ABSTRACT
Maintaining and enhancing cognitive function is a crucial but challenging intervention for patients with memory problems. Research on the medial temporal lobe (MTL) memory system has yielded much information that can guide nurses in planning, evaluating, and performing effective interventions. A patient, Mrs. N, with a diagnosis of anaplastic astrocytoma of the left medial temporal lobe provides an example. Information from research guides assessment of Mrs. N and affords development of specific patient-centered interventions to maintain function, cope, and compensate. Data have been gathered from the patient, relatives, and caregivers to compare with and augment existing research, because few nursing case studies of amnesia involving patients with left medial temporal lobe tumors are available for analysis.
