NUR 257 Midterm 2
- what are common not normal behaviors in an older adult?
Answer
severe mood swings, uncontrolled laughing or crying, changes in cognitive ability and excessive forgetfulness
- true or false
changes in mental status are part of the normal aging process-
Answer
false
- the most common affective or mood disorder of old age
Answer
depression
- what might cause depression in an older adult?
Answer
precipitating events/loss, chronic illness, or chronic pain
- what are s/s of depression in the older adult?
Answer
fatigue, diminished memory/concentration, irritability, somatic complaints, behavioral 1 / 4
changes, feelings of worthlessness, sleep disturbances, appetite disturbances with excessive weight loss/gain, restlessness, impaired attention span, and suicidal ideation
- why might depression go untreated in an older adult?
Answer
it goes unrecognized or the patient does not want to seek medical treatment for it
- how can we combat the high suicide risk in the older adult population?
Answer
routine assessments/screenings
- what assessment/screening tool is used for depression in older adults?
Answer
geriatric depression scale (GDS)
- what is the treatment/management of depression?
Answer
treat underlying medical condition (chronic illness, chronic pain) antidepressant medications
- what can older adults on antidepressants become at risk for?
- / 4
Answer adverse effects anticholinergic, cardiac and orthostatic adverse effects
drug interaction
med toxicity, hypotensive, falls
- what patient education is needed for older adults on antidepressants?
Answer
- elders to understand that it may take even longer than the typical 4-6 weeks for symptoms to
diminish
change positions slowly
maintain adequate hydration to avoid common side effects (nausea, dizziness, and constipation)
- acute confusional state
Answer
delirium
- what type of delirium has a higher mortality rate and why?
Answer
stupor (hypoalert-hypoactive) delirium because it tends not to be recognized; it is quiet and often mistaken for depression
- which type of delirium is easier to diagnose?
Answer
excessive activity (hyper- alert-hyperactive) delirium
- / 4
require more attention because patient's thinking is disoriented
- in what setting is delirium most commonly seen in older adults? why?
Answer
the hospital setting because it often indicates a medical illness
- what happens if delirium is left untreated?
Answer
changes in LOC, irreversible brain damage, and death
- what vital assessment piece do you need to know to determine dementia from delirium?
Answer
the patient's baseline
dementia is long term delirium is abrupt onset
- what screening tool is used for delirium in the hospital?
Answer
CAM
- what are the common causes of delirium?
Answer
physical illness infection (UTI or pneumonia)
- / 4