What is it?Cognitive impairment refers to an individual having memory and thinking problems. The person may have difficulty with learning new things, concentrating, or making decisions that affect their daily life. The most common causes of cognitive impairment among older people are dementia and delirium.1 Show
Dementia is a general term used to describe a form of cognitive impairment that is chronic, generally progressive and occurs over a period of months to years. It can affect memory, language, perception, personality and cognitive skills.2 Delirium is an acute disturbance of attention and cognition where the patient experiences confusion. It is temporary and is a symptom of an underlying issue.3 Delirium is often overlooked or misdiagnosed in the hospital setting.4 Depression is not just low mood or feeling sad, but a serious condition that needs treatment. Its symptoms can mimic those associated with cognitive impairment and it is often overlooked or misdiagnosed. Why is it important?
How can you care for people with cognitive impairment?All hospital staff have a shared role in caring for patients with cognitive impairment. Best practice informs us that all patients over the age of 65 should be screened for cognitive impairment at the first point of contact with the health service, and when they transition to another area in the hospital. It is vital that this screening is documented in the patient’s medical record, and that the patient’s premorbid state is taken into account. Screen and assess patients with cognitive impairment
Actively engage patients and families in all aspects of their care planFamilies and carers offer a wealth of expertise and can often suggest care strategies to minimise risk of functional decline and the person’s level of distress.
Respond to the needs of a patient with cognitive impairment
Monitor and evaluate a patient’s ongoing care
All healthcare organisations and clinicians must practice in alignment with the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards. 1. Milisen K, Braes T, Fick DM & Foreman MD 2006, ‘Cognitive Assessment and Differentiating the 3 Ds (Dementia, Depression, Delirium)’, Nursing Clinics of North America, 41(3):1-22. 2. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2012, Dementia in Australia, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Canberra, Australia. 3. Clinical Epidemiology and Health Service Evaluation Unit, Melbourne Health 2006, Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Delirium in Older People. Report to Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council. 4. Inouye S, Foreman M, Mion L, Katz K & Cooney L. 2001, ‘Nurses' recognition of delirium and its symptoms – Comparison of nurse and researcher ratings’, Archives of Internal Medicine, 160(20):2467-2473. 5. Travers C, Byrne G, Pachana N, Klein K & Gray L. 2013, ‘Prospective observational study of dementia and delirium in the acute hospital setting’, Internal Medicine Journal, 43(3):262-269. 6. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2013, Dementia care in hospitals: costs and strategies, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Canberra, Australia. 7. Bail K, Berry H, Grealish L, Draper B, Karmel R, Gibson D & Peut A 2013, ‘Potentially preventable complications of urinary tract infections, pressure areas, pneumonia, and delirium in hospitalised dementia patients: retrospective cohort study’, BMJ Open, 3(6):2770. Which would be the major consideration when selecting toys for a child who is cognitively impaired?What is the major consideration when selecting toys for a child who is cognitively impaired? Safety is the primary concern in selecting recreational and exercise activities for all children. This is especially true for children who are cognitively impaired.
What is the intelligence quotient IQ score range of a patient with mild cognitive impairment?Most affected individuals have mild mental retardation (IQ of 50 to 70). Moderate mental retardation is defined by a tested IQ of between 35 to 40 and 50 to 55. Severe mental retardation is defined by a tested IQ of between 20 to 25 and 35 to 40.
What is the intelligence quotient score range of a patient with mild cognitive impairment quizlet?Individuals with IQs of 50 to 70 are considered to have mild cognitive impairment but educable. An IQ of 20 to 40 results in severe cognitive impairment.
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