Question 1

Syphilis is caused by a(n) ______.

Accepted Answer

Syphilis is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum.

Question 2

The most common form of dementia is ______.

Accepted Answer

Alzheimer's disease accounts for approximately 60-80% of all cases of dementia, making it the most common form. Vascular dementia is the second most common form, accounting for around 20% of cases. Dementia due to Pick's disease and dementia due to Parkinson's disease are less common forms of dementia.

Question 3

A form of dementia that results from neurosyphilis is ______.

Accepted Answer

General paresis is a form of dementia caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, which also causes syphilis. When left untreated, syphilis can progress to neurosyphilis, which can lead to general paresis. AIDS, delirium, and Creutzfeldt-Jacob are all different conditions that do not result from neurosyphilis.

Question 4

______ involves a profound deterioration in mental functioning, characterized by gross memory impairment and cognitive deficits such as aphasia, apraxia, or
Agnosia, and deficits in executive functioning.

Accepted Answer

The description in the question matches the symptoms of major neurocognitive disorder, which is a condition involving significant decline in cognitive function including memory impairment and deficits in other areas such as language, motor skills, and executive functioning. Delirium is a temporary state of confusion and disorientation, while anhedonia refers to a lack of pleasure or interest in activities that one would normally enjoy. Amnestic disorder is a specific type of neurocognitive disorder characterized by severe memory impairment.

Question 5

During the course of delirium, the person's mental state often fluctuates between periods of clarity ("lucid intervals"), which are most common in the __________, and periods of confusion and disorientation.

Accepted Answer

Lucid intervals during delirium are most common in the morning, as the person's mental state can fluctuate throughout the day, often showing improvement in the morning and worsening later in the day.

Question 6

Cal suffers from delirium. He is most likely to have moments of clarity ______.

Accepted Answer

Patients with delirium tend to have better clarity in the morning hours after a good night's sleep and less confusion than in the evening or late at night.

Question 7

Marcus exhibits panic, fever, seizures, meaningless mumbling, and vivid hallucinations. His behavior is best described as ______.

Accepted Answer

The symptoms described suggest delirium, which is a state of confusion and rapid changes in brain function often related to underlying medical problems. Dementia refers to a decline in cognitive function over time, usually related to an underlying disease process, and may involve symptoms such as memory loss, communication difficulties, and changes in personality. Schizophrenia is a chronic mental health condition that involves symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, and disordered thinking. Alzheimer's disease is a specific type of dementia that involves a gradual decline in memory, thinking, and other cognitive abilities.

Question 8

Carl is suffering from delirium. He experiences fear, delusions, some disorientation, muscle spasms, but not seizures, and perspires heavily. His delirium is best described as ______.

Accepted Answer

Carl's symptoms suggest a moderate level of delirium. While he is not experiencing seizures, his symptoms of fear, delusions, disorientation, and muscle spasms are significant enough to indicate a moderate severity. His heavy perspiration may also indicate an elevated level of physiological arousal. Delirium can be caused by a variety of factors, including medication side effects or withdrawal, infections, and changes in metabolic or electrolyte levels. Treatment will depend on identifying and addressing the underlying cause, as well as managing symptoms such as anxiety or agitation.

Question 9

Most dementias are ______ and ______.

Accepted Answer

Most dementias, such as Alzheimer's disease, are progressive, meaning they get worse over time, and irreversible, meaning there is no cure or way to reverse the damage to the brain.

Question 10

____________represents a profound decline or deterioration in mental functioning characterized by significant impairment of memory, thinking processes, and judgment and by specific cognitive deficits.

Accepted Answer

Delirium is a state of severe confusion and disorientation, often accompanied by hallucinations and delusions. It represents a significant decline in mental functioning and can be caused by various factors such as illness, medication, or alcohol and drug withdrawal. Stupor is a state of decreased consciousness, dissociation refers to a disconnection from reality, and agnosia is a specific deficit in recognizing or identifying objects or people.

Question 11

Sally has a cognitive disorder. She has memory deficits in recalling newly learned information, past personal information, and common knowledge. She also exhibits
Deficiencies in abstract thinking, impaired judgment, aphasia, and apraxia. Finally, she
Exhibits personality changes in which she seems almost the opposite of her normal self.
Her disorder is most likely ______.

Accepted Answer

The symptoms described in the scenario are characteristics of dementia, which includes memory deficits, impaired judgment, language difficulties (aphasia), and personality changes. Delirium is characterized by a sudden onset of confusion, rather than long-term cognitive deficits. Anencephaly is a congenital disorder and not related to the symptoms described. Amnestic disorder is a disorder that primarily involves memory deficits, without the additional symptoms of impaired judgment, language difficulties, and personality changes.

Question 12

Angel suffers from delirium. He is most likely to have his worst periods of confusion in ______.

Accepted Answer

Delirium often worsens in the evening or at night, a phenomenon known as "sundowning." This can be due to changes in the internal clock of the brain among other factors, leading to increased confusion after dark.

Question 13

Ryan suffers from delirium. He is most likely to have his worst periods of confusion following ______.

Accepted Answer

Sleep deprivation is a common trigger for delirium, and a sleepless night is more likely to cause confusion than a night of oversleeping, binge eating, or a stressful day.

Question 14

Carl is suffering from delirium. He experiences apprehension, confusion, racing thoughts, tremors, and an abnormally fast heartbeat. His delirium is best described as ______.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Carl is suffering from delirium. He experiences...

Question 15

Which of the following is a known cause of dementia?

Accepted Answer

HIV infection has been identified as a cause of dementia, specifically leading to a type of dementia called HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND). Febrile convulsions, headaches, and aluminum have not been definitively linked to dementia.

Question 16

General paresis is caused by ______.

Accepted Answer

General paresis is a neurological condition that occurs as a result of untreated syphilis infection. It is caused by damage to the brain and affects many aspects of a person's mental function, including memory, mood, and behavior. While auto-immune disorders, encephalitis, and meningitis can also cause brain damage and neurological symptoms, they are not directly associated with the development of general paresis.

Question 17

Which of the following is another word for major neurocognitive disorder?

Accepted Answer

Major neurocognitive disorder is another term used for dementia, which refers to a decline in cognitive functioning and memory loss. Korsakoff's syndrome is a type of dementia that is caused by alcoholism, while mental retardation refers to intellectual disability present from birth or early childhood. Delirium is a temporary state of confusion and disorientation.

Question 18

Carl is suffering from delirium. He mumbles incoherently, experiences episodes of panic with vivid and frightening hallucinations, seizures, and high fever. His delirium is best described as ______.

Accepted Answer

Delirium is a serious medical condition that is characterized by confusion, disorientation, and cognitive impairment. In Carl's case, the fact that he is experiencing vivid and frightening hallucinations, seizures, and a high fever suggests that his delirium is severe. It is crucial that Carl receives prompt medical attention to manage his symptoms.

Question 19

Which of the following is a symptom of severe delirium?

Accepted Answer

Meaningless mumbling is a common symptom of severe delirium, which is a state of acute confusion and rapid changes in cognitive function. Other symptoms may include hallucinations, disorientation, abnormal behavior, and inability to focus attention. Delusions and apprehension may also be present, but muscle spasms are not typically associated with delirium.

Question 20

Which of the following represent the feature of autonomic activity with delirium?

Accepted Answer

Autonomic activity refers to the part of the nervous system responsible for involuntary actions such as heartbeat. Abnormally fast heartbeat is a common feature seen with delirium, as the body responds to the stress and confusion associated with this condition. Muscle spasms and vivid hallucinations may occur with delirium, but they do not specifically relate to autonomic activity. Disorientation and delusions are cognitive symptoms and do not directly relate to autonomic activity.

Quiz 14: Neurocognitive Disorders and Disorders Related to Aging