Question 1

The most common cause of delirium is ________

Accepted Answer

The most common cause of delirium is drug-related, including prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and illicit substances.

Question 2

The text presented a case study of a retired man who was hospitalized by his wife and son. He was typical of many patients in that ________

Accepted Answer

The description matches a common symptom of certain cognitive disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, where patients can remember distant events well but struggle to recall recent happenings.

Question 3

In order for a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease to be definitively made ________

Accepted Answer

In order to definitively diagnose Alzheimer's disease, brain tissue must be examined postmortem to confirm the presence of the characteristic plaques and tangles in the brain. Other diagnostic methods, such as MRI scans or cognitive assessments, can provide strong indications of the disease but cannot definitively confirm the diagnosis.

Question 4

The particular disease that most commonly causes dementia is ________

Accepted Answer

Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60-80% of cases.

Question 5

Delirium is ________

Accepted Answer

Delirium is usually reversible, although it may take time for the patient to completely recover. The other options are incorrect. Delirium is not usually permanent, it is a medical emergency, and it is characterized by an acute onset of symptoms, not a decline from a previous level of functioning.

Question 6

Which of the following is the most typical example of the onset of Alzheimer's disease?

Accepted Answer

This is the most typical example because Alzheimer's disease is characterized by a gradual onset of cognitive decline, with the earliest symptoms often being memory deficits that are noticeable to others. Option A may suggest depression, option C could suggest bipolar disorder, and option D may suggest a reaction to anesthesia or other medication.

Question 7

Which of the following disorders affects men and women in equal numbers and is characterized by a chronic, progressive chorea (involuntary and irregular movements that flow randomly from one area of the body to another)?

Accepted Answer

Huntington's disease affects men and women equally and is characterized by a chronic, progressive chorea. AIDS primarily affects men who have sex with men and those who use intravenous drugs, Alzheimer's disease is more common in women, and Parkinson's disease is slightly more common in men.

Question 8

It is suspected that June is in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. Which of the following symptoms would suggest this?

Accepted Answer

Difficulty recalling recent events is a common symptom of Alzheimer's disease, as it affects short-term memory. Persistent delusions and loss of contact with reality may be symptoms of other conditions such as schizophrenia. Excessive neatness and an intrusive interest in others' affairs are not typically associated with Alzheimer's disease.

Question 9

Delirium is thought to be more common in the elderly due to ________

Accepted Answer

Delirium is more common in the elderly due to normal age-related changes in the brain, such as decreased blood flow and volume, decreased neurotransmitter function, and decreased brain metabolism. These changes can make the brain more vulnerable to the effects of illness, medications, and other factors that can trigger delirium.

Question 10

The most common cause of major neurocognitive disorder is ________

Accepted Answer

Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of major neurocognitive disorder, accounting for approximately 60-80% of cases. Other causes include vascular disorders, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and traumatic brain injury, but they are less common. Intracranial tumors and drug toxicity can also cause major neurocognitive disorder, but these cases are relatively rare compared to Alzheimer's disease.

Question 11

Which of the following is most likely to be characteristic of a physically aggressive Alzheimer's disease patient?

Accepted Answer

Delusions are common in Alzheimer's patients and can lead to aggressive behavior due to confusion and fear.

Question 12

Which of the following disorders is characterized by motor symptoms such as resting tremors or rigid movements?

Accepted Answer

Parkinson's disease is characterized by motor symptoms such as resting tremors, bradykinesia (slowness of movement), rigidity, and postural instability.

Question 13

What types of delusions are most commonly seen in Alzheimer's disease?

Accepted Answer

Delusions of persecution are the most commonly seen type of delusions in Alzheimer's disease. These delusions involve the belief that others are conspiring or plotting against the person. Other common delusions in Alzheimer's disease include delusions of theft and infidelity. Delusions of grandeur and bodily changes are less common in this population, and delusions of reference may occur but are not as prevalent as delusions of persecution.

Question 14

In older people, the onset of cognitive deficits is typically________.

Accepted Answer

The onset of cognitive deficits in older people is typically gradual, meaning it occurs slowly over time rather than suddenly or rapidly. This is due to factors such as age-related changes in the brain and the accumulation of small-scale damage over time. Hallucinations and fluctuations in intensity are not typically associated with the onset of cognitive deficits in older people.

Question 15

Which of the following statements about Alzheimer's disease is true?

Accepted Answer

Alzheimer's disease is characterized by a range of cognitive deficits, including but not limited to memory loss. These may include problems with language, attention, decision-making, and problem-solving.

Answer: B is false, as changes in mood are commonly seen in those with Alzheimer's disease.

Answer: C is false, as deterioration into a vegetative state is not a characteristic feature of Alzheimer's disease.

Answer: D is false, as the first symptoms of Alzheimer's disease typically involve memory problems and language difficulties rather than delusions and aggressive behavior.

Question 16

Delirium ________

Accepted Answer

Delirium affects awareness, causing confusion, disorientation, and changes in perception and behavior. It can develop rapidly, often within hours or days, and is not a normal part of aging. While it can be associated with underlying medical conditions or medications, it does not necessarily reflect severe brain damage.

Question 17

The first sign of neurocognitive disorder in older adults is typically ________

Accepted Answer

Memory problems are often the first sign of neurocognitive disorder in older adults, including conditions such as Alzheimer's disease. Other symptoms may include confusion, difficulty communicating, and changes in mood or behavior. However, it is important to note that memory problems can have many different causes and may not always signal a neurocognitive disorder.

Question 18

Suddenly, Lavinia is unable to remember what she was doing. She screams that bugs are crawling all over the walls. She begins to wildly swing her arms around. She can't fall asleep at night, but finally falls asleep at daylight. Lavinia most likely has ________

Accepted Answer

Lavinia is exhibiting symptoms of delirium, which includes confusion, hallucinations, and changes in sleep patterns. Dementia is a long-term decline in cognitive functioning, which is not necessarily sudden. Focal brain damage would cause more specific symptoms related to the area of the brain affected. Depression may cause changes in sleep patterns and mood, but is not likely to cause hallucinations and confusion.

Question 19

You are convinced that your grandmother has Alzheimer's. How can your doctor confirm your diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Alzheimer's disease is a diagnosis of exclusion, which means that other potential causes of dementia must first be ruled out. The doctor will conduct a thorough assessment, which may include blood tests, brain imaging, and cognitive tests, before confirming a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.

Question 20

What is an important reason that DSM-5 has replaced the broad diagnostic category of "dementia" with the term "major neurocognitive disorder"?

Accepted Answer

"Dementia" was considered not very appropriate for younger adults who have cognitive problems, which is why the DSM-5 replaced it with "major neurocognitive disorder" to encompass a broader range of cognitive issues across different age groups.

Quiz 14: Neurocognitive Disorders