chapter 17

A 75-year-old male client is brought to the clinic by his son. The son states, “Ever since

Mom died, Dad hasn’t been the same. At first he just seemed sad, but now he seems to get

mixed up about everything.” The nurse is aware that based on the client’s history, the source

of confusion is most likely:

• dementia.

• depression from the loss of his wife.

• hypoxia of the brain.

• delirium from medications.

Vascular dementia is more common in individuals living in:

• The United States.

• Japan.

• France.

• Australia.

A newly admitted elderly client seems to become confused and agitated every evening after

dinner. This client most likely is suffering from:

• Alzheimer’s disease.

• acute dementia.

• sundown syndrome.

• delirium.

The elderly spouse of a 74-year-old male client states that she has noticed that her husband

“doesn’t remember as well as he used to.” She explains that he has been putting on his coat

before his shirt, and that he can never get their checkbook to balance as it did in the past.

The client is exhibiting signs and symptoms typical of:

• vascular dementia.

• Alzheimer’s disease.

• acute delirium.

• aging.

The affective losses of Alzheimer’s disease refer to losses noticed in the individual’s:

• personality.

• thought processes.

• ability to make and carry out plans.

• self-care.

The average time that a person with Alzheimer’s disease lives after diagnosis is:

• 2 years

• 8 years

• 10 years

• 20 years

For those family members who desire to care at home for loved ones who have been given a

diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, it is important for the nurse to ensure that the family is

aware of which caregiver skills and responsibilities will be necessary. What is one of the

responsibilities of the caregiver during the middle stage of the disease?

• Helping the loved one with memory and communication problems

• Providing a stable, routine environment

• Providing complete assistance with physical care

• Adapting to the changing personality and behavior of the loved one

The nurse is answering questions from a client and his family regarding a recent diagnosis

of Alzheimer’s disease. The client asks how effective medication is in treating the disease.

What is the nurse’s best response?

• “There is no cure or treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.”

• “Medications have shown little improvement in symptoms.”

• “Medications for the disease have been found to improve thinking abilities,

  behavior, and daily functioning in some clients.”

• Alternative therapies, such as co-enzyme Q-10 and Ginkgo biloba, are more

  effective than any of the prescription medications used to treat the symptoms.”

Which of the following is an effective communication technique that should be included in

the teaching plan for the family members of a woman in whom Alzheimer’s disease has

been diagnosed recently?

• Use simple, familiar words, along with short and simple sentences.

• If the client tends to pace a lot, be sure to encourage her to sit during interactions.

• If she doesn’t understand the communication, change key words.

• Use hand gestures when speaking to try to explain what is being said.

The elderly spouse of a female Alzheimer’s client states that his wife seems to wander

aimlessly from room to room looking for things in incorrect places, such as kitchen utensils

in the bedroom and laundry detergent in the kitchen. He asks the nurse for suggestions of

what he can do to help her. What is the nurse’s best response?

• “Keep rooms well lit.”

• “Keep the home environment simple and user-friendly for her.”

• “Have clocks and calendars with large letters in several rooms of the house.”

• “Place large signs on doors or entryways that identify the room.”