Confusion and Dementia

Flashcards based on key concepts related to confusion and dementia, highlighting symptoms, treatment, and care strategies.

Cognitive function

Involves memory, thinking, reasoning, ability to understand, judgment, and behavior.

Acute confusion (delirium)

Sudden confusion that is usually temporary; caused by infection, drugs, illness, surgery, or injury.

Early warning signs of dementia

Include recent memory loss, problems with common tasks, language, getting lost, misplacing things, personality changes, poor judgment, and loss of interest.

Reversible dementias

Some dementias can be reversed if brain changes have not occurred; treatable causes include drugs, delirium, depression, tumors, and infections.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD)

A brain disease characterized by the damage and death of nerve cells that control intellectual and social function.

Stage of Alzheimer’s disease

AD is typically described in terms of mild, moderate, and severe stages; symptoms worsen and the disease ultimately leads to death.

Patient care for AD

Care should focus on safety, hygiene, nutrition, elimination, activity, comfort, and sleep, treating patients with dignity and respect.

Validation therapy

A therapeutic approach that may be included in care plans for patients; requires training for appropriate implementation.

Caregiver support

Caregivers often need encouragement and support, as they can feel hopeless, angry, and guilty about the patient's condition.

Impact of patient's environment

Issues like a strange setting or too much noise can exacerbate confusion and behavioral changes in patients.