How To Treat An Alzheimer's Patient? Nursing care Quiz!

It is a collection of symptoms characterized by decreasing intellectual and social abilities.

Alzheimer;s disease, sometimes known as senile dementia of the Alzheimer’s type or primary degenerative dementia, is an insidious; progressive, irreversible, and degenerative disease of the brain whose etiology is still unknown. Parkinson’s disease is a neurologic disorder caused by lesions in the extrapyramidial system and manifested by tremors, muscle rigidity, hypokinesis, dysphagia, and dysphonia. Multiple sclerosis, a progressive, degenerative disease involving demyelination of the nerve fibers, usually begins in young adulthood and is marked by periods of remission and exacerbation. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a disease marked by progressive degeneration of the neurons, eventually results in atrophy of all the muscles; including those necessary for respiration.

Increased confusion at night is known as "sundowning" syndrome. This increased confusion occurs when the sun begins to set and continues during the night.

Alzheimer's sufferers also can't learn new information and tend to repeat themselves.

Maintaining a calm approach when intervening with an agitated client is extremely important. Telling the client firmly that it is time to get dressed may increase his agitation, especially if the nurse touches him. Restraints are a last resort to ensure client safety and are inappropriate in this situation. Sedation should be avoided, if possible, because it will interfere with CNS functioning and may contribute to the client’s confusion.

Sundowning is a symptom of dementia characterized by increased confusion and agitation that occurs later in the day, typically in the late afternoon or evening. It is believed to be triggered by the disruption of the internal body clock, leading to a mismatch between the individual's sleep-wake cycle and the external environment. This phenomenon can result in heightened restlessness, anxiety, and disorientation, making it particularly challenging for caregivers to manage.

Plaques and tangles are believed to develop in the brain of an Alzheimer's patient and may be a cause of the disease. These plaques are formed by the accumulation of beta-amyloid protein, while tangles are twisted fibers of tau protein. Both plaques and tangles disrupt communication between brain cells and lead to the death of neurons, resulting in the cognitive decline and memory loss characteristic of Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly population. AIDS, brain tumors and vascular disease are all less common causes of progressive loss of mental function in elderly patients.

This response is the most direct and immediate. This is a case of potential need for advocacy and patient’s rights.

Placing simple signs that indicate the location of rooms where the client sleeps, eats, and bathes will help the client be more independent. Providing mirrors and pictures is not recommended with the client who has Alzheimer’s disease because mirrors and pictures tend to cause agitation, and alternating healthcare workers confuses the client.

Safety is a priority consideration as the client’s cognitive ability deteriorates.. receiving adequate nutrition and hydration is appropriate interventions because the client’s cognitive impairment can affect the client’s ability to attend to his nutritional needs, but it is not the priority Patient is allowed to reminisce but it is not the priority. The client in the moderate stage of Alzheimer’s disease will have difficulty in performing activities independently

Diabetes mellitus is not directly related to Alzheimer's disease. While both conditions can occur in the same individual, they are separate diseases with different underlying mechanisms. Alzheimer's disease is characterized by the presence of senile plaques and tangles in the brain, which lead to cognitive decline and dementia. Diabetes mellitus, on the other hand, is a metabolic disorder that affects the body's ability to regulate blood sugar levels. Although there is some evidence linking diabetes to an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, the two conditions are not directly related.

Staying with the client and encouraging him to feed himself will ensure adequate food intake. A client with Alzheimer’s disease can forget how to eat. Allowing privacy during meals, filling out the menu, or helping the client to complete the menu doesn’t ensure adequate nutritional intake.

No single test identifies Alzheimer's. Lab tests help rule out other disorders that may produce similar symptoms. Neurological and mental-status tests reveal cognitive-function deficits.

The client with Alzheimer’s disease can have frequent episodes of labile mood, which can best be handled by decreasing a stimulating environment and redirecting the client’s attention. An over-stimulating climate may cause a labile mood, which will be difficult for the client to understand. The client with Alzheimer’s disease loses the cognitive ability to respond to either humor or logic. The client lacks any insight into their behavior and, therefore, will be unaware of any causative factors.

When speaking to a client with Alzheimer’s disease, the nurse should use close-ended questions.Those that the client can answer with “yes” or “no”

Although some studies have shown an association between certain modifiable lifestyle factors and a reduced risk for Alzheimer’s disease, the National Institutes of Health says that age is the strongest known risk factor where most people receive the diagnosis after age 60. An early onset familial form can also occur, although it is rare.

A relative deficiency of acetylcholine is associated with this disorder. The drugs used in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease will act to increase available acetylcholine in the brain. The remaining neurotransmitters have not been implicated in Alzheimer’s disease.

A patient with Stage One Alzheimer's might exhibit all of the above behaviors. Forgetting names is a common symptom of Alzheimer's as it affects the individual's ability to recall information. Missing appointments can occur due to memory lapses and difficulty in organizing and keeping track of time. Getting lost while driving is another possible behavior as Alzheimer's can impair spatial awareness and navigation skills. Therefore, all of these behaviors can be seen in a patient with Stage One Alzheimer's.

When speaking to a client with Alzheimer’s disease, the nurse should use close-ended questions. The client should be able to answer with a “yes” or “no” whenever possible to avoid requiring the client to make choices. Repeating the question aids comprehension.

We have safety bars installed in the bathroom and have 24 hour alarms on the doors. Ensuring safety of the client with increasing memory loss is a priority of home care. Note all options are correct statements. However, safety is most important to reinforce.

Establishing and maintaining a routine is essential to decreasing extraneous stimuli. The client should participate in daily care as much as possible. Attempting to reason with such clients isn’t successful, because they can’t participate in abstract thinking.

The client who is confused might forget that he ate earlier. Don’t argue with the client. Simply get him something to eat that will satisfy him until lunch.

Nerve cells change in certain parts of the brain, which causes brain cells to die. The loss of cells impairs thinking and judgment.

The correct answer is that Alzheimer's is an insidious disease because it sneaks up on a person over time. This means that the disease progresses slowly and gradually, often without obvious symptoms in the early stages. It may start with mild memory loss or confusion and gradually worsen over months or years. This gradual onset can make it difficult to detect and diagnose the disease early on, leading to delayed treatment and management.

In the early stage of Alzheimer’s disease, complex tasks (such as balancing a checkbook) would be the first cognitive deficit. The loss of self-care ability, problems relating to family members, and difficulty remembering one’s name are all areas of cognitive decline that occur later in the disease process.

The husband’s statement about lack of sleep and anxiety over whether the patient is receiving the correct medications are behaviors that support this diagnosis. There is no evidence that the patient’s cardiac output is decreased. The husband’s statements about how he monitors the patient and his concern with medication administration indicate that the Risk for Ineffective Therapeutic Regimen Management and falls are not priorities at this time.
Focus: Prioritization

Simplifying the environment for a client with Alzheimer's disease helps to reduce confusion and frustration. By eliminating the need to make chores, the client can focus on their daily activities without feeling overwhelmed. This approach promotes a sense of calmness and enhances their ability to function independently.

Clients in the first stage of Alzheimer's disease are aware that something is happening to them and may become overwhelmed and frightened. Therefore, nursing care typically focuses on providing emotional support and individual counseling. The other options are appropriate during the second stage of Alzheimer's disease, when the client needs continuous monitoring to prevent minor illnesses from progressing into major problems and when maintaining adequate nutrition may become a challenge. During this stage, offering nourishing finger foods helps clients to feed themselves and maintain adequate nutrition.

Vascular dementia differs from Alzheimer’s disease in that it has a more abrupt onset and runs a highly variable course. Personality change is common in Alzheimer’s disease. The duration of delirium is usually brief. The inability to carry out motor activities is common in Alzheimer’s disease.

Bell's palsy is a condition characterized by sudden weakness or paralysis of the facial muscles. It is typically caused by inflammation or damage to the facial nerve. While diseases such as AIDS, diabetes, and Lyme disease have been directly linked to Bell's palsy, there is currently no direct link between Alzheimer's disease and Bell's palsy. Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disorder that primarily affects memory and cognitive function, and it does not typically cause facial paralysis.

The age group of 85 and older has the highest rate of Alzheimer's cases reported. This is because Alzheimer's disease is more common among older individuals, and as age increases, the risk of developing the disease also increases. Therefore, it is expected that the highest rate of cases would be found in the oldest age group.

Nausea and gastrointestinal upset are very common in clients taking acetlcholinesterase inhibitors such as Exelon. Other side effects include liver toxicity, dizziness, unsteadiness, and clumsiness. The client might already be experiencing urinary incontinence or headaches, but they are not necessarily associated; and the client with Alzheimer’s disease is already confused.

Apraxia is the inability to use objects appropriately. Agnosia is loss of sensory comprehension, anomia is the inability to find words, and aphasia is the inability to speak or understand .

The symptom of shallow or labile effect is unrelated to depression. Shallow effect refers to a lack of emotional depth or intensity in one's expressions or reactions, while labile effect refers to rapid and unpredictable shifts in emotional states. These symptoms are more commonly associated with certain types of dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease, rather than depression. Depression, on the other hand, is typically characterized by symptoms such as apathetic response to the environment, "I don't know" answers to questions, and neglect of personal hygiene.

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects the brain, leading to memory loss and cognitive decline. The progression of the disease varies from person to person, but on average, it can span from two to twenty years. This wide range is due to the fact that Alzheimer's progresses at different rates in different individuals. Factors such as age, overall health, and the stage at which the disease is diagnosed can also influence the rate of progression. Therefore, it is important to note that while some individuals may experience a relatively rapid decline within a few years, others may have a slower progression over a couple of decades.

In stage III of Alzheimer’s disease, the client develops agnosia, or failure to recognize familiar objects. Answer A is incorrect because it appears in stage I. Answer C is incorrect because it appears in stage II. Answer D is incorrect because it appears in stage IV.

Stimulation in the form of pictures may decrease signs of confusion.

Initially, memory impairment may be the only cognitive deficit in a client with Alzheimer's disease. During the early stage of this disease, subtle personality changes may also be present. However, besides occasional irritable outbursts and lack of spontaneity, the client is usually cooperative and exhibits socially appropriate behavior. Signs of advancement to the middle stage of Alzheimer's disease include exacerbated cognitive impairment with noticeable personality changes and impaired communication, such as inappropriate conversation, actions, and responses. During the late stage, the client can't perform self-care activities and may become mute.

LPN education and team leader responsibilities include checking for the therapeutic and adverse effects of medications. Changes in the residents’ memory would be communicated to the RN supervisor, who is responsible for overseeing the plan of care for each resident. Assessment for changes on the Mini-Mental State Examination and developing the plan of care are RN responsibilities. Assisting residents with personal care and hygiene would be delegated to nursing assistants working the LTC facility. Focus: Delegation