Nursing Tools and Strategies to Assess Cognition and Confusion, Article Review Example

Introduction

The journal article ‘Nursing tools and strategies to assess cognition and confusion’ (Aird & McIntosh, 2004) forms the basis of this article review. This article is a source of mental health evaluation techniques commonly applied in bedside nursing (Aird & McIntosh, 2004, p. 624)..A patient’s cognitive condition is often not adequately appraised. This is in spite of the fact that a deficit in cognitive aptitude may impact every level of their behavior. To better comprehend the probable subtle differences in a patient’s mental shape, Aird and McIntosh (2004) investigate the distinction between confusion and cognition and illustrate some cognitive assessment tools. The authors at the same time give a comparison of terms dementia as well as delirium in conjunction with a precise discussion about implications of mental health deficits.

Summary of the Article

Aird and McIntosh (2004) notes that, in most cases, nurses employ the term “confused” when explaining a patient’s mental condition. This term is not only indistinct, but its implication is well dependent on the individual using it. Cognition includes the ability to understand, retain and organize information. Professionals often use terms such as “confused” and “disoriented” when describing cognitive deficiencies and level of consciousness. These terms proved to be imprecise, in addition to being less effective means of describing symptoms facing the patients. Studies indicate that there is a contradiction in the insight of the terminology confusion. This contradiction may result to a misapprehension of the symptoms.  The terms delirium along with dementia are in most cases applicable to imply to the cognitive deficiencies. Delirium refers to an acute state of confusion; it is short term and can usually be attributed to a physical cause. Delirium is characterized by patient behaviors rather than a structural adjustment within the brain. On the other hand, dementia is progressive in nature and mirrors structural adjustment within the cerebral cortex (Aird & McIntosh, 2004).

Evaluation of the Article

The article has reflected on the disparity between confusion and cognition, in an informative manner. The quandary surrounding the use of the terminology is thoroughly investigated. It is noteworthy to recognize that some of the important distinctions in the terminologies are highlighted in the article. Dementia and delirium, as is the case in all cognitive abnormalities is constantly a cause for concern and must never be thought of as a normal occurrence of the aging process. Any notable changes in a patient’s cognitive performance necessitate further assessment to ascertain the patient‘s safety and health. “Nurses are in a distinctive position in the course of their duties to observe and evaluate incessantly the patient’s level of cognitive functioning” (Aird & McIntosh, 2004, p. 624). There are various techniques one can use to evaluate the level of consciousness. One such technique is the Glasgow Coma Scale which allocates a numerical value to cognitive behaviors.

Conclusion

Nurses who work in acute general clinical areas hardly perform any analysis of a patient’s mental health. The patient’s main concerns in relation to their physical needs are in most cases overriding, and surpass the subtleties evident in cognitive impairment. Ways of evaluating a patient’s cognitive health at the bedside are identified by means of formal and informal testing. While testing may incorporate some level of cognitive impairment, formal neuropsychological testing may be required in order to assess the exact degree of the problem. Nurses should be mindful of the possible complications of cognitive impairment and instigate strategies that guarantee the dignity and welfare of the patient (Aird & McIntosh, 2004, p. 625).

References

Aird, T., & McIntosh, M. (2004). ‘Nursing Tools and Strategies to Assess Cognition and Confusion’. British Journal of Nursing, 13(10). 621-625.