Nursing Diagnosis for Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia among older people. Dementia is a brain disorder that seriously affects a person's ability to carry out daily activities.
The cause and progression of Alzheimer's disease are not well understood. Research indicates that the disease is associated with plaques and tangles in the brain. Current treatments only help with the symptoms of the disease. There are no available treatments that stop or reverse the progression of the disease. As of 2012, more than 1000 clinical trials have been or are being conducted to find ways to treat the disease, but it is unknown if any of the tested treatments will work. Mental stimulation, exercise, and a balanced diet have been suggested as ways to delay cognitive symptoms (though not brain pathology) in healthy older individuals, but there is no conclusive evidence supporting an effect.
In AD, over time, symptoms get worse. People may not recognize family members or have trouble speaking, reading or writing. They may forget how to brush their teeth or comb their hair. Later on, they may become anxious or aggressive, or wander away from home. Eventually, they need total care. This can cause great stress for family members who must care for them.
12 Nursing Diagnosis for Alzheimer's Disease (NANDA)
1. Urinary and Bowel Elimination
related to:
neurological function loss / muscle tone,
inability to determine where the bathroom / identify needs.
2. Disturbed Sleep Pattern
related to:
sensory changes.
3. Impaired physical mobility
related to:
neuromuscular damage,
decreased muscle tone or strength.
4. Self-care deficit
related to:
cognitive decline,
physical limitations.
5. Disturbed Sensory Perception
related to:
changes in the reception, transmission, and / or integration.
6. Altered thought processes
related to:
irreversible neuronal degeneration.
7. Ineffective individual coping
related to:
inability to resolve the issues, intellectual changes.
8. Impaired verbal communication
related to:
intellectual changes (dementia, disorientation, decreased ability to cope with the problem).
9. Impaired social interaction
related to:
emotional changes (irritability, lack of confidence).
10. Imbalanced Nutrition, Less Than Body Requirements
related to:
sensory changes, it is easy to forget
11. Risk for Injury
related to:
weaknesses, the inability to recognize / identify hazards in the environment.
The cause and progression of Alzheimer's disease are not well understood. Research indicates that the disease is associated with plaques and tangles in the brain. Current treatments only help with the symptoms of the disease. There are no available treatments that stop or reverse the progression of the disease. As of 2012, more than 1000 clinical trials have been or are being conducted to find ways to treat the disease, but it is unknown if any of the tested treatments will work. Mental stimulation, exercise, and a balanced diet have been suggested as ways to delay cognitive symptoms (though not brain pathology) in healthy older individuals, but there is no conclusive evidence supporting an effect.
In AD, over time, symptoms get worse. People may not recognize family members or have trouble speaking, reading or writing. They may forget how to brush their teeth or comb their hair. Later on, they may become anxious or aggressive, or wander away from home. Eventually, they need total care. This can cause great stress for family members who must care for them.
12 Nursing Diagnosis for Alzheimer's Disease (NANDA)
1. Urinary and Bowel Elimination
related to:
neurological function loss / muscle tone,
inability to determine where the bathroom / identify needs.
2. Disturbed Sleep Pattern
related to:
sensory changes.
3. Impaired physical mobility
related to:
neuromuscular damage,
decreased muscle tone or strength.
4. Self-care deficit
related to:
cognitive decline,
physical limitations.
5. Disturbed Sensory Perception
related to:
changes in the reception, transmission, and / or integration.
6. Altered thought processes
related to:
irreversible neuronal degeneration.
7. Ineffective individual coping
related to:
inability to resolve the issues, intellectual changes.
8. Impaired verbal communication
related to:
intellectual changes (dementia, disorientation, decreased ability to cope with the problem).
9. Impaired social interaction
related to:
emotional changes (irritability, lack of confidence).
10. Imbalanced Nutrition, Less Than Body Requirements
related to:
sensory changes, it is easy to forget
11. Risk for Injury
related to:
weaknesses, the inability to recognize / identify hazards in the environment.
