Ch. 13 delirium and dementia

Your home health patient has become confused over the past week. He is taking all of the drugs listed subsequently. Which of these can cause confusion? (Select all that apply)

"Digoxin for heart failure" "First generation H2 receptor blocker for peptic ulcer disease" "Anticholinergic for seasonal allergies" "NSAID for arthritis"

What is the primary difference between delirium and dementia?

Delirum is typically reversible; dementia is usually irreversible

When addressing a person who has dementia, which message is most appropriate?

"Put your arm in the sleeve of your shirt"

When a patient and her family are informed that the patient probably has early AD, the patient says, "Don't they have drugs to cure this disease?" To explain drug therapy for AD, the health care provider should include which statements? (Select all that apply)

"There are no drugs for moderate dementia" "Benefits gained from taking AD drugs vary greatly among individuals" "A combination of drugs usually arrests the progression of AD"

Most drugs used to treat AD work by increasing the amount of which neurotransmitter in the brain?

Acetylcholine

If you applied the principles of the CDA to the care of a patient with dementia, you would?

Adapt expectations and interventions to the patients abilities

Which type of dementia is most common?

Alzheimer's disease

A delirious patient repeatedly cries out for her daughter in the middle of the night. What is the best intervention?

Calmly tell her where she is and that her daughter is not there

A patient with AD wanders away from the table during meals, leaving most of his food uneaten. What should you do?

Consult with the dietitian about providing finger foods

A new nurse on the special care unit for patients with AD repeatedly asks patients what time it is and if they know where they are. What information should share with her?

Frequent attempts at orientation tend to agitate patient with AD