Question 1

An older adult patient with Alzheimer's disease is admitted to the hospital. The patient's spouse reports that the patient is often confused and gets lost walking to the store,which is three blocks from their home. That evening,the nurse observes the patient pacing the hall and screaming. What will the nurse do?

Accepted Answer

A)   Notify the provider of this patient's worsening symptoms.
B)   Prepare the patient's spouse for impending death from Alzheimer's disease.
C)   Request an increase in the medication dose to treat the exacerbation in symptoms.
D)   Tell the spouse that this is an expected progression of the disease. D

Question 2

A nurse is preparing to administer memantine [Nemanda] to a patient and notes a slight elevation in the patient's creatinine clearance level. What will the nurse expect the provider to order for this patient?

Accepted Answer

A)   Adding sodium bicarbonate to the patient's drug regimen
B)   Continuing the memantine as ordered
C)   Discontinuing the memantine
D)   Reducing the dose of memantine D

Question 3

The spouse of a patient who is newly diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease asks the nurse if medications will prevent the need for nursing home care. Which response by the nurse is correct?

Accepted Answer

A)   "Drugs to treat Alzheimer's disease may slow the progression of memory loss."
B)   "Drugs may be effective to stop the progression of the disease if they are initiated early in the disease."
C)   "Medications to treat Alzheimer's disease are effective for treating core symptoms of the disease."
D)   "Medications for Alzheimer's disease are effective in reducing cognitive impairment." A

Question 4

A nurse is teaching a group of nursing students about the use of memantine [Namenda] for Alzheimer's disease. Which statement by a student indicates understanding of the teaching?

Accepted Answer

A)   "Memantine is indicated for patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease."
B)   "Memantine modulates the effects of glutamate to alter calcium influx into neurons."
C)   "Memantine prevents calcium from leaving neurons, which improves their function."
D)   "Memantine and donepezil combined may stop progression of Alzheimer's disease."

Question 5

The spouse of a patient with Alzheimer's disease asks a nurse for more information about the rivastigmine [Exelon] transdermal patch that is being used. Which statement by the spouse indicates a need for further explanation?

Accepted Answer

A)   "Doses are lower but more steady with the transdermal patch."
B)   "Reduced side effects occur with the transdermal patch."
C)   "We only need to change the patch every 2 weeks."
D)   "We should remove the old patch before applying the new one."

Question 6

An older adult patient has confusion,memory loss,and disorientation in familiar surroundings. The patient has been taking donepezil [Aricept] 10 mg once daily for 6 months. The patient's symptoms have begun to worsen,and the patient's spouse asks if the medication dose can be increased. What will the nurse tell the spouse?

Accepted Answer

A)   The dose can be increased, because the patient has been taking the drug for longer than 3 months.
B)   The dose can be increased to twice daily dosing instead of once daily dosing.
C)   The increase in symptoms is the result of hepatotoxicity from the medication's side effects.
D)   The patient must take the drug for longer than 1 year before the dose can be increased.

Question 7

A nurse is caring for an older adult man who has Alzheimer's disease (AD). The patient's daughter wants to know if testing can be done to determine her risk for developing the disease. What will the nurse tell her?

Accepted Answer

A)   Female gender is known to increase the risk.
B)   Genetic testing can provide a definitive measure of the risk.
C)   Patients with the apolipoprotein E2 gene (apoE2)  are more likely to develop the disease.
D)   Advancing age and family history are known risk factors.

Question 8

A nurse is caring for an older adult patient who has Alzheimer's disease. The patient is taking a cholinesterase inhibitor drug. Which side effects would concern the nurse?

Accepted Answer

A)   Confusion and memory impairment
B)   Dizziness and headache
C)   Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
D)   Slowed heart rate and lightheadedness

Question 9

A patient will begin taking a cholinesterase inhibitor for early Alzheimer's disease. The nurse is teaching the patient's spouse about the medication. Which statement by the spouse indicates a need for further teaching?

Accepted Answer

A)   "Gastrointestinal symptoms are common with this medication."
B)   "People taking this drug should not take antihistamines."
C)   "This drug helps neurons that aren't already damaged to function better."
D)   "This drug significantly slows the progression of the disease."

Question 10

A patient is worried about the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease,because both parents had the disease. The nurse will tell this patient that known risk factors include what? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A)   Advanced age
B)   Alcoholism
C)   Family history
D)   Gender
E)   Obesity

Exam 22: Drugs for Alzheimer’s Disease