Dementia and Cognitive Disorders Flashcards
6 cards from real Gerontological Nurse Test practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Dementia and Cognitive Disorders flashcards as text
Which feature best distinguishes delirium from dementia in an older adult?
Answer: Acute onset with fluctuating course
Delirium is characterized by acute onset and a fluctuating level of consciousness, whereas dementia typically has a gradual, progressive onset without acute fluctuation.
The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is used in gerontological nursing primarily to:
Answer: Screen for and monitor cognitive impairment
The MMSE is a standardized screening tool that assesses multiple cognitive domains and tracks changes over time; it cannot independently diagnose a specific dementia type.
A patient with Alzheimer's disease exhibits sundowning. The nurse should anticipate that this behavior typically occurs:
Answer: Late afternoon and evening hours
Sundowning refers to increased confusion, agitation, and behavioral disturbances that commonly occur in late afternoon and evening in patients with dementia.
Which non-pharmacological intervention is most appropriate for managing agitation in a patient with moderate dementia?
Answer: Consistent routine, familiar music, and a calm environment
Consistent routines, familiar sensory stimuli like music, and a calm low-stimulation environment are evidence-based non-pharmacological interventions for dementia-related agitation.
Lewy body dementia is distinguished from Alzheimer's disease by the presence of which hallmark feature?
Answer: Recurrent vivid visual hallucinations
Recurrent, well-formed visual hallucinations are a core diagnostic feature of Lewy body dementia and are not typically prominent early in Alzheimer's disease.
When communicating with a patient who has moderate Alzheimer's disease, the nurse should:
Answer: Use short, simple sentences and allow extra time for responses
Short, simple sentences reduce cognitive load for patients with dementia, and allowing extra response time respects their slowed processing without adding pressure.
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