Chapter 18: Antidementia Drugs
Steele: Keltner’s Psychiatric Nursing,
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The spouse of a patient with Alzheimer disease (AD) asks, ―Can you give me a simple
explanation of what happened in my partner‘s brain?‖ Select the nurse‘s best response. a. ―The
brain‘s neurons are deteriorating.‖
b. ―The brain became overstimulated with chemical messages.‖
c. ―Brain cells and chemical messengers that form memories are dying.‖
d. ―The substantia nigra, a tissue that makes dopamine, has degenerated.‖
ANS: A
The pathology that should be simply explained is that AD is characterized by neuronal
degeneration of the brain and deficiencies of neurotransmitters. Degeneration of the substantia
nigra is associated with Parkinson disease.
DIF: Cognitive level: Applying TOP: Nursing process: Implementation
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
2. The family of a patient diagnosed with Alzheimer disease (AD) asks the nurse, ―How can drugs
help our parent?‖ Which reply provides the most realistic expectations for medication therapy?
a. ―Unfortunately, drugs are not helpful.‖
b. ―Drugs are available to stop the disease process.‖
c. ―Drugs can help preserve mental abilities for a time.‖
d. ―We will teach you ways of helping your parent adjust.‖
ANS: C
, Medication can elevate acetylcholine (ACh) levels and maintain cognitive abilities for a time.
The progress of the disease is not slowed or halted, however. Stating that no help is available is
neither therapeutic nor true. Stating that the family will be taught how to help the patient adjust
might not be realistic.
DIF: Cognitive level: Analyzing TOP: Nursing process: Implementation
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
3. Most drugs used to treat Alzheimer disease (AD) affect what system and or process?
a. Monoamine oxidase reuptake systems
b. Serotonin and norepinephrine production
c. Cholinergic pathways, enzymes, and receptors
d. The Krebs cycle and GABA neuronal inhibition
ANS: C
Steele: Keltner’s Psychiatric Nursing,
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The spouse of a patient with Alzheimer disease (AD) asks, ―Can you give me a simple
explanation of what happened in my partner‘s brain?‖ Select the nurse‘s best response. a. ―The
brain‘s neurons are deteriorating.‖
b. ―The brain became overstimulated with chemical messages.‖
c. ―Brain cells and chemical messengers that form memories are dying.‖
d. ―The substantia nigra, a tissue that makes dopamine, has degenerated.‖
ANS: A
The pathology that should be simply explained is that AD is characterized by neuronal
degeneration of the brain and deficiencies of neurotransmitters. Degeneration of the substantia
nigra is associated with Parkinson disease.
DIF: Cognitive level: Applying TOP: Nursing process: Implementation
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
2. The family of a patient diagnosed with Alzheimer disease (AD) asks the nurse, ―How can drugs
help our parent?‖ Which reply provides the most realistic expectations for medication therapy?
a. ―Unfortunately, drugs are not helpful.‖
b. ―Drugs are available to stop the disease process.‖
c. ―Drugs can help preserve mental abilities for a time.‖
d. ―We will teach you ways of helping your parent adjust.‖
ANS: C
, Medication can elevate acetylcholine (ACh) levels and maintain cognitive abilities for a time.
The progress of the disease is not slowed or halted, however. Stating that no help is available is
neither therapeutic nor true. Stating that the family will be taught how to help the patient adjust
might not be realistic.
DIF: Cognitive level: Analyzing TOP: Nursing process: Implementation
MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrity
3. Most drugs used to treat Alzheimer disease (AD) affect what system and or process?
a. Monoamine oxidase reuptake systems
b. Serotonin and norepinephrine production
c. Cholinergic pathways, enzymes, and receptors
d. The Krebs cycle and GABA neuronal inhibition
ANS: C
