HESI CASE STUDY ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE
(ADVANCED STAGES) QUIZZES WITH RIGHT
ACCURATE ANSWERS.
During a routine physical exam, a client states that she has become increasingly forgetful and worries
that old age is catching up with her. The nurse notes that the client has difficulty finishing some of her
sentences because she forgets common words and that she is wearing only a thin sweater on a very cold
day. The client is scheduled for more in-depth evaluation for possible neurocognitive disorder and to
rule out Alzheimer's disease. ANSWER : -
The nurse administers a mental status examination to assess the client's cognitive function. The client's
spouse is present during the exam.
This exam includes which component?
-Appetite.
-Judgment.
-Pupillary response.
-Babinski's reflex. ANSWER : -Judgment.
Rationale: Evaluation of cognitive function includes assessment of attention, concentration, judgment,
perception, learning, memory, communication, language, and speed of processing information.
When the nurse is conducting the client's cognitive function, which components of the mental status
exam best assess the client's cognition? (Select all that apply.)
-Level of consciousness.
-Level of eye contact.
-Remote memory.
-Speech articulation.
-Facial expression. ANSWER : --Level of consciousness.
,Rationale: Level of consciousness is an assessment of the client's congition.
-Remote memory.
Rationale: Remote memory is an assessment of the client's congition.
The client is scheduled for laboratory work and neuroimaging tests, including magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET). The client's spouse asks the nurse what these
tests will show.
Which is the best explanation by the nurse?
-The tests are only used to help rule out other causes for the client's symptoms, since there are no tests
that can be used to diagnose Alzheimer's disease.
-The healthcare provider is looking for changes in the brain that are consistent with Alzheimer's disease
or for other conditions that can cause the client's symptoms.
-The tests will provide information about the staging of Alzheimer's disease, so the healthcare provider
will know which medications to prescribe for the best treatment.
-The imaging test results will be used to analyze the effectiveness of the treatment protocol used to
shrink the diseased brain tissue. ANSWER : -The healthcare provider is looking for changes in the brain
that are consistent with Alzheimer's disease or for other conditions that can cause the client's
symptoms.
Rationale: Although there are no diagnostic tests that provide a definitive differential diagnosis of
Alzheimer's disease, several imaging tests provide data that show changes consistent with AD. Other
problems that cause dementia may also be found via neuroimaging tests.
The client's laboratory tests include a CBC, TSH, T3, T4, electrolytes, BUN, and glucose levels. The results
are all normal.
How should the nurse explain the information to the client's spouse?
-The results likely indicate that the disease is in its early stages.
-It is common for test results to change as the disease progresses.
-Normal laboratory tests are not typical and may need to be repeated.
, -Normal laboratory test results help rule out other causes for the symptoms. ANSWER : -Normal
laboratory test results help rule out other causes for the symptoms.
Rationale: There are many causes of dementia, especially in the older client. Laboratory tests help rule
out treatable causes before a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is established.
Which understanding by the nurse regarding Alzheimer's disease is accurate?
-Changes in behavior and personality often occur in early Alzheimer's disease.
-Behavior changes may indicate that she has already progressed to a later stage of the disease
-.Behavior changes are probably the result of her effort to cope with her altered mental function.
-Behavior changes usually indicate that the person is feeling depressed about the situation. ANSWER : -
Changes in behavior and personality often occur in early Alzheimer's disease.
Rationale: Subtle changes in behavior and personality, which would easily be recognized by a loved one,
occur even in early Alzheimer's disease.
Early indicators from the mental status exam show that the client has impaired cognitive functioning.
The nurse explains to the client and her spouse that a number of different problems can result in altered
cognition. The nurse discusses early warning signs and risk factors for Alzheimer's disease with the
couple and the client's spouse says that the client does not like herself anymore.
The client's spouse asks the nurse what is typical behaviors for early-stage Alzheimer's disease. Which
nursing explanation best promotes effective communication?
-Frequently misplacing the keys to the car.
-Needs assistance choosing clothes appropriate for the season.
-Wandering off and losing perspective of location.
-Requiring assistance with dressing. ANSWER : -Frequently misplacing the keys to the car.
Rationale: Losing or misplacing valuable objects is seen in searly-stage Alzheimer's disease. The client is
still able to function independently.
(ADVANCED STAGES) QUIZZES WITH RIGHT
ACCURATE ANSWERS.
During a routine physical exam, a client states that she has become increasingly forgetful and worries
that old age is catching up with her. The nurse notes that the client has difficulty finishing some of her
sentences because she forgets common words and that she is wearing only a thin sweater on a very cold
day. The client is scheduled for more in-depth evaluation for possible neurocognitive disorder and to
rule out Alzheimer's disease. ANSWER : -
The nurse administers a mental status examination to assess the client's cognitive function. The client's
spouse is present during the exam.
This exam includes which component?
-Appetite.
-Judgment.
-Pupillary response.
-Babinski's reflex. ANSWER : -Judgment.
Rationale: Evaluation of cognitive function includes assessment of attention, concentration, judgment,
perception, learning, memory, communication, language, and speed of processing information.
When the nurse is conducting the client's cognitive function, which components of the mental status
exam best assess the client's cognition? (Select all that apply.)
-Level of consciousness.
-Level of eye contact.
-Remote memory.
-Speech articulation.
-Facial expression. ANSWER : --Level of consciousness.
,Rationale: Level of consciousness is an assessment of the client's congition.
-Remote memory.
Rationale: Remote memory is an assessment of the client's congition.
The client is scheduled for laboratory work and neuroimaging tests, including magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET). The client's spouse asks the nurse what these
tests will show.
Which is the best explanation by the nurse?
-The tests are only used to help rule out other causes for the client's symptoms, since there are no tests
that can be used to diagnose Alzheimer's disease.
-The healthcare provider is looking for changes in the brain that are consistent with Alzheimer's disease
or for other conditions that can cause the client's symptoms.
-The tests will provide information about the staging of Alzheimer's disease, so the healthcare provider
will know which medications to prescribe for the best treatment.
-The imaging test results will be used to analyze the effectiveness of the treatment protocol used to
shrink the diseased brain tissue. ANSWER : -The healthcare provider is looking for changes in the brain
that are consistent with Alzheimer's disease or for other conditions that can cause the client's
symptoms.
Rationale: Although there are no diagnostic tests that provide a definitive differential diagnosis of
Alzheimer's disease, several imaging tests provide data that show changes consistent with AD. Other
problems that cause dementia may also be found via neuroimaging tests.
The client's laboratory tests include a CBC, TSH, T3, T4, electrolytes, BUN, and glucose levels. The results
are all normal.
How should the nurse explain the information to the client's spouse?
-The results likely indicate that the disease is in its early stages.
-It is common for test results to change as the disease progresses.
-Normal laboratory tests are not typical and may need to be repeated.
, -Normal laboratory test results help rule out other causes for the symptoms. ANSWER : -Normal
laboratory test results help rule out other causes for the symptoms.
Rationale: There are many causes of dementia, especially in the older client. Laboratory tests help rule
out treatable causes before a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is established.
Which understanding by the nurse regarding Alzheimer's disease is accurate?
-Changes in behavior and personality often occur in early Alzheimer's disease.
-Behavior changes may indicate that she has already progressed to a later stage of the disease
-.Behavior changes are probably the result of her effort to cope with her altered mental function.
-Behavior changes usually indicate that the person is feeling depressed about the situation. ANSWER : -
Changes in behavior and personality often occur in early Alzheimer's disease.
Rationale: Subtle changes in behavior and personality, which would easily be recognized by a loved one,
occur even in early Alzheimer's disease.
Early indicators from the mental status exam show that the client has impaired cognitive functioning.
The nurse explains to the client and her spouse that a number of different problems can result in altered
cognition. The nurse discusses early warning signs and risk factors for Alzheimer's disease with the
couple and the client's spouse says that the client does not like herself anymore.
The client's spouse asks the nurse what is typical behaviors for early-stage Alzheimer's disease. Which
nursing explanation best promotes effective communication?
-Frequently misplacing the keys to the car.
-Needs assistance choosing clothes appropriate for the season.
-Wandering off and losing perspective of location.
-Requiring assistance with dressing. ANSWER : -Frequently misplacing the keys to the car.
Rationale: Losing or misplacing valuable objects is seen in searly-stage Alzheimer's disease. The client is
still able to function independently.
