NUR 2459 Mental and Behavioral Health Nursing
Mental Health Exam 2
Question:
What is Delirium
Answer:
RAPID/ABRUPT/ACUTE disturbance in attention and awareness; change in cognition.
- Most frequent complication of hospitalization in older adults. FIND THE
CAUSE AND ELIMINATE IT.
Question:
S/S of Delirum
Answer:
Typically fight or flight. Vitals elevated. Dilated pupils, flushed face).
- Emotional Instability - Anxiety, anger, fear. (Crying, moaning, muttering)
- Disorganized thinking
- Rambling speech 1 / 4
- Can't focus - distractable
- Impaired recent memory
- Illusions/hallucinations
- Awareness ranges from hypervigilance
- Sleep fluctuation
- Psychomotor activity- fluctuate between agitated, purposeless movements
to a state resembling catatonic stupor.
Question:
What may cause Delirium?
Answer:
Sepsis, febrile illness, head trauma, seizures, migraine headaches, stroke, electrolyte imbalance, post-op status, withdrawal, medications, intoxication.
Question:
What meds are used for delirium?
Answer:
- Antipsychotic haloperidol (low dose)
- Benzodiazepine, lorazepam, diazepam. (if withdrawal)
- B1 for Thiazine deficiency
- Oxygen
- / 4
Question:
What is the use of Lorazepam (ativan)?
Answer:
This is a benzodiazepine (-PAM), used for anxiety. Long acting medication.Also used for delirium that results from a withdrawal....
Question:
What is serotonin syndrome?
Answer:
Serious drug reaction. It is caused by medications that build up high levels of serotonin in the body.
Question:
S/S of serotonin syndrome
Answer:
Rapid onset that progresses from diarrhea, restlessness, agitation, hyperreflexia, fluctuations in vital signs to later symptoms of myoclonus, seizures, hyperthermia, uncontrolled shivering, muscle rigidity, and ultimately can lead to delirium, coma, status epilepticus, cardiovascular collapse, and death. Immediate cessation of offending drugs and comprehensive supportive intervention are essential
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Question:
What causes serotonin syndrome?
Answer:
When any of the following are used together: St. John's wort, sumatriptan,
sibutramine, trazodone, nefazodone, venlafaxine, duloxetine, levomilnacipran, SSRIs, 5-HT-receptor agonists (triptans).
Question:
What is Serotonin?
Answer:
Affects mood, appetite, sleep, and libido
Question:
What is norepinephrine?
Answer:
Transmitter that is involved in alarm responses and basic bodily processes.Modules attention and behavior
Question:
What is dopamine?
Answer:
Dopamine is an inhibitory transmitter affecting mood, behavior, and depression
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