Chapter 22. Neurocognitive Disorders
Multiple Choice
1. A geriatric nurse is teaching student nurses about the risk factors for development
of delirium in older adults. Which student statement indicates that learning has
occurred?
A. Taking multiple medications may lead to adverse interactions or toxicity. B. Age-
related cognitive changes may lead to alterations in mental status.
C. Lack of rigorous exercise may lead to decreased cerebral blood flow.
D. Decreased social interaction may lead to profound isolation and psychosis.
ANS: A
The nurse should identify that taking multiple medications may lead to adverse
reactions or toxicity and put an older adult at risk for the development of delirium.
Symptoms of delirium include difficulty sustaining and shifting attention. The client
with delirium is disoriented to time and place and may also have impaired memory.
KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process: Evaluation |
Client Need:
Physiological Integrity
2. A client diagnosed with vascular dementia is discharged to home under the care of
his wife. Which information should cause the nurse to question the clients safety?
A. His wife works from home in telecommunication.
, B. The client has worked the night shift his entire career. C. His wife has minimal family
support.
D. The client smokes one pack of cigarettes per day.
ANS: D
Forgetfulness is an early symptom of dementia that would alert the nurse to question
the clients safety at home if the client smokes cigarettes. Vascular dementia is a
clinical syndrome of dementia due to significant cerebrovascular disease. The cause of
vascular dementia is related to an interruption of blood flow to the brain. High blood
pressure and hypertension are significant factors in the etiology.
KEY: Cognitive Level: Analysis | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process: Assessment |
Client Need: Safe and Effective Care Environment
3. A client diagnosed with neurocognitive disorder due to Alzheimers disease can no
longer ambulate, does not recognize family members, and communicates with agitated
behaviors and incoherent verbalizations. The
nurse recognizes these symptoms as indicative of which stage of the illness? A.
Confabulation stage
B. Early stage C. Middle stage D. Late stage ANS: D
The nurse should recognize that this client is in the late stage of Alzheimers disease.
The late stage is characterized by a severe cognitive decline.
KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process:
Assessment | Client Need:
Physiological Integrity
4. A client is in the late stage of Alzheimers disease. To address the clients symptoms,
which nursing intervention should take priority?
Multiple Choice
1. A geriatric nurse is teaching student nurses about the risk factors for development
of delirium in older adults. Which student statement indicates that learning has
occurred?
A. Taking multiple medications may lead to adverse interactions or toxicity. B. Age-
related cognitive changes may lead to alterations in mental status.
C. Lack of rigorous exercise may lead to decreased cerebral blood flow.
D. Decreased social interaction may lead to profound isolation and psychosis.
ANS: A
The nurse should identify that taking multiple medications may lead to adverse
reactions or toxicity and put an older adult at risk for the development of delirium.
Symptoms of delirium include difficulty sustaining and shifting attention. The client
with delirium is disoriented to time and place and may also have impaired memory.
KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process: Evaluation |
Client Need:
Physiological Integrity
2. A client diagnosed with vascular dementia is discharged to home under the care of
his wife. Which information should cause the nurse to question the clients safety?
A. His wife works from home in telecommunication.
, B. The client has worked the night shift his entire career. C. His wife has minimal family
support.
D. The client smokes one pack of cigarettes per day.
ANS: D
Forgetfulness is an early symptom of dementia that would alert the nurse to question
the clients safety at home if the client smokes cigarettes. Vascular dementia is a
clinical syndrome of dementia due to significant cerebrovascular disease. The cause of
vascular dementia is related to an interruption of blood flow to the brain. High blood
pressure and hypertension are significant factors in the etiology.
KEY: Cognitive Level: Analysis | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process: Assessment |
Client Need: Safe and Effective Care Environment
3. A client diagnosed with neurocognitive disorder due to Alzheimers disease can no
longer ambulate, does not recognize family members, and communicates with agitated
behaviors and incoherent verbalizations. The
nurse recognizes these symptoms as indicative of which stage of the illness? A.
Confabulation stage
B. Early stage C. Middle stage D. Late stage ANS: D
The nurse should recognize that this client is in the late stage of Alzheimers disease.
The late stage is characterized by a severe cognitive decline.
KEY: Cognitive Level: Application | Integrated Processes: Nursing Process:
Assessment | Client Need:
Physiological Integrity
4. A client is in the late stage of Alzheimers disease. To address the clients symptoms,
which nursing intervention should take priority?
