Question

As its name indicates, the central nervous system is central to the body's structure and function. It contains the brain and spinal cord, and the CNS controls all basic bodily functions and the body’s response to external changes. The CNS can be thought of as the coordinator of the body. From the central nervous system, 43 pairs of nerves originate to begin the peripheral nervous system (PNS). These nerves outside the brain and spinal cord divide and branch out as a network to every organ and structure of the body.You are a medical assistant at an assisted living facility. One of your residents, Mrs. Thompson, seems to be experiencing more confusion than normal. You have noticed a change in her mood recently, and she is having difficulty with her daily tasks. What nervous system condition would her doctor MOST LIKELY screen her for first? How could you best support Mrs. Thompson as her medical assistant?

Write one paragraph in your own words.

Answer 1

Given Mrs. Thompson’s increased confusion, mood changes, and trouble managing daily tasks, her doctor would most likely screen first for dementia—most commonly Alzheimer’s disease—while also checking for reversible causes such as delirium from infection, medication effects, dehydration, or metabolic problems. As her medical assistant you can best support her by closely observing and documenting changes in cognition and behavior, reporting these observations promptly to the nurse or physician, keeping her environment safe and predictable, assisting with activities of daily living, providing calm reorientation and reassurance, encouraging hydration, nutrition, and medication adherence, involving family in care discussions, and helping arrange and prepare for any cognitive assessments or medical tests.