ISSN:0361-1817    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1990

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:0361-1817    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1990

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:0361-1817    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1990

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Confusion has long been considered a normal consequence of aging. The growing incidence and cost of this untreated symptom has unfairly condemned many elders to live out their lives at a low level of functioning and has placed unnecessary hardships on their families. This article offers a complete protocol to assess and differentiate arrestible and reversible causes of confusion from irreversible presenile dementia. The history is the most important aspect of the examination of the confused elder. Onset of symptoms, corresponding illness, medication use and time of day that the confusion occurs should be included. Objective data include mental-status exams, but only as a screening tool and stepping stone for other exams. Judgment and obstraction are examined by assessing the client's ability to interpret proverbs and plot a sensible course of action. Special cortical function is assessed by asking the client to draw a house, a clock and a person. A functional pattern assessment specific to the confused elder is included. The general assessment centers on ruling out systemic or mechanical problems in the brain. Possible pathological causes with corresponding lab results, symptoms and clinical data are presneted. Confusion is a symptom of many different and often unrelated disease entities. Many of these diseases are preventable, curable or arrestible. A diagnosis of irreversible presenile dementia should never be made without thorough evaluation. The health care provider should refer clients suspected of having irreversible presenile dementia to neurological specialists for confirmation of clinical findings.

ISSN:0361-1817    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1990

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:0361-1817    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1990

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:0361-1817    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1990

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:0361-1817    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1990

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

This column is provided for announcements of conferences, committee meetings and various items of general interest to nurse practitioners. Readers are invited to submit relevant material. Inclusion will be based on general interest, date of receipt and available space. Items should be submitted as early as possible to give readers time to respond, and should be submitted no later than the first of each month prior to publication.

ISSN:0361-1817    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1990

数据来源: OVID