Dementia, Delirium Flashcards
An 84-year old patient who has returned from the PACU is oriented to name only and has been diagnosed with delirium. The nurse should explain the following to the patient’s family:
A. There is nothing to worry about
B. Delirium involves a progressive decline in memory loss
C. Delirium may only last a short time
D. Delirium is generally more prevalent in women
C. Delirium may only last a short time
A nurse makes a home visit to a 90-year old patient who has cardiovascular disease. The patient states, “Can you see the little green bugs that have been singing to me?” The patient is also confused and agitated. The nurse should:
A. Have the patient’s home care increased
B. Have a family member check in on the patient in the evening
C. Have the patient see his or her physician
D. Refer the patient to an adult day program
C. Have the patient see his or her physician
A patient with early stage Alzheimer’s disease has been prescribed tacrine hydrochloride. The nurse should explain to the patient and family about which of the following potential side effects of this drug?
A. Liver toxicity
B. Dental caries
C. Depression
D. Sexual impotence
A. Liver toxicity
The nurse is caring for an elderly patient who exhibits signs of dementia. The most common cause of dementia in an elderly patient is:
A. Delirium
B. Depression
C. Excessive drug use
D. Alzheimer’s disease
D. Alzheimer’s disease
The nurse is caring for a patient with late-stage Alzheimer’s disease whose wife says that her husband has become very dependent and she feels guilty if she takes any time for herself because the patient cries out for her. The nurse should develop which of the following outcomes to assist the patient’s wife?
A. The caregiver learns to explain to the patient why she needs time for herself
B. The caregiver distinguishes obligations she must fulfill from those that can be controlled or limited
C. The caregiver leaves the patient at home alone for short periods of time to encourage independence
D. The caregiver avoids asking other family members to help for fear of imposing on them
B. The caregiver distinguished obligations she must fulfill from those that can be controlled of limited
To encourage adequate nutritional intake for a patient with Alzheimer’s disease, the nurse should:
A. Stay with the patient and encourage him to eat
B. Help the patient fill out his menu
C. Give the patient privacy during meals
D. Fill out the menu for the patient
A. Stay with the patient and encourage him to eat
A 78-year old Alzheimer’s patient is being treated for malnutrition and dehydration. The nurse places him closer to the nurses’ station because of his tendency to:
A. Forget to eat
B. Yell out often
C. Exhibit acquiescent behavior
D. Wander
D. Wander
Which intervention would be most useful in an 89-year old patient suffering from Alzheimer’s-type dementia?
A. Provide a safe environment
B. Provide a stimulating environment
C. Avoid the use of touch
D. Use restraints whenever necessary
A. Provide a safe environment
A home health care nurse is working with the family of a patient who has Alzheimer’s disease. The patient’s spouse is too exhausted to continue providing care on her own. The adult children live too far away to provide relief on a weekly basis. Which nursing intervention would be most helpful?
A. Calling a family meeting to tell the absent children that they must participate in helping the patient
B. Suggesting that the spouse seek psychological counseling to help her cope with exhaustion
C. Investigating community resources for adult day care and other services
D. Insisting that the patient be placed in a long-term care facility for the good of his spouse and children
C. Investigating community resources for adult day care ad other services
The nurse is caring for an 83-year old patient with Alzheimer’s disease knows that which of the following is a normal neurological change in the aging process?
A. Hyperactive deep tendon reflexes
B. Reduction in cerebral blood flow (CBF)
C. Increased cerebral metabolism
D. Hypersensitivity to painful stimuli
B. Reduction in cerebral blood flow (CBF)
To reduce the incidence of a post-lumbar puncture headache, the nurse suggests which of the following positives for 3 hours after the procedure?
A. Prone
B. Supine with HOB flat
C. Flat in side-lying position
D. Side-lying with HOB elevated 30 degrees
A. Prone
