Cognitive Conditions
Cognitive Conditions ( 5 Questions)
A nurse is educating a group of family caregivers about delirium in older adults.
Which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching?
This is wrong because delirium is not a chronic condition that causes progressive cognitive decline.
That description fits dementia, which is different from delirium. Dementia is a gradual loss of memory and other thinking skills due to damage or loss of brain cells.
Delirium is a serious change in mental abilities that results in confused thinking and a lack of awareness of one’s surroundings. It usually comes on fast and can be caused by various factors, such as infection, medication, surgery, or alcohol or drug use or withdrawal. Delirium can often be prevented and treated by addressing the underlying causes and providing supportive care.
This is wrong because delirium is not a normal part of aging that does not require any intervention.
Delirium is a medical emergency that needs prompt attention and treatment. Delirium can have serious consequences, such as functional decline, institutionalization, and death.
This is wrong because delirium is not a genetic condition that runs in families. Delirium is not inherited, but rather triggered by environmental factors or medical conditions that affect the brain.
The correct answer is B.
Delirium is a reversible condition that can be cured with proper treatment.
Delirium is a serious change in mental abilities that results in confused thinking and a lack of awareness of one’s surroundings. It usually comes on fast and can be caused by various factors, such as infection, medication, surgery, or alcohol or drug use or withdrawal. Delirium can often be prevented and treated by addressing the underlying causes and providing supportive care.
Choice A is wrong because delirium is not a chronic condition that causes progressive cognitive decline.
That description fits dementia, which is different from delirium. Dementia is a gradual loss of memory and other thinking skills due to damage or loss of brain cells.
Choice C is wrong because delirium is not a normal part of aging that does not require any intervention.
Delirium is a medical emergency that needs prompt attention and treatment. Delirium can have serious consequences, such as functional decline, institutionalization, and death.
Choice D is wrong because delirium is not a genetic condition that runs in families. Delirium is not inherited, but rather triggered by environmental factors or medical conditions that affect the brain.
Normal ranges for mental status assessment in older adults are based on standardized tools, such as the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) or the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA).
These tools measure various aspects of cognition, such as orientation, memory, attention, language, and executive function.
The MMSE has a maximum score of 30, and the MoCA has a maximum score of 26.
A score below 24 on the MMSE or below 18 on the MoCA may indicate cognitive impairment.
However, these tools are not diagnostic of delirium or dementia, and should be interpreted in the context of the patient’s history and clinical presentation.