Question 1

Typically, the onset of dementia is

Accepted Answer

The onset of dementia is gradual and progressive, meaning that symptoms worsen over time. It is not typically sudden, induced by head injury, or associated with infection.

Question 2

All are symptoms of dementia except:

Accepted Answer

The answer of All are symptoms of dementia except:
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Question 3

Beyonce just celebrated her 68^th birthday. Her daughter describes her as being confused with language difficulties. She has loss of self-control and changes in personality. Her diagnosis is:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Beyonce just celebrated her 68^th birthday. Her...

Question 4

Which of the following individuals is most likely to suffer from senile dementia?

Accepted Answer

Senile dementia is typically associated with aging and the gradual deterioration of brain function. As Sam is the oldest person listed, he is the most likely candidate to suffer from senile dementia. Alice's previous delirium, Alex's alcohol withdrawal, and Steve's head injury are all factors that could potentially affect cognitive function, but they are not necessarily predictors of senile dementia.

Question 5

What term is used to designate degeneration of brain tissue?

Accepted Answer

Atrophy specifically refers to the wasting away or degeneration of tissue, including brain tissue. Infarct refers to tissue death caused by lack of blood flow, plaque refers to build-up of substances in blood vessels, and tremens refers to symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.

Question 6

When Mr. Bolden is asked about something he cannot remember, he gives a detailed, but inaccurate, answer. His responses often make it difficult for others to realize he has memory lapses. Mr. Bolden's behavior is called

Accepted Answer

Mr. Bolden's behavior is called confabulation, which is a type of memory disturbance where a person gives false, fabricated, or distorted information about events or situations they cannot remember. This behavior is not intentional, as in malingering, and is not a result of a medical condition affecting consciousness, as in delirium. However, it is a symptom of amnestic disorder, which involves significant memory impairment.

Question 7

As part of a routine interview of a patient in a psychiatric hospital, a psychologist asked, "What did you have for dinner?" The patient described a dinner of Beef Wellington and all the trimmings. After determining that Beef Wellington had not been served, the psychologist checked the patient's records and found he had been admitted for severe alcohol problems. With that information, the psychologist concluded the answer was most likely an example of

Accepted Answer

The patient's description of a dinner that did not actually occur is an example of confabulation, which is common in people with severe alcohol problems or other brain injuries. Repression involves forgetting or suppressing traumatic events, delusional thinking involves a false belief in something that is not true, and dissociative amnesia involves forgetting important personal information. None of these apply to the situation described in the scenario.

Question 8

The staff of the mental health center is discussing guidelines they can use to distinguish depression from dementia. Which of the following is likely to occur in cases of dementia but not in cases of depression?

Accepted Answer

Patients with depression typically acknowledge their memory problems, while patients with dementia may attempt to hide them or not be aware of the extent of their cognitive decline. Option A is not specific to either condition, as patients with depression may also exaggerate their symptoms. Option C is not a distinguishing factor between the two conditions. Option D is also not a specific indicator, as the severity of symptoms can vary throughout the day for both depression and dementia.

Question 9

Which symptom must be present in order to meet the criteria for a diagnosis of dementia?

Accepted Answer

Memory impairment is a core symptom required for a diagnosis of dementia, as it involves the loss of cognitive abilities such as memory, thinking, and reasoning. While other symptoms, such as vague or empty speech, disturbances in planning ability, and disturbance in the ability to abstract, may also be present in dementia, they are not necessary criteria for diagnosis.

Question 10

Treatment of dementia focuses on:

Accepted Answer

Treatment of dementia should aim to reduce patient distress by providing comfort, managing symptoms such as pain and agitation, and ensuring safety. It should also aim to improve behavior and cognitive function by providing cognitive stimulation, physical exercise, and medication for symptom management. Finally, treatment should also address the distress experienced by the patient's family members or caregivers, by providing support, education, and counseling. Therefore, all of the above options (reducing patient distress, improving behavior and cognitive function, and reducing family distress) are important focuses of dementia treatment.

Question 11

Which of the following questions and responses would provide the most useful information in assessing a patient suspected of suffering Alzheimer's disease?

Accepted Answer

The question asking the patient to spell a word backwards tests their ability to concentrate, remember and use their cognitive skills, which are important indicators for assessing Alzheimer's disease.

Question 12

What are the two major types of Alzheimer's disease?

Accepted Answer

Alzheimer's disease can be either sporadic, which is the more common form and occurs later in life with no clear genetic cause, or familial, which is rare and inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern.

Question 13

What is the most common form of presenile dementia?

Accepted Answer

Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of presenile dementia, which refers to the onset of dementia symptoms before the age of 65. Delirium and multi-infarct dementia are not considered forms of presenile dementia, and while Pick's disease is a type of dementia that can affect younger individuals, it is much less common than Alzheimer's disease.

Question 14

An epidemiologist from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services wrote a report on the current and future prevalence of Alzheimer's disease. Which of the following titles would be most suitable for that report?

Accepted Answer

The title "Rates to rise" accurately reflects the content of the report as it is focused on the current and future prevalence of Alzheimer's disease. The other titles do not accurately reflect the content of the report.

Question 15

What is the average time between the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and the person's death?

Accepted Answer

The average time between the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and the person's death is approximately 8 years. While some individuals may live with the disease for as little as 3 years, others may live with it for up to 20 years or more. However, on average, the length of time from diagnosis to death is around 8 years. Therefore, choice C (8 years) is the correct answer.

Question 16

Which disorder constitutes 50% to 60% of the 1.3 million people in nursing homes?

Accepted Answer

Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of nursing home placement and accounts for 50% to 60% of the 1.3 million people in nursing homes. Therefore, option B is the correct choice.

Question 17

What are plaques?

Accepted Answer

Plaques are deposits of beta-amyloid protein that accumulate on and around nerve cells in the brain, resulting in the disintegration of nerve cell branches. This is a characteristic feature of Alzheimer's disease.

Question 18

Which of the following is one of the most distinctive characteristics of Alzheimer's disease?

Accepted Answer

One of the most distinctive characteristics of Alzheimer's disease is the presence of tangled clumps of nerve cells in the brain, also known as neurofibrillary tangles. These tangles are formed from a protein called tau, which builds up within the nerve cells and disrupts normal cellular function.

Question 19

Alzheimer's disease is associated with lowered amounts of what substance in the brain?

Accepted Answer

Alzheimer's disease is associated with lowered amounts of acetylcholine in the brain. This neurotransmitter is involved in memory and learning, and its depletion is thought to be a key factor in the development and progression of the disease.

Question 20

What is beta amyloid?

Accepted Answer

Beta amyloid is a protein that accumulates in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer's disease, forming plaques that contribute to cognitive decline and neuronal damage.

Quiz 13: Cognitive Impairment Disorders