Chapter 5 Hartman's Nursing Assistant Care The Basics Test Prep

Confusion

The inability to think clearly

delirium

A state of severe confusion that occurs suddenly and is usually temporary

Cognition

The ablity to think logically and clearly

Cognitive impairment

Loss of ability to think logically; concentration and memory are affected

Dementia

The serious loss of mental abilities, such as thinking, remembering, reasoning, and communicating

Alzheimer's disease

A progressive, incredible disease that causes tangle nerve fibers and protein deposits to form in the brain, eventually causing dementia

Perseveration

The repetition of words, phrases, questions, or actions

Sundowning

Becoming restless and agitated in the late afternoon, evening, or night

Catastrophic reaction

Reacting to something in unreasonable, exaggerated way

Pacing

Walking back and forth in the same area

Wandering

walking aimlessly around the facility or facility grounds

Elope

In medicine, when a person with Alzheimer's disease wonders away from a protected area and does not return

Hallucinations

Seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, or feeling things that are not there

Delusions

false beliefs

Pillaging

Taking things that belong to someone

Hoarding

collecting and putting things away in a guarded way

Validating

giving value to or approving

Bid

twice a day

BM

bowel movement

BP or B/P

blood pressure

BR

bed rest

BRP

bathroom privileges

/c

with

Ca

cancer

CC

cubic centimeter

CDC

Center for Disease Control

signs and symptoms of delirium

Agitation, Anger, Depression, Irritability, Disorientation, Trouble focusing, Problems with speech, Changes in sensation and perception, Changes in consciousness, Decrease in short-term memory.

Causes of confusion

UTI, Low Blood Sugar, Dehydration, Fever, Lack of Oxygen, Infections, Brain Tumor, head injury, sudden drop in temp, medications, illness, loss of sleep, seizures

What are some guidelines on treating confused patients?

Do not leave them alone

Stay calm

Speak clearly and slowly in a low tone

Introduce yourself everytime you see them

Remind them of their location, name, and the date

Explain what you will do

Keep a routine

common causes of Dementia

Alzheimer's disease

multi-infract or vascular dementia

lewy body Dementia

Parkinson disease

Huntington disease

Alzheimer's statistics

5.5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's 1 in 10 people aged 65 and older have Alzheimer's women are more likely than menta of Alzheimer's and dementia African Americans are about 2 times as likely to Alzheimer's disease as older whites while hispanics are about 1.5 times is likely

How do you diagnose Alzheimer's disease

autopsy

how does Alzheimer's disease progress

in stages. skills a person has used over a lifetime are usually kept longer

General Principles for ADLs of Alzheimer's patients

develop a routine and stick to it

promote self care

take good care of themselves

in what order should clothes be laid out?

the order in which they should be put on

Should you encourage fluids with incontinent AD patients?

Yes

How can you help AD patients get nutrition?

Encourage foods at regular times with no distractions (consider plain plate)

How should a NA deal with sundowning residents?

Avoid stressful situations, place off to music, set bedroom bedtime routine, Start calling activity before sundowning, move caffeine from diet, provide snacks, give back massage, distract resident, maintain daily exercise

If a resident with Alzheimer's disease shows violent behavior, the nursing assistant should

Call for help, block blows but never hurt back, step out of reach and stay calm, avoid leaving the resident alone, try to remove triggers

If a resident is experiencing hallucinations and/or delusions the NA should

Reassure a resident who seems agitated or worried,

Ignore harmless hallucinations indulgence, nor argue with the resident who is imagining things, be calm and reassure the resident that she is there to help

if a resident is depressed the NA should

report signs to nurse

If a resident hoards or rummages that NA should

Label all personal belongings with the resident's name, place a label symbol or object on the residence door, or, prepare the family so they are not upset when they find items, MA regularly check areas where the residents store items

validation therapy

The caregiver accepts values and beliefs of the resident with dementia, even though they may differ from reality

Reminiscene Therapy

type of therapy that encourages people with Alzheimer's disease to remember and talk about the past

Activity Therapy

therapy for people with Alzheimer's djsease that uses activities to prevent boredom and frustration.