ATI LPN
Test Bank for Psychiatric Nursing: Contemporary Practice
Chapter 38 : Neurocognitive Disorders Questions
Question 1 of 5
A nurse is providing care to a client with Alzheimer?s disease who is exhibiting suspiciousness and delusional thinking. Which of the following would be most important for the nurse to do with this client?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Determining the trigger for delusional thinking (
D) is most important, as it helps identify environmental or emotional factors causing distress, allowing for targeted interventions. Telling (
A) or confronting (
B) the client may increase agitation, and correcting (
C) is less effective than addressing the underlying cause.
Question 2 of 5
A client with Alzheimer?s disease is admitted to the acute care facility for treatment of an infection. Assessment reveals that the client is anxious. When developing the client?s plan of care, which of the following would be least appropriate to include?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Frequent reality orientation (
A) is least appropriate for an anxious Alzheimer?s patient, as it can increase agitation by highlighting cognitive deficits. Simplifying routines (
B), limiting choices (
C), and establishing predictable routines (
D) reduce anxiety by creating a stable, manageable environment.
Question 3 of 5
An older adult client is brought to the emergency department after ingesting an unknown substance. The client, who appears to have dementia, has tremors, ataxia of the upper and lower extremities, depression, and confusion. The nurse suspects ingestion of which of the following?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Mercury poisoning can cause tremors, ataxia, depression, and confusion, particularly in older adults with dementia, as it affects the central nervous system. Lead (
A) primarily causes cognitive and gastrointestinal issues, aluminum (
B) is less associated with acute neurological symptoms, and manganese (
C) typically causes parkinsonism-like symptoms but is less likely to cause depression.
Question 4 of 5
An adolescent client is seen in the emergency department with symptoms of dementia, tremors, and ataxia. The client had been sniffing glue with a friend. The nurse suspects the client?s symptoms were caused by poisoning with which of the following?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Toluene, a solvent found in glue, is a common cause of neurological symptoms like dementia-like confusion, tremors, and ataxia in cases of inhalant abuse. Mercury (
A) and lead (
B) cause different symptom profiles, and arsenic (
D) typically presents with gastrointestinal and systemic symptoms, not primarily neurological.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse is assessing a client who has received a tentative diagnosis of delirium. The nurse is explaining to the family about the major cause of the client?s condition. Which statement by the nurse would be most appropriate?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by a rapid onset of altered consciousness and cognitive impairment, distinguishing it from dementia, which develops gradually. Option A is incorrect, as speech issues are not the primary diagnostic criterion. Option B describes dementia, not delirium. Option D assumes an infectious cause without evidence.