Cognitive Disorders: A Case Study
Cognitive Disorders
Definitions
Cognition: The act, process, or result of knowing, learning, or understanding
-represents a fundamental human feature that distinguishes living from existing
-has a distinctive personalized impact on the individual’s physical, psychological, social & spiritual conduct of life
-Direct relationship with ADL’s
Cognitive Disorders: Psychiatric disorders that are manifested in deficits in memory, perception, & problem solving. 1) Delirium 2) Dementia 3) Amnestic Disorder
Delirium
DMS Criteria
A) Disturbance of consciousness reduced clarity of awareness of environment w/ reducded ability to focus, sustain, or shift attention
B) A change in cognition (memory deficit, disorientation, language disturbance) …show more content…
*focused on protecting patient dignity, preserving functional status, & promoting well being
Comparison | Delirium | Dementia | Depression | Onset | Sudden: hours-days | Slowly- over months | Gradual with exacerbation during crisis or increased stress | Cause/Contributing Factors | Hypoglycemia, fever, dehydration, hypotension, infection, conditions that disrupt homeostasis; Adverse drug reaction, head injury, change in environment, pain, emotional stress | Alzheimer’s disease, vascular disease, HIV, neurological disease, chronic alcoholism, head trauma | Life long history, losses, loneliness, crises, declining health, medical conditions | Cognition | Impaired memory, judgment, calculations, attention span: Can fluctuate through the day | Impaired memory, judgment, calculations, attention span, abstract thinking, agnosia | Difficulty concentrating, inattention, forgetfulness | Level of Consciousness | Altered | Not altered | Not altered | Activity Level | Can be increased or decreased; restlessness, behaviors may worsen in evening (sundowning), sleep/wake cycle may be reversed | Not altered; Behaviors may worsen in the evening | Usually decreased; lethargy, fatigue, lack of motivation, may sleep poorly & wake up early
Definitions
Cognition: The act, process, or result of knowing, learning, or understanding
-represents a fundamental human feature that distinguishes living from existing
-has a distinctive personalized impact on the individual’s physical, psychological, social & spiritual conduct of life
-Direct relationship with ADL’s
Cognitive Disorders: Psychiatric disorders that are manifested in deficits in memory, perception, & problem solving. 1) Delirium 2) Dementia 3) Amnestic Disorder
Delirium
DMS Criteria
A) Disturbance of consciousness reduced clarity of awareness of environment w/ reducded ability to focus, sustain, or shift attention
B) A change in cognition (memory deficit, disorientation, language disturbance) …show more content…
*focused on protecting patient dignity, preserving functional status, & promoting well being
Comparison | Delirium | Dementia | Depression | Onset | Sudden: hours-days | Slowly- over months | Gradual with exacerbation during crisis or increased stress | Cause/Contributing Factors | Hypoglycemia, fever, dehydration, hypotension, infection, conditions that disrupt homeostasis; Adverse drug reaction, head injury, change in environment, pain, emotional stress | Alzheimer’s disease, vascular disease, HIV, neurological disease, chronic alcoholism, head trauma | Life long history, losses, loneliness, crises, declining health, medical conditions | Cognition | Impaired memory, judgment, calculations, attention span: Can fluctuate through the day | Impaired memory, judgment, calculations, attention span, abstract thinking, agnosia | Difficulty concentrating, inattention, forgetfulness | Level of Consciousness | Altered | Not altered | Not altered | Activity Level | Can be increased or decreased; restlessness, behaviors may worsen in evening (sundowning), sleep/wake cycle may be reversed | Not altered; Behaviors may worsen in the evening | Usually decreased; lethargy, fatigue, lack of motivation, may sleep poorly & wake up early