Nursing Knowledge and Clinical Competencies: Cognitive and Neurocognitive Disorders, Substance Use and Mental Health, Maternal-Fetal and Pediatric Care, Endocrine and Metabolic Regulation, Labor and Delivery, Pharmacology, Patient Safety, Ethical Practice

Nursing Knowledge and Clinical Competencies: Cognitive and Neurocognitive Disorders, Substance Use and Mental Health, Maternal-Fetal and Pediatric Care, Endocrine and Metabolic Regulation, Labor and Delivery, Pharmacology, Patient Safety, Ethical Practice, Cultural Competence, and Professional Standards Exam Questions Verified and Provided with A+ Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026 orientation memory intellect judgement affect Over time the neuro cognitive changes in the brain affect a persons Cognitive disorders also known as neurocognitive disorders (NCDs) are a category of mental health disorders that primarily affect cognitive abilities including learning, memory, perception, and problem solving. severity of their symptoms The disorders are diagnosed based on physical, psychological, social and spiritual conduct of life Is a mental capacity that impacts protecting dignity, preserving functional status, and promoting quality of life Nursing focus is on (Cognitive disorders) - Acute onset - Disturbances in consciousness - Disturbed thinking, memory, attention, and perception - Disorientation and confusion that fluctuates by minute, hour, and day - Caused by or secondary to an underlying condition delirium: essential features - Disturbance of consciousness - Change in attention span - Develops over short period - Always secondary to another condition - High risk patients are the hospitalized and elderly medically ill - Affects 60% nursing home residents - People 75 years are at risk of delirium delirium Identify cause, then intervene so that permanent damage to neurons does not result treatment priority for delirium - Requires close observation and supervision - Provided quiet area - Good lighting without glare or shadows delirium nursing interventions -Worse overtime: progressive - Key attributes affected: Memory Judgment - Ability to think abstractly Orientation - Safety is priority —home setting (locks at top of doors) - Hard to detect: confabulation dementia essential features forgetfulness mild: early stage (dementia: alzheimer's) confusion anger outbursts moderate: middle stage (dementia: alzheimer's) nutrition hydration severe: late stage (dementia: alzheimer's) cognex (tacrine) the first centrally acting cholinestrerase inhibitor approved for the treatment of alzheimer's disease -works by increasing the amount of a certain substance (acetylcholine) in the brain -treating mild to moderate dementia (impairment of memory or judgement, abstract thinking, changes in personality) in patients with alzheimer disease hepatic and GI side effects assess for these when giving Cognex Exelon (Rivastigmine) used to treat mild to moderate dementia caused by Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease -works by preventing the breakdown of a chemical that is important for the process of memory, thinking, and reasoning. People with dementia usually have lower levels of this chemical. ?? assessment data when prescribing exelon with GI side effects Aricept (Donepezil) used to treat confusion (dementia) related to Alzheimer's disease. -does not cure but may improve memory, awareness, and the ability to function -an enzyme blocker that works by restoring the balance of natural substances (neurotransmitters) in the brain -best early stages, slows decline up to two years, no hepatic side effects - Two or more substance use disorders - Major depressive disorder