An 80-Year-Old Woman Who Lives Alone Is Noted to Have

An 80-year-old woman who lives alone is noted to have a recent weight loss of 5 pounds. She appears somewhat confused, according to her daughter, who is concerned that she is developing dementia. The provider learns that the woman still drives, volunteers at the local hospital, and attends a book club with several friends once a month. What is the initial step in evaluating this patient?

A) Obtaining a CBC, serum electrolytes, BUN, and glucose
B) Ordering a CBC, serum ferritin, and TIBC
C) Referring the patient to a dietician for nutritional evaluation
D) Referring the patient to a neurologist for evaluation for AD