ATI LPN
Psychiatric Nursing: Contemporary Practice 6th Edition
Chapter 38 : Neurocognitive Disorders Questions
Question 1 of 5
While the nurse is caring for a hospitalized client in the advanced stages of Alzheimer?s disease, the client begins to have a catastrophic reaction to feeding himself. Which of the following should the nurse do first?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Remaining calm and reassuring (
A) is the first step to de-escalate a catastrophic reaction in Alzheimer?s, creating a safe environment. Restraining (
B) may increase agitation, darkening the room (
C) is less relevant, and offering to feed (
D) addresses the task but not the immediate emotional distress.
Question 2 of 5
While reviewing the medical record of a client with moderate dementia of the Alzheimer type, the nurse notes that the client has been receiving memantine. The nurse identifies this drug as which type?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Memantine is an NMDA receptor antagonist (
C) used to manage moderate to severe Alzheimer?s by regulating glutamate activity. It is not an antipsychotic (
A), cholinesterase inhibitor (
B), or benzodiazepine (
D).
Question 3 of 5
A group of nursing students is reviewing information about delirium and dementia. The students demonstrate a need for additional review when they identify which of the following as characteristics of dementia?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Fluctuating changes within a 24-hour period (
A) are characteristic of delirium, not dementia, which has a gradual onset and stable symptoms. Possible hallucinations (
B), normal psychomotor activity (
C), and globally impaired cognition (
D) are consistent with dementia, indicating the students? error in selecting A.
Question 4 of 5
A client is brought to the emergency department by his wife. The wife states that over the past few hours, the client has become disoriented and confused. He didn?t know where he was and didn?t seem to recognize me or be able to carry on a coherent conversation. The nurse suspects delirium. When reviewing the client?s medication history with the wife, use of which of the following would alert the nurse to a potential cause? Select all that apply.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Diphenhydramine (
C) is an anticholinergic medication known to cause delirium in older adults due to its effects on cognition. Propranolol (
A), verapamil (
D), and quinidine (E) are cardiovascular drugs with less direct links to delirium. Acetaminophen (
B) is not typically associated with cognitive side effects.
Question 5 of 5
A nurse is assessing a client diagnosed with Alzheimer?s disease. As part of the assessment, the nurse asks the client to identify common objects. The nurse is assessing for which of the following?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Asking a client to identify common objects assesses for agnosia (
C), the inability to recognize familiar objects, a common symptom in Alzheimer?s. Aphasia (
A) involves language difficulties, apraxia (
B) involves impaired motor planning, and executive functioning (
D) involves decision-making and problem-solving.