NU 176 Exam 4 (Cognitive Changes & End-of-Life Care) Exam
Practice Questions & Answers (Verified Update)
Dementia & Cognitive Impairment, Delirium, Validation &
Reality Orientation Therapies, Palliative Care, Hospice & End-
of-Life Care, and Grief & Loss.
Section 1: Dementia & Cognitive Impairment
Q1. What is the most characteristic finding of dementia?
A) Acute onset with fluctuating attention
B) Gradual, progressive cognitive decline
C) Rapid resolution after treatment
D) Sudden onset over hours
Answer: B
Rationale: Dementia is characterized by a gradual, progressive
decline in cognitive function that interferes with daily life. Acute
onset with fluctuating attention is characteristic of delirium, not
dementia.
Q2. Which cognitive function is typically affected first in
Alzheimer's disease?
A) Long-term memory
B) Recent memory
,C) Motor function
D) Language
Answer: B
Rationale: In early-stage Alzheimer's disease, recent memory
loss is typically the first and most prominent symptom. The
person may forget recent conversations or events while
retaining long-term memories.
Q3. A nurse is caring for a client with moderate Alzheimer's
disease. Which finding is most consistent with this stage?
A) The client is able to live independently
B) The client requires assistance with reminders to eat, wash,
and use the restroom
C) The client has no memory loss
D) The client is able to manage finances independently
Answer: B
Rationale: In moderate Alzheimer's disease, clients require
assistance with ADLs such as eating, washing, and toileting.
They may also experience behavioral symptoms such as
wandering, getting lost, hallucinations, and repetitive behavior.
Q4. Which of the following is a sign of late-stage Alzheimer's
disease?
A) The client is able to drive safely
B) The client loses the ability to swallow safely
,C) The client is able to manage finances
D) The client has mild memory loss
Answer: B
Rationale: In late-stage Alzheimer's disease, the client loses the
ability to swallow safely, may become incontinent, and requires
total care. They also lose the ability to communicate verbally.
Q5. What is the primary goal of care for a client with dementia?
A) To cure the disease
B) To promote the highest possible quality of life and maintain
function
C) To reverse cognitive decline
D) To restore memory
Answer: B
Rationale: Dementia is progressive and irreversible. The
primary goal of care is to promote the highest possible quality
of life, maintain function, and provide support to the client and
family.
Q6. A nurse is teaching a family about dementia. Which
statement indicates understanding?
A) "Dementia usually improves completely with rest."
B) "The disease is a progressive deterioration, and we can
review the symptoms to look for as the client declines."
C) "There is no need to plan because symptoms remain the
, same."
D) "The client will regain full cognitive ability after medication
therapy."
Answer: B
Rationale: Dementia is usually progressive and involves
worsening cognitive and functional decline over time. Families
need education, planning, support, and realistic expectations.
Q7. Which of the following is a risk factor for developing
dementia?
A) Young age
B) Family history of dementia
C) High education level
D) Regular exercise
Answer: B
Rationale: Family history is a risk factor for dementia. Other risk
factors include advanced age, cardiovascular disease, diabetes,
and smoking.
Q8. A nurse is assessing a client for dementia. Which tool is
most appropriate?
A) Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
B) Glasgow Coma Scale
C) Braden Scale
D) Pain Assessment
Practice Questions & Answers (Verified Update)
Dementia & Cognitive Impairment, Delirium, Validation &
Reality Orientation Therapies, Palliative Care, Hospice & End-
of-Life Care, and Grief & Loss.
Section 1: Dementia & Cognitive Impairment
Q1. What is the most characteristic finding of dementia?
A) Acute onset with fluctuating attention
B) Gradual, progressive cognitive decline
C) Rapid resolution after treatment
D) Sudden onset over hours
Answer: B
Rationale: Dementia is characterized by a gradual, progressive
decline in cognitive function that interferes with daily life. Acute
onset with fluctuating attention is characteristic of delirium, not
dementia.
Q2. Which cognitive function is typically affected first in
Alzheimer's disease?
A) Long-term memory
B) Recent memory
,C) Motor function
D) Language
Answer: B
Rationale: In early-stage Alzheimer's disease, recent memory
loss is typically the first and most prominent symptom. The
person may forget recent conversations or events while
retaining long-term memories.
Q3. A nurse is caring for a client with moderate Alzheimer's
disease. Which finding is most consistent with this stage?
A) The client is able to live independently
B) The client requires assistance with reminders to eat, wash,
and use the restroom
C) The client has no memory loss
D) The client is able to manage finances independently
Answer: B
Rationale: In moderate Alzheimer's disease, clients require
assistance with ADLs such as eating, washing, and toileting.
They may also experience behavioral symptoms such as
wandering, getting lost, hallucinations, and repetitive behavior.
Q4. Which of the following is a sign of late-stage Alzheimer's
disease?
A) The client is able to drive safely
B) The client loses the ability to swallow safely
,C) The client is able to manage finances
D) The client has mild memory loss
Answer: B
Rationale: In late-stage Alzheimer's disease, the client loses the
ability to swallow safely, may become incontinent, and requires
total care. They also lose the ability to communicate verbally.
Q5. What is the primary goal of care for a client with dementia?
A) To cure the disease
B) To promote the highest possible quality of life and maintain
function
C) To reverse cognitive decline
D) To restore memory
Answer: B
Rationale: Dementia is progressive and irreversible. The
primary goal of care is to promote the highest possible quality
of life, maintain function, and provide support to the client and
family.
Q6. A nurse is teaching a family about dementia. Which
statement indicates understanding?
A) "Dementia usually improves completely with rest."
B) "The disease is a progressive deterioration, and we can
review the symptoms to look for as the client declines."
C) "There is no need to plan because symptoms remain the
, same."
D) "The client will regain full cognitive ability after medication
therapy."
Answer: B
Rationale: Dementia is usually progressive and involves
worsening cognitive and functional decline over time. Families
need education, planning, support, and realistic expectations.
Q7. Which of the following is a risk factor for developing
dementia?
A) Young age
B) Family history of dementia
C) High education level
D) Regular exercise
Answer: B
Rationale: Family history is a risk factor for dementia. Other risk
factors include advanced age, cardiovascular disease, diabetes,
and smoking.
Q8. A nurse is assessing a client for dementia. Which tool is
most appropriate?
A) Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
B) Glasgow Coma Scale
C) Braden Scale
D) Pain Assessment
