Deck 17: Cognitive Impairment, Alzheimers Disease, and Dementia

Question 1

Which client exhibits signs and symptoms of delirium and not dementia or depression?

A)The onset is sudden and acute.
B)The cognitive changes are hidden by the client.
C)The client demonstrates apathetic demeanor or flat affect.
D)The client's ability to perform ADLs is intact.

Answer 1

The onset is sudden and acute.

Question 2

For those family members who desire to care at home for loved ones who have been given a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease,it is important for the nurse to ensure that the family is aware of which caregiver skills and responsibilities will be necessary.What is one of the responsibilities of the caregiver during the middle stage of the disease?

A)Helping the loved one with memory and communication problems
B)Providing a stable,routine environment
C)Providing complete assistance with physical care
D)Adapting to the changing personality and behavior of the loved one

Answer 2

Adapting to the changing personality and behavior of the loved one

Question 3

A 72-year-old client with dementia,who resides in a long-term care facility,frequently goes to her room and cries because she misses her children.This client could benefit most from which intervention?

A)Life review
B)Doll therapy
C)Comfort touch
D)Audio presence therapy

Answer 3

Audio presence therapy

Question 4

An elderly woman is brought to the clinic by her daughter.The client states that she has had a cold for several days.Her daughter states that her mother has been confused about when her routine medications are to be taken and that her mother has never experienced confusion about her medications before.Based on this information,it is important that the nurse ask the client whether:

A)There is a history of mental illness in the family.
B)She has been given a diagnosis of a mental health disorder in the past.
C)She can recall her last visit to a physician.
D)She has taken any over-the-counter medications for her cold.

Question 5

The elderly spouse of a 74-year-old male client states that she has noticed that her husband "doesn't remember as well as he used to." She explains that he has been putting on his coat before his shirt,and that he can never get their checkbook to balance as it did in the past.The client is exhibiting signs and symptoms typical of:

A)Vascular dementia
B)Alzheimer's disease
C)Acute delirium
D)Aging

Question 6

The daughter of an elderly nursing home resident is crying outside her father's room.When the nurse comforts her,she states,"It is so hard to come here to visit when my father doesn't even know who I am." The nurse knows the client is in which stage of Alzheimer's disease?

A)Early stage
B)Intermediate stage
C)Severe stage
D)End stage

Question 7

The elderly spouse of a female Alzheimer's client states that his wife seems to wander aimlessly from room to room looking for things in incorrect places,such as kitchen utensils in the bedroom and laundry detergent in the kitchen.He asks the nurse for suggestions of what he can do to help her.What is the nurse's best response?

A)"Keep rooms well lit."
B)"Keep the home environment simple and user-friendly for her."
C)"Have clocks and calendars with large letters in several rooms of the house."
D)"Place large signs on doors or entryways that identify the room."

Question 8

Vascular dementia is more common in individuals living in:

A)The United States
B)Japan
C)France
D)Australia

Question 9

The most common severe cognitive impairment in the United States is Alzheimer's dementia.What percentage of the population over the age of 85 are at risk for getting the disease?

A)30%
B)50%
C)70%
D)90%

Question 10

The nurse performs a functional assessment of a client upon admission to a home health service.The purpose of this assessment is to determine the client's:

A)Level of consciousness
B)Ability to perform activities of daily living
C)Degree of reasoning,judgment,and thought processes
D)Level of functioning memory

Question 11

A 75-year-old male client is brought to the clinic by his son.The son states,"Ever since Mom died,Dad hasn't been the same.At first he just seemed sad,but now he seems to get mixed up about everything." The nurse is aware that based on the client's history,the source of confusion is most likely:

A)Dementia
B)Depression from the loss of his wife
C)Hypoxia of the brain
D)Delirium from medications

Question 12

The nurse is answering questions from a client and his family regarding a recent diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.The client asks how effective medication is in treating the disease.What is the nurse's best response?

A)"There is no cure or treatment for Alzheimer's disease."
B)"Medications have shown little improvement in symptoms."
C)"Medications for the disease have been found to improve thinking abilities,behavior,and daily functioning in some clients."
D)"Alternative therapies,such as co-enzyme Q-10 and Ginkgo biloba,are more effective than any of the prescription medications used to treat the symptoms."

Question 13

Which symptom of Alzheimer's disease is associated with disorientation to time and place?

A)Forgetting in what order to put clothes on
B)Forgetting simple words
C)Forgetting where one lives
D)Becoming suspicious of others

Question 14

The average time that a person with Alzheimer's disease lives after diagnosis is:

A)2 years
B)8 years
C)10 years
D)20 years

Question 15

The medication donepezil (Aricept)frequently is used to treat the early-stage symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.When administering this particular medication,the nurse should be especially alert to assess the client for:

A)Weight changes
B)Tremors
C)Increased sweating
D)Alterations in blood pressure

Question 16

A newly admitted elderly client seems to become confused and agitated every evening after dinner.This client most likely is suffering from:

A)Alzheimer's disease
B)Acute dementia
C)Sundown syndrome
D)Delirium

Question 17

Which of the following is an effective communication technique that should be included in the teaching plan for the family members of a woman in whom Alzheimer's disease has been diagnosed recently?

A)Use simple,familiar words,along with short and simple sentences.
B)If the client tends to pace a lot,be sure to encourage her to sit during interactions.
C)If she doesn't understand the communication,change key words.
D)Use hand gestures when speaking to try to explain what is being said.

Question 18

The nurse anticipates that the normal aging process of losing neurons and shrinkage of brain size will result in which assessment findings in older adults? (Select all that apply. )

A)Confusion
B)Slower response times
C)Depression
D)Deficiencies in short-term memory

Question 19

A 75-year-old man finds that he continually misplaces items he uses every day.In addition,his wife becomes annoyed when he asks the same question several times because he does not remember the answer.What advice is the most appropriate for his health care provider to give him?

A)These symptoms are a normal part of aging and he should accept it.
B)He has Alzheimer's disease and nothing can be done to help him.
C)Further assessment is needed to determine the cause of these symptoms.
D)Admission to a nursing home for more intensive care is needed.

Question 20

The affective losses of Alzheimer's disease refer to losses noticed in the individual's:

A)Personality
B)Thought processes
C)Ability to make and carry out plans
D)Self-care

Question 21

__________ refers to thinking and thought processes.

Question 22

Which characteristics are commonly seen in clients with dementia? (Select all that apply. )

A)Gradual onset
B)Poor short-term memory
C)Problems with judgment
D)Fast onset
E)Poor remote memory
F)Difficulty with abstract thinking
G)Personality changes

Question 23

Which interventions will help to lessen the effects of sundown syndrome? (Select all that apply. )

A)Provide activity which stimulates the client's interest
B)Assist in toileting to prevent incontinence
C)Turn on lights before the room gets dark
D)Provide companionship
E)Prepare client for sleep by turning off lights
F)Reduce environmental stimulation at dinner
G)Maintain client's familiar routine

Question 24

The causes of confusion are grouped into five categories known as the five D's.These categories consist of damage,delirium,dementia,depression,and __________.

Question 25

__________ is a progressive,degenerative disease that affects the brain and causes impaired memory,cognition,and behavior.