Geriatrics/Palliative Care/Oncology Flashcards
what does alzheimers cause in the brain
cerebral atrophy in the cortex and hippocampus
1st and 2nd line management for alzheimers
1st: AchE inhibitors e.g. donepezil and rivastigmine
2nd: NMDA antagonist (memantine)
dementia with visual hallucinations
lewy body
dementia with a stepwise progression
vascular
gradual onset dementia at a young age with preserved memory and visuospatial skills
frontotemporal
why should you check the FBC, U&E, LFT, TFT, Ca, Glucose, B12 and folate in dementia
to check for reversible causes
what medication increases mortality in dementia
antispychotics
behavioural change and dementia in middle age
picks disease
reduced conscious level and psychotic sx
delirium
name one cause of delirium
constipation
which score is used to assess frailty
PRISMA-7
1st and 2nd line management of acute confusional state
1st: treat underlying cause and environment
2nd: haloperidol
which two tools assess medication risk benefit
STOPP and START
which score assesses pressure ulcers
waterlow score
management of pressure ulcers
dressing
analgesia
nutritional assessment
abx only if infection
which medication worsens delirium
benzos e.g. lorazepam
GI disturbance, dizziness, confused, arrhythmias, blurred yellow vision precipitated by renal failure or low K
acute digoxin toxicity
which medication predisposes gout
thiazides e.g. indapamide
which sedating medication should you avoid in parkinsons
haloperidol - use lorazepam instead
if pain is uncontrolled, how much should you increase morphine by
30-50%
