Chapter 59: Dementia and Delirium

Chapter 59: Dementia and Delirium

 

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

 

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

 

MULTIPLE CHOICE

 

1. A patient who is hospitalized with pneumonia is disoriented and confused 3 days after admission. Which information indicates that the patient is experiencing delirium rather than dementia?

a.	The patient was oriented and alert when admitted.
b.	The patient’s speech is fragmented and incoherent.
c.	The patient is oriented to person but disoriented to place and time.
d.	The patient has a history of increasing confusion over several years.

 

 

ANS:  A

The onset of delirium occurs acutely. The degree of disorientation does not differentiate between delirium and dementia. Increasing confusion for several years is consistent with dementia. Fragmented and incoherent speech may occur with either delirium or dementia.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Understand (comprehension)                   REF:   1400

TOP:   Nursing Process: Assessment           MSC:  NCLEX: Physiological Integrity

 

2. Which intervention will the nurse include in the plan of care for a patient with moderate dementia who had a fractured hip repair 2 days ago?

a.	Provide complete personal hygiene care for the patient.
b.	Remind the patient frequently about being in the hospital.
c.	Reposition the patient frequently to avoid skin breakdown.
d.	Place suction at the bedside to decrease the risk for aspiration.

 

 

ANS:  B

The patient with moderate dementia will have problems with short- and long-term memory and will need reminding about the hospitalization. The other interventions would be used for a patient with severe dementia, who would have difficulty with swallowing, self-care, and immobility.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Apply (application)           REF:               1403

TOP:   Nursing Process: Planning               MSC:  NCLEX: Physiological Integrity

 

3. When administering a mental status examination to a patient with delirium, the nurse should

a.	wait until the patient is well-rested.
b.	administer an anxiolytic medication.
c.	choose a place without distracting stimuli.
d.	reorient the patient during the examination.

 

 

ANS:  C

Because overstimulation by environmental factors can distract the patient from the task of answering the nurse’s questions, these stimuli should be avoided. The nurse will not wait to give the examination because action to correct the delirium should occur as soon as possible. Reorienting the patient is not appropriate during the examination. Antianxiety medications may increase the patient’s delirium.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Apply (application)           REF:               1416

TOP:   Nursing Process: Implementation     MSC:  NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity

 

4. The nurse is concerned about a postoperative patient’s risk for injury during an episode of delirium. The most appropriate action by the nurse is to

a.	secure the patient in bed using a soft chest restraint.
b.	ask the health care provider to order an antipsychotic drug.
c.	instruct family members to remain at the patient’s bedside and prevent injury.
d.	assign unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) to stay with and reorient the patient.

 

 

ANS:  D

The priority goal is to protect the patient from harm. Having a UAP stay with the patient will ensure the patient’s safety. Visits by family members are helpful in reorienting the patient, but families should not be responsible for protecting patients from injury. Antipsychotic medications may be ordered, but only if other measures are not effective because these medications have many side effects. Restraints are not recommended because they can increase the patient’s agitation and disorientation.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Analyze (analysis) Apply (application)    REF:   1412

TOP:   Nursing Process: Implementation     MSC:  NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment