Nursing

Diagnoses:
Impaired Memory r/t
neurological disturbances

The client will demonstrate

the use of techniques to
help with memory loss.
The client will state they
have improved memory for
everyday concerns.

Impaired Physical Mobility r/t

cognitive impairments

The client will meet

mutually defined goals of
increased ambulation and
exercise that include
individual choice, preference
and enjoyment in the
exercise prescription.
The client will demonstrate
the use of adaptive
equipment to increase
mobility.

Chronic Confusion r/t

Alzheimers disease

The client will remain

content and free from harm.

The client will participate in

activities of daily living at
the maximum of functional
ability.

Lifespan and
Cultural
Considerations

Early-onset: 30 to 60 years
old, represents less than 5%
of all cases.
Late-onset: after age 60.
A woman in her 60s has a 1
in 6 chance of developing
Alzheimers, 2/3 of those
affected in US are women,
and more than 60% of
caregivers are women.
No true difference in rates
between ethnicities.

References

Alzheimers Association (2014).

Alzheimers Facts and
Figures. Retrieved from:
http://www.alz.org/alzheimer
s_disease_facts_and_figures.
asp#prevalence.
Alzheimers Disease Education and
Referral Center (2014).
Alzheimers Disease Fact
Sheet. Retreived from:
http://www.nia.nih.gov/alzhe
imers/publication/alzheimers
-disease-fact-sheet#causes.
Alzheimers Foundation of America
(2014). About Alzheimers.
Retreived from:
http://www.alzfdn.org/About
Alzheimers/statistics.html.
Ladwig, G. B., & Ackley, B. J. (Eds.).

ALZHEIM
ERS
DISEASE

NURS 300
Pathophysiology Gail
Luskin

Explanation of
Disease
Etiology

Only way to determine if a

person really has the
disease is during the
autopsy of the brain after
death.
Neurons in brain that
produce acetylcholine
break connections with
other nerves and
eventually die.

Clinical
Manifestations

Incidence

More than 5 million

Americans have the
disease.
6th leading cause of death
in US.
Most common cause of
dementia among people
65 and up.

Potential
Complications

Risk Factors

Apolipoprotein E (APOE)
gene.
Heart disease, stroke, high
BP, diabetes, and obesity.
Lack of a nutritious diet
and physical activity.
Age, family history,
genetics.

Pathophysiology

Two forms of lesions that

Memory loss
Mild to moderate cognitive
impairment
Difficulty word-finding
Vision/spatial issues
Impaired reasoning or
judgment
Getting lost
Mood or personality
changes
Confusion
Decreased ability
performing activities of
daily living

The person may

experience frustration
from losing thought
processes.
There are dangers of
forgetting to turn off the
stove, wandering away
from home and forgetting
how to get back, and a
decreased awareness of
healthy hygiene habbits.
Elder abuse being
financially taken
advantage of,
inappropriate care by
caregivers, and sexual

Significance to
Nursing

In 2013, 15.5 million

caregivers provided
around 17.7 billion hours
of unpaid care valued at
more than $220 billion.
The number of people 65
and up is expected to
double between 2010 and
2050 which means that
more people will then be
diagnosed with
Alzheimers.
With an increase in people
with the disease, more
nurses are needed to
provide care and are
expected to know how to
care for those with the
disease.
Nurses must be educators
to the patients and their
families, advocates in
patient care, and treat the
patients with respect and
compassion.
Nurses must work with
doctors, therapists,
dietitians, social workers,
administrators, and many
more to provide their
patients with the best care
possible.