Nursing Assignment for Alzheimer's Dementia Patient

Running head: NURSING ASSIGNMENT
NURSING ASSIGNMENT
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

1NURSING ASSIGNMENT
Part A:
Introduction:
The case study presents facts that must be critically considered while proceeding with
the designing of an appropriate care plan. The case study mentions the client to be an eighty
nine year old female who at present is residing in the Minnows Aged Care facility. Apart
from her medical complications, the patient has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s
Dementia. Research studies show that the Dementia is a common mental illness that
manifests itself with advancing age. It should further be noted in this regard that Dementia
cannot be categorized as a specific physical health condition but is marked by a group of
conditions. The disease condition primarily affects two major functioning areas of the brain
that includes memory retention and lack of judgement (Scher & Hsu, 2013). Some of the
common symptoms include, forgetfulness, limited social adjustment and thinking ability
along with fragile physical health (McLaren et al., 2013). The patients often require
assistance with the activities of daily living. It should also be noted in this context that the
medical condition cannot be completely cured but the symptoms can be managed so as to
enhance the standard of living of the elderly patients.
This paper intends to devise an appropriate nursing plan for the client. It would
critically consider a number of aspects with respect to ageing in section A, so as to formulate
an appropriate plan.
Medical Diagnosis:
In order to proceed with the critical designing of an appropriate care plan, it is
important to consider the past medical history of the client. Miss Alice Jones (the client) had
been diagnosed with Myocardial Infarct 10 years ago. She had also been diagnosed with

2NURSING ASSIGNMENT
Hypertension 10 years ago. She has also been diagnosed with Osteoarthritis in her right knee.
In addition to this, it should also be noted that, Miss Alice Jones has been diagnosed with
mental health conditions that include Anxiety and Depression almost two years ago. Miss
Jones has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Dementia and Urinary incontinence and
ambulates with the help of a 4-wheeled frame. She has recently encountered two episodes of
fall but that resulted in no injuries. She requires assistance with her activities of daily living
and has lost weight. She is often found confused and wandering to other areas of the care
home. She has to be redirected to her ward with assistance. Her present medication routine
comprises of the following:
Prn Panadol 1grm tds
Voltaren Emulgel daily to right knee
Tramadol 50mg PRN
Atenolol 100 mg mane
Therefore on the basis of the medical history of the patient it can be predicted that the
condition of the patient is worsening and the medical condition of Alzheimer’s Dementia is
rapidly progressing. Also, on evaluating the cognitive score of the patient along with the
DSM-V Dementia criteria, it can be said the patient is susceptible to develop severe forms of
sleep apnoea, eating disorders and complete cognitive impairment. Based on the recent
medical health condition, it can be said that the client already has developed mild forms of
these medical conditions.
Theory of Ageing:
According to Bratic and Larsson (2013), ageing has been defined as a universal,
continuous and a deleterious process which advances with age and cannot be voluntarily

3NURSING ASSIGNMENT
controlled. In close association with the case study, it must be mentioned that that the
programmed theory of ageing can be used to explain the worsening condition of the client.
According to Bractic and Larsson (2013), the programmed theory of ageing suggests that
ageing is controlled by the changes in genetic expression that is governed by the biological
timetable. The alterations in the genetic expression affects the ability of the body to perform
functions of repair, regenerate and maintain defence responses. Research studies have
suggested that advancing age leads to brain damage and deterioration in the normal
functioning of the neuronal cytoskeleton (Scher & Hsu, 2013). Senescence also damages the
mitochondria which further diminish the neuronal energy. In addition to this, researchers
have also suggested that the impact of the external environment also determines the
progression of ageing (Bratic & Larsson, 2013). Therefore, in this context, the advancing age
of the client is responsible for the normal physiological functioning of her body. This can be
verified through the medical history of the client which presents diagnosis of Alzheimer’s
dementia and Dementia 2 years ago.
Physiology of Ageing:
The process of ageing is primarily governed by two factors which include, genetic
ageing and environmental influence. Ageing refers to perpetual deterioration of all the major
organ systems of the body (Scher & Hsu, 2013). This includes weakening of the
integumentary system, immune system, cardiovascular system, nervous system, respiratory
system, Digestive system, Urinary system, Endocrine system and skeletal system. Ageing
causes reduction in the bone density, reduction in perception ability and responsiveness to
stimuli. It further affects the endocrine system and hampers the hormone synthesis
mechanism (Richardson et al., 2013). Hence, it can be said that patient’s present medical
condition is characterized by the deterioration of the major organ systems within the body.