Course Case Studies
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- Review the course material online or in print.
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CASE STUDY: MANAGING EARLY-STAGE ALZHEIMER DISEASE
Patient A, a 68-year-old retired teacher, has been experiencing memory lapses and difficulty with daily tasks over the past year. Her family has noticed that she often forgets recent conversations, misplaces items, and struggles with planning activities. Concerned about her cognitive decline, the patient's daughter, Ms. S, schedules an appointment with a neurologist specializing in dementia.
During the initial consultation, the physician conducts a thorough medical history review and physical examination. Patient A undergoes cognitive testing using the MMSE and the MoCA. Her MMSE score is 24/30, and her MoCA score is 22/30, indicating mild cognitive impairment. The physician also orders an MRI to rule out other potential causes of cognitive decline.
Based on the cognitive assessment and imaging results, Patient A is diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer disease. He explains the diagnosis to Patient A and her daughter, emphasizing the importance of early detection and intervention.
1. What were the early signs of Alzheimer disease that this patient exhibited?
Answer: Patient A exhibited memory lapses, difficulty with daily tasks, forgetting recent conversations, misplacing items, and struggling with planning activities.
2. Which cognitive assessment tools were used to evaluate Patient A's cognitive function?
Answer: The MMSE and the MoCA were used to evaluate the patient's cognitive function.
3. What is the significance of early detection and diagnosis in this patient's case?
Answer: Early detection and diagnosis allowed for timely intervention, enabling Patient A to access treatments and interventions that can slow the progression of symptoms and improve her quality of life. It also provided an opportunity for her and her family to plan for the future and make informed decisions about her care.
Patient A's physician develops a comprehensive care plan, which includes pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatments. He prescribes donepezil, a cholinesterase inhibitor, to help manage her symptoms. Additionally, he recommends cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) and encourages Patient A to engage in regular physical exercise, maintain a healthy diet, and stay socially active.
Patient A's daughter is actively involved in the care planning process. The physician provides education on Alzheimer disease, its progression, and available resources. He also discusses the importance of caregiver support and suggests joining a local support group for caregivers of individuals with dementia.
The physician schedules regular follow-up appointments to monitor Patient A's condition, review the effectiveness of the care plan, and make necessary adjustments. He maintains open communication with the patient and her daughter to address any concerns and provide ongoing support.
1. How was Ms. S involved in the care planning process, and why is caregiver involvement important?
Answer: Ms. S was actively involved in the care planning process by participating in discussions about treatment options, goals of care, and preferences for care. Caregiver involvement is important because it ensures that the care plan is tailored to the needs and preferences of both the patient and the caregiver, providing necessary support and education.
2. What are the key components of Patient A's comprehensive care plan?
Answer: Key components of Patient A's comprehensive care plan include medical management with donepezil, cognitive and behavioral interventions such as CST, safety measures to prevent accidents, support services for both Patient A and her daughter, and legal and financial planning.
3. Why are regular follow-up appointments important in managing Alzheimer disease?
Answer: Regular follow-up appointments are important to monitor the patient's condition, review the effectiveness of the care plan, make necessary adjustments, and provide ongoing support and education to the patient and caregiver.
- Back to Course Home
- Participation Instructions
- Review the course material online or in print.
- Complete the course evaluation.
- Review your Transcript to view and print your Certificate of Completion. Your date of completion will be the date (Pacific Time) the course was electronically submitted for credit, with no exceptions. Partial credit is not available.