Dementia Practice Test Questions and Answers – Medical Speech Pathology – Cognitive
Communication Exam Review Material
This disease is a rare, degenerative brain disorder that results in death. Each year, worldwide, it
affects 1 person in every 1 million. This disease usually manifests itself later in life. About 70% of
patients die within a year. Initially, patients may have visual problems, failing memory, lack of
coordination, and behavioral changes. As the disease progresses, patients display myoclonus
and may become blind. They finally lose the ability to speak and enter into a coma. The
scientific community believes that abnormal forms of normal cellular proteins (prions) cause
this disease. The normal prion is called PrPC (C stands for cellular) and the abnormal form
(which causes the disease) is called PrPSc (Sc stands for prototypical prion disease-scrapie).
When the disease is acquired, the PrPSc comes from outside the body (e.g., contaminated
meat). This disease is called: - ANS ✔✔Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease
When individuals present with characteristics of a feeding or swallowing disorder, screening is
an option. What purpose does a screening have? - ANS ✔✔To determine whether the individual
needs further swallowing assessment
What type of dementia is categorized by loss of cognitive functions resulting from ischemic or
hemorrhagic cerebrovascular disease? - ANS ✔✔Vascular dementia
The following are characteristics of Wilson's disease: - ANS ✔✔o Skin appears yellow
o Copper build up in the brain, liver, and vital organs
o Kayser-Fleischer rings to appear in the eyes (golden-brown eye discoloration)
This inherited form of vascular disease is very rare and is caused by a faulty gene and may result
in dementia. People who are afflicted by this type of dementia may have several mild CVAs that
cause damage to the white matter in the brain. Symptoms begin gradually and can be noticed
when a person is between the ages of 30 and 50. Symptoms include slurred speech, migraines,
and weakness on one side of the body. Women with this type of dementia may notice
symptoms when they are pregnant. - ANS ✔✔Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with
subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL)
, You are treating a patient who has been diagnosed with early-stage dementia. You decide to use
theme-based activities in a small group setting. You explain to the family that there is some
evidence that this type of theme-based approach may maintain cognitive function in some
patients with dementia. This type of approach is called - ANS ✔✔Cognitive stimulation therapy
(CST).
An 82-year-old resident in a nursing home who suffers from Parkinson's disease is not receiving
any treatment since she has been dismissed from speech-language therapy because she has
met her goals. The licensed speech-language pathologist, however, plans for and provides
additional therapy for the resident. This type of therapy is called: - ANS ✔✔Restorative therapy
You receive a referral to assess Beth, who is a 76-year-old resident in a nursing home. The
certified nursing assistants who work with her on a daily basis tell you that Beth has been
experiencing changes in behavior. During group activities she makes inappropriate comments
and appears impulsive and distractible. The certified nursing assistants also note that she has
decreased energy and motivation. You notice she is having mild problems with language as well.
Which of the following forms of dementia is Beth displaying? - ANS ✔✔Frontotemporal
dementia
When working with individuals with dementia, a clinician can implement an approach which
consists of accepting the values and beliefs of the individual, providing opportunities for the
patient to convey feelings, and acknowledging any adverse perceptions and confusion of the
individual. This approach is known as? - ANS ✔✔Validation therapy
What kind of tremor is best described as an involuntary, rhythmic oscillation of one or more
body parts, ranging from 4 to 12 cycles per second? - ANS ✔✔Essential tremor
This type of imaging may be used to diagnose those who have early onset or very mild
dementia symptoms (usually under the age of 65) that may even be associated with severe
depression. If the results of the test are positive, it indicates the presence of Alzheimer's
disease. These scans are called: - ANS ✔✔Amyloid PET scans
Communication Exam Review Material
This disease is a rare, degenerative brain disorder that results in death. Each year, worldwide, it
affects 1 person in every 1 million. This disease usually manifests itself later in life. About 70% of
patients die within a year. Initially, patients may have visual problems, failing memory, lack of
coordination, and behavioral changes. As the disease progresses, patients display myoclonus
and may become blind. They finally lose the ability to speak and enter into a coma. The
scientific community believes that abnormal forms of normal cellular proteins (prions) cause
this disease. The normal prion is called PrPC (C stands for cellular) and the abnormal form
(which causes the disease) is called PrPSc (Sc stands for prototypical prion disease-scrapie).
When the disease is acquired, the PrPSc comes from outside the body (e.g., contaminated
meat). This disease is called: - ANS ✔✔Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease
When individuals present with characteristics of a feeding or swallowing disorder, screening is
an option. What purpose does a screening have? - ANS ✔✔To determine whether the individual
needs further swallowing assessment
What type of dementia is categorized by loss of cognitive functions resulting from ischemic or
hemorrhagic cerebrovascular disease? - ANS ✔✔Vascular dementia
The following are characteristics of Wilson's disease: - ANS ✔✔o Skin appears yellow
o Copper build up in the brain, liver, and vital organs
o Kayser-Fleischer rings to appear in the eyes (golden-brown eye discoloration)
This inherited form of vascular disease is very rare and is caused by a faulty gene and may result
in dementia. People who are afflicted by this type of dementia may have several mild CVAs that
cause damage to the white matter in the brain. Symptoms begin gradually and can be noticed
when a person is between the ages of 30 and 50. Symptoms include slurred speech, migraines,
and weakness on one side of the body. Women with this type of dementia may notice
symptoms when they are pregnant. - ANS ✔✔Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with
subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL)
, You are treating a patient who has been diagnosed with early-stage dementia. You decide to use
theme-based activities in a small group setting. You explain to the family that there is some
evidence that this type of theme-based approach may maintain cognitive function in some
patients with dementia. This type of approach is called - ANS ✔✔Cognitive stimulation therapy
(CST).
An 82-year-old resident in a nursing home who suffers from Parkinson's disease is not receiving
any treatment since she has been dismissed from speech-language therapy because she has
met her goals. The licensed speech-language pathologist, however, plans for and provides
additional therapy for the resident. This type of therapy is called: - ANS ✔✔Restorative therapy
You receive a referral to assess Beth, who is a 76-year-old resident in a nursing home. The
certified nursing assistants who work with her on a daily basis tell you that Beth has been
experiencing changes in behavior. During group activities she makes inappropriate comments
and appears impulsive and distractible. The certified nursing assistants also note that she has
decreased energy and motivation. You notice she is having mild problems with language as well.
Which of the following forms of dementia is Beth displaying? - ANS ✔✔Frontotemporal
dementia
When working with individuals with dementia, a clinician can implement an approach which
consists of accepting the values and beliefs of the individual, providing opportunities for the
patient to convey feelings, and acknowledging any adverse perceptions and confusion of the
individual. This approach is known as? - ANS ✔✔Validation therapy
What kind of tremor is best described as an involuntary, rhythmic oscillation of one or more
body parts, ranging from 4 to 12 cycles per second? - ANS ✔✔Essential tremor
This type of imaging may be used to diagnose those who have early onset or very mild
dementia symptoms (usually under the age of 65) that may even be associated with severe
depression. If the results of the test are positive, it indicates the presence of Alzheimer's
disease. These scans are called: - ANS ✔✔Amyloid PET scans
