, NURS 5461 MODULE 6 QUIZ
Neurological & Cognitive Disorders
Adult Gerontology Management Across the Continuum of Care
University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) 100-Question
Original Practice Quiz
2026/2027 Edition
Original study assessment aligned to the verified NURS 5461 Module 6 topic pattern. Not an official, leaked, reconstructed, or
proctored UTA quiz.
Delirium, Cognitive Screening, and Dementia
1. An 84-year-old develops confusion over several hours during pneumonia and is inattentive. What is the
mostlikely diagnosis?
A) Normal aging
B) Delirium
C) Major depression
D) Alzheimer disease
Correct Answer: B) Delirium
Rationale: Delirium is acute, fluctuating, and marked by impaired attention. Infection is a common precipitant in
older adults, whereas dementia usually develops gradually.
2. Which feature best distinguishes delirium from dementia?
A) Memory loss
B) Older age
C) Fluctuating attention
D) Sleep disturbance
Correct Answer: C) Fluctuating attention
Rationale: Inattention with fluctuation over hours to days is characteristic of delirium. Dementia can impair
memory and sleep but usually lacks abrupt fluctuating attention early on.
3. A patient with delirium has visual hallucinations and reversed sleep-wake cycle. What is the first clinical
priority?
A) Diagnose schizophrenia
B) Start a chronic cholinesterase inhibitor
C) Identify and treat the underlying cause
D) Begin long-term benzodiazepines
Correct Answer: C) Identify and treat the underlying cause
Rationale: Delirium is usually secondary to an acute medical or medication problem. Treating the precipitating
cause while maintaining safety is the central management strategy.
NURS 5461 Module 6 Practice Quiz | 2026/2027 Edition | Page 1
, 4. Which medication is especially likely to precipitate delirium in an older adult?
A) Topical moisturizer
B) Acetaminophen
C) Diphenhydramine
D) Calcium carbonate
Correct Answer: C) Diphenhydramine
Rationale: Diphenhydramine has strong anticholinergic effects and can worsen confusion, urinary retention, and
falls in older adults.
5. Which environmental intervention can help reduce delirium severity?
A) Continuous physical restraint
B) Sleep deprivation
C) Keeping the room dark all day
D) Frequent reorientation with clocks, glasses, and hearing aids
Correct Answer: D) Frequent reorientation with clocks, glasses, and hearing aids
Rationale: Orientation cues and correction of sensory deficits reduce confusion. Restraints and sleep disruption
can worsen delirium.
6. The Mini-Cog combines a clock-drawing task with:
A) Visual field testing
B) Three-word recall
C) Deep tendon reflexes
D) Gait speed only
Correct Answer: B) Three-word recall
Rationale: The Mini-Cog uses three-item recall plus clock drawing to screen for cognitive impairment. It is brief
and useful in primary care.
7. A positive brief cognitive screen should usually be followed by:
A) Immediate diagnosis of Alzheimer disease
B) More comprehensive cognitive and functional assessment
C) Automatic driving revocation
D) No further evaluation
Correct Answer: B) More comprehensive cognitive and functional assessment
Rationale: Screening identifies possible impairment but does not establish etiology. Further history, function,
medication review, mood assessment, and laboratory evaluation are often needed.
8. Which cognitive change is most typical of normal aging?
A) Slower retrieval with preserved daily function
NURS 5461 Module 6 Practice Quiz | 2026/2027 Edition | Page 2
Neurological & Cognitive Disorders
Adult Gerontology Management Across the Continuum of Care
University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) 100-Question
Original Practice Quiz
2026/2027 Edition
Original study assessment aligned to the verified NURS 5461 Module 6 topic pattern. Not an official, leaked, reconstructed, or
proctored UTA quiz.
Delirium, Cognitive Screening, and Dementia
1. An 84-year-old develops confusion over several hours during pneumonia and is inattentive. What is the
mostlikely diagnosis?
A) Normal aging
B) Delirium
C) Major depression
D) Alzheimer disease
Correct Answer: B) Delirium
Rationale: Delirium is acute, fluctuating, and marked by impaired attention. Infection is a common precipitant in
older adults, whereas dementia usually develops gradually.
2. Which feature best distinguishes delirium from dementia?
A) Memory loss
B) Older age
C) Fluctuating attention
D) Sleep disturbance
Correct Answer: C) Fluctuating attention
Rationale: Inattention with fluctuation over hours to days is characteristic of delirium. Dementia can impair
memory and sleep but usually lacks abrupt fluctuating attention early on.
3. A patient with delirium has visual hallucinations and reversed sleep-wake cycle. What is the first clinical
priority?
A) Diagnose schizophrenia
B) Start a chronic cholinesterase inhibitor
C) Identify and treat the underlying cause
D) Begin long-term benzodiazepines
Correct Answer: C) Identify and treat the underlying cause
Rationale: Delirium is usually secondary to an acute medical or medication problem. Treating the precipitating
cause while maintaining safety is the central management strategy.
NURS 5461 Module 6 Practice Quiz | 2026/2027 Edition | Page 1
, 4. Which medication is especially likely to precipitate delirium in an older adult?
A) Topical moisturizer
B) Acetaminophen
C) Diphenhydramine
D) Calcium carbonate
Correct Answer: C) Diphenhydramine
Rationale: Diphenhydramine has strong anticholinergic effects and can worsen confusion, urinary retention, and
falls in older adults.
5. Which environmental intervention can help reduce delirium severity?
A) Continuous physical restraint
B) Sleep deprivation
C) Keeping the room dark all day
D) Frequent reorientation with clocks, glasses, and hearing aids
Correct Answer: D) Frequent reorientation with clocks, glasses, and hearing aids
Rationale: Orientation cues and correction of sensory deficits reduce confusion. Restraints and sleep disruption
can worsen delirium.
6. The Mini-Cog combines a clock-drawing task with:
A) Visual field testing
B) Three-word recall
C) Deep tendon reflexes
D) Gait speed only
Correct Answer: B) Three-word recall
Rationale: The Mini-Cog uses three-item recall plus clock drawing to screen for cognitive impairment. It is brief
and useful in primary care.
7. A positive brief cognitive screen should usually be followed by:
A) Immediate diagnosis of Alzheimer disease
B) More comprehensive cognitive and functional assessment
C) Automatic driving revocation
D) No further evaluation
Correct Answer: B) More comprehensive cognitive and functional assessment
Rationale: Screening identifies possible impairment but does not establish etiology. Further history, function,
medication review, mood assessment, and laboratory evaluation are often needed.
8. Which cognitive change is most typical of normal aging?
A) Slower retrieval with preserved daily function
NURS 5461 Module 6 Practice Quiz | 2026/2027 Edition | Page 2
