Title: Care of Clients with Cognitive Disorders - Care of Clients Affected by Human Abuse
Course: NUR 1521C Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing > Section: Module 7

Cognitive impairment disorders have a profound effect on clients, their families, and society as a whole. Because more people now survive into the high risk age range for onset of these disorders, it is estimated that ten times as many people are affected now as were in the early 1900’s. More significantly, unless cures or means of prevention are found for common causes of dementia, it is estimated that 7.4 million Americans will be affected by the year 2040. This unit explores nursing approaches to assist clients with delirium, dementia, and other cognitive disorders.

Today’s society is increasingly exposed to crisis situations. This unit also focuses on the role of the nurse caring for those who have experienced a crisis or violence.

Learning Outcomes: ADN Student Learning Outcomes (SLO)

- Use effective communication skills appropriate for nursing.
- Apply clinical judgment in providing care throughout the lifecycle using the nursing process.
- Demonstrate a commitment to ethical/legal practice and continuous learning for personal and professional growth.
- Provide competent and safe client care in health care settings.
- Engage in teaching and learning with clients throughout the lifecycle.

Objectives

- Describe the differences in the presentation of dementia, delirium and depression in the elderly client. (SLO#1)
- Differentiate between predisposing factors implicated in the etiology of delirium and dementia. (SLO#1)
- Identify symptomatology and related cognitive and functional impairment associated with delirium and dementia. (SLO#1)
- Formulate nursing diagnoses appropriate for the care of clients with cognitive disorders. (SLO#1,2,4)
- Describe appropriate nursing interventions appropriate for cognitive impaired clients. (SLO#1,2,4)
- Select topics for clients and family teaching related to cognitive disorders. (SLO#1,5)
- Summarize relevant criteria for evaluating nursing care of clients with cognitive impairment. (SLO#1,2,4)
- Explain various pharmacological modalities available for clients with cognitive impairment. (SLO#1)
- Explain the epidemiological theories of family violence. (SLO#1)
- Differentiate characteristics of perpetrators and vulnerable persons. (SLO#1)
- Interpret predisposing factors to abusive behaviors. (SLO#1)
- Interpret the stages of the cycle of violence. (SLO#1)
- Give examples of areas to assess for victims of family violence. (SLO#1)
- Select appropriate nursing diagnoses for victims of abuse. (SLO#1,2)
- Prioritize nursing interventions and follow-up treatment for the victim of abuse. (SLO#1,2,3 4)
- Clarify sexual assault (rape) and summarize the acute and long-term phases of rape-trauma- syndrome. (SLO#1)
- Utilize the nursing process to plan care and follow-up treatment for a victim of a sexual assault. (SLO#1,2,3,4)

Reading Assignments

Varcarolis,E.; Halter,M . (2010). Foundations of Mental Health Nursing (5th ed.) St. Louis Missouri: Saunders/Elsevier.

- Chapter 17 Cognitive Disorders
- Chapter 26 Child, Older Adult and Intimate Partner Abuse.
- Chapter 27 Sexual Assault

Recommended Reading

Varcarolis,E.(2006) Manual of Psychiatric Nursing Care Plans (5th ed.) St. Louis Missouri: Saunders/Elsevier.

- Chapter 12 Cognitive Disorders: Delirium and Dementia
- Chapter 14 Family Violence
- Chapter 15 Sexual Assault

Internet References

- National Domestic Violence Hotline
- The Institute on Violence, Abuse and Trauma
- National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
- Alzheimer's Association
- Alzheimers Disease and other Cognitive Disorders Videos Links
- Cognitive Disorders are Early Onset Disorders
- U.S., Dept of Justice on Domestic Violence
- The American Psyhchiatric Association on Domestic Violence
- Power and Control - Domestic Violence in America
- CDC Intimate Partner Violence