Exam 24: Delirium, Dementia, and Amnestic Disorders

A client diagnosed with vascular dementia is discharged to home under the care of his wife. Which information should cause the nurse to question the client's safety?

A nursing instructor is teaching about donepezil (Aricept). A student asks, "How does this work? Will this cure Alzheimer's dementia?" Which is the appropriate instructor reply?

A client diagnosed with Alzheimer's dementia can no longer ambulate, does not recognize family members, and communicates with agitated behaviors and incoherent verbalizations. The nurse recognizes these symptoms as indicative of which stage of the illness?

A client diagnosed with Alzheimer's dementia exhibits progressive memory loss, diminished cognitive functioning, and verbal aggression upon experiencing frustration. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?

Which symptom should a nurse identify that would differentiate clients diagnosed with dementia from clients diagnosed with mood disorders?

At what time during a 24-hour period should a nurse expect clients diagnosed with Alzheimer's dementia to exhibit more pronounced symptoms?

An older client has recently moved to a nursing home. The client has trouble concentrating and socially isolates. A physician believes the client would benefit from medication therapy. Which medication should the nurse expect the physician to prescribe?

After 1 week of continuous mental confusion, an elderly African American client is admitted with a preliminary diagnosis of Alzheimer's dementia. What should cause the nurse to question this diagnosis?

A client diagnosed with dementia is disoriented, ataxic, and wanders. Which is the priority nursing diagnosis?

A client diagnosed with Alzheimer's dementia has impairments of memory and judgment and is incapable of performing activities of daily living. Which nursing intervention should take priority?

A client with a history of cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is brought to an emergency department experiencing memory problems, confusion, and disorientation. Based on this client's assessment data, which diagnosis would the nurse expect the physician to assign?

Which symptom should a nurse identify that would differentiate clients diagnosed with dementia disorders from clients diagnosed with amnesic disorders?

A geriatric nurse is teaching student nurses about the risk factors for the development of delirium in older adults. Which student statement indicates that learning has occurred?

A client is diagnosed with late-stage Alzheimer's dementia. To address the client's symptoms, which nursing intervention should take priority?

A client is experiencing progressive changes in memory that have interfered with personal, social, and occupational functioning. The client exhibits poor judgment and has a short attention span. A nurse should recognize these as classic signs of which condition?

A client diagnosed with dementia is exhibiting behavioral problems on a daily basis. At change of shift, the client's behavior escalates from pacing to screaming and flailing. Initially, which action should a nurse implement in this situation?