Cognition Concept Intro

NRS 102

Intact Cognition

exhibited cogntive behavior within normal range for age, culture

Impaired Cognition

observable/measurable disturbance in cognitive processes

from abnormality within the brain

Risk factor for Cognitive Impairment

• personal behavior, or accidental

• environmental exposure

• congenital and genetic condition s

• health-related conditions

Personal Behaviors and/or accidental

• chemical exposure, rik of TBI

• Substance abuse: alcohol, drugs

• Participation in high-risk activities

• Failure to use safety precautions: seat belts, helmets

• Accidental: motor vehicle accident (MVA), work-related accident

Environmental Exposure

-Lead exposure

• old lead-based paint

• in soil, dust

• battery manufactures

- Pesticides

• Illgeal discarding of toxic chemicals

Congenital and genetic conditions

• Congenital: present at birth

• Genetic: exists at birth but may not manifest until later in life

• Fetal alcohol syndrome (from birth thru lifetime; developmental delays)

• Drug exposure in utero (Ie: maternal illegal drug use)

• Down Syndrome (extra chromosome #21; 47 chromosomes instead of 46)

• Huntington’s disease

• Genetic, incurable, nerve cell breakdown

• adult onset (age 30-40)

Health-Related Conditions

• Intracranial infection, Tumor, Stroke, Covid, Lyme Disease long-term effects

• Hypoglycemia, COPD, Cardiovascular disease

• Medications, Chemotherapy

• Renal challenges

• Delirium

  • Rapid onset

  • Occurs often with elderly hospitalizations

  • Reversible; there is a cause

• Dementia

  • Longer onset

  • Not curable

Physiologic Processes

• Majority of cognitive development

occurs infancy thru adolescence

• Slowing of cognitive process rather

than impairment with aging

• Optimal brain functioning dependent

on oxygenation & nutrient- rich blood