NUR 2571 Final Exam Study Guide Rasmussen College

Final Exam Review Rasmussen College Winter ‘19 Alzheimer’s Disease  Etiology o Unknown but r/t genetics, age and head injuries. o Neuronal degeneration results in memory loss and loss of speech, reasoning and higher functioning.  Stages (Review Chart 42-1, know how to identify stages) o Early/Mild  Poor memory, poor judgment and mild cognitive changes. o Middle/Moderate  Impairment of all cognitive functions, unable to handle finances, disorientation to place/time/events, depression or agitation, aphasia, wandering. o Late/severe  Weight loss, severe cognitive loss, total dependence, bedridden, agnosia, incontinence.  Educate patients family on signs and symptoms of stages and what to expect, there is little point in educating the patient because they will forget.  Review chart 42-1 Iggy, pg. 860  Treatment o Cholinesterase inhibitors help slow cognitive degeneration o Antidepressants o Review Hogan 595 (Know side effects and nursing considerations for medications) o Goal is to slow the progression of the disease, Alzheimer’s cannot be cured.  Recognize that these patients are at high risk for harm in relation to self-care deficit. They may not be able to feed themselves or clean themselves, so it is the nurses responsibility to be sure they are fed and cleaned. Parkinson’s Disease  Etiology o Degenerative neurological disease o 4 cardinal signs  Tremor  Muscle rigidity  Bradykinesia  Postural instability o Dopamine is produced in the substantia nigra and is responsible for controlling postu