Chapter 17: Cognitive Impairment, Alzheimer’s Disease, and Dementia

Chapter 17: Cognitive Impairment, Alzheimer’s Disease, and Dementia

 

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

 

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

 

MULTIPLE CHOICE

 

1. A 75-year-old male client is brought to the clinic by his son. The son states, “Ever since Mom died, Dad hasn’t been the same. At first he just seemed sad, but now he seems to get mixed up about everything.” The nurse is aware that based on the client’s history, the source of confusion is most likely:

a.	Dementia
b.	Depression from the loss of his wife
c.	Hypoxia of the brain
d.	Delirium from medications

 

 

ANS:  B

Depression in the elderly population is often a cause of confusion. The son’s description of the behaviors of his father since his wife’s death indicate that he became depressed, which has been followed by confusion. Dementia is a gradual onset of confusion, hypoxia is the result of brain injury, and delirium is sudden. Even though it appears that the confusion is caused by the depression, a thorough examination is warranted to confirm the cause.

 

PTS:   1                    DIF:    Cognitive Level: Application           REF:   p. 192

OBJ:   2                    TOP:   The Five “Ds” of Confusion

KEY:  Nursing Process Step: Assessment   MSC:  Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity

 

2. Vascular dementia is more common in individuals living in:

a.	The United States
b.	Japan
c.	France
d.	Australia

 

 

ANS:  B

The incidence of vascular dementia is more common in Japan for unknown reasons. Japanese citizens who move to the United States have been found to have a decreased rate of vascular dementia.

 

PTS:   1                    DIF:    Cognitive Level: Knowledge            REF:   p. 194

OBJ:   5                    TOP:   Causes of Dementia

KEY:  Nursing Process Step: Assessment   MSC:  Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity

 

3. A newly admitted elderly client seems to become confused and agitated every evening after dinner. This client most likely is suffering from:

a.	Alzheimer’s disease
b.	Acute dementia
c.	Sundown syndrome
d.	Delirium

 

 

ANS:  C

Sundown syndrome typically occurs during the late afternoon, evening, or night when an elderly person is in unfamiliar surroundings. The other three options occur at any time of day, evening, or night. The symptoms often disappear when the client is back in familiar surroundings.

 

PTS:   1                    DIF:    Cognitive Level: Comprehension     REF:   p. 194

OBJ:   5                    TOP:   Symptoms of Dementia

KEY:  Nursing Process Step: Assessment   MSC:  Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity

 

4. The elderly spouse of a 74-year-old male client states that she has noticed that her husband “doesn’t remember as well as he used to.” She explains that he has been putting on his coat before his shirt, and that he can never get their checkbook to balance as it did in the past. The client is exhibiting signs and symptoms typical of:

a.	Vascular dementia
b.	Alzheimer’s disease
c.	Acute delirium
d.	Aging

 

 

ANS:  B

The person with Alzheimer’s disease commonly shows deficits in familiar tasks. Vascular dementia and acute delirium relate more to confused states, and dementia symptoms should not be assumed to be part of normal aging.

 

PTS:   1                    DIF:    Cognitive Level: Comprehension     REF:   p. 194

OBJ:   6                    TOP:   Alzheimer’s Disease

KEY:  Nursing Process Step: Assessment   MSC:  Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity