ACC Alzheimer's Disease Stages & Symptoms 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During which stage of Alzheimer's disease does a person typically first require assistance with daily activities like bathing and dressing?
- Mild (early) stage
- Moderate (middle) stage (Correct answer)
- Severe (late) stage
- Pre-clinical stage
Correct answer: Moderate (middle) stage
In the moderate stage, cognitive and functional decline becomes significant enough that the person needs help with ADLs such as bathing and dressing.
Question 2: Which behavioral symptom commonly emerges in the moderate stage of Alzheimer's and involves walking without a clear destination?
- Aphasia
- Wandering (Correct answer)
- Apraxia
- Agnosia
Correct answer: Wandering
Wandering is a hallmark behavioral symptom of the moderate Alzheimer's stage and poses significant safety risks.
Question 3: A person with late-stage Alzheimer's loses the ability to recognize close family members. What is the clinical term for this symptom?
- Aphasia
- Apraxia
- Agnosia (Correct answer)
- Amnesia
Correct answer: Agnosia
Agnosia is the inability to recognize familiar people, objects, or places, and is common in severe Alzheimer's disease.
Question 4: In the severe stage of Alzheimer's disease, which physical change is most characteristic?
- Increased appetite and weight gain
- Loss of bladder and bowel control (Correct answer)
- Improved short-term memory
- Heightened spatial awareness
Correct answer: Loss of bladder and bowel control
Loss of bladder and bowel control (incontinence) is a characteristic physical change in severe-stage Alzheimer's disease.
Question 5: Which stage of Alzheimer's disease is characterized by subtle memory lapses that do not yet interfere significantly with daily functioning?
- Moderate stage
- Severe stage
- Mild (early) stage (Correct answer)
- Very severe stage
Correct answer: Mild (early) stage
The mild or early stage features subtle changes in memory and cognition that may not yet disrupt everyday functioning.
Question 6: A caregiver notices that their client with moderate Alzheimer's becomes increasingly confused and agitated in the late afternoon. What is this phenomenon called?
- Catastrophic reaction
- Sundowning (Correct answer)
- Perseveration
- Confabulation
Correct answer: Sundowning
Sundowning refers to increased confusion, agitation, and restlessness that occurs in the late afternoon or evening in people with Alzheimer's.
Question 7: In which Alzheimer's stage does a person typically lose the ability to speak in full sentences, often using only single words or phrases?
- Mild stage
- Moderate stage
- Severe stage (Correct answer)
- Pre-clinical stage
Correct answer: Severe stage
In the severe stage, language ability deteriorates dramatically, leaving the person able to use only single words or short phrases.
ACC Alzheimer's Disease Stages & Symptoms 2
During which stage of Alzheimer's disease does a person typically first require assistance with daily activities like bathing and dressing?