Geriatric Care Flashcards
7 cards from real LVN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Geriatric Care flashcards as text
A nurse notices an elderly patient is acutely confused, agitated, and disoriented after surgery — different from their baseline. This presentation is most consistent with:
Answer: Delirium
Delirium is characterized by acute onset, fluctuating consciousness, and inattention — it is reversible and distinct from dementia.
Which of the following is a key difference between delirium and dementia?
Answer: Delirium has an acute onset; dementia has a gradual onset
Delirium develops acutely over hours to days, while dementia is a progressive condition developing gradually over months to years.
An LVN is caring for a patient with moderate Alzheimer's disease who repeatedly asks where she is. What is the best response?
Answer: Redirect and reassure her calmly each time
Calm redirection and reassurance are therapeutic for dementia patients; arguing or ignoring increases agitation and distress.
Which behavior is commonly associated with 'sundowning' in patients with dementia?
Answer: Increased confusion and agitation in the late afternoon or evening
Sundowning refers to worsening confusion, restlessness, and behavioral disturbances that occur in the late afternoon and evening.
A patient with dementia is pacing and appears distressed. Which nursing intervention should be tried first?
Answer: Identify and address potential unmet needs (pain, hunger, toileting)
Assessing for unmet needs such as pain, hunger, or the need to toilet often resolves agitation in dementia patients without medication.
Which approach best supports safety and dignity for a wandering dementia patient in a long-term care facility?
Answer: Locked unit with alarmed exits and structured activities
A secured environment with alarmed exits and meaningful activities addresses wandering safely while preserving patient dignity.
When completing a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), a score of 10 out of 30 suggests which level of cognitive impairment?
Answer: Severe impairment
An MMSE score of 0–9 indicates severe impairment, and a score of 10 falls into the severe range, reflecting significant cognitive deficits.