Gerontological Nurse Test Dementia and Cognitive Disorders

Question 1

Which feature best distinguishes delirium from dementia in an older adult?

Accepted Answer

Acute onset with fluctuating course

Answer

Memory impairment

Answer

Personality changes

Answer

Language difficulties

Question 2

The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is used in gerontological nursing primarily to:

Accepted Answer

Screen for and monitor cognitive impairment

Answer

Diagnose Alzheimer's disease definitively

Answer

Assess a patient's capacity for informed consent

Answer

Evaluate activities of daily living function

Question 3

A patient with Alzheimer's disease exhibits sundowning. The nurse should anticipate that this behavior typically occurs:

Accepted Answer

Late afternoon and evening hours

Answer

Early morning upon waking

Answer

After taking medications

Answer

Only during medical procedures

Question 4

Which non-pharmacological intervention is most appropriate for managing agitation in a patient with moderate dementia?

Accepted Answer

Consistent routine, familiar music, and a calm environment

Answer

Restraint application to prevent injury

Answer

Increasing stimulation with bright lighting and television

Answer

Encouraging the patient to recall distressing events to process emotions

Question 5

Lewy body dementia is distinguished from Alzheimer's disease by the presence of which hallmark feature?

Accepted Answer

Recurrent vivid visual hallucinations

Answer

Memory loss as the first symptom

Answer

Aphasia occurring early in the disease

Answer

Rapid onset over days to weeks

Question 6

When communicating with a patient who has moderate Alzheimer's disease, the nurse should:

Accepted Answer

Use short, simple sentences and allow extra time for responses

Answer

Use complex sentences to stimulate cognitive function

Answer

Correct the patient each time they make a factual error

Answer

Avoid eye contact to prevent overstimulation