic plaques and vascular
degeneration of the brain, (risks) women, 65+, down syndrome, TBI
Vascular- strokes or other vascular disorders, decreased blood flow to the
brain causing ischemia/necrosis, (risks) men, 65+, cardiovascular
comorbidities *this can make the progression of dementia faster
Disease progression:
Expected complications:
Caregiving implications: maintain memory/cognition as long as possible,
promote socialization/communication, reminiscence, orientate if therapeutic,
reduce distraction and noise, follow a daily routine and self-care habits
Agitation/aggression interventions:
Elder abuse: physical, sexual, neglect self-neglect, abandonment, emotional
or psychological, financial
Medications:
- Cholinesterase Inhibitors: may delay onset but won’t alter course, may
improve functional ADLs, watch for sx of bradycardia
- NMDA Receptor Antagonist: slows pace of deterioration, can be given
with donepezil
*Risks for pneumonia, UTI, pressure ulcers, dysphagia, aspiration pneumonia
