NCLEX Alzheimer's Disease and Delirium Quiz

Questions and Answers

Which information indicates that the patient is experiencing delirium rather than dementia?

The patient has a history of increasing confusion over several years.

The patient's speech is fragmented and incoherent.

The patient was oriented and alert when admitted. (correct)

The patient is oriented to person but disoriented to place and time.

Which intervention will the nurse include in the plan of care for a patient with moderate dementia who had an appendectomy 2 days ago?

Reposition the patient frequently to avoid skin breakdown.

Place suction at the bedside to decrease the risk for aspiration.

Remind the patient frequently about being in the hospital. (correct)

Provide complete personal hygiene care for the patient.

When administering a mental status examination to a patient with delirium, the nurse should:

Choose a place without distracting stimuli. (correct)

Wait until the patient is well-rested.

Reorient the patient during the examination.

Administer an anxiolytic medication.

The most appropriate action by the nurse to prevent injury during an episode of delirium is to:

Assign unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) to stay with the patient and offer reorientation. Signup and view all the answers

A patient in the outpatient clinic is diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Which action will the nurse include in the plan of care?

Schedule the patient for more frequent appointments. Signup and view all the answers

The nurse suspects depression in a patient based on their responses. Which response indicates this?

'I don't know.' Signup and view all the answers

During assessment, a nurse expects to find which characteristic in a patient diagnosed with moderate dementia?

Loss of recent and long-term memory. Signup and view all the answers

Which action will help determine whether a patient's confusion is caused by dementia or delirium?

Use the Confusion Assessment Method tool. Signup and view all the answers

To obtain information about a patient's current mental status, which question should the nurse ask?

'What did you eat for breakfast?' Signup and view all the answers

What is typically considered the most important risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD)?

Diagnosis of AD made after ruling out other causes. Signup and view all the answers

Which nursing action will be most effective in ensuring daily medication compliance for a patient with mild dementia?

Having the patient's family member administer the medication. Signup and view all the answers

Which intervention is important for a patient with severe Alzheimer's disease (AD) during hospitalization?

Maintain a consistent daily routine for the patient's care. Signup and view all the answers

Which action will the nurse include in the care plan for a 71-year-old patient with Alzheimer's disease (AD) who wanders?

Place the patient in a room close to the nurses' station. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Delirium vs. Dementia

Delirium has an acute onset; patients may be alert when admitted and can rapidly change from alert to confused.
A key sign of delirium is incoherent and fragmented speech; dementia typically involves gradual memory loss.
Increasing confusion over several years aligns with dementia, not delirium.

Care for Dementia Patients

For patients with moderate dementia, frequent reminders about their condition and environment are crucial.
Comprehensive hygiene care is more appropriate for severe dementia due to self-care challenges.
Repositioning aids in avoiding skin breakdown, but frequent reminders are necessary for those with cognitive impairments.

Mental Status Examination

Conduct exams in environments free from distracting stimuli to enhance patient focus.
Waiting until the patient is well-rested before assessment is not effective; timely intervention is essential.

Postoperative Care

To mitigate injury risks during delirium, having unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) provide reorientation is effective.
Restraints and antipsychotic medications may pose additional risks and are usually not the best initial choice.

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)

Patients with MCI should have more frequent appointments to monitor their condition closely.
Discussing long-term care options or supervision isn't immediately necessary in early MCI without further cognitive decline.

Identifying Mental Health Issues

Patients displaying responses like “I don’t know” could indicate depression, distinct from memory issues seen in dementia.
The Confusion Assessment Method is a reliable tool for differentiating between dementia and delirium.

Assessment Questions

In assessing mental status, asking about recent, specific events (like breakfast) evaluates short-term memory, an indicator of Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) Diagnosis

Diagnosis often requires excluding other dementia causes; family history is a significant risk factor.
Presence of brain atrophy indicates progression but does not confirm AD.

Medication Compliance

Engaging a family member to administer medications effectively ensures adherence for patients with mild dementia due to common forgetfulness.

Hospital Care for Alzheimer's Patients

Maintaining a consistent daily routine for patients with severe AD lessens confusion and anxiety.
Familiar items from home may help with orientation, but placing at-risk patients nearer to nursing staff enhances safety during wandering episodes.

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Description

Test your knowledge on Alzheimer's Disease, Dementia, and Delirium with these NCLEX-style questions. This quiz focuses on key differences in patient presentations and assessments crucial for nursing practice. Enhance your understanding and prepare effectively for your nursing exams.