Dementia Training Certification Dementia Training Understanding Cognitive Decline & Its Stages 3

Question 1

Which neurotransmitter is most significantly reduced in Alzheimer's disease, contributing to cognitive symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Degeneration of cholinergic neurons reduces acetylcholine levels in Alzheimer's, which is why cholinesterase inhibitors are a primary pharmacological treatment.

Question 2

In vascular dementia, cognitive decline is primarily caused by:

Accepted Answer

Reduced blood flow to brain regions due to cerebrovascular disease

Answer

Vascular dementia results from strokes or chronic reduced cerebral blood flow that kills brain tissue, producing stepwise or sudden cognitive decline.

Question 3

What does the term 'sundowning' refer to in dementia care?

Accepted Answer

Increased confusion, agitation, and behavioral symptoms that worsen in the late afternoon or evening

Answer

Sundowning describes worsening neuropsychiatric symptoms—confusion, restlessness, agitation—that typically emerge or intensify in the late afternoon and evening.

Question 4

A patient scores 17/30 on the MMSE. Which range best categorizes this score?

Accepted Answer

Moderate cognitive impairment

Answer

MMSE scores of 10–20 indicate moderate cognitive impairment; the patient scoring 17 falls within this range requiring assistance with many daily activities.

Question 5

Which pathological hallmarks are most closely associated with Alzheimer's disease on autopsy?

Accepted Answer

Amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles

Answer

Alzheimer's is defined pathologically by extracellular beta-amyloid plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles made of hyperphosphorylated tau protein.

Dementia Training Certification Practice Test

Dementia Training Certification Practice Test

Dementia Training Certification Dementia Training Understanding Cognitive Decline & Its Stages 3