Deck 5: Differential Assessment and Diagnosis of Cognitive and Emotional Problems of Older Adults

Question 1

The symptoms of minor depression in older adult most commonly include:

A) A sense of worthlessness
B) Somatic symptoms
C) Alternating states of confusion
D) Hoarding of newspapers

Answer 1

A sense of worthlessness
Somatic symptoms

Question 2

Which is true of delirium?

A) It can be life threatening and should be treated as a medical emergency
B) Requires immediate report to the Area Agency on Aging
C) Is indicative of advanced dementia
D) Is not a reversible condition

Answer 2

It can be life threatening and should be treated as a medical emergency

Question 3

Alzheimer's disease is definitively diagnosed:

A) When a person has memory loss and is past age 65
B) When a can't complete tasks of daily living
C) When a person has sundowner's syndrome
D) Upon autopsy

Answer 3

Upon autopsy

Question 4

Adjustment disorders and dysthymia:

A) Are mild and don't need to be considered as real depressions
B) Do not have negative consequences on quality of life
C) Is part of the normal aging process
D) Untreated, can result in declining health

Question 5

Higher incidence of depression includes:

A) Family history
B) Living alone
C) White female
D) Back women

Question 6

Mild cognitive impairment:

A) Is not dementia
B) May be an early sign of dementia
C) Is more likely to occur with depression
D) Is reversible

Question 7

The Mini Mental Status Exam:

A) Definitely diagnoses dementia
B) May serve as a screen for memory loss
C) Should not be administered by social workers
D) Is valid for all populations

Question 8

Dementia is reversible;

A) Never
B) If it is caused by metabolic disturbances
C) People eat more non-inflammatory foods
D) People engage in cognitive stimulation

Question 9

Vascular dementias:

A) Not associated with strokes
B) Has a rapid onset
C) Is associated with slow and progressive cognitive loss
D) Not associated with emotional lability

Question 10

Delirium is characterized by:

A) Slow onset
B) Confusion and emotional agitation
C) Will resolve spontaneously without treatment
D) Cannot be prevented in hospitalized patients

Question 11

How would you determine if a person diagnosed with dementia is depressed?

Question 12

How do race, ethnicity and gender influence the incidence of depression in older adults?

Question 13

What is meant by sub threshold depression? How is this distinct from late life depressions?

Question 14

As a social worker who noticed signs for depression in a client, how would you discuss the possibility of depression with the person?

Question 15

Describe Mild Cognitive Impairment. How does this diagnosis differ from dementia?

Question 16

Describe the potential for prevention of delirium among hospital patients and what roles social workers can fill in cases of delirium.

Question 17

Differentiate between dementia and depression. How would you respond to family who insist a parent is depressed and does not have dementia?

Question 18

Describe the trajectory Alzheimer's disease. How would you assist a family in disclosing the diagnosis to family and friends?

Question 19

Describe the clinical picture of delirium
What is the social work role with patients diagnosed with delirium?

Question 20

Why is it important for social workers do be able to differentiate the diagnosis between depression, dementia, delirium and anxiety?