Quarter
Final Exam
Completed
75 out of 75 points
1 hour, 0 minute out of 2 hours
QUESTION 1
Mrs. Johnson is a 79-year-old lady who has been managed for Alzheimer’s dementia with a variety of
nonpharmacologic management strategies such as promoting a clear household routine, timed toileting,
pet therapy, and other strategies to provide structure. However, she was finally started on donepezil 10
mg daily at bedtime to try and maximize cognitive function and memory. When following up for
medication tolerance and adverse effects, the PMHNP recognizes that the most common patient
complaints include:
Constipation and dry mouth
Nausea and diarrhea
Palpitations and anxiety
Nocturnal awakenings and blurred vision
1 points
QUESTION 2
Mr. and Mrs. Comstock are both patients of your practice; Mr. Comstock is treated for depression,
which is largely secondary to his wife’s progressive dementia. He is trying to take care of her but finds it
very emotionally difficult. Previously very active, they have become socially isolated as their friends are
not comfortable around Mrs. Comstock’s progressively obvious dementia symptoms. Mr. Comstock’s
brother and his wife were visiting yesterday, and it became very uncomfortable. Mr. Comstock said they
were having a conversation about a recent election and his wife suddenly became extremely agitated
and started acting out inappropriately; she was yelling and broke a figurine from the table; she finally
left the room. He said this has not happened before—that usually she participates in conversations,
even if sometimes she jokes too much or changes the subject. The PMHNP discusses with Mr. Comstock
that it sounds as though his wife:
Is depressed
Is demonstrating deterioration