A client with moderate Alzheimer disease is started on memantine. In evaluating the effectiveness of this medication, the registered nurse should assess the client for which of the following?

Question

A client with moderate Alzheimer disease is started on memantine.  In evaluating the effectiveness of this medication, the registered nurse should assess the client for which of the following?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Memantine is used to ease the symptoms of moderate to severe Alzheimer disease (AD), thereby improving the quality of life for clients and caregivers. Memantine is an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist that works by binding to NMDA receptors, blocking the brain's NMDA glutamate pathways, and protecting brain cells from overexposure to glutamate (excess levels of glutamate contribute to brain cell death). Clients with moderate to severe AD may experience improvement in: Cognition - memory, thinking, language Daily functioning - dressing, bathing, grooming, eating Behavioral problems - agitation, depression, hallucinations (Option B) Memantine delays but does not stop progression of some symptoms of moderate to severe AD. (Option C) Memantine does not cause rapid improvement of cognitive functioning; it usually takes weeks or months before such improvement is noticeable. (Option D) Memantine does not reverse the degenerative process of AD. Educational objective: Memantine is a medication used in the treatment of moderate to severe Alzheimer disease (AD). It slows the progression of AD symptoms, and improvement may be seen in the client's behavior, cognitive functioning, and ability to perform activities of daily living.

A Client with Moderate Alzheimer Disease Is Started on Memantine