Deck 39: Cognitive Processes

Question 1

A client has a traumatic brain injury that has affected the client's ability to detect the relative position of the limbs. The client has most likely experienced:

A) a subdural hemorrhage.
B) a brainstem injury.
C) damage to his or her proprioceptors.
D) increased intracranial pressure.

Answer 1

damage to his or her proprioceptors.

Question 2

Sensory receptors that respond to stimuli from deeper tissues such as bone are termed:

A) neuroreceptors.
B) interoceptors.
C) proprioceptors.
D) exteroceptors.

Answer 2

interoceptors.

Question 3

The process of receiving and interpreting the sensory stimuli that functions as a basis for understanding, knowing, and learning is termed:

A) perception.
B) attending.
C) thinking.
D) memory.

Answer 3

perception.

Question 4

The nurse instructs the newly delivered, first-time mother that to enhance the newborn's cognitive development, the mother should:

A) teach the infant to hold the bottle.
B) frequently stimulate and interact with him or her.
C) reinforce the newborn's environment with symbols.
D) encourage the neonate to coo and babble.

Question 5

The toddler begins to label familiar items such as "the stove is hot" and "the ball bounces" at what age?

A) Less than 1
B) 1 to 3 years
C) 3 to 5 years
D) 5 to 7 years

Question 6

The thinking patterns of a 4-year-old will typically demonstrate:

A) categorization.
B) abstract thought.
C) conservatism.
D) egocentrism.

Question 7

An ill adolescent client states, "I am tired of everything and I am very bored." The nurse should encourage:

A) peer relationships.
B) time for prayer.
C) ability to think.
D) activity therapy.

Question 8

When the older adult client seems very forgetful and often fails to dress appropriately, the nurse determines that the client is demonstrating:

A) normal aging.
B) confusion.
C) cognitive impairment.
D) chronic senile dementia.

Question 9

An older adult male client who has been smoking a pipe and cigar for more than 30 years develops chronic hoarseness. The nurse understands that the client is a risk for which alteration in cognitive function?

A) Memory
B) Thinking
C) Communication
D) Muscular dysfunction

Question 10

A 78-year-old client has suffered a cerebrovascular accident. The family inquires about the client's speech. The client has expressive aphasia. The nurse explains the client will require a(n):

A) speech pathologist.
B) physical therapist.
C) occupational therapist.
D) physiatrist.

Question 11

For optimal functioning, the brain requires a large amount of:

A) sodium.
B) magnesium.
C) glucose.
D) vitamin A.

Question 12

Which problem is the most likely physical cause of an older adult client's altered cognition?

A) Hypothyroidism
B) Hyperthyroidism
C) Hypopituitarism
D) Hyperparathyroidism

Question 13

When a nurse makes a home visit and finds that a previously alert and oriented older adult client is demonstrating early signs of confusion, the nurse suspects that the client may be experiencing the onset of:

A) infection.
B) hyperglycemia.
C) hepatic encephalopathy.
D) hyperkalemia.

Question 14

Which statement accurately characterizes dementia? The disease is:

A) equivalent to organic brain syndrome.
B) a result of the normal aging process.
C) reversible with early diagnosis and treatment.
D) irreversible with gradual cognitive decline.

Question 15

An older adult is experiencing delirium. When planning the client's care, which action would be appropriate for the nurse to include in the client's plan of care?

A) Using restraints on all four extremities
B) Keeping the client awake as much as possible
C) Frequently reorienting the client to the surroundings
D) Turing up the volume on the television for distraction

Question 16

Which type of aphasia occurs in the brain-injured person and results in limited speech that is slow and halting, is completed with great effort, and is poorly articulated?

A) Broca
B) Receptive
C) Global
D) Anomic

Question 17

The nurse recognizes that the client diagnosed with global aphasia will:

A) have difficulty with grammar and articulation.
B) demonstrate unintelligible speech.
C) express comments that do not make sense.
D) be unable to speak, read, or write.

Question 18

To assess a newly admitted adult client's perception of reality, the nurse asks the client about:

A) person, place, and time.
B) family history.
C) memory ability.
D) confusional state.

Question 19

The most appropriate nursing diagnosis for the older adult client with Alzheimer disease who requires bathing is:

A) chronic confusion related to disease process as evidenced by the inability to manage activities of daily living
B) chronic confusion related to dementia and biochemical imbalances as evidenced by hallucination
C) altered thought processes related to confusion, biochemical imbalances, and Alzheimer disease
D) confusion as evidenced by inability to remain oriented to place and time resulting from Alzheimer disease

Question 20

The nurse is caring for a client recently diagnosed with Alzheimer dementia. Which assessment finding would cause the client to question this diagnosis?

A) Sudden onset of confusion
B) Short-term memory loss
C) Increased agitation at sundown
D) Inattention to ADLs

Question 21

A nurse is caring for a client who had difficulty finding the correct names for particular objects. The nurse should:

A) document the presence of anomic aphasia.
B) encourage the client to write out his or her thoughts.
C) reassure the client that this is a common consequence of aging.
D) perform assessments related to global aphasia.

Question 22

The nurse is caring for a client who has suffered a stroke. The client is now unable to speak, read, or write. He or she is also unable to understand spoken language. The nurse would document this as:

A) anomic aphasia.
B) expressive aphasia.
C) receptive aphasia.
D) global aphasia.

Question 23

The nurse has completed a presentation to a group regarding ways to help clients with cognitive deficits to remain oriented. Which statement by a member of the group would indicate a need for further education?

A) "I will place clocks and calendars in the clients' rooms."
B) "I will change the activity schedule on a daily basis."
C) "I will be consistent when making nursing care assignments."
D) "I will provide frequent orientation reminders for the clients."

Question 24

The nurse is caring for a client who has had a stroke. Since the stroke, the client has trouble saying words correctly and his speech seems slurred. The nurse documents this speech pattern as:

A) dysarthria.
B) anomic aphasia.
C) dysphasia.
D) expressive aphasia.

Question 25

The nurse is working with a client experiencing minimal memory problems. The nurse is teaching the client about memory training programs. Which statement by the client would indicate a need for further education?

A) "I will do a crossword puzzle every day."
B) "I will start making lists of things I need to remember."
C) "I will not try to learn any new hobbies."
D) "I will take a nap every day."

Question 26

The nurse is caring for a client with altered cognitive function who has recently been admitted to the hospital from a long-term care facility. Which intervention would address the client's safety? Select all that apply.

A) Place the client in a room close to the nurses' station.
B) Keep the bed in the lowest position possible.
C) Use a night light in the client's room.
D) Keep the client's door closed to reduce noise.
E) Leave the television on at all times.

Question 27

A nurse is caring for a client with schizophrenia. The nurse understands that clients suffering from schizophrenia have problems in which areas? Select all that apply.

A) Processing information
B) Inappropriate social behavior
C) Communication
D) Memory
E) Decision-making

Question 28

The nurse is caring for a client who is difficult to arouse and when aroused is confused. The nurse would document the client's condition as:

A) lethargic.
B) obtunded.
C) somnolent.
D) depressed.

Question 29

A nurse is providing care to an older adult client with altered cognition. When reviewing the client's medical record, which of the following would the nurse identify as a possible contributing factor?

A) Hyperthyroidism
B) Hyperparathyroidism
C) Hypothermia
D) Hypopituitarism